after considering this for a while, now I'm totally sure if this series is my favorite. Yes, and it is.....

 KAZE HIKARU (風光る)



The title of this series is a reference to this haiku:
風光る
まこと　の　はたに
花ごろ　も
kaze hikaru
makoto no hata ni
hana goro mo
("Wind shines/around truth's flag/and the symphony of flowers as well")
Notes: This haiku is made by Toshizo Hijikata, the vice-commander of The Shinsengumi


I've been following this series since I'm a freshman in junior high school, and up until now, the story has never been boring. Instead, it's getting more and more interesting each volume (and also more painful). Of course I also read other mangas. I real A LOT of mangas! It starts from Harlem Beat, Skip Beat, Ouran High School Host Club, The Prince of Tea, etc. Lately my favorite series are Kamisama Hajimemashita by Julietta Suzuki, and of course, THIS! Kaze Hikaru (or Flash of Wind, in Indonesia, by Elex Media) by Watanabe Taeko. Kamisama Hajimemashita has been a really enjoyable series, but it still can't beat how beautiful Kaze Hikaru is ^^

Kaze Hikaru is set in the bakumatsu. After her father and older brother are murdered, Tominaga Sei decides to pose as a boy named Kamiya Seizaburo (神谷清三郎^?) so that she can join the Mibu-Roshigumi (later known as the Shinsengumi) and avenge their deaths. Trained by Okita Soji, she soon finds herself falling in love with him. The series has been published in Japan by Shogakukan since 1997. In 2003, it won the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo. (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaze_Hikaru)

Most people will compare Kaze Hikaru with Hakuouki, since there are many similarities between the stories. But all I can say is, Kaze Hikaru released first than Hakuouki, and Kaze Hikaru is more than just a story with a lot of gorgeous bishounen (and cheesy heroine). You'll know it if you have read it. And not forget mentioning the history accuracy, because Watanabe Taeko has done an intensive research of Shinsengumi history for this series!

Aside of the history accuracy, this series also has soooo many plus points! The story is sooo good, with the drama, entertaining humours, etc, and the characters are all soo special. And of course, the most important ingredient in shoujo manga, the relationship between Sei and Souji! I can assure you, they both are sooo sweet, they almost feel like real now. *okay, I'm getting kinda freaky here*. But that's just what I feel. How Watanabe Taeko-sensei write them just amazing, and the bond between the male and female protagonist are so strong. 

So, if you haven't read this series, what are you waiting for? Go grab it now!

^^