The Moon's Child

This has been my favorite book so far. Love it!

'Akuma to Love Song' or 'The Devil and her Love Song' stands out as a refreshing manga that, so far, has avoided falling into the common traps of typical shoujo clichés. This is quite commendable, given that shoujo is a rather narrow genre that can be unforgiving when it comes to unoriginal plots.

The story revolves around Kawai Maria, a girl expelled from the prestigious St. Katria's school due to violent behavior and subsequently transferred to a low-performing public school. Upon arrival, her sharp tongue, blunt personality, honesty, beauty, and arrogance quickly lead her into conflicts with most of her classmates. However, two boys, Meguro and Yuusuke, become friends with this devilish girl, who harbors a secret talent for singing beautifully.

Often, mangaka may focus too much on either the story or the art, but Toumori Miyoshi strikes the perfect balance. Her art style is one of my favorites—close-ups of characters leave me in awe of her work. She has an exceptional ability to make every character convey exactly what she intends in every scene, almost like a movie. She sets the mood with just a few changes in body language, a rare quality (from what I've seen) in manga.

The writing itself is poetic. The story unfolds gradually, yet not so slowly that you're tapping your foot impatiently for it to unravel. It's masterfully done in such a way that you don't realize you're being given background information. Instead of having it force-fed to you all at once, you're given bits of information until you can piece together the entire picture.

The storyline is incredibly inventive and original, leaving you guessing about the twists and turns it takes. You're introduced to characters like Kousaka 'Nippachi' Tomoyo, Ibuki Hana, Ayuuchi Nakamura, and Anna Mouri, all of whom pose challenges for Maria (be cautious of Anna; I'll be surprised if you don't end up hating her as much as I did).

Maria, as a character, is one of the most original and easy to empathize with—a girl whose past has caused her so much pain and trouble that she just wants to leave it behind. She's blunt and speaks her mind but feels and loves like anyone else. Yuusuke's attempts at a "Lovely Transformation" for her will make you laugh, and at other times, she will make you cry.

Both Meguro and Yuusuke serve as potential love interests, though, as of chapter 42, it remains undecided who she will end up with. I appreciate how the mangaka doesn't rush Maria into a relationship with either one, as doing so might ruin the brilliant chemistry between them all.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this manga to everyone. It appeals to a wide audience, blending comedy, romance, slice-of-life, and school stories that unfold gradually throughout the narrative. I assure you, you'll devour this brilliant manga eagerly. (I check the mangascans twice a day to see if the new chapter has been released.)

This series began on a decent note for me. I neither disliked it nor found it particularly impressive. What did capture my interest in the first volume was Maria. It's refreshing to encounter a character who is so direct and honest, yet remains vulnerable and naïve in many respects. Witnessing her build connections with the other characters grew more engaging with each subsequent volume. Although the plot wasn't groundbreaking within the shojo genre, the themes felt somewhat innovative, elevating the story from merely okay to something more substantial.

The series had its share of humor, but it veered into excessive melodrama towards the conclusion. Additionally, I thought Maria's handling of some serious issues lacked realism. Another point of irritation was the mangaka's insistence that every male character should develop feelings for Maria.

That said, I appreciated the romance aspect, which felt authentic considering the characters' ages. A more conclusive ending would have been welcome. Overall, this series offers an intriguing character study. Despite its flaws, it was well-written, and I adored the artwork.

"A Devil and Her Love Song" is undoubtedly one of the best Manga series I've come across in ages. The storyline is fantastic, and the characters are equally impressive. I also find the art style to be incredibly distinctive.  

The narrative blends humor with a touch of romance and suspense, keeping you on your toes. It will definitely keep you guessing every step of the way.  

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The "Devil and her Love Song" is a captivating story. Even though I haven't completed it yet, I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far.  
The artwork is stunning and polished—in my opinion. Particularly the main character, Maria, stands out beautifully.  
The characters appear quite diverse and intriguing. Each one is fascinating and carries their own backstory.  
However, the one thing I can't quite grasp is the intense animosity the teacher has toward Maria—seriously? That teacher is so immature.  

Overall, the story is very engaging, and I appreciate how it's character-driven with unexpected twists. Details are gradually revealed as you continue reading. The narrative begins when the protagonist, Maria, transfers to a new school. She meets new people but quickly makes some enemies with her sharp tongue. The story unfolds from there, as Maria isn't the type to sit back and stay silent. (I don't want to spoil it, so I'll stop here haha)  
I wouldn't recommend this to those who prefer action-heavy genres, as the pacing might feel slow for some. Personally, I loved the story and would recommend it in general.  

---UPDATE---  
*SPOILERS AHEAD*  
I've finished the manga, and while going through it, I experienced mixed feelings. The part where the manga started to decline for me was the introduction of *spoiler* Maria's father—who had raped her mother when she was ONLY 14 YEARS OLD! While it was an interesting plot point, portraying him as a sympathetic character is absurd. The only victims here are Maria and her mother! Additionally, the central romance felt lacking, and Maria's character began to change. Instead of being the wild, open-minded, strong individual she once was, after she and Shin officially become a couple, her personality does a complete 180.  

Her thoughts revolve entirely around Shin...her mindset could be summed up with these statements, all centered on Shin: "Oh, I hope Shin likes my outfit," "I love Shin!" "I hope Shin and I can sing together again..."  
What happened to the independent character from the beginning? Romance shouldn't cripple someone so much that they lose all the personality and fire they had before. She should have ended up with one of the other two guys—I think especially Yusuke.  

In the manga, there's even a scene where a guy from a record company tells her that her singing seems like "she's always singing to one person"...and guess who that person is? *DING DING DING* Shin!  

I know my update might seem critical, but it's because I had such high hopes for this story (it was one of my favorites at the start—not anymore because of the second half). I didn't find the main romance convincing, which ruined what I considered to be a great character, and it was a major letdown. I still managed to enjoy the manga (just no longer one of my favorites), and my earlier statement about its lack of action remains unchanged.  

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"You corrupt other people" (summary at end)

In all the manga I've encountered, I have yet to come across another character like Maria. No heroine has ever been labeled or perceived as arrogant and 'the devil,' not because she's merely mischievous but for far deeper reasons. Maria is a complex individual. In her own words, "I can only be myself." She embodies the part of you that remains hidden, out of reach from others because you fear they won't accept it. At least, that's my perspective. All she wants is to be saved, to feel worthy of salvation. However, she doesn't understand kindness or friendship, and to someone like her, these concepts can feel suffocating.

"To me, Kawai-san is like a mirror. A mirror that reflects all the bad parts about you. A devil-like mirror that contaminates your heart."

Meguro notices her, not due to her beauty, though she is renowned for it, but because of her 'darkness.' He sees through to her core sometimes, to the part of her that she herself isn't even aware of. He appreciates her for everything she is, including the aspects others despise.

Yuusuke, he's the one who has the "Lovely Transformation" figured out as if it were a science. Honestly, he's the character most curious about her. He believes that beneath the 'beautiful devil' lies her true self waiting to resurface. He wants to know her, likely because she was the one who saw through his cheerful facade...

Something that caught my attention about the characters is that they all serve a purpose within the story. Throughout the narrative, even when they're just in the background, each plays a significant role. This manga features numerous antagonists, and if asked, Maria would probably admit she considers herself one of them. What makes this story unique is that all the characters experience emotions beyond love. There is love, albeit sparingly, but hatred permeates the narrative. Throughout the manga, readers get a glimpse into the minds of most characters and what lies hidden behind the masks they wear.

The art is stunning. Maria is beautifully depicted, and her expressions and posture perfectly align with her elegant persona. The same applies to all the other characters. I must say, if you can make tears look three-dimensional and evoke goosebumps with a character's expression, that earns you major points in my book—not all, but more than most.

In life, to truly succeed and remain true to yourself and the person you aspire to become, you need honest individuals who challenge you. Every day, they influence you and help shape you into the person you'll be tomorrow. If you have someone like that, or if you are someone like that, you'll enjoy meeting Maria Kawai and her "friends."

I know it's just a manga. Most of the time, I read for fun, but occasionally, alongside the enjoyment, you gain a glimpse into life.

Summary: The story revolves around Maria, who is infamous and recognized by students everywhere. After being expelled from a prestigious school for "violence against a teacher," Maria transfers to a lower-tier school. She doesn't make friends easily; rather, she doesn't care to and neither do they care for her. Many feel that Maria looks down on them, while others are envious of her appearance. Despite pranks and being picked on, she handles everything with an aloof demeanor, stating, "It seems that I'm hated." She is honest and speaks her mind at all times. Everyone hates her, or do they? Can anyone get close enough to uncover her truth?

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<p>Akuma to Love Song starts off as a fairly good, albeit melodramatic, story about a girl who is unapologetically blunt and straightforward. The initial volumes were engaging and offered a unique perspective, with characters like Shin being particularly entertaining. However, the narrative gradually takes a turn for the worse. Introducing the rapist of a 14-year-old girl as a sympathetic character, one who faces no consequences for his crime and is readily forgiven by everyone, was a deeply troubling choice. To make matters worse, this character pontificates about how he "loved" his victim. While the theme of forgiveness might have been acceptable if it involved genuine effort and repentance, the overall presentation feels not only repulsive but also glaringly false and artificial. It utterly shatters any suspension of disbelief and, in my view, completely ruins the series.</p>

My issue with this manga revolves around the high expectations I had for it and the subsequent major disappointment it delivered. Initially, I found the first part of the manga quite enjoyable (though there were some hard-to-believe scenarios, particularly regarding the teacher's behavior), but eventually, it began to make no sense at all. From here on, there will be significant spoilers, so please stop reading if you wish to avoid them. (The conclusion is spoiler-free.)

You could summarize this story as "look, these people are navigating difficult situations; watch how they change and learn to become better individuals," yet it fails in its execution. I simply cannot comprehend how the mangaka managed to damage the characters so severely. At first, we're introduced to a girl who makes for an intriguing protagonist, distinctly different from the typical shoujo manga heroine—someone unafraid to voice her opinions and clearly burdened with issues that would develop throughout the narrative. But then, she falls in love, and all that fades away, leaving us with yet another plain protagonist. I'm not arguing against her transformation from a cold-hearted individual; in fact, it could have been a compelling development—if only it had been well-executed.

As for the male lead, Megu, I initially appreciated how his character was crafted and their interactions. However, when that other girl from the music school appears, he starts making a series of poor decisions. While I understand that everyone can act foolishly when faced with unfamiliar circumstances, his actions felt utterly unbelievable and ultimately turned me off.

Additionally, I struggle to grasp how such a pivotal backstory for the plot and character development can be resolved so simplistically. Are you really trying to convince me that a teenage girl, upon suddenly remembering her mother's suicide in front of her and the reasons behind it, manages to overcome that pain in just one chapter? This was the most crucial aspect of the story, and we deserved to witness Maria's recovery with the support of those around her—it's not something that can be wrapped up in a few panels.

What truly undermined the story for me was how the father issue was handled. He raped your mother, bringing immense despair to your family, and yet, you're able to converse with him and within a few chapters, act as though it's normal for him to meet your family and accept his declaration of love for your mother??? And you're even okay with him visiting your grandparents' house and you support it, WHATTTT????? Even your friend (the kouhai) has the audacity to say, "I'd like if you and he get along," WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ASKING YOUR FRIEND TO DO?????? What infuriates me further is her response, as if what he's saying makes perfect sense.

The way this part of the story is written, failing to give it the gravity it deserves, and portraying this man as not entirely bad despite raping a 14-year-old and ruining her life, makes it seem as though it's not a big deal for anyone involved. If you intended to tackle such a serious topic and sought to make readers empathize with this man, there were countless alternative approaches—but not this one, where the characters' decisions and actions lack any semblance of logic.

SPOILERS END HERE

Conclusion: Although the story and characters weren't exactly my preference (goodness, even the manga's ending was disappointing), I must admit the art was stunning, and I genuinely loved Maria and Megu's designs. Additionally, if you're searching for a dramatic shoujo manga, this wouldn't be my top recommendation, as there are many others with superior storytelling. Nevertheless, it was entertaining enough to keep me engaged through 90 chapters, driven by my curiosity about its conclusion, so it deserves some credit for that.

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