Finally finished reading Hoshi no Samidare. The first time I'd gotten started with it was ages ago, and back then marathoned it to the midway point and then forgot about it for some reason. Now I reread it from the beginning and worked through it in smaller pieces.
And man, it's a really good manga.
Each and every character feels like they're the MC of their own story. Every chapter/arc is filled with new and interesting things and themes. This does lead to what may be considered its biggest flaw, though: not having the time to dive as deep into the themes as they maybe deserve. But it's not superficial, don't get me wrong. It deals with forgiveness, adulthood and loss especially maturely and gracefully in my opinion. Just that the ideas are sometimes "finished" without a truly satisfying ending.
It has an intesting air to it, especially at the beginning. By the end it perhaps let's up on that in favor of tying up its story, though.
In the end a very good piece of fiction. Its "jack of all trades" nature might keep it from toppling stuff like Vagabond at the top of my all-time-favorite list, but I'll definitely give Spirit Circle a shot soon.