I decided to read this while I was waiting on Eyeshield 21 volumes, Death Note’s last few episodes, and because this is only a 5-volume manga. I read this back then when K-Manga was still scanlating this and didn’t get to finish until now.
Solaris-SVU’s summary:
Ikuru is a boy who doesn’t have long to live. Grown up question the purpose of his life and the reason for his death, he’s grown up constantly confused and lonely. Now, learning that he hasn’t long to live, he requests that a special “girl” called a AGH-RMS be given to him. These people are genetically made so that they help heal and ease the mental burdens of someone who hasn’t long to live. This manga is cute, sad and ultimately a story about life , death and humanity.
AGH-RMS are commonly called Ai-Ren. Ikuru’s the first who personally requested for an Ai-Ren. He even chose one for himself. Ikuru named his Ai-Ren ‘Ai’ being that was the first word Ai kept saying. It had taken hours before the Ai-Ren could talk and walk properly after being taken from their preservation area. At first he couldn’t imagine living with a girl, but eventually this Ai-Ren and him had fallen in love with each other. These Ai-Ren do not also have long to live too. They only have 10 months to live. It is true that their sole purpose is to provide comfort for those who do not have long to live.
The story’s interesting and started with a lot of depressing moments. Ikuru was entirely different before he met Ai anyway. He was alone and always sad. He was the only survivor in a bombing. He wasn’t supposed to live, but someone gave part of ‘his life’ to him. He did survive, but whatever is that was added to his body is slowly taking most of his body. Thus the reason why he doesn’t have long to live. When he started living with Ai, his life and views on it changed. He became happy and he looked forward to the days and moments he would spend with Ai.
The manga doesn’t only revolve around Ai and Ikuru. Some chapters focused on the not-too-long existence of humans as unknown beings are trying to take over the Earth and killing people. The events in the manga doesn’t seem to be in order. Some are from the past and some are in the future as Ikuru’s teacher would sometimes talk about him in past tense. His and Ai’s love is bittersweet. They would love each other forever, but their life together won’t be long.
I cried a bit after reading the chapter on Ai’s diary. She tried to live with the Ikuru at the fullest, so she could be happy and satisfied. She told Ikuru that if she goes first, she would always wait for him in their house no matter how long it takes. They even made videos and took pictures of themselves for their ‘future baby’. They first knew that was impossible, but he and Ai were able to produce one. Molecules/Atoms were taken from Ai’s body and it was discovered that they will have a baby. Ikuru knew he wouldn’t be able to live long to see the baby, but he’s happy they’re able to create a new life. He knows that they wouldn’t be forgotten with the proof of his and Ai’s love.