Mekakushi no Kuni

Where do I even start... this manga is simply incredible. Mekankushi no Kuni stands out in its uniqueness while also tapping into universal curiosities we've all pondered: "What if I could glimpse the future?" or "What if I knew everyone's past?" However, what sets this manga apart is how it transforms these familiar musings into a brilliantly crafted narrative that sweeps readers up in a whirlwind of conflict, emotion, profound thoughts, and sheer enjoyment. The characters are multifaceted and well-developed. They come with their own flaws and challenges, adding layers and depth that make for an engaging story. I particularly enjoyed witnessing the dynamics and interactions between the characters. The main characters are especially endearing and lovable. Some might find fault in the fact that this is an older manga, potentially viewing it as outdated. But rest assured, this story transcends time and remains timeless.

"We are not Gods, we can only do things to the best of our abilities."

I found the context of this manga captivating. Fate, future, destiny, and past. We have all, at one time or another, wanted or wished we knew the future or could change the past. To the naked eye, this might seem like a slice of life manga with some supernatural elements, and in a way it is, but in another it's not. It's about being different and testing the people you call friends. It's about doing good wholeheartedly and having people dislike you for it. Everything has its consequences, and even though you might think you want to know or see the end result, pain goes both ways.

The characters are essential, all of them. Change one of them, and the manga wouldn't be the same. They are each other's yin and yang, creating balance for one another. They are not complete opposites but each has their own perspective on things, as humans generally do. There really isn't any "evil" character. I actually think the evil character in this manga is their abilities, or the future and past if you will. It's the one thing they are constantly fighting against either to save others or themselves. The main characters have their own arc, helping us better understand them and how they came to be, broken or not.

Kanade is selfless, and the way she gives of herself and puts herself in peril is borderline suicidal sometimes. She is an optimist, and honestly, I think it rather ironic that she is, given her power and the amount of people's lives she sees in danger. Arou, seeing the past, seemed at first glance the weakest of the powers, but I got proven wrong repeatedly. And in return, he turned out to be the most wounded of all. While it seemed that the manga was going to be about this one couple, Namiki stumbled into their lives. He, like Kanade, can see the future, but like Arou, his blindfold is completely off. He doesn't believe in helping people and stands by and laughs while their futures unfold badly.

The art was average, typical of a shojo anime from the late nineties. You do notice that it gets better, cleaner, as volumes pass. The years didn't pass by in vain for this manga. There isn't anything amazingly beautiful about the art, but in rare occasions when the manhwa wants us to feel different, you'll see each character transform before your eyes, and the manga art shifts. I noticed it first with Kanade; she is a beacon of hope for the boys, and the way she was drawn kept reminding me of sunlight, and you'll get that impression every time she smiles.

The story, though it centers around three people—one girl and two boys—has no boy-and-girl drama, not enough to count anyway. The characters know of each other's feelings and handle it fine, but it isn't about that. It isn't a love triangle sort of manga, even though it could have certainly gone that way if the author wanted to extend her volumes and make it like most other shojo manga out there. The manga doesn't drag on, and even though it seems like its plot is repetitive with the "who are we helping this week" theme, it isn't. It will give you enough information at a time to make you come back for more while also giving you a glimpse into the emotional and psychological impact it has on the lives of those who are able to see.

The only thing that confused me to the point of almost not giving it a 10 were events pertaining to Arou that don't get explained and didn't make much sense to me. Though I could guess if I wanted to and make my own assumption, which I did, if it had been made apparent, it would have been better. Though incredulous at times, I do believe in small amounts of clairvoyance and don't question their more than perfect "vision," but even I have my limits, and I start questioning when particles start breaking...

"There are times when I can't help but think, in the world, there is no such thing as a waste of time."

How can I express this, it's an amazing story. Some might perceive Kanade as overly virtuous, constantly aiding those who may never fully appreciate her goodness. Yet, that’s precisely what draws me to her character; her kindness has profoundly affected Arou and Namiki, inspiring them to become better individuals.

"Even so... No one can truly grasp what it means to see... There will always be people who accept you for who you are."

People may find them odd, but everyone recognizes the inherent goodness in all three. This makes me reflect deeply on myself. I'm incredibly glad I discovered this manga. Additionally, considering it was published in 1998, the artwork is exceptionally beautiful.

I stumbled upon this manga series when I first started college. Browsing through my favorite anime store, I found this gem and am incredibly glad I picked it up. It was challenging to find a decent series that balanced various story elements well.

"Land of the Blindfolded" is a sweetly illustrated shoujo series about three individuals with special powers: one can see the past, while the other two can glimpse the future by touching objects or people. Despite being categorized as shoujo, I believe both genders can enjoy this series.

Many shoujos I encountered were either overly mushy without meaningful character development or depressingly bleak. "Land of the Blindfolded" has its sorrowful moments but doesn't overindulge in them. The romance is tender and far from nauseating.

The main characters are Kanade, her boyfriend Arou, and their friend Namiki, who sometimes acts as Arou's rival. Kanade is a kind-hearted girl who can only occasionally foresee the future. She uses her abilities to help others and prevent tragedies, though she fears revealing her powers even to her best friend Eri. This adds realism to the story, reflecting real-life struggles with acceptance.

Arou stands out from typical shoujo love interests. He’s upbeat, enthusiastic, especially around Kanade, and enjoys cooking and gardening. He even revived his school's garden club. However, he has his own dark past, gradually revealed throughout the series, adding depth to his character.

Namiki’s character is intriguing. Despite his often cold demeanor, he shows kindness and hilariously pushes Arou's buttons, especially around Kanade. His interactions introduce additional characters, contributing to side stories that add more layers to the plot.

The character development in just nine volumes is impressive. Their portrayal feels genuine, allowing readers to empathize with their emotions and experiences. The art complements the storytelling beautifully, with soft lines and textures emphasizing the characters' personalities and expressions.

I genuinely enjoyed this series, finding it refreshing among the shoujo genre. If you're looking for a good read, I highly recommend giving it a try. Hopefully, this review provides enough insight for you to decide. Until next time!

This is an incredible manga—one of the most original I've come across. Initially, I was disappointed because my local library didn't have the complete series, but when they finally acquired it, I was overjoyed. If you give this a chance, you might understand why I find it so wonderful to read.

The story revolves around three individuals with distinct psychic abilities. There's Kanade, the energetic and helpful protagonist who can see people's futures by touching them, though this happens unpredictably. Then there's Arou, Kanade's new boyfriend, who can see the past at any moment without control, leading to both distress and good fortune. Lastly, there's Namiki, somewhat selfish yet kind-hearted, who can foresee the future at will. He's a friend to the two, or perhaps more of a rival in love to Arou. The central theme questions whether, in a land of the blindfolded, people could comprehend sight. This idea explores how even if these powers are used for good, those unable to understand them might rebel due to their uniqueness.

The entire feel of the story is amazing. You connect deeply with the characters, feeling what they feel as you read. It’s classified as shoujo, meaning it’s romantic and dramatic, mostly from a girl's perspective, but it has something extra that appeals to both genders.

The artwork is stunning and always matches the mood, whether it shifts from serious to happy or vice versa. I adore how the artist depicts the characters' faces, capturing so much emotion in a single scene. The perspective used is fantastic; the art in Land of the Blindfolded surpasses most manga I’ve read.

What truly stands out in this manga is the character development. I loved all the characters and always wanted to learn more about them. Each one grows as a person throughout the series, and their emotions felt genuine to me. This rarely happens when I read manga. Usually, even if I like the characters, they seem detached, not thinking like real humans. But Land of the Blindfolded is different. Despite involving supernatural powers, its underlying emotional depth feels very realistic.

I highly recommend this manga to anyone looking for a nice romance, drama, or simply a great read.

I swear, it's so boring. There's nothing in it... just a bunch of silly little stories. No comedy, typical romance (none of those exciting moments), it's all very stupid. The characters are poorly developed, and it just stinks!

Since this is my first manga and everyone else seems to be praising it to death, I'm starting to think maybe manga isn't for me because the expectations for manga seem really low.

The only reason I didn't give it a one is that the drawings are nice and the blindfolded analogy is cool.

BUT... the story is atrocious. A nightmare to read.

PLEASE, next manga, be better than this.

PS: Actually, I don't think I read the same manga as everyone else OR the moderators remove the bad comments and leave the good ones. Surely, someone has to share the same opinion as me?