It's almost the end of the century, and a mysterious girl named Kaitou Jeanne has been making headlines. Known as a phantom thief supposedly sent by God, she has been stealing paintings all over the city. In reality, Kaitou Jeanne is Maron Kusakabe, a 16-year-old rhythmic gymnastics enthusiast and student at Momokuri Academy. This secret remains hidden from everyone, even her best friend Miyako Toudaiji, who leads the police chase for Jeanne.
Inside the stolen paintings are demons sent by the demon lord to weaken God's power by possessing human hearts. With the help of Finn Fish, a minor angel, Maron, as the reincarnation of Jeanne d'Arc, must take on her alter ego, find these cursed paintings, and seal away the evil demons. Balancing this responsibility with her lonely high school life becomes even more challenging when a new phantom thief, Kaitou Sinbad, appears mysteriously.
Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne was first published in English by CMX Manga from November 1, 2005, to January 24, 2007. After CMX Manga ceased operations, VIZ Media acquired the license and republished the series from March 4, 2014, to November 4, 2014, following a 2013 reprint of the series in Japan into 5 volumes.
I remember enjoying this more when I was a teenager. The concept of Jeanne d'Arc reincarnated in modern times appealed to me. However, I feel that the author didn't conduct enough research on the subject before writing this.
The manga has little to do with Jeanne d'Arc herself. The premise might have worked better if the reincarnation element had been removed or replaced with a fictional one. Maron's only connection to Jeanne is through reincarnation; the historical aspects are poorly handled and sometimes even offensive.
Chiaki isn't a likable hero to me. His "courtship" of Maron often crosses into sexual harassment territory. Apart from being the handsome love interest and having a twist in his allegiances later, he's quite bland.
Chiaki's rival in love is even worse, down to his name. "Noin" seems like a misspelling of a German number rather than a French name. He's supposed to be based on Jean de Metz, Jeanne d'Arc's loyal knight. Instead of honoring this connection, the author turns him into an attempted rapist who sells his soul to the devil, which feels disrespectful and further distances Maron from her historical counterpart.
The Adam and Eve subplot was cringe-worthy and felt like a cheap way to justify Maron and Chiaki's relationship rather than developing it naturally. Chiaki was never hinted to be a reincarnation of anyone significant, making this addition feel tacked on at the last minute.
I believe the idea could have been great if the author had taken the time to understand the history behind the character she was writing and woven historical elements into the story instead of relying on soap opera-like drama. On the positive side, the art is absolutely beautiful and might be the only reason I enjoyed it as a teen.
Final note: It's not impossible to use history effectively in storytelling. "Rose of Versailles" demonstrates how historical figures can be integrated into a compelling narrative.
First of all, I love both the anime and the manga, but I have to say I consider the anime better.
Story 9:
Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne is a unique manga with deep meaning and pure emotions. The love depicted is idealistic and charming, much like the captivating plot itself.
Art 10:
The artwork is stunning, perfectly conveying the characters' emotions, which are truly moving.
Characters 9:
The protagonist, Kusakabe Maron, has a complex personality. Throughout her adventures, she becomes a role model for readers due to her courage and pure heart. Maron teaches valuable life lessons about protecting those important to you. She is realistic and imperfect, making her an ideal character. However, while Maron is well-developed, some other characters (except Chiaki) feel underdeveloped. Their sudden attitude changes can be jarring and unrealistic. Additionally, to maintain an optimistic tone, their reactions sometimes lack depth, particularly in expressing sadness.
Enjoyment 10:
The entire manga radiates a unique sense of optimism and happiness. It’s heartwarming, blending serious scenes with comedic ones harmoniously.
Overall: 9
While it made me laugh, there were moments where the comedy felt misplaced. This is just my opinion, especially since I'm not a fan of excessive comedy. Nevertheless, everyone needs such a story from time to time to boost their courage and optimism.
If you're looking for a lighthearted story with cute romance and optimism, I recommend reading the manga. But if you prefer something deeper with intense emotions and "darker" characters, the anime is the way to go. Don’t worry if you think you might miss some details that the anime skips; you can always read the manga or the last chapters to fill in any gaps.
Okay, so this is the first time I've written a review before. I will try my best to make it as realistic as possible, so here goes!
Story: 9
At first glance, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne may seem like a typical magical girl manga with an adorable heroine and sidekick, saving the world from evil. There's even an annoying love interest introduced in the first few pages. But before you dismiss it, read on further. Despite its conventional elements, the plot remains entertaining and moves at a decent pace. As you continue reading, you start to appreciate Maron's actions and even the good intentions of the supposed villains. The story is full of twists that keep me engaged. With every painting Jeanne steals, I learn more about each character and the villains. Each mission is crucial for plot development, with almost no filler content. The mix of action and romance enhances the narrative. The characters' relationships are beautifully portrayed and deepen the story's meaning. All details come together seamlessly to drive the plot forward.
Art: 10
Arina Tanemura is simply amazing. Her illustrations clearly convey the emotions of the characters. It's easy to distinguish between characters due to her distinct drawing style. The costume designs are well thought out and reflect each character's essence. If anyone else had drawn the art, the story wouldn't feel as remarkable as it does.
Character: 8
The characters are unique and well-developed over the 33 chapters. Even the less significant characters receive some development. It's hard not to love any of Arina Tanemura's creations. Their goals and struggles become integral to the story rather than random facts. Each character's journey adds something new to the narrative, and as they grow, you find yourself learning and feeling alongside them. While the secondary characters could use a bit more depth, the main leads (Maron and Chiaki) and the angels are nearly perfect in this aspect.
Enjoyment: 9
The engaging plot and quirky cast of characters drew me in, making me laugh and cry along with them. The art significantly impacts both humorous and serious scenes, enhancing the emotional expressions. Plus, who wouldn't laugh at those adorable chibis?
Overall: 9
I give this story a 9 because if you look past some of the obvious stereotypes, you'll see its true potential. The endearing relationships and intriguing characters propel the story forward, much like Maron's strength pushes her to keep going despite the pressures of being a Kaitou. This story might appeal more to girls, but there are elements for everyone. I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who think modern magical girl stories are boring and weak. Don't put this story down until the very end; even if it's not the greatest story ever, it's certainly a treasure worth reading.
Art: The artwork is truly delightful. I'm a fan of Arina Tanemura's style, especially the cuteness she brings to her illustrations.
Story: The storyline is decent but not outstanding. I enjoyed it more when I was younger. There are some adorable moments, but overall, the story isn't the strongest.
Characters: I absolutely adore Fin and Access, with Access being my favorite. He’s just too cute—can I keep him for myself? I also enjoy seeing the main characters transform.
If you appreciate Arina Tanemura's art style, this is definitely worth reading. I recommend giving it a full read-through. The story of Fin and Access is particularly touching.
Let's see, in my opinion, it influences that I have an excessive hatred of this manga for no specific reason, but I can't help but think that in this manga all the characters are very stupid. It's unbelievable, but they're all lost and hopeless assholes. Additionally, the way the romance is handled made me feel bored. Well, personally, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but if you want to give it a try, go ahead.
PS: It bothers me a lot to give it a two because I don't like to give bad grades, and I didn't give such a low score even to "Tantei wa Mou Shindeiru," which was really terrible.
Let's see, in my view, it affects me that I have an unreasonable dislike for this manga. I can't stop thinking that all the characters in this manga are incredibly foolish. It's unbelievable, but they are all hopelessly lost and obnoxious. Furthermore, the way romance is depicted is tedious. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but everyone has their own choices if they want to give it a chance.
PS: It really annoys me to rate it a two because I dislike giving poor ratings, and I didn't give such a low score even to "Tantei wa Mou Shindeiru," which was awful beyond belief.