This is probably the simplest series by Yuu Watase: there's no fantasy, no magic, no adventure, no science fiction. Just a really heart-warming and moving story about a cheerful girl called Tanpopo who transfers to a very exclusive school where she expects to make friends and live happily. On her first visit there, she mets a boy who is taking care lovingly of a dandelion and seems to like gardening. Tanpopo thinks she's made her very first friend...

However, reality proves to be a lot harsher. Her new school turns out to be full of onnoxious people who care more about social status and money than friendship, and because Tanpopo lacks boths, she's soon tagged as a "weed". Not just that, the boy she had met the previous day is none other than Kouki Kugyou, the richest guy of the school, cold hearted and unapproachable and he doesn't want to do anything with her.

Tanpopo of course is not going to just sit there and weep. She's determined to make friends even if it means create something as outrageous as a gardening club to peak Kouki's interest.

Just because I said this story was simple, compared to other Watase's works, doesn't mean that its plot or characters are superficial. On the contrary, the gallery of people that fill Imadoki! is wonderfully drawn and developed. The characters are rich, complex and lovable. The story, about friendship, love and authenticity, is full of funny situations but also there's angst and pain as each character learns to bloom for whom they are and to trust in others.

The story is inspiring and hard to forget. I read this manga three years ago and still remember vividly how it made me feel once I finished it. I certainly recommend it for any shoujo fan out there.