What do you think?
Rate this book
砂時計 [Sunadokei] #7
Sand Chronicles, Vol. 7
Can the sands of time heal all wounds?
Twelve-year-old Ann and her divorced mother move from big city Tokyo to her mother's rural hometown. As the years pass, Ann learns to trust and depend on her new friends--Daigo and aristocratic siblings Fuji and Shika. But when Ann moves back to Tokyo to be with her father, will she be able to maintain a long-distance relationship with Daigo?
Ann's junior high school reunion is coming up, and she hasn't seen Daigo in two years. How will their reunion go? Then, finally, the story behind Ann's engagement. Who is her fiancé...?
Twelve-year-old Ann and her divorced mother move from big city Tokyo to her mother's rural hometown. As the years pass, Ann learns to trust and depend on her new friends--Daigo and aristocratic siblings Fuji and Shika. But when Ann moves back to Tokyo to be with her father, will she be able to maintain a long-distance relationship with Daigo?
Ann's junior high school reunion is coming up, and she hasn't seen Daigo in two years. How will their reunion go? Then, finally, the story behind Ann's engagement. Who is her fiancé...?
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2005
About the author
Hinako Ashihara
75 books121 followersPseudonym of Ritsuko Matsumoto, Japanese manga artist.
Debut with "Sono Hanashi okotowari shimasu" in 1994 on Bessatsu Shoujo Comics.
Japanese name: 芦原妃名子
Debut with "Sono Hanashi okotowari shimasu" in 1994 on Bessatsu Shoujo Comics.
Japanese name: 芦原妃名子
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 7, 2022
"when i stood there all alone surrounded by all that sand, i felt so insecure. there wasn't a thing in sight, i had no idea where i was, and the ground underfoot was unstable. there was nothing to guide me and no clear destination. i couldn't find my way. i was lost. i got confused. i started to panic. there was no reason for me to be so nervous, but i was paralyzed. i think everybody feels that way sometimes. and then i thought maybe you feel that way all the time, ever since the winter we were twelve."
what a way to write about mental health goddamn.
edit: raised to 5 stars
what a way to write about mental health goddamn.
edit: raised to 5 stars
June 14, 2024
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/pQREVpbRfpY
"There's a thin line between strength and sensitivity and true strength requires kindness."
WHEN DOES THE HEARTBREAK END?! 😭😭😭
I am MOST nervous about the end of this volume and can say that none of the other volumes compared to how hard and scary it was for the end of this one. Seeing Ann follow in her mother's footsteps, from the way she worked too hard to the way she ran away, I am terrified of what's to come.
I can say that this volume has been unlike any other shoujo I've read before. Right now at least, there are no roses and excited squeals when the heroine has reached adulthood and she is happily married to the male lead and has beautiful children. What could have maybe resulted in that kind of happy ending with another guy unfolded horribly wrong and felt even more crushed for Ann.
It truly has been devastating in so many ways reading this, especially as a reader who is an adult now. It really shows how hard life can get and that the dreams we had during childhood don't always unfold the way we thought they would. With that, suppressing your emotions and memories can have a lasting impact that isn't positive and can affect you gravely.
Honestly, it feels depressing and very hopeless. I feel Ann has lost hope compared to just two volumes ago and feel scared to read the next volume and it makes me feel incredibly anxious to read something so bleak when I want something so much for a heroine. I get what Daigo was trying to tell her, but the words he used were wrong, and the results he wanted backfired in the worst way possible.
Truly, let there be hope on the horizon and good things in store 😭😭😭😭
"There's a thin line between strength and sensitivity and true strength requires kindness."
WHEN DOES THE HEARTBREAK END?! 😭😭😭
I am MOST nervous about the end of this volume and can say that none of the other volumes compared to how hard and scary it was for the end of this one. Seeing Ann follow in her mother's footsteps, from the way she worked too hard to the way she ran away, I am terrified of what's to come.
I can say that this volume has been unlike any other shoujo I've read before. Right now at least, there are no roses and excited squeals when the heroine has reached adulthood and she is happily married to the male lead and has beautiful children. What could have maybe resulted in that kind of happy ending with another guy unfolded horribly wrong and felt even more crushed for Ann.
It truly has been devastating in so many ways reading this, especially as a reader who is an adult now. It really shows how hard life can get and that the dreams we had during childhood don't always unfold the way we thought they would. With that, suppressing your emotions and memories can have a lasting impact that isn't positive and can affect you gravely.
Honestly, it feels depressing and very hopeless. I feel Ann has lost hope compared to just two volumes ago and feel scared to read the next volume and it makes me feel incredibly anxious to read something so bleak when I want something so much for a heroine. I get what Daigo was trying to tell her, but the words he used were wrong, and the results he wanted backfired in the worst way possible.
Truly, let there be hope on the horizon and good things in store 😭😭😭😭
August 28, 2011
Sand Chronicles is unique among that shojo manga I've read in that it takes the characters past high school. I've read a few series with epilogues featuring the characters as adults, but the last 4 volumes of Sand Chronicles feature them in their 20s and 30s.
Ann and her friends are 20 now. Ann is living the life of a college student, going to singles' parties, studying, and caring for her baby sister. She hasn't gone back to Shimane in years, but now has an invitation to her junior high reunion (I wonder if they actually have those in Japan. I can't imagine having one in the US). She musters up the courage to go to her old town and see Daigo for the first time since they broke up.
On an interesting side note, Ann meets up with Fuji briefly at the beginning of this volume. Fuji is dating his cousin Mariko and seems quite happy. It's clear that he's moved past Ann. He still cares for her, but he can let go of his past. Ann can't get past Daigo. And Daigo can't get past Ann. Their love is too strong.
Daigo and Ann spend time together in Shimane. I'm glad sparks aren't rekindled here. They definitely are still attracted to each other, but they're not good for each other right now. Ann is too damaged and still wants to escape through Daigo. Daigo realizes this now. He argues forcefully that Ann needs to be strong and learn to find happiness within herself, not within other people. It's amazing how caring and insightful he is.
The volume ends when Ann is 26 years old. She's forced herself to become hardened. Work, work, work...never show any emotion. She meets a young man on a train and they hit it off. He's an arrogant jerk. He hates everybody, but especially women who cry or argue. He wants a strong woman who is also completely subservient. The reader is screaming at Ann to drop this jerk and run away as fast as possible. But no, their romance is quick and they're soon engaged! Fortunately, Ann is saved when she has the gumption to challenge Sakura. He takes offense and immediately breaks the engagement. Yay!
Ann and her friends are 20 now. Ann is living the life of a college student, going to singles' parties, studying, and caring for her baby sister. She hasn't gone back to Shimane in years, but now has an invitation to her junior high reunion (I wonder if they actually have those in Japan. I can't imagine having one in the US). She musters up the courage to go to her old town and see Daigo for the first time since they broke up.
On an interesting side note, Ann meets up with Fuji briefly at the beginning of this volume. Fuji is dating his cousin Mariko and seems quite happy. It's clear that he's moved past Ann. He still cares for her, but he can let go of his past. Ann can't get past Daigo. And Daigo can't get past Ann. Their love is too strong.
Daigo and Ann spend time together in Shimane. I'm glad sparks aren't rekindled here. They definitely are still attracted to each other, but they're not good for each other right now. Ann is too damaged and still wants to escape through Daigo. Daigo realizes this now. He argues forcefully that Ann needs to be strong and learn to find happiness within herself, not within other people. It's amazing how caring and insightful he is.
The volume ends when Ann is 26 years old. She's forced herself to become hardened. Work, work, work...never show any emotion. She meets a young man on a train and they hit it off. He's an arrogant jerk. He hates everybody, but especially women who cry or argue. He wants a strong woman who is also completely subservient. The reader is screaming at Ann to drop this jerk and run away as fast as possible. But no, their romance is quick and they're soon engaged! Fortunately, Ann is saved when she has the gumption to challenge Sakura. He takes offense and immediately breaks the engagement. Yay!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2021
First things first, why the hell did Fuji end up dating his COUSIN??? He was already a slightly pathetic character but then the mangaka makes him end up with a family member??? Why not a new girl???
Also, that’s not how I expected the junior high reunion to go. I was even feeling nervous for Ann to see Daigo after 3 years!!!
And later on in the volume, when Ann’s 26, I couldn’t even believe she would accept that a-hole’s proposal!!!! I knew he was a dick when he first popped up!!!! What really got me about this douche was the fact that he hates sensitive people. They’re weak for crying. They’re weak for feeling!!!! Well, I’m sorry sir… that you’re A ROBOT. Go rot by yourself and let the rest of us HUMANS feel our emotions!!!
And I really wish that Ann would stop saying she was “weak” when she was with Daigo!!!!! Honey, you were not weak! You were in love!!!! If we can’t show our vulnerable sides to our significant others, then who else??????
Also, that’s not how I expected the junior high reunion to go. I was even feeling nervous for Ann to see Daigo after 3 years!!!
And later on in the volume, when Ann’s 26, I couldn’t even believe she would accept that a-hole’s proposal!!!! I knew he was a dick when he first popped up!!!! What really got me about this douche was the fact that he hates sensitive people. They’re weak for crying. They’re weak for feeling!!!! Well, I’m sorry sir… that you’re A ROBOT. Go rot by yourself and let the rest of us HUMANS feel our emotions!!!
And I really wish that Ann would stop saying she was “weak” when she was with Daigo!!!!! Honey, you were not weak! You were in love!!!! If we can’t show our vulnerable sides to our significant others, then who else??????
Read
January 17, 2024Does An want to move or not???
March 2, 2023
Interesting turns in the series-- really liking it!
September 15, 2017
If we never learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Ann learns that the hard way in this seventh installment of Sand Chronicles by Miss Hinako Ashihara. The entire manga focuses entirely on Ann's journey to her engagement (if you remember the first chapter of the first volume). Finally, the timeline will sync with the story. But worry not because I believe Miss Ashihara will still visit the past. After all, the manga is all about the past, the future, and the present.
As Ann navigates the adult world, we find little by little that The manga stops there, and it is a beautiful ending because, on the next installment, we'll see what decision Ann will make for herself. If she makes the wrong decision, she will end up hurting the people around her as her mother did.
As Ann navigates the adult world, we find little by little that The manga stops there, and it is a beautiful ending because, on the next installment, we'll see what decision Ann will make for herself. If she makes the wrong decision, she will end up hurting the people around her as her mother did.
March 17, 2010
This series is pretty special. It's rare to read a comic book that started out as a junior high romance that tracks its characters through time in a real and profound way. This volume sees Ann in her 20s still struggling with the events that led to her being alone in adulthood. It's a mature story, full of wonderful art and nuanced writing.
December 19, 2018
This was not the ending I wanted to see this moving toward. The entire story jumps too many years, and all we see is Ann forever living in the past and never able to let go. That makes me sad because I really had hoped to see her grow and she really...hasn't. I don't have much hope for the end at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
read-seq-art
February 8, 2011This is where the series finally convinced me to buy instead of tachiyomi -- late, but the effect is cumulative. And I was, finally, convinced that it was Ann's story and that it wasn't romance--or anything external--that would save her.
May 23, 2011
Don't you think Ann is haunted by her mother? She can't escape, ever. She's begging for someone to save her, and no one can. I don't know how Ann never connected just waking up in the morning as strength when she feels that bad, constantly.
January 6, 2010
Sand Chronicles is one of the most moving series I have ever read. It makes me cry every time! Read my review here: http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=3672
March 20, 2015
I think that this volume REALLY helped move the plot along.
October 12, 2016
Ashihara does such a good job of bringing everything together.
January 4, 2023
volume 1->10 (no spoilers)
FR
Pour commencer l'année 2023; j'avais envie de me relire quelque chose que j'aime, une lecture doudou.
Alors, clairement, ce manga ne peut techniquement pas entrer dans cette catégorie réellement, parce que on parle notamment de suicide. Mais c'est une lecture très nostalgique pour moi.
Je l'avais découvert à un moment assez compliqué pour moi, et bizarrement, j'étais tombée totalement amoureuse de l'histoire, malgré la difficulté, malgré les personnages dont je ne supporte pas forcément ce qu'ils.elles disent/font.
Et malgré les défauts, malgré ce que moi, je n'aime pas...
C'est toujours un coup de coeur. Je suis toujours amoureuse.
Mon avis n'a pas changé. Je n'aime toujours pas les mêmes choses. Et j'adore toujours les mêmes choses.
Je ne peux pas le recommander à tout le monde, au vu des sujets. Mais si vous pouvez gérer les cw, n'hésitez pas !
ENG
To start the year 2023; I wanted to re-read something I like, a cuddly reading.
So, clearly, this manga cannot technically fit into this category really, because we are talking about suicide in particular. But it's a very nostalgic read for me.
I had discovered it at a time that was quite complicated for me, and oddly, I had fallen totally in love with the story, despite the difficulty, despite the characters of whom I don't necessarily support what they say/do.
And despite the flaws, despite what I don't like...
It's always a crush. I'm still in love.
My opinion has not changed. I still don't like the same things. And I still love the same things.
I cannot recommend it to everyone, given the subjects. But if you can handle the cws, don't hesitate !
FR
Pour commencer l'année 2023; j'avais envie de me relire quelque chose que j'aime, une lecture doudou.
Alors, clairement, ce manga ne peut techniquement pas entrer dans cette catégorie réellement, parce que on parle notamment de suicide. Mais c'est une lecture très nostalgique pour moi.
Je l'avais découvert à un moment assez compliqué pour moi, et bizarrement, j'étais tombée totalement amoureuse de l'histoire, malgré la difficulté, malgré les personnages dont je ne supporte pas forcément ce qu'ils.elles disent/font.
Et malgré les défauts, malgré ce que moi, je n'aime pas...
C'est toujours un coup de coeur. Je suis toujours amoureuse.
Mon avis n'a pas changé. Je n'aime toujours pas les mêmes choses. Et j'adore toujours les mêmes choses.
Je ne peux pas le recommander à tout le monde, au vu des sujets. Mais si vous pouvez gérer les cw, n'hésitez pas !
ENG
To start the year 2023; I wanted to re-read something I like, a cuddly reading.
So, clearly, this manga cannot technically fit into this category really, because we are talking about suicide in particular. But it's a very nostalgic read for me.
I had discovered it at a time that was quite complicated for me, and oddly, I had fallen totally in love with the story, despite the difficulty, despite the characters of whom I don't necessarily support what they say/do.
And despite the flaws, despite what I don't like...
It's always a crush. I'm still in love.
My opinion has not changed. I still don't like the same things. And I still love the same things.
I cannot recommend it to everyone, given the subjects. But if you can handle the cws, don't hesitate !
February 7, 2026
Un tome qui prend aux tripes et questionne à nouveau mais bien plus violemment sur notre héritage parentale. Sommes nous en partie une reproduction de nos parents? Sommes nous voués a reproduire ce qu’ils ont fait ou vécu. Une scène où An se rappelle ce que sa grand-mère lui a dit sur sa mère m’a mis les larmes aux yeux.
Les questionnements autour du premier amour, de celui qui nous a marqué de par son engagement mutuel, sa passion, sont toujours présentes aussi. C’est beau et dur à lire en même temps. Ça nous fait plonger dans notre passé. Et vous ? Vous souvenez vous de votre premier amour?
On découvre aussi la vie de jeunes adultes au Japon, cela a pas l’air simple. On découvre deux genres de femmes et j’ai trouvé amusant que la mangaka ne parle pas de femmes avec un juste milieu.
Les questionnements autour du premier amour, de celui qui nous a marqué de par son engagement mutuel, sa passion, sont toujours présentes aussi. C’est beau et dur à lire en même temps. Ça nous fait plonger dans notre passé. Et vous ? Vous souvenez vous de votre premier amour?
On découvre aussi la vie de jeunes adultes au Japon, cela a pas l’air simple. On découvre deux genres de femmes et j’ai trouvé amusant que la mangaka ne parle pas de femmes avec un juste milieu.
March 21, 2017
Good volume.
October 12, 2018
The one who can make you happy ... isn't me or Fuji. It's you."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2022
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Read
June 27, 2022NOOOO🙃🙃🙃😭😭😭😭😭
May 12, 2023
would be a 5 but a certain *reveal* knocked off a whole star for me
August 18, 2024
Viz manga app, ch 13-14. Ouch, this one hurt a lot. The goodbye had me crying ngl. Hopefully next volume Ann finally finally moves forward.
Read
March 31, 2025Han tenido que pasar 7 tomos y Ann llegando a su breaking point (y pasándolo no nos vamos a mentir) para que alguien le haya dicho que tiene que ir al psicólogo! Un hurra x el médico que lo ha hecho!!
Fuera coñas, estaba clarísimo que es lo que necesita desde hace años.
La reunión con Daigo ha sido tan agridulce uf, pero era necesaria para intentar cerrar un poco el capítulo.
No esperaba que después el salto fuera a ser de 6 años but oh well. Todo el tema del prometido es tan rápido que simplemente se veía la ostia a kilómetros, más aún con las perlas que él soltaba sobre la gente débil y esas cosas. Es que su personaje... No me gusta lol. Se ve que es así pq tiene daddy issues y quizá mommy tmb pero chico no puedes ir así tampoco x la vida nose.
Enfin, eso ha sido la gota que ha colmado el vaso de la pobre Ann (bueno lo del doctor realmente pero es consecuencia de lo primero so) y se llega a lo que ya se sabía, que nunca ha podido superar lo del suicidio de la madre ni ha podido llegar a lidiar bien con ello, lo que nos lleva a qué va hacia el reloj de arena pa seguirla tiene pinta. Ngl, no sé cómo va a salir de esta porque está en un sitio horrible mentalmente, a ver qué pasa.
Fuera coñas, estaba clarísimo que es lo que necesita desde hace años.
La reunión con Daigo ha sido tan agridulce uf, pero era necesaria para intentar cerrar un poco el capítulo.
No esperaba que después el salto fuera a ser de 6 años but oh well. Todo el tema del prometido es tan rápido que simplemente se veía la ostia a kilómetros, más aún con las perlas que él soltaba sobre la gente débil y esas cosas. Es que su personaje... No me gusta lol. Se ve que es así pq tiene daddy issues y quizá mommy tmb pero chico no puedes ir así tampoco x la vida nose.
Enfin, eso ha sido la gota que ha colmado el vaso de la pobre Ann (bueno lo del doctor realmente pero es consecuencia de lo primero so) y se llega a lo que ya se sabía, que nunca ha podido superar lo del suicidio de la madre ni ha podido llegar a lidiar bien con ello, lo que nos lleva a qué va hacia el reloj de arena pa seguirla tiene pinta. Ngl, no sé cómo va a salir de esta porque está en un sitio horrible mentalmente, a ver qué pasa.
March 7, 2017
This one finally gets back to the present state - mostly. It's super emotional as well. Although it did feel a bit rushed compared to the other ones.
February 19, 2017
When I began reading manga (which was only two months ago), I never expected to read something that was truly touching. I thought it would all be fun and cute. This series changes my mind completely about the type of manga I like. Sure, I enjoy reading funny manga like Special A or cute manga like Fruits Basket, but I enjoy reading manga with a realistic story line and deeper meaning much more. It’s just better that way. That’s what this series was for me and I can only hope I’ll find more like it.
The artwork is a little muddier than I like. I’m more partial to defined drawing, rather than the scratchy drawing so often found in shoujo manga. I think it’s meant to give a more dreamy quality, but I just find it a bit on the annoying side. Since I liked this series so much, I’m willing to put that complaint aside.
The character development in this series is just unreal. I didn’t think manga was capable of that kind of thing. I couldn’t have been more wrong in that assumption. Ann’s development throughout the series is heartbreaking and incredibly realistic, considering her age. She goes through so many of the screw-ups and indecision that comes with being a girl in her teens or early twenties. I felt that I could relate to her throughout most of the series because I have gone through a lot of the same things. Daigo has a tendency to be a little more hard-headed, but it definitely the more mature of the two. He makes no secret of his complete devotion to Ann, even when she’s too messed up to realize what’s in front of her. He’s unwavering and therefore a more static character. However, this doesn’t hurt the series, as it is about Ann growing up, not Daigo. The situation Fuji and Shika find themselves in is a little more dramatic. They too are developing characters and both do a lot of growing up. Their search for their true identities is one that gives the series a bit more intrigue. They both learn a lot they didn’t know about themselves along the way.
This is certainly the best written manga I’ve come across. If you’re into manga, or are thinking of trying it out I highly recommend this series. It’s definitely girly shoujo manga, but it’s got a great story.
The artwork is a little muddier than I like. I’m more partial to defined drawing, rather than the scratchy drawing so often found in shoujo manga. I think it’s meant to give a more dreamy quality, but I just find it a bit on the annoying side. Since I liked this series so much, I’m willing to put that complaint aside.
The character development in this series is just unreal. I didn’t think manga was capable of that kind of thing. I couldn’t have been more wrong in that assumption. Ann’s development throughout the series is heartbreaking and incredibly realistic, considering her age. She goes through so many of the screw-ups and indecision that comes with being a girl in her teens or early twenties. I felt that I could relate to her throughout most of the series because I have gone through a lot of the same things. Daigo has a tendency to be a little more hard-headed, but it definitely the more mature of the two. He makes no secret of his complete devotion to Ann, even when she’s too messed up to realize what’s in front of her. He’s unwavering and therefore a more static character. However, this doesn’t hurt the series, as it is about Ann growing up, not Daigo. The situation Fuji and Shika find themselves in is a little more dramatic. They too are developing characters and both do a lot of growing up. Their search for their true identities is one that gives the series a bit more intrigue. They both learn a lot they didn’t know about themselves along the way.
This is certainly the best written manga I’ve come across. If you’re into manga, or are thinking of trying it out I highly recommend this series. It’s definitely girly shoujo manga, but it’s got a great story.
July 3, 2010
I absolutely couldn't believe that Ann would accept a proposal from a guy she had never even kissed. The fact that a guy like that would ask is pretty incredible to me. I was very glad with the resolution of that part of the story line, but now I really want the 8th book because the ending of this book is a giant cliffhanger! There is some kissing, but not much else including language and violence.
June 6, 2012
I was happy Daigo rejected Ann's attempt to get back together and happy for Ann becoming tougher and meeting a new guy and getting engaged. But then it all fell apart and we're pretty much back to zero as far as Ann's toughness goes, though I'm pretty sure the author is just faking us out with the comparisons to her suicidal mom. Just a few novels left to go. I feel like Ann and Daigo are perhaps inevitable but I don't feel as bad about it as I did in the previous book.
June 30, 2012
Ann returns to Shimane for a school reunion. She sees Daigo again which is awkward at first, but ultimately ends up for the best. They're no good for each other at this point. Ann was seriously scaring me there for a minute with that jerk she met on the train. This book is ripping my heart out! Come on Ann.... I'm pulling for you <3
May 27, 2014
A LOT happens in this volume, it's almost hard to keep up! But it takes place when Ann is 26, and shows her trying to just be herself. It's interesting seeing her "new" personality, especially in the work force.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews