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nonesensed's review
5.0
An alternate history take on Japan during the Edo period, this story starts 80 years after a terrible plague. This plague, the Redface Pox, has claimed 75 percent of the male population, leaving great social change along with grief in its wake. This story follows the lives of people used to gender roles very different from those we know though still influenced by a more "traditional" system.
An attention grabbing start to a series! I'm very curious to see where this goes, both regarding where the characters themselves end up and how the "main plot" will turn out (aka finding out how much of previous historical events has been erased from recorded history + how they will deal with foreign influences). Definitely checking out the next part!
An attention grabbing start to a series! I'm very curious to see where this goes, both regarding where the characters themselves end up and how the "main plot" will turn out (aka finding out how much of previous historical events has been erased from recorded history + how they will deal with foreign influences). Definitely checking out the next part!
jamberg's review
5.0
I am completely fascinated by this series. A sex-specific plague affects historical Japan and women come to power as politicians and heads of households. Interesting societal changes, great writing, expressive art (the art has to be good enough to distinguish many characters and it succeeds), and plenty of suspense and emotion make this a highly recommended read.
I get the impression from the notes that the events and characters somewhat follow their actual male counterparts. I wish I knew more about what actually happened in history because this may add a whole new element to the book.
I get the impression from the notes that the events and characters somewhat follow their actual male counterparts. I wish I knew more about what actually happened in history because this may add a whole new element to the book.
genarti's review
3.0
Fascinating premise, well executed! Trigger warning for just about everything, though -- this is NOT a series that shies away from having terrible things happen to its characters onscreen. A very interesting read, but only if you're up for that.
Unfortunately, the translation is very clunky, full of thees and thous written by someone with a tin ear for archaic English, and no difference whatsoever between the speech of Edo samurai and Kyoto nobles, even when the text tells us they're speaking very differently. The fact that I enjoyed it as much as I did despite the translation is a testament to the quality of the original, but it's a pity it didn't get a defter translation into English.
Unfortunately, the translation is very clunky, full of thees and thous written by someone with a tin ear for archaic English, and no difference whatsoever between the speech of Edo samurai and Kyoto nobles, even when the text tells us they're speaking very differently. The fact that I enjoyed it as much as I did despite the translation is a testament to the quality of the original, but it's a pity it didn't get a defter translation into English.
matt_and_cheez's review
4.0
This manga is probably the deepest I've read. It investigates a switch of roles. Instead of the men being Shogun and running Japan, the women are left to the more "masculine" jobs like farming and business, while the men are left to be servants and prostitutes. A horrible disease wiped out the majority of men in Japan and they soon become almost sacred. The protagonist finds himself serving under the Shogun and finds out that it is much more dangerous than he once thought.
I think that this story has some worthy life lessons. What gives men the right to be superior? Why can't we do things that are "normal" for the opposite sex?
I think that this story has some worthy life lessons. What gives men the right to be superior? Why can't we do things that are "normal" for the opposite sex?
notthatlibrarian's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mereadingbooks's review
4.0
I'm slowly entering the manga mindset again and this was pretty cool. An interesting take on speculative fiction and gender roles. Although it took me some time to get into, I'm completely in love with how it turned out. Four stars because I want there to be the possibility of improvement for the next in the series.
blkmymorris's review
4.0
The book has a simple speculative fiction premise that I love : What if men were so few in feudal Japan that women took over and a woman became the shogun/empress.
This book sucked me in with the plotting and the characters that are so compelling. At first we are introduced to a young man, but then we met the shogun and we then follow her.
I have trouble differentiating between all the male characters.
This book sucked me in with the plotting and the characters that are so compelling. At first we are introduced to a young man, but then we met the shogun and we then follow her.
I have trouble differentiating between all the male characters.
tabby2920's review
5.0
Very good! It's like The Handmaid's Tale meets the Hunger Games. Going to read more in the series!
museoffire's review against another edition
4.0
Fabulous alternate history manga reimagining a Japan where women rule and men are a commodity to be traded, used, and exploited. Exquisite artwork and a truly intriguing story. I'm hooked.