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Very interesting. Gives me a bit of Ancient Magus Bride vibes.
The kind of ethereal story that I find works better in Japanese than English, but the art is absolutely gorgeous and the aesthetic absolutely something I would have loved as a kid. Probably a fun read for manga/anime fans, though it is much slower and more atmospheric than your average manga.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5 stars
This was very atmospheric and bittersweet. The art was gorgeous. I don't think I'll continue with the series, but simply because I particularly liked the way this volume ended.
This was very atmospheric and bittersweet. The art was gorgeous. I don't think I'll continue with the series, but simply because I particularly liked the way this volume ended.
I recently confessed to a friend that I'd never actually read manga, which prompted her to give me a few recommendations and led me to this, my first manga!
I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I was admittedly a little worried that I'd read it "wrong" since I was not only traveling from right to left, but also had to make sure I followed the correct boxes in the right order. Ultimately, though, I didn't find it difficult at all - I was actually shocked at how easily I adjusted to reading "backwards."
The first volume of this series was really enjoyable. There's a lot here to set the stage for the story to come, leaving a lot more questions than answers. That was okay though - I liked getting to know young Shiva and her "teacher." Above all, their relationship drives this first volume, and it's a relationship that is both mysterious and touching.
Shiva is a human child that has been abandoned on the "outside," a place where cursed beasts are left to roam, away from the safety of the light-filled "inside." She has been taken in by one of these beasts, which she refers to has her "teacher." However, since he is an outsider, he can't touch her, since his touch would curse her.
The idea alone of a caretaker of a young child who can't touch them is a bit heartbreaking, but Shiva and her teacher have formed a touching bond anyway. It becomes even more apparent when Shiva finds herself in danger.
I'm excited to read more in this series and see what the fate of Shiva and her teacher end up being - grateful for the recommendation, and to have broken the manga seal!
I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I was admittedly a little worried that I'd read it "wrong" since I was not only traveling from right to left, but also had to make sure I followed the correct boxes in the right order. Ultimately, though, I didn't find it difficult at all - I was actually shocked at how easily I adjusted to reading "backwards."
The first volume of this series was really enjoyable. There's a lot here to set the stage for the story to come, leaving a lot more questions than answers. That was okay though - I liked getting to know young Shiva and her "teacher." Above all, their relationship drives this first volume, and it's a relationship that is both mysterious and touching.
Shiva is a human child that has been abandoned on the "outside," a place where cursed beasts are left to roam, away from the safety of the light-filled "inside." She has been taken in by one of these beasts, which she refers to has her "teacher." However, since he is an outsider, he can't touch her, since his touch would curse her.
The idea alone of a caretaker of a young child who can't touch them is a bit heartbreaking, but Shiva and her teacher have formed a touching bond anyway. It becomes even more apparent when Shiva finds herself in danger.
I'm excited to read more in this series and see what the fate of Shiva and her teacher end up being - grateful for the recommendation, and to have broken the manga seal!
The art in this is so gloriously beautiful and slightly twisted, it's wonderful!! I'm pumped to read more!! I'm intrigued to see what they talk about with the subject of insiders and outsiders.
wow yeah i read this super fast. ITS SOOO GOOD IM OBSESSED and i neeeeed the second one UUGFHHH. i like teacher so much because he reminds me of hexe
Reread: still obsessed
Reread: still obsessed
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
This comic is oozing with its own style, reminiscent of Edward Gorey. It's beautiful and the story is based on my favorite trope. (Does it have a name? I just love everything that has a young girl befriending an "evil" ugly monster. Seriously.) I'm excited to continue with the series.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
(This review will span Volume 1-11 of the translated english manga)
I can’t even begin to describe how amazing the journey let alone how the book ended. Volume 1 was mysterious and did well when it comes to setting the tone and world building of the story. Afterwards it only goes up from there, revealing several climaxes throughout the span of 11 volumes.
The art style is a treat. It conveys a lot of hidden meanings and paces the story quite well even when the panels or pages contain hardly any dialogue. The art changes depending on the mood of the story and I love the little visible brush strokes and ink the author used when creating the story. Definitely a different art style from Nagabe’s other works.
I can’t even begin to describe how amazing the journey let alone how the book ended. Volume 1 was mysterious and did well when it comes to setting the tone and world building of the story. Afterwards it only goes up from there, revealing several climaxes throughout the span of 11 volumes.
The art style is a treat. It conveys a lot of hidden meanings and paces the story quite well even when the panels or pages contain hardly any dialogue. The art changes depending on the mood of the story and I love the little visible brush strokes and ink the author used when creating the story. Definitely a different art style from Nagabe’s other works.