My all-time favorite manga--and this is coming from a sucker for cute romances. (That being said, if ever given the chance to watch the anime, refuse. It is absolute garbage and completely destroys the beauty that is this manga.)

((My history with the series: I started reading SDK by borrowing from a friend when it was first being released here in the US (my middle school days). Eventually, when I started college and was actually making some money, I wanted to start collecting the series for myself, as it had been a while since I'd read the first 8 or so volumes. SDK was already starting to disappear from shelves, and was eventually out of print. I ordered volumes 2 and 3 at a time, some for just a few bucks, some for $30 just because they were hard to find. Finally, around 2-3 years ago, I had them all, and finally finished reading the series, over 10 years after I first started it.))

I really love Kamijyo-sensei's art. The girls are pretty, and the guys are good-looking, but it's not shoujo, so--ignoring the obviously fantastical aspects--the characters are pretty realistic in appearance while keeping the manga-y vibe. There's tons of action, but it's not all streaky action lines and blurs. I can think of maybe only one or two times where it was a little difficult to tell what just got chopped off or slashed open. The backgrounds are also well done, so it's easy to get engrossed in the setting while you're reading.

The abilities, weapons, and personalities of the (many, many) characters are all so varied and interesting. I really like the interactions of the main group--the characters all feel differently about each other, so the relationships are dynamic and fun to experience. While there are a ton of characters in the series, it's not hard to keep track of them. The only time that might be a little iffy is when you're introduced to a group of baddies who have their own names, but also go by their designated names in the group. If you ever get lost, there's a chart in the front of every volume after they've been introduced. Generally speaking, though, it's not confusing.

The series may seem long-winded, but it doesn't ever feel like you're slogging through a volume or two. There's always something happening, whether an old enemy is appearing, or we're meeting new allies. Some fights can last an entire volume, but there's usually some side stuff happening that breaks it up, so it's not reminding you of DBZ filler. There's humor, touches of romance, action, adventure, and good storytelling, all presented in a fantastic art style. Just a really great series that has stuck with me for years. ( )

SDK is one of those series that get better the further along you get - in this first volume, you'll only meet two of the main-characters, but by the sixth or seventh volume, you'll have met a lot more and most of them will pop up again sooner or later.

As a shounen manga, there's a fair bit of fighting/dueling going on, but what I really like about the series are the characters and the banter in between (and sometimes during) the fights. There's mysteries and secrets to be unveiled, a dash of romance, some kick-ass female characters, one Big Plot to connect all plotlines ... all in thirty-eight volumes, thirty-three of which have been translated thus far.

So, don't let the pervy medicine peddler in this first volume scare you off; Kamijyo knows how to create a great plot /and/ great characters, without making their noses bleed. ( )