Eve's Gambit

edge of the seat

I am utterly amazed that no one else has written a review for this incredible manga. I stumbled upon it while browsing random manga titles, and it has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. In fact, I created this MyAnimeList account solely to write this review. (Apologies if it's a bit lengthy—it's my first one.) Now that I've finished my little rant, let's dive into the actual review:

(Contains minor spoilers, but nothing that will ruin the story.)

Story: 9  
While it may not be entirely original, The Palette of 12 Secret Colors offers a unique and refreshing narrative. Picture a job where you can extract the colors from anything and transfer them onto something else. Sounds cool, right? But how practical is it? Enter Cello, the main character, who uses her extraordinary ability to tackle challenges ranging from stopping a thieving merchant to rescuing a friend from a massive flock of birds. Speaking of birds, you'll adore them with every fiber of your being. I gave it a 9 because, while some plots are predictable, there's always an unexpected twist that keeps things interesting. Also, if you're seeking a mushy drama-filled romance, this isn't the manga for you—and that's a good thing. Adding such elements might have detracted from the story. There's minimal romance throughout the six volumes, with the fifth and sixth focusing more on it. Surprisingly, despite the prolonged buildup, the romance wasn't rushed. It fits Cello and the Doctor's personalities perfectly. Lastly, Cello was 16, and the Doctor was likely in his early twenties when they fell in love. I hope no one critiques the age difference because it's really not significant.

Art: 8  
There's not much to say about the art—it's fantastic at times and suits the story well. However, occasionally, I felt more emotion could have been conveyed. I'd probably rate it a 7 if not for the exceptional bird designs and the originality of each character's appearance. The birds are truly remarkable, each uniquely designed from their eyes to their body types. The art style complements the story beautifully.

Characters: 7  
All characters are fantastic, both in design and personality. Yet, I wished for more backstory and development, especially considering how amazing they already are. An additional volume or two would have been welcome to delve deeper into their histories.

Enjoyment: 10  
I genuinely adore this manga. You'll laugh frequently and smile throughout the quirky adventures, including the hilarious antics of the birds. As mentioned earlier, this isn't a romance-heavy story, and adding more romance would have diminished both the enjoyment and the integrity of the tale. Even if you enjoy sappy romances (as I do), this manga is undoubtedly worth reading.

Overall: 9  
I acknowledge being somewhat biased in my ratings due to my deep affection for this manga, but it truly deserves a read. You'll undoubtedly grow to love and cherish most, if not all, of the characters.

This is a refreshing shoujo manga that I would recommend to anyone seeking a unique setting and compelling character relationships.

Story: 7  
The concept of this manga was genuinely refreshing and distinct. It was delightful to see a story set outside Japan, which isn't to say Japan isn't wonderful—it just felt great to explore a different environment than what's typical in shoujo manga. Additionally, while technically classified as fantasy due to the palette color magic central to its premise, the focus wasn't primarily on the magic itself but rather on the connections between human characters and even between the palettes and their birds. The main drawback of the story lies in its lack of substantial depth, coupled with the usual cutesy shoujo antics that, though charming, can grow repetitive over time.

Art: 8  
While the artwork wasn't extraordinary, I thoroughly appreciated the island setting, particularly because it wasn't merely a differently-named island with Japanese culture—it had its own distinct cultural identity. Although this might not seem directly tied to "art," the setting and culture significantly influence clothing styles (I adore the formal attire worn by the islanders) and the stunning natural backdrop of the island. Without these elements, I wouldn't have enjoyed the art nearly as much, and they play a crucial role in making the series engaging. Moreover, the way palettes manipulate colors is fascinating; despite being rendered in black and white, seeing the colors float around is captivating, and it would be amazing if one could vividly imagine the various hues being used.

Character: 10  
I adored every single character in this manga. While I had a strong fondness for the protagonist, it was the supporting cast that truly elevated the characterization and interpersonal dynamics. Guell's personality was hilarious, as was Theo's, who serves as his contrasting counterpart. The birds added an extra layer of humor and uniqueness to the story. Their profound bonds with their palette partners stood out to me immensely and became one of my favorite aspects of the narrative.

Enjoyment: 8  
I genuinely enjoyed this manga. Despite loving the setting and characters, my overall enjoyment was slightly diminished by the emergence of my least favorite shoujo trope, which I won't elaborate on to avoid spoilers. Regardless, I still found the manga enjoyable (and perhaps even more so if I'd had a bit more caffeine...).

Overall: 8  
In conclusion, I would recommend this manga to those in search of a tropical escape! It's enjoyable, albeit somewhat challenging to track down.

http://rocaca.com/manga/the_palette_of_12_secret_colors/ <-- If you're looking to read it online, here's the link.  
(Though it could use some cleaning up, it's still a decent version to have access to.)  

The first time I stumbled upon this manga was at a library, and I instantly fell in love with its narrative. It has a touch of fantasy but manages to keep things grounded without overwhelming the reader with complex plots or issues.  

Story: 10 - Let me tell you, it’s a heartwarming romance. The relationship develops naturally, incorporates personal preferences, and even throws in some humorous moments.  

Art: 8 - I’m completely smitten with Guell... Cello, unfortunately for you, won't be winning him over anytime soon.  

Characters: 10 - Every character is adorable, but Yoyo and Olga truly stand out as my favorites.  

Enjoyment: 10 - I loved it so much that one night at 1 a.m., I couldn’t resist reading all six volumes in one sitting.  

Overall: 9 - I sacrificed sleep just to track this manga down online because, well, libraries close at 1 a.m., and I simply had to finish it!  

Go read it! This manga is criminally underrated since it doesn't appear on major manga platforms, which is such a shame. Hence, I've shared the link above. ^^

I’m loving it so far

An awesome story that reminds us about the value of friendship and importance of patience

They are drowning in RED WINE from the start. They drink red wine in every chapter at least hundreds of liters.