I was confused why this had such a high rating as I worked through the first couple of chapters, annoyed by the incomplete world-building, the characters, and the suspension of disbelief the world required. But by the end I was quite emotionally affected by the dream-like story and the heavy themes the story touched upon. So while I think the opening and world-building weren't the strongest, the final heartache and philosophical themes were surprisingly impactful by the end of the manga.
Perhaps it's because the themes of hope and what constitutes meaning/value are so relatable, or because deep down we all desire a reciprocated connection with another, that I really related to and cared about the characters by the end.
A very emotionally impactful manga; I'm a sucker for bitter-sweet endings.
9/10