Taiyou Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi is a sparkling story of first love by the master of shojo manga, Kawahara Kazune -Sensei. The protagonist, Iwata Sae, is an ordinary girl who looks a little sturdy and lacks confidence in her “femininity.” However, her heart is very delicate and full of kindness. In her elementary school days, she met Kamishiro Kouki, a frail and small boy asking for help, and his smile instantly captivated her. The “first love” that took root within Sae without her realizing it, grows quietly yet surely with the passage of time.

Time passes, and when Kamishiro-kun becomes a middle school student, he grows taller and transforms into a refreshing, handsome, and popular figure. For Sae, who feels that he now “lives in a different world” from her, Kamishiro-kun has become like an unreachable star. However, the two coincidentally cross paths again during the last sports festival of middle school. Even though the time is short, the memory of her first love burns in her heart, and the feelings that had been quietly lit deep inside her soul slowly begin to stir. This very scene is the turning point of the story, and the “unchanging feelings” quietly resonate in the hearts of readers.

The phrase in the title, Taiyou Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi (A Star Brighter Than the Sun), feels like it perfectly symbolizes Kamishiro-kun's existence. He shines brightly, admired by everyone, but hidden behind that brilliance are awkwardness and past pain. For Sae, he is an important light, distant but never to be lost sight of. Towards that radiance, she tries to convey her feelings honestly. While this manga tackles the universal theme of “first love,” it masterfully depicts delicate psychological portrayal and character growth, which deeply resonates with readers' hearts.

When I finished reading Taiyou Yori mo Mabushii Hoshi, a sense of warmth and a touch of melancholy spread through my chest. It is relatable and realistic precisely because it doesn't rely on the dramatic developments common in shojo manga, but instead carefully depicts the feelings that emerge unexpectedly in daily life and the small steps taken with a bit of courage. In particular, Sae's feeling of “I lack confidence in myself, but I still want to be near the person I like” is surely an emotion that everyone has experienced. This work depicts not only romance but also the power of believing in oneself and the preciousness of growth, truly making it a volume packed with the essence of youth.