i think graverobber(translator) stopped translating because the official translation is out(?)... you can try jpmtl if you want... but don't say i didn't warn you XD
I gave this a 10 across all categories—story, art, character, enjoyment, and overall. It doesn't happen often, but this manga truly left a strong impression on me! I'm a big fan of narratives set in historical kingdoms. What stood out to me was the absence of magic, which made the story more straightforward, heartfelt, and realistic.
If I had to sum up this series in one word, it would be 'nostalgic.' That's the emotion I experienced while reading it. The theme revolves around friendship, with numerous flashbacks to when Setsu and Luca were kids. These scenes were beautifully rendered in Midorikawa Yuki's whimsical, soft style, reminding me of childhood friends from my own past. There are also some remarkable quotes throughout the manga that help evoke this sense of nostalgia.
The character development was outstanding. I genuinely cared about Setsu, Luca, the King, Dori, and Kulea. Setsu was an exceptionally strong female protagonist. I appreciated her androgynous nature and her ability to pass as male. The narrative disregards gender entirely, focusing solely on the emotional connections between characters. It was refreshing to see tender moments between two males, two females, or a male and a female without any sexual undertones.
Although Luca is technically one of the main characters, he remains an enigmatic figure, seen only through the perspectives of Setsu or the King. This air of mystery persists until the very end when we finally uncover his fate. Sometimes you can predict where a story is headed, but I was genuinely taken by surprise. It couldn't have concluded more perfectly. This manga is now one of my favorites, and I hope it gets published in English someday because I'd love to own a copy!
Wow, I'm genuinely surprised that no one has reviewed this yet. ^^ I didn't give the story and art a perfect ten because while it's well-written, it feels somewhat incomplete. It doesn't answer all my questions and could potentially be longer and better with the right ideas added; the art isn't exactly my ideal style, but its simplicity is what draws me to it. Setsu's character design, personality, and attitude are truly fitting for her. Just by her personality alone, I can vividly imagine her. Her design isn't overly extravagant, not making her look too pretty or too plain. It's just perfectly suited for her, subtly distinguishing her as female in a very understated way. There are other characters I could rave about being equally well-crafted, but I'll refrain to avoid spoilers (though I might have already hinted at Setsu's excellence >>'<).
I absolutely adored this charming little manga and also appreciate another work by the same author (Midorikawa, Yuki), which is gaining popularity due to its anime adaptation—Natsume Yuujinchou. I highly recommend reading the manga first, as it offers more depth and features superior artwork. ^^
Overall, this manga deserves a 10. It's a delightful yet underrated (and completed) manga that everyone should read at least once. It has a relaxed vibe that you may or may not enjoy. :D<p>
Popular Reviews
If I had to sum up this series in one word, it would be 'nostalgic.' That's the emotion I experienced while reading it. The theme revolves around friendship, with numerous flashbacks to when Setsu and Luca were kids. These scenes were beautifully rendered in Midorikawa Yuki's whimsical, soft style, reminding me of childhood friends from my own past. There are also some remarkable quotes throughout the manga that help evoke this sense of nostalgia.
The character development was outstanding. I genuinely cared about Setsu, Luca, the King, Dori, and Kulea. Setsu was an exceptionally strong female protagonist. I appreciated her androgynous nature and her ability to pass as male. The narrative disregards gender entirely, focusing solely on the emotional connections between characters. It was refreshing to see tender moments between two males, two females, or a male and a female without any sexual undertones.
Although Luca is technically one of the main characters, he remains an enigmatic figure, seen only through the perspectives of Setsu or the King. This air of mystery persists until the very end when we finally uncover his fate. Sometimes you can predict where a story is headed, but I was genuinely taken by surprise. It couldn't have concluded more perfectly. This manga is now one of my favorites, and I hope it gets published in English someday because I'd love to own a copy!
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I absolutely adored this charming little manga and also appreciate another work by the same author (Midorikawa, Yuki), which is gaining popularity due to its anime adaptation—Natsume Yuujinchou. I highly recommend reading the manga first, as it offers more depth and features superior artwork. ^^
Overall, this manga deserves a 10. It's a delightful yet underrated (and completed) manga that everyone should read at least once. It has a relaxed vibe that you may or may not enjoy. :D<p>