I first came across La Corda d'Oro via the anime rendition of the story. And, like many anime, the story stops just as it really gets going. So, of co...moreI first came across La Corda d'Oro via the anime rendition of the story. And, like many anime, the story stops just as it really gets going. So, of course I had to read the manga to see what happens next. The result is a cute little story. Yes, it has shoujo cliches, but it's told in such an earnest way that you can't help but enjoy the ride.
*As of review date, have read up through volume 13.(less)
La Corda is a pretty solid series, but nothing about it particularly stands out. After reading several different series recently, La Corda stands out...moreLa Corda is a pretty solid series, but nothing about it particularly stands out. After reading several different series recently, La Corda stands out only in that it doesn't. I think I'm frustrated because it has the potential to be really good. I still enjoy it, but I wish it would wow me more than it does.(less)
This is another solid installment of the series, but it's still lacking that extra little something to make it an excellent story. I'm enjoying La Cor...moreThis is another solid installment of the series, but it's still lacking that extra little something to make it an excellent story. I'm enjoying La Corda, but I'm glad it's wrapping up in another two volumes or so.
Speaking of wrapping up, that really could have happened by now. I am more than a little irritated with too many side stories that pull away from the main story, and in this volume it's a completely different story altogether (set 8 years in the future with a whole new group of students) that takes up nearly a third of the volume. The series could have ended books ago, seriously. Couple that with a 6+ month release schedule between volumes and yeah, I'm annoyed.(less)
I have been too generous with this series. A four star series it is not (as I have rated it in past volumes), or at least, not anymore. The artwork as...moreI have been too generous with this series. A four star series it is not (as I have rated it in past volumes), or at least, not anymore. The artwork aside, which has been a consistent weakness though not a deal breaker in the series, the story is, simply put, floundering.
What was charming in the beginning - a girl with no talent in music suddenly thrust into the spotlight as a competitor in a school-wide music competition, her learning how to play the violin with supernatural aid, her feeling guilty because she hasn't done all this on her own, and thus she becomes determined to really learn how to play the instrument - is all lost in the story now. Instead, we have our heroine, Kahoko, pining after the violin prodigy, Len. Pining so much so that she loses her focus on her performance to ridiculous levels.
Now, I like a good romance. But, I also like a smart romance. This is neither.
To top it off, about of third of this volume is dedicated once again to a side-story or spin-off or whatever that the mangaka is trying to promote. La Corda d'Oro should have wrapped up volumes ago. Instead, we have one more to go. sigh.