Noriko Tachiki has always dreamt of a beautiful fantasy land, but her friends consider it mere imagination. One day, while walking home, Noriko comes across a paper bag that turns out to be a bomb and explodes right before her eyes. Instead of dying, she finds herself transported to a mysterious forest teeming with unusual plants and creatures.
As she makes her way through the woods, Noriko is suddenly attacked by a giant, worm-like monster. Fortunately, she is rescued by Izark Kia Tarj, a swordsman who doesn't speak her language. Recognizing her inability to survive alone, Noriko chooses to follow her stoic savior, hoping to learn the foreign land's language and become more useful to Izark.
Unbeknownst to her, Noriko plays a crucial role in an ancient prophecy. She is "The Awakening"—destined to unleash the greatest evil known as the "Sky Demon." With powerful individuals seeking to capture Noriko for her supposed powers, both she and Izark must fend for themselves and navigate a future filled with chaos.
Kanata Kara won the Best Comic category at the 35th Seiun Awards in 2004.
The series was published in English as From Far Away by VIZ Media under the Shojo Beat imprint from November 10, 2004, to January 9, 2007, and digitally from March 12, 2013, to July 9, 2013.
It's an honor to have this outstanding manga as my first review. I absolutely adored this manga; it has become my favorite, and I've read a lot. Never before have I felt that a manga or anime was so incredible that I felt compelled to write a review (and I genuinely dislike writing)!
Kinata Kara tells the story of a girl who is transported to another world where she meets her lifelong companion. They don't get along at first, but they gradually grow closer as the narrative unfolds. You follow them on their thrilling, action-packed adventure to uncover their true identities and the real meaning behind the prophecy. It's a journey filled with twists and turns, but they always remember, in the end, they are not alone!
This is my first review, so please bear with me...
This manga is one of my favorites for numerous reasons:
Story - 9
This story leaves you immensely satisfied at the end, yet sad it didn't continue forever. Unlike many time-travel stories, this one feels quite realistic within its fantasy setting. When Noriko first arrives in a strange world, she doesn't understand the language, which is rare in similar tales. She has to put in effort to adapt to her new environment. Her perspective on things is both realistic and optimistic; she's not some naive, happy-go-lucky character like other shojo heroines. She's tough, and I appreciate that in my heroines! And Izark... he's handsome and loveable! You feel sorry for him due to his "fate," but he's also such a nice guy who always keeps a brave face, making you root for him. Plus, he's an exceptional warrior!
Art - 9
The art is simple and beautiful. It's an older manga, so those used to newer-style art might need some adjustment. Personally, I think this is some of the best artwork in an "older" manga I've seen, with good body proportions.
Character - 8
The character development is smooth and pleasant. The progression feels natural. Only once or twice did I feel the story dragged a bit, but it always picked up pace again quickly. If I had to choose, I'd prefer a story to lag slightly rather than rush too fast.
Enjoyment - 10
This story is one of my favorites for a reason. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this manga, and it doesn't leave an overly-sweet aftertaste like many shojo stories do.
Overall - 9
This manga is truly a classic. Almost anyone who reads it will find themselves laughing and crying with the characters.
This is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring manga I've ever read. No matter how many times I revisit it, every time feels like the first. The romance between Noriko and Izark is incredibly sweet and evolves beautifully throughout the story. It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy whenever they're together, as if I'm the one falling in love XD
The characters are not only enjoyable and wonderful but also behave realistically, with a clear understanding of their own limitations and common sense, which is surprisingly rare in other manga and anime. Noriko offers a fresh take on the dependent female character archetype. She gets kidnapped a few times, but for genuine reasons. Unlike other characters who get kidnapped merely because they're pretty, Noriko's mental strength and pure heart make her both an asset and a threat to evil. Her overwhelmingly positive outlook on life is infectious. What's more, she's the one dependent female character whose personality can't be altered without compromising the story. Noriko being herself is what gives her and her friends strength, making her story very inspiring and empowering, especially in our world where magic doesn't exist.
One aspect I particularly love about this manga is its world-building and continuity. It's evident that the mangaka invested significant time crafting this world, its various cultures, governments, prophecies, misinterpreted prophecies, and alternate worlds. Unlike episodic manga, events and characters from the beginning significantly influence the latter half. Without Noriko and Izark's travels, meetings, and experiences, the ending would have been drastically different. Additionally, the mangaka addresses the language barrier when traveling to another dimension or time, unlike some series where it's ignored through magical solutions.
The art isn't groundbreaking, but I didn't mind. It has a distinct 90s style, and some non-main characters look somewhat cartoonish, but it didn't stop me from swooning over Izark's appearances, especially when he was dressed sexily.
My only regret with this manga is that there isn't more of it. I want more Izark and Noriko!! DX
Story:
Kanata Kara is one of my favorite isekai tales from before the genre became saturated. The narrative consistently balances moments of joy with impending doom, often alternating between brief periods of happiness and subsequent arcs filled with challenges. Murphy's Law seems to govern this world, where nothing remains perfect for long. What story doesn't thrive on mishaps? Kanata Kara certainly wouldn't be the same without its share of constant misfortunes.
The ending felt rather lackluster, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and completed the series in just two days, making it a decently entertaining read, if not exhilarating. A minor spoiler: there are no weddings or babies here, so if that’s what you’re after, don’t get too invested in fourteen volumes.
Characters:
Noriko comes off as quite bland. She exhibits only a few facial expressions, which might be attributed to the art style. However, I appreciated her efforts to learn the language, something I've always admired in bilingual characters. It wasn’t until volume nine that she showed some spark by taking a dangerous initiative. This was perhaps her sole standout moment since most scenes feature her pining for Izark, crying, or looking bewildered. Her emotional reactions could fill a drought, and she definitely has SCS (Shoujo Crying Syndrome).
Izark was my favorite character, despite the limited development of others in the series. His growth and power progression were compelling. He had many angsty moments and frequently pushed Noriko away. Reminiscent of a chivalrous white knight dealt a bad hand, his demonic heritage endowed him with Superman-like powers and Wolverine's healing abilities. Yet, he grappled internally with using these powers, preferring combat skills instead. One commendable aspect of Kanata Kara is how Izark, despite being arguably the strongest character, avoids being a Gary-Stu. His internal conflict made him relatable, evoking genuine sympathy and allowing for significant character evolution. Though his repeated rejection of Noriko annoyed me, once he stopped, I found little else to criticize. His emotional breakthrough at the end was heartwarming.
Gaya, who could have been a stereotypical villainess in any other work, is treated as a genuine character here. She’s a formidable warrior, nurturing mother figure, and astute businesswoman. I genuinely liked her because she never shunned Izark, unlike many others.
Rabamadan served mostly as a plot device, pushing Izark towards self-realization. Predictably, as a love rival, he was doomed from the start.
Barago and Doros, though physically unappealing, possessed depth beyond their looks. Barago, once a bloodthirsty warrior, finds purpose through Noriko and Izark, while Doros finds peace through simple gestures. Their stories evoked empathy, extending beyond the main couple.
Agol and Geena intrigued me, but I wished for more backstory. While unnecessary for the manga, personally, I craved additional details. Who was Geena’s mother?
The black-haired girl and her mother were beautiful but forgettable, whereas the last town's inhabitants were hilariously imaginative.
Art:
Izark is handsome, though certain angles make his mullet and pointed nose less flattering. In other shots, he’s the idealized hero the manga intended. His fight scenes showcased impressive agility.
Noriko's limited expressions grew repetitive, yet she looked stunning when Izark carried her asleep. Occasionally, her side profiles seemed distorted, an effect better suited for chibis.
The backgrounds were diverse, and the clothing blended Japanese and Middle Eastern styles attractively. The monsters were suitably grotesque.
Overall:
I’m glad I read Kanata Kara and seek similar manga. I adore "girl transported to another world" shoujo stories, though I wish Kanata Kara included more romance. There were barely three kisses, all mere pecks! Perhaps the timeline necessitated restraint, but I yearn for more passionate shoujo kisses, cherry blossoms or not.
I have to admit, I'm a big admirer of this fantastic manga and am surprised by how underrated it is. Initially, I was worried that the protagonist, Noriko, would turn out to be one of those clichéd weak and ineffective female characters. However, I happily acknowledge that I was wrong. She proved to be remarkably strong-willed and crucial to the storyline. The narrative itself is excellent, featuring an exhilarating journey and a captivating plot. It incorporates romance without being overly sentimental and delivers a satisfying amount of action. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this manga and intend to revisit it soon.
What distinguishes "From Far Away" is its unique approach to storytelling, which captivated me despite my initial unfamiliarity with the series. I stumbled upon it during a random search for reading material and was thoroughly impressed by its storyline, character development, and progression, even though art isn't my forte.
The first intriguing aspect was how the protagonist had to learn the new world's language, facing numerous misunderstandings and taking considerable time to become fluent. Witnessing her linguistic growth throughout the story was refreshing and something more writers should consider. Although the same language seems prevalent across different countries, the concept of a language barrier adds an original touch.
The narrative flow is exceptional, keeping readers engaged with questions like, "Will he turn into the monster that ends the world?" The supporting characters are well-developed, making it easy to follow their roles without confusion.
The romance in this series was perfect for me because it wasn't rushed. It didn't rely on love at first sight or bickering à la Pride and Prejudice. Instead, the characters' affection grew gradually, free from love triangles, which I found refreshing. Noriko and Izark's teasing interactions were sweetly endearing without being overly sentimental.
As someone skeptical of absolute good and evil, the clear distinction between "good" and "bad" people initially bothered me. However, by the story's end, this issue was resolved satisfactorily.
The interactions among main and supporting characters were excellent, showing how personalities influenced each other and contributed to the protagonists' growth.
Regarding the main couple's characterization, I appreciated Noriko's maturity compared to typical female characters in similar genres. She trusted Izark early on and remained steadfast, displaying cool-headedness and avoiding unnecessary trouble. Her growth led to increased self-confidence and bravery, but she never became a warrior. Overall, she's a remarkable character.
Izark, while embodying standard genre tropes—beautiful, powerful, with a dark past—showed significant development from a lone warrior to someone capable of humor and self-deprecation for his friends. His interaction with Alef was especially rich. Despite this, he wasn't the most original character, but his journey from aloofness to camaraderie was compelling.
In conclusion, although not flawless, "From Far Away" is a must-read for fantasy shojo enthusiasts. It's a great story, and unless you dislike shojo or fantasy, there's no reason not to enjoy it.
I can't believe that no review has been written for this beautiful manga yet. I wouldn't even hold this in competition with Fushigi Yuugi because Fushigi would never stand a chance. Don't read FY. Read From Far Away. It's much more realistic, more beautiful, and Noriko could easily outshine Miaka any day. Izark would also surpass Tamahome.
I had been delaying reading this one for some time. I wrongly assumed it would be similar to FY. While I didn't hate FY, Miaka irritated me. I found her character unlikable, and the numerous romantic interests surrounding her felt like the entire story's focus. Miaka and these attractive guys trying to win something didn’t make sense because they were too good-looking.
Anyway, I finally decided to give it a read. First off, Noriko is 18, which appealed to me more. She’s not an overly emotional sixteen-year-old girl like whiny Miaka! Noriko is grounded and mature.
Initially, it seemed like another "girl transported to another world to save it" story, but Noriko turns out to be a calm, responsible girl. She doesn't act childishly and appreciates Izark’s help. She actually has to learn the language, unlike Miaka, and spends considerable time doing so. You discover she’s key to Izark’s demonic powers and the prophecy revolves around the apocalypse. Naturally, our heroes must save the world from evil!
What kept me hooked was the developing bond between Izark (the tragic hero) and Noriko (the optimistic heroine). There wasn’t any instant love or superficial attraction. Noriko sees Izark’s true self despite his demons. Izark also recognizes Noriko's kindness and worth beyond her fragility. Their connection feels incredibly real, more tangible than other transported-girl plots, making you smile at its bittersweet beauty.
Their romance kept me eagerly turning pages. In FY, Miaka frustrated me with her selfishness and immaturity. She mostly just found warriors who did all the work. But in From Far Away, Noriko and Izark tackle their mission together, supporting each other in a mature relationship. Izark needed Noriko uniquely, and vice versa. Noriko faces challenges rationally and contributes effectively to their quest. Despite crying for Izark when threatened, her inability to fight explained this reaction.
The art delighted me. It’s beautiful and clean, though excessive sound effects during fight scenes sometimes blocked parts of the artwork. Still, it was gorgeous overall. The flow between panels was smooth, capturing emotions perfectly.
The characters are wonderful. Noriko and Izark’s development is beautifully complex, filled with loneliness and struggle. Izark embodies despair while Noriko radiates courage. Supporting characters complement them humorously, although secondary characters take a back seat as the story focuses on our two heroes.
The narrative isn’t solely about love or fighting but explores the internal and external battles of good versus evil everyone faces. The romance was gradual, sweet, and perfect. Battles were intense, but the emphasis was on personal growth and overcoming inner darkness.
If you've read Fushigi Yuugi, From Far Away is a must-read. For shoujo/romance fans, dive into this. It might not be short, but it’s worth every page. Take your time to enjoy this masterpiece.
Btw, did I mention that this is SO MUCH BETTER than Fushigi Yuugi?
This is one of the finest manga I've ever come across. Why, you might wonder? It's quite straightforward:
Firstly, I genuinely appreciate the way the heroine behaves. She isn't someone who merely obstructs; she consistently strives to assist, showing bravery even amidst her fears, and always giving her utmost effort. Most importantly, she isn't clingy.
Secondly, I admire how each character has a distinct role. The narrative unfolds at a balanced pace, with emotions evolving neither too hastily nor too sluggishly. Their relationship is incredibly sweet and pure, making it heartwarming to witness their mutual care. I urge you to give this manga a chance; I assure you, you won't be let down. :)