it's quite boring and unreasonable. The System is too heaven defeating, normally the stronger you get the more difficult it's to level up, in this novel it's the opposite.
in order to enjoy this novel, don't use real life logic, think of it like he's playing clash of clans or an rts game because there are so many plotholes otherwise
Juuni Kokuki is one of my favorite series—not just among manga and light novels, but among fiction in general. If you're coming here fresh from watching the anime, you'll find the novels even more enjoyable. Here I will be reviewing the entire series, not just the first novel.
Unfortunately, Juuni Kokuki is not a complete series. But according to recent tweets on the author’s Twitter account, Ono Fuyumi is working on another novel, which is exciting as the last one in the series, released in 2001, ended with a cliffhanger of sorts. Don’t let its incomplete status deter you from reading it, though—Juuni Kokuki is a truly excellent series. In some ways, it reminds me of the Narnia series, as it is a kind of spiritual fantasy, but instead of promoting a Christian worldview, it explains the Buddhist/Daoist worldview of Chinese religions. Unlike Narnia, the characters have to undergo intense personal trials to reach their goals, and the novels ask the question, "What is the meaning of human suffering?" Youko, the main character for much of the series, is one of the most dynamic characters I have ever read, and it is amazing to watch her transform from a self-centered schoolgirl into a powerful leader who listens to others.
The first novel, Sea of Shadow, follows Youko Nakajima, a Japanese schoolgirl, as she enters the fantastical world of the Twelve Kingdoms. Unfamiliar with the world and entirely alone after being abandoned by Keiki, the one who brought her to the world, Youko must fight to survive from the many creatures chasing her, as well as attempt to find her way home. Along the way, Youko discovers her true destiny and grows into an admirable character.
I don’t want to spoil too much, so I won’t go into depth about the later novels about Youko. My favorite parts of the series are the novels about Taiki, the kirin of Tai. Taiki isn’t human, and Ono makes it clear that he isn’t, yet she still draws the reader into identifying with him as a character. Sea of Shadow is a good choice for beginning the series, but it is also possible to begin with Demon Child, the first novel published in the series, or Sea of Wind, which explains how Taiki came to the Twelve Kingdoms. Don't feel constrained to keep to the order used in the anime when you begin the series.
Demon Child was originally written as a standalone horror novel but was later worked into the series. It is told from the point of view of Hirose, a student teacher who has returned to his alma mater to teach before he graduates. On his first day teaching, Hirose notices that one of the students, Kaname Takasato, is different from the others. The other students believe he is cursed and never speak to him. As Hirose begins to learn more about Takasato and becomes closer to him, the strange occurrences around Takasato begin to strike more fiercely and rapidly toward those connected to him. As Hirose tries to understand Takasato, he begins to identify with him as someone who feels he does not belong in this world.
Both Youko’s and Taiki’s arcs coincide in the most recent novel, The Shore at Twilight, The Sky at Daybreak, which explains what happens after the end of Demon Child.
If you have any interest in Asian fantasy, 'another world' fantasy, or just fantasy with personal growth, you’ll enjoy Juuni Kokuki.
Written by: Fuyumi Ono
Published by: Tokyopop
English translation by Alexander O. Smith
Yoko is a high school girl with fiery red hair, navigating life while trying to please everyone, yet invariably falling short. She is timid, deceitful, and sometimes even cruel, longing only to be liked and remain unnoticed. Unfortunately, this approach leaves her without genuine friends, and her red hair leads teachers to mistakenly believe she's a party girl who stays out all night. Suddenly, a mysterious man accompanied by numerous monstrous creatures arrives, upending her life and whisking her away to an unfamiliar place before vanishing just as abruptly. Left with a strange sword, Yoko must fight for survival in a world where most want her dead. Forced to interact with people without the comfort of social conventions, her struggles deepen, compounded by the appearances of a peculiar, blue, demonic monkey that preys on her fears and despair.
The fantasy world into which Yoko is thrust draws inspiration from modern realism, Japanese and Chinese mythology, and history. The sword Yoko receives contains a jewel functioning as a mirror, referencing the three treasures of Japanese mythology. Chinese mythology contributes concepts like the Mandate of Heaven and its cosmographic framework.
Japanese literature in translation often feels sparse compared to the elaborate descriptions familiar to Western readers, largely due to the use of kanji, which convey multiple meanings rather than English's focus on precise word choices. However, Ono's work here provides sufficient detail to bring the rich world of *The Twelve Kingdoms* vividly to life. Few characters or plot points lose their vibrancy, and I frequently felt transported into the novel. The anime adaptation was often criticized for its overwhelming array of invented terms, but Tokyopop's localization strikes a balance, ensuring that when readers are bewildered by the terminology, it mirrors Yoko's own confusion. The book remains accessible to both those unfamiliar with the Japanese language and enthusiasts, achieved through the inclusion of kanji during explanations of unfamiliar concepts. I'm uncertain about Tokyopop's decision to release this as a hardcover, as it may not appeal to the broader young adult fiction market as they anticipate.
Ono does not appear intent on critiquing modern life or governance by advocating for a return to simpler times. This is neither allegory nor tirade against contemporary society. If there is a message, it centers on personal growth—Shoryu's assertion that one must first master oneself before becoming a king—or indeed anything meaningful in life. Through interactions with the blue monkey, Yoko contemplates moral questions and religion's influence on people at one point. One notable weakness of the novel is its somewhat anticlimactic ending, though this stems from its status as the first installment in a planned series of at least six books by Tokyopop.
Comparisons to the anime are inevitable, and I couldn't entirely disassociate the TV series' imagery while reading, with its original soundtrack frequently surfacing in my mind. Much has been noted about how Asano's character isn't developed in the novel and Sugimoto plays a minor role early on, never reappearing. This enhances Yoko's isolation, amplifying the dramatic weight of her experiences. Beyond these differences, the story aligns closely with the anime, shifting the question for fans from "What happens next?" to "How will Ono guide us there?" Personally, I found the journey captivating.
Whether you're an anime fan or new to the story with no interest in the series, I believe you'll thoroughly enjoy this book. In my view, the protagonist being female does not diminish the story's appeal to readers of all genders.
[Read this and other reviews at http://www.manganews.net/forums/index.php !]
<p>I won't repeat what I said in my anime review. I compared "Juuni Kokuki" to "The Lord of the Rings". This comparison stands.<br /><br />One review here calls "Juuni Kokuki" a "disordered mess". I am puzzled. The title is "Juuni Kokuki". Why is it that one ends up surprised that the author talks about the Twelve Kingdoms, and not just one of them? Tolkien did the same with "Middle Earth". He wrote "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings", "Tales of the 1st and 2nd Age", and a compendium of mythological stories made into "The Silmarillion" by his son (I think). This is what a literary fantasy cycle is meant to look like. Juuni Kokuki works the same way as Tolkien's works and many other fantasy cycles. Millennia of history, countless characters, and story threads in different eras and times. But each story thread could be adapted into a 30 to 100 episodes anime. So, it is not like stories are truncated or "messy". This is what you would expect of an actual world: it is not about only one character. How many stories are worth telling in regards to even our own world? What of Socrates and how he was executed? What of Darius, the Persian king, and his son Xerxes? Of Alexander of Macedonia? Hatshepsut? What of Mulan, or the 1st Chinese emperor, what of Joan of Arc, William the Conqueror, Genghis Khan or Harald? What of the Epic of Gilgamesh written 4000 years ago and the city of Uruk he is meant to have ruled? This is what creating a world from scratch is like. If Ono Fuyumi were to write more, she would probably write more different stories. Because in 2019, she published 4 more volumes that conclude the story of Taiki and Tai. There is no loose ends per se anymore.<br /><br />I have been feeling conflicted for a very long time now. "Juuni Kokuki" is just so good that I could never have enough of Youko's story. The one I discovered through the anime, the main story of the literary cycle. But is there really no conclusion? I believe there is a conclusion. She reached the place where she was meant to be. I crave more, but at the same time, my imagination has been working so hard these past 12 years, that I would probably be disappointed by whatever the author may have in mind for a possible sequel, unless she makes her destiny grand. Writing what follows would possibly hurt the story as a whole. The author told us a story, and the epilogue is actually up to us. This is frustrating because I crave for more and always will and can probably never be satiated, but it is probably for the best. I wish I could have the answer to this one question Rakushun asks Youko in En. This one question that is about the future. But again, answering it would probably defeat the purpose of even writing this story.<br /><br />When thinking of "Juuni Kokuki", I always have an erhu play in my head. This is a millennia-old Chinese instrument for those who don't know (look it up yourself). I still see myself walking around this place with this erhu music floating in the air. There is a sense of peace to this. A sense of a harsh, simpler, but fulfilling life. I have traveled so much in my imagination thanks to these novels that any actual travel in this world feels less appealing. There is nothing that is "in your face" in Juuni Kokuki. This is merely a believable world not unlike our own (China), with its imperfections and inherent charm. And destinies that cross one another's path in what seems like an endless cycle. But some threads are meant to last more than others, and this is what makes them remarkable and remembered fondly by the inhabitants of the kingdoms. And what Juuni Kokuki offers is a glimpse at some of those destinies in various times and places.<br /><br />But quite frankly, if you feel like it, you can simply read the books that are about Youko. There are probably 6 of them. Her story is intertwined with others, too, and maybe reading the Taiki story thread too would be satisfying. You don't need to read everything. I will possibly never read everything. But whether you read these stories or make new ones in your mind, the Twelve Kingdoms are vast and long-lasting. You can never be certain what kind of stories may unfold in their legends. And neither the "youma" nor the gods under Tentei will ever show you their world, or tell you of their nature or their truth. And very few are the lucky ones invited to see this world above the Unkai, the "sea of clouds", where gods are rumored to govern the world from. You will have to walk this path feeling like a mortal to whom some secrets will never be revealed. But we live with it, as they do. Or... you may dive into the retold stories of those in the know. And you will then need a fertile imagination to see and feel what they did. But if you do, there is no telling how much of yourself will remain stuck in the Kingdoms forever, as a kaikyaku trapped for life by a one-way shoku.<br /><br />It is about a world made up of Twelve Kingdoms. With its heroes, villains, myths, culture, values, and time flow. You won't see dragons, waifus, orcs, submissive elves masochists, crass humor, otaku fantasies, Japanese exports everywhere in fantasy land, or anything like that. In many ways, Juuni Kokuki never had this "anime vibe". It always had this "fantasy cycle" vibe instead. Because this is what it is.</p>
<p>Well, as the review mentioned, she's a student with red hair and such. If you're into character development, this is definitely the book for you. In my opinion, the book surpasses the anime in terms of character growth because Yoko alone faces numerous hardships. She experiences far worse situations—or at least it feels that way—compared to the anime. Additionally, I appreciate how minor details that often go unnoticed end up resolving some mysteries. This book serves as an introduction to other stories, but patience is key since unanswered questions will be addressed in subsequent books. Unfortunately, only 3 out of 11 books have been published in the U.S. so far, so you'll need to wait. There's also minimal romance, and the book is rather lengthy with small text, but I believe the story itself makes up for it. Remember not to be irritated by the main character at the start; her development is the essence of the story.</p>
Popular Reviews
Unfortunately, Juuni Kokuki is not a complete series. But according to recent tweets on the author’s Twitter account, Ono Fuyumi is working on another novel, which is exciting as the last one in the series, released in 2001, ended with a cliffhanger of sorts. Don’t let its incomplete status deter you from reading it, though—Juuni Kokuki is a truly excellent series. In some ways, it reminds me of the Narnia series, as it is a kind of spiritual fantasy, but instead of promoting a Christian worldview, it explains the Buddhist/Daoist worldview of Chinese religions. Unlike Narnia, the characters have to undergo intense personal trials to reach their goals, and the novels ask the question, "What is the meaning of human suffering?" Youko, the main character for much of the series, is one of the most dynamic characters I have ever read, and it is amazing to watch her transform from a self-centered schoolgirl into a powerful leader who listens to others.
The first novel, Sea of Shadow, follows Youko Nakajima, a Japanese schoolgirl, as she enters the fantastical world of the Twelve Kingdoms. Unfamiliar with the world and entirely alone after being abandoned by Keiki, the one who brought her to the world, Youko must fight to survive from the many creatures chasing her, as well as attempt to find her way home. Along the way, Youko discovers her true destiny and grows into an admirable character.
I don’t want to spoil too much, so I won’t go into depth about the later novels about Youko. My favorite parts of the series are the novels about Taiki, the kirin of Tai. Taiki isn’t human, and Ono makes it clear that he isn’t, yet she still draws the reader into identifying with him as a character. Sea of Shadow is a good choice for beginning the series, but it is also possible to begin with Demon Child, the first novel published in the series, or Sea of Wind, which explains how Taiki came to the Twelve Kingdoms. Don't feel constrained to keep to the order used in the anime when you begin the series.
Demon Child was originally written as a standalone horror novel but was later worked into the series. It is told from the point of view of Hirose, a student teacher who has returned to his alma mater to teach before he graduates. On his first day teaching, Hirose notices that one of the students, Kaname Takasato, is different from the others. The other students believe he is cursed and never speak to him. As Hirose begins to learn more about Takasato and becomes closer to him, the strange occurrences around Takasato begin to strike more fiercely and rapidly toward those connected to him. As Hirose tries to understand Takasato, he begins to identify with him as someone who feels he does not belong in this world.
Both Youko’s and Taiki’s arcs coincide in the most recent novel, The Shore at Twilight, The Sky at Daybreak, which explains what happens after the end of Demon Child.
If you have any interest in Asian fantasy, 'another world' fantasy, or just fantasy with personal growth, you’ll enjoy Juuni Kokuki.
Published by: Tokyopop
English translation by Alexander O. Smith
Yoko is a high school girl with fiery red hair, navigating life while trying to please everyone, yet invariably falling short. She is timid, deceitful, and sometimes even cruel, longing only to be liked and remain unnoticed. Unfortunately, this approach leaves her without genuine friends, and her red hair leads teachers to mistakenly believe she's a party girl who stays out all night. Suddenly, a mysterious man accompanied by numerous monstrous creatures arrives, upending her life and whisking her away to an unfamiliar place before vanishing just as abruptly. Left with a strange sword, Yoko must fight for survival in a world where most want her dead. Forced to interact with people without the comfort of social conventions, her struggles deepen, compounded by the appearances of a peculiar, blue, demonic monkey that preys on her fears and despair.
The fantasy world into which Yoko is thrust draws inspiration from modern realism, Japanese and Chinese mythology, and history. The sword Yoko receives contains a jewel functioning as a mirror, referencing the three treasures of Japanese mythology. Chinese mythology contributes concepts like the Mandate of Heaven and its cosmographic framework.
Japanese literature in translation often feels sparse compared to the elaborate descriptions familiar to Western readers, largely due to the use of kanji, which convey multiple meanings rather than English's focus on precise word choices. However, Ono's work here provides sufficient detail to bring the rich world of *The Twelve Kingdoms* vividly to life. Few characters or plot points lose their vibrancy, and I frequently felt transported into the novel. The anime adaptation was often criticized for its overwhelming array of invented terms, but Tokyopop's localization strikes a balance, ensuring that when readers are bewildered by the terminology, it mirrors Yoko's own confusion. The book remains accessible to both those unfamiliar with the Japanese language and enthusiasts, achieved through the inclusion of kanji during explanations of unfamiliar concepts. I'm uncertain about Tokyopop's decision to release this as a hardcover, as it may not appeal to the broader young adult fiction market as they anticipate.
Ono does not appear intent on critiquing modern life or governance by advocating for a return to simpler times. This is neither allegory nor tirade against contemporary society. If there is a message, it centers on personal growth—Shoryu's assertion that one must first master oneself before becoming a king—or indeed anything meaningful in life. Through interactions with the blue monkey, Yoko contemplates moral questions and religion's influence on people at one point. One notable weakness of the novel is its somewhat anticlimactic ending, though this stems from its status as the first installment in a planned series of at least six books by Tokyopop.
Comparisons to the anime are inevitable, and I couldn't entirely disassociate the TV series' imagery while reading, with its original soundtrack frequently surfacing in my mind. Much has been noted about how Asano's character isn't developed in the novel and Sugimoto plays a minor role early on, never reappearing. This enhances Yoko's isolation, amplifying the dramatic weight of her experiences. Beyond these differences, the story aligns closely with the anime, shifting the question for fans from "What happens next?" to "How will Ono guide us there?" Personally, I found the journey captivating.
Whether you're an anime fan or new to the story with no interest in the series, I believe you'll thoroughly enjoy this book. In my view, the protagonist being female does not diminish the story's appeal to readers of all genders.
[Read this and other reviews at http://www.manganews.net/forums/index.php !]