Redeemed and Mated To The Lycan King

Celeste Roar arf arf haha finally David became a man haha

I'll start by saying that I absolutely loved this. I dropped it because at some point I stopped reading manga and now I'm just trying to finish the manga I had started but didn't complete, but I have too many chapters left in this one to do it. Even so, I still love it.  

I also want to say that if you're looking for hard-core yaoi romance that focuses mostly on the relationship and the romance around it, this isn't the place. This manga is about both the story, the journey, and the drama that comes with it, as well as love. It focuses on character development and the hardships that come with love, and what each individual sacrifices to be with the other. But that's not the only focus; you see it through the story, but it's not such a primary objective. So, if you want to read it, you have to not expect romance at every single corner, but be aware that it also focuses a lot on the journey and fantasy part.  

I won't say much about the story because it's already covered enough in the synopsis (and I've already said a lot in the previous paragraph), but I think it's really worth it if you're into stuff, especially yaoi, with bad demons who regret their past after they find someone they love (specifically a human), who give up everything to protect them, and also just fantasy in general, with a journey where the characters meet a lot of new creatures and all that stuff. 10/10  

The art is really good. 9/10  

Characters? Honestly, they excel. There are some tropes, I guess (big bad demon falls in love with kind human), but they're done in such a way that makes them seem realistic, and the character development is brilliant. Along the way, they also meet interesting characters, like the man who can talk with snakes, and the human MC's character is also a complex one that was very well-written. In all honesty, the author is awesome. 9/10  

Enjoyment, duh, 10/10, and overall the same.  

In conclusion, give it a try. You really won't regret it.

Did I come to this expecting some good (or at least cute) couple lovey-dovey nonsense with fantasy settings? Yes. Was I disappointed? Somewhat.  

I didn’t realize the fantasy setting would become such a major part of this series. Don’t get me wrong, the moment I understood “oh, so there is going to be an actual fantasy story and it’s not just an excuse to get these boys together?” I said, Ok, cool, I can totally get behind that. Kudos where they’re due: the story is pretty solid, and the final battle/monologue/all of that drama was satisfying.  

However, that doesn’t mean I forgive the romance for... well, stopping completely. Unfortunately, it kind of does. Yeah, we get a few little glimpses of couple interactions (and they’re fantastic—10/10), but I wanted a) some advancement in these moments, some sort of development, and b) more often, please and thank you.  

The characters are amazing—you really start rooting for them and grow to adore them. Their designs? Not as much. There were several times while reading that I confused characters because, as much as I love the author (she seems so sweet from the tidbits we’re given about her), Sugiura tends to rely on two default character designs, which she uses quite frequently. At one point, she even has to make one character cut his hair so we can tell him apart from another guy, and that’s not ideal.  

That said, the characters truly shine. Their interactions—not just romantic ones, but friendships and even casual exchanges with random NPCs—are delightful. This series made me grin like an idiot in several parts thanks to its charm.  

Its best feature? The charm this story radiates. That’s what makes it stand out.

I just realized this masterpiece had been fully translated by fans (all my love to you amazing people!!!) only two days ago, after what felt like an eternity of waiting. It kept changing hands from one group to another, but now it's finally here.<br /><br />I spent the last two days binge-reading all 24 volumes, and I can't express how empty, bittersweet, overwhelmed, and mind-blown I am. I truly wish it hadn’t ended so soon. This is undoubtedly one of the best shounen-ai series I've ever read. Unlike others such as Ze, Dark Descendants, Loveless, and Love/Sex Pistols, which remain unfinished, this completion feels monumental—words simply can't capture my emotions.<br /><br />Right now, I’m swimming in a sea of feelings. Yet, despite reading it for the first time years ago, it still captivated me just as much, pulling me in with its charm and depth. While it didn’t bring me to tears like *Silver Diamond* (another work by the same author), it was equally brilliant.<br /><br />I don’t think I’ll ever praise this author enough. The '90s manga era holds a special place in my heart—it’s where most of my favorite stories come from, and her aesthetic resonates deeply with me.<br /><br />There were countless moments when I laughed alongside Ishuca and Blood, the two protagonists who taught me so much through their profound growth and emotional journeys. They possess such big hearts, filled with lessons that resonate on every level. Though I struggle to articulate my feelings fully, I’ll try because this story deserves nothing less.<br /><br />It’s rare for me to feel so attached—to long for something not to end or to never want to leave its world. I set high standards for ratings on MAL, reserving 9s and 10s only for works that genuinely move me, and this story certainly fits the bill.<br /><br />What continually astonishes me is the warmth and emotion this author weaves into her narratives. Just like *Silver Diamond*, which explored themes of morality, good vs. evil, and the complexities of the human heart, this series does so flawlessly but in entirely unique ways.<br /><br />Let me confess: I’m utterly in love with this author and her creations. There’s something incredibly refreshing about watching characters evolve, grow, and become more human over time, gaining both hearts and souls along the way. Their journey toward romantic awareness isn’t rushed; there’s no instant-love trope between our main characters (though there are some hilarious one-sided crushes). Instead, their connection develops gradually, leaving no doubt about their feelings while steering clear of gratuitous smut. That said, Blood and Ishuca are undeniably works of art—truly breathtaking characters.<br /><br />I must also bow to the author for her stunning artwork. Blood radiates beauty, sparkling with an otherworldly allure that leaves me breathless. If demons looked like him, take me away already! 😂<br /><br />Even now, I’m caught in this paradoxical state of feeling full yet empty at the same time—a sensation that’s both wonderful and painful. I doubt I’ll revisit this story anytime soon since it’s still so fresh and emotionally draining, but I know I’ll return once the ache fades enough to rediscover its brilliance.<br /><br />If you haven’t read it yet, trust me—it’s one of the most beautiful BL mangas from the '90s (alongside *X/1999*). Its plot, story, and characters are unforgettable. You’ll fall in love with them, and each setback they face will tug at your heartstrings. But the journey alongside these two remarkable beings is nothing short of extraordinary. The twists and the ending couldn’t have been better, though I lack the words to explain why without spoilers.<br /><br />Another thing I admire is how the author challenges black-and-white thinking—not just in her characters but also in us as readers. Where the story goes often defies expectations, and believe me, it’s worth every moment. If you haven’t experienced it yet, do yourself a favor and dive in. I guarantee it—you’ll adore these characters, and there’s no greater joy than sharing their world.

First of all, this is one of those manga series that gradually improve as the story unfolds. It begins in a light-hearted and somewhat silly manner, but as the narrative progresses, more serious themes are introduced—such as discrimination, self-sacrifice, and the pressure of maintaining appearances. Important characters are added, and the plot becomes increasingly complex. Although it does have its flaws, I overall found it quite enjoyable. I caught myself laughing multiple times, even while rereading it.

Now for a more detailed review:

It's light shounen-ai (they kiss and express their love for each other, nothing more), though slightly more explicit than the author's other major work, Silver Diamond.

The comedy is predominantly slapstick, relying on absurd responses and the main characters being incredibly slow to understand or acting against what would be expected of them given their status. While it didn't bother me too much, it's worth noting that some jokes use commonplaces or stereotypes that don't quite fit into the medieval setting (like references to an all-girls high school).

Story:
Initially, I felt the artist wasn't entirely sure where they wanted the story to go, leading to some inconsistencies before the narrative really takes off. For instance, characters seem to know things without proper explanation, or demons/blood entities lack knowledge they logically should possess. The story consists of one main storyline and several short stories, primarily flashbacks about the characters' pasts, more or less integrated into the main plot (involving Rapunzel and Wild, Blood, Ishuca, Ishuca's grandmother, and the Demon Kaiser).

The storyline appears simple at first—a classic adventure plot: boy meets demon, they embark on a journey, meet various people, get involved in their affairs, become entangled in events stemming from past occurrences, and as they attempt to resolve these issues, others they've met also get drawn in—resulting in increasingly complex interactions. Even people within the same factions (temple vs. demons) have differing motives and work towards their own goals. In my opinion, this is what makes this manga good and interesting, keeping me engaged despite any shortcomings!

I truly appreciate how it's not just a straightforward good versus evil tale; you can't immediately tell everyone's allegiances from the start.

Characters:
There are two primary demon-boy pairs (Blood and Ishuca, Rapunzel and Wild), both based on the concept 'cunning, adult' (demon) versus 'cute, innocent, strong-willed' (boy), which initially seems flat and cliché, as it's commonly used in yaoi/shounen-ai. However, as they go through their adventures, these characters do grow, although the basic concept remains intact, likely because it's necessary for much of the interjected comedy. As the story advances, other characters with more intricate personalities appear and develop (for example, the monk Sellghi), thus enriching the story and making it far better than if it had only focused on the main characters.

Art:
The quality varies throughout the manga; most of the time, it's well-drawn, but occasionally, the bodies feel a bit misproportioned (too large hands/feet), so I rated it down to a six.

As I mentioned, overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit and am still eagerly awaiting each new release. Naturally, I recommend reading it if this review has piqued your interest and you enjoy fantasy/adventure stories and don't mind shounen-ai.

Great stories! I love the character of Anthony, Lorenzo and Atlas---crazy in love!!

super glad  to read the comments! thanks tons!!!

More chapters than two, please author.