Trapped with the demon Lord

Great read and follow to the first book

Update? Complete?

First of all, I generally don't write reviews for this platform. I review anime and manga when I have the time on my personal blog, but I usually avoid writing reviews on MAL because I've encountered so many exceptional reviews here that I often feel whatever I write would pale in comparison.  
  
However, after finishing The Music of Marie, or Marie no Kanaderu Ongaku, I felt compelled to at least share a few thoughts about this extraordinary manga.  
  
The Music of Marie is one of the most underrated manga I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It's underrated in the sense that almost no one seems to know about it. It's truly an undiscovered gem, and I personally believe that's one of its greatest attributes. The author clearly aims to tell a beautiful story rather than injecting some deep philosophical elements merely to make a profit.  
  
So, without further ado, here's the actual review. (For clarity, I'll use "Marie" to refer to the manga itself. If I'm referencing the character Marie, I'll do so without quotes.)  
  
Story: 9/10  
The story of "Marie" appears deceptively simple yet is incredibly compelling. Essentially, the character Marie is a mechanical goddess overseeing a peaceful, post-apocalyptic world. The plot centers around two teenagers, Kai and Pipi, as they experience a series of events that ultimately lead them to question their world and perhaps their entire existence. Nothing in this manga is as it seems; everything brims with mystery and wonder, which makes the story so captivating. "Marie" is undoubtedly one of the more unique stories I've come across, and the ending genuinely shocked me to my core.  
Now, why did I give it a 9, you might ask?  
Well, it's more like a 9.5 or even a 9.8. The sole reason it's not a perfect ten is that I felt the author could have delved deeper into Kai and Pipi's relationship. Even after finishing the story, I still couldn't fully grasp why Pipi was so in love with Kai. Maybe I missed something... Regardless, for just two volumes, the story and concept were fantastic.  
  
Art: 10/10  
The art in "Marie" is absolutely stunning. Honestly, I've never seen any manga drawn with such meticulous attention to detail. All the scenery and technology in this manga are rendered so imaginatively and beautifully. As someone who isn't particularly artistic, there's little more I can add regarding this aspect of the review. But in essence, the art in this manga is breathtaking.  
  
Character: 9/10  
To be honest, the characters in this manga aren't particularly unique or memorable on their own, though Pipi does stand out somewhat towards the end. Overall, it's more about the roles the characters play within the series rather than their individual qualities that make them shine.  
  
Enjoyment: 10/10  
I completed this series in one day and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. "Marie" has now been added to my favorites, where it will likely remain for a very long time. I've never read a manga that blends philosophical ideas with fantasy so seamlessly. While this series reminded me of Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica in certain aspects, I don't think even that can compare to the level "Marie" achieves. I'm not religious, yet I could still relate to the religious undertones present in "Marie." Essentially, everyone should read this.  
  
Overall: 10/10  
I highly recommend The Music of Marie to everyone, regardless of your usual genre preferences. Even if you're not typically into manga, you will enjoy "Marie."

did God create man, or did man create God?  
An ambitious and unconventional work, Osamu Furuya's masterpiece *The Music of Marie* is a thought-provoking and psychological manga. Despite its brevity in terms of chapters, it delivers a story rich with meaning and multiple points for reflection.  

**Story**  
The world is overseen by the mechanical goddess Marie, who watches over her creation from above the heavens. Life flows peacefully and serenely in a world where advanced technology ensures happiness and immunity to all desires. But why can't knowledge progress any further? Has the world always existed in this state of peace?  

The story boasts a diverse range of content, presenting the development of the relationship between the two protagonists while dedicating significant attention to world-building, crafted with meticulous detail. In the second part, the manga becomes increasingly introspective and philosophical without abandoning the groundwork established earlier. This is complemented by stunning twists that repeatedly challenge the reader's perspective. The antithesis between technological progress and religion stands as the central theme, the key to understanding the narrative, which Furuya focuses on most prominently.  

**Characters**  
Pipi is a lively, popular girl who is persevering, impulsive, pure, and kind. From the beginning, her deep feelings for Kai are evident, and her evolution proves to be profoundly touching.  

Kai, in contrast, is a quiet, reliable, and contemplative boy. A past event has left an indelible mark on his life, creating a constant inner conflict on various levels. He possesses the unique ability to hear sounds imperceptible to other humans.  

Gule, a secondary character, serves both as a priest and a scientist. His development highlights the dualism that becomes central to the manga itself. The secondary characters, though simple, are functional and enjoyable.  

**Art**  
The artwork, though not yet fully mature, showcases remarkable craftsmanship, particularly in the breathtakingly detailed backgrounds that enhance immersion in this fantastical world. However, there are some minor inconsistencies in facial expressions and perspective in wide shots, though these do not detract from the overall reading experience.  

A masterful work that will resonate with those seeking existential and philosophical questions as well as those who appreciate a poignant and enduring tale of passion. Must-read.  

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Too much potential, but executed in a poor manner.  

Marie no Kanaderu Ongaku is a manga centered around a girl who resides in an unusual world and harbors deep affection for a man named Kai, a rather peculiar individual.  

Firstly, the standout aspects of this manga are its world and art style. They complement each other beautifully. The style isn't overly realistic, which enhances a sense of surrealism due to the bizarre world filled with gears and lush greenery. However, while the world is intriguing, the manga doesn't focus heavily on world-building, so readers aren't fully introduced to all its characteristics or cultures.  

The storyline isn't inherently bad, but it was poorly executed. The manga attempts to explore various themes such as religion, a goddess, and the relationship between Kai and the protagonist, yet none of these are fully realized or developed to their full potential.  

The "ending" also felt unnecessary.  

Despite these flaws, it's still a decent manga and not very long, so it can be read quickly. It's a great way to relax by enjoying something a bit different!

There is a remarkable level of creativity showcased in this story of unrequited love, which unfolds in more ways than one.  
The premise is quirky and shrouded in mystery, enhanced by an element often overlooked in most manga: world-building. While characters are undoubtedly the focal point of any narrative, the world they inhabit deserves attention too—it should be developed and depicted with sufficient detail to fully engage the reader. Unfortunately, many authors either neglect, lack the ability, or simply don't have the time to flesh out their backgrounds, whether artistically or through storytelling. Thankfully, some creators do invest effort into crafting elaborate backdrops for their tales, Usamaru Furuya being one such example.  

Marie's idyllic realm is intricate, distinctive, and vividly presented through expansive panels or entire pages, occasionally revealing pivotal plot points that compel you to pause and absorb both the visual and narrative elements. The story begins with two childhood friends, Kai and Pipi, embarking on a journey an hour away from their home, providing Furuya the perfect opportunity to guide us through the island and introduce the first breathtaking revelation of the manga. Without giving too much away, it's safe to say we encounter Marie for the first time here. As for the nature of this peculiar contraption, that remains a mystery best discovered by reading this exceptional manga.  

The setting is a utopia inhabited by inventors and imaginative minds, thriving harmoniously without conflict. The island at the heart of the story, along with others in this universe, each specializes in unique fields, engaging in peaceful trade and sharing their creations. This vision is so idealistic it might just bring a tear to your eye.  

The narrative is propelled by the mythology of this world—the design and purpose of its elements, its economic system, and its religion, particularly the latter. Marie's presence looms large, floating in the sky like an enigmatic angel, influencing Kai in fascinating ways. Her existence straddles the lines of idolatry, obsession, and desire, showcasing Furuya's inventive use of familiar themes like destiny and perhaps Plato's cave, reimagined with his signature quirks.  

Though there are no grand battles between good and evil, a subtle unease lingers throughout the tale, adding intrigue and making the story irresistibly addictive, as all great mysteries ought to be. Conflict, essential to any worthwhile narrative, manifests here through Pipi's unreciprocated affection for Kai, who remains preoccupied with Marie and her celestial melodies. While the characters may not leave an indelible mark, their arcs are compelling enough to drive the storyline forward.  

At the time of this review, only nine chapters have been scanlated, yet the manga has already earned this reader's admiration through its outstanding world-building, solid character development, and artistic merit. If immersing yourself in a strange and distinctive universe appeals to you, then "Marie and her Surreal Melodies" is well worth exploring.

Let's address the positives first. The art in this manga is truly incredible and highly creative. It's worth emphasizing just how wonderful it is and how effortlessly it immerses you into its world. Without a doubt, the standout feature of this manga is its artwork and visual appeal. Kudos should also be given to the manga for its core idea and concept. I won't delve into specifics to avoid spoilers, but the story's concepts hold potential and could have succeeded if not for one major issue.  

That being said, it seems like the author underestimates the reader's intelligence. The dialogue and writing in this manga are incredibly frustrating. At every opportunity, instead of allowing readers to interpret what is visually presented, there are dialogue boxes explicitly telling us what we're seeing. It's challenging to explain without an example. Here's a slight spoiler from chapter 1: Our main lead (ML) approaches the workshop where our female lead (FL) builds robots. Upon arrival, he notes that all the dozens of robots were partially maintained by her constant efforts. This internal dialogue by the ML is acceptable, though not the most imaginative way to convey the information, especially since it was already visually depicted. Then, the ML comments something akin to "There are so many of them. It must be hard work," and while looking at her, adds, "She looks so happy laughing like that." To me, this is exasperating. You've already SHOWED her working. The art clearly illustrates the effort she puts into maintaining the robots and her care for them. There's no need to state it verbally. SHE IS LITERALLY SMILING. YOU DON'T NEED TO TELL ME SHE'S SMILING AND LAUGHING. IT'S A MANGA! I CAN SEE HER SMILING AND LAUGHING!

Okay. Now imagine this happening throughout the rest of the manga. Every chapter. Practically every page. This example occurs as early as pages 2 and 3.

**This is Important** For the most part, anime and manga aren't particularly subtle in their storytelling. I can tolerate some clumsy dialogue or lazy explanations in manga. It's a medium where conveying the story solely through visuals can sometimes be challenging, necessitating explanations. However, this manga overcompensates to an extreme degree. It largely eliminates subtlety and any room for reader interpretation. It feels like the author is holding my hand, showing no respect for the reader's ability to interpret the work independently. I know I sound harsh, but this genuinely spoiled my experience with the manga. It has intriguing ideas and stunning artwork, yet it doesn't let these elements speak for themselves. This is especially disappointing for this manga, as the artwork conveys so much on its own. It's unfortunate that the author didn't trust the reader to find meaning on their own. This manga could easily rate a 7 or 8 out of 10 if 40% of the dialogue boxes were removed.

I have a tendency to be drawn to stories that break my heart in some way and compel me to confront something fundamental about myself during the process.  

If saying that this story was crucial in shaping my ideas about love and relationships sounds a bit exaggerated, I apologize. But it's true. This story is insanely brilliant, beautiful, and world-shattering. I've never wanted so desperately to read something for the first time all over again. That said, every subsequent reading has only added even more depth to the experience, so I'm not upset.  

I don't usually purchase physical copies of things (after all, most everything has a free version online, right?) but it really speaks to the quality when I spent my own hard-earned money on a physical copy of this manga. In fact, I consider this to be among my top three books EVER.  

Moving on to the actual core of the review. I believe this is a standout piece of media, and I understand not everyone shares that opinion, WHICH IS FINE (even though bitterness fills my veins whenever I see people calling this boring or "style over substance" or whatever, lol) but in my eyes, it's the most perfect manga I've ever read.  

The setting of the story immediately makes you feel like you're part of this beautiful, eccentric world that Usamaru Furuya has meticulously crafted (do I need to explain how challenging it is to create your own fantasy world, or is that self-explanatory?) Everything from the mysterious god floating in the sky to the steampunk-like atmosphere of the world is so masterfully done and adds so much to the enjoyment of the story. This isn't the type of story where a world like ours would suffice; it demands a fantastical setting.  

I'm definitely not religious, but I love that the main plot involves this giant, otherworldly (even within this other world, Marie feels otherworldly) THING that everyone reveres, and the way it's seamlessly integrated into the story in a way that makes sense. The way she looms over this world, seemingly watching the protagonists' every move while not actively participating, is just... *chef's kiss*.  

The way everything flows in this story is incredible. I truly feel that it accomplishes everything it set out to do and provides all the necessary explanations. Sure, the story might seem a bit outlandish or even dull to others, but I don't feel that way at all. This story has a peculiar way of getting under your skin. The first time I read it, I was so deeply captivated that I felt myself disengaging from reality—LOL, it really pulls you in if you let it!  

And then there's the art, which is equally mesmerizing! The way everything looks is stunning. The maximalist set-pieces of gears, gadgets, metal, and everything else create such an intriguing setting, and the art perfectly complements it, in my opinion. From the haunting and quiet desolate landscapes to the massive, imposing figures and the humble homes in the village, it's all just so GORGEOUS. The characters are deceptively simple-looking, but in a way that works beautifully. I appreciate how it balances the intricate world with simpler character designs, making everything feel cohesive. It would feel odd if every character had elaborate costumes or design elements, don't you think?  

Not to mention, the characters themselves are absolutely wonderful! Pipi is an amazing leading lady. She's fun, exuberant, intelligent, and while she can be a bit childish, it never comes across as annoying. Kai is also exceptional. His defining trait may be his strange power that alienates him from everyone (except Pipi, of course), but he's far from one-dimensional. His connection to Marie is horrifying and grotesque in a way that I absolutely adore. Even the supporting cast is interesting and enjoyable!  

The themes of love, belief, and reverence in this story are irrevocably important to me (seriously, that ending is going to be burned into my brain forever and will always serve as my benchmark for love). I know it's not healthy to feel so connected to a piece of media (I guess), but I genuinely feel that this story is now a part of who I am, as it changed the way I feel and think about love forever.  

I don't think there will EVER be a manga that means as much to me as this one does, which is both disappointing and wonderful. I view this manga as MY manga—honestly, I doubt anyone will ever love it as much as I do. I'd still love for everyone to give it a try, though! It's definitely not for beginners, but it's perfect for those who enjoy quirky, unconventional stuff.