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アラタカンガタリ~ 革神語 [Arata Kangatari] #8
Arata: The Legend, Vol. 08
An action-packed shonen fantasy from the acclaimed author of Fushigi Yû gi! Reads R to L (Japanese Style).
Hinohara and his companions arrive in a town ruled by Kugura, the Shinsho who controls wind. But since Kugura's palace is forbidden to men, the group concoct a plan to infiltrate the place...in disguise!
Hinohara and his companions arrive in a town ruled by Kugura, the Shinsho who controls wind. But since Kugura's palace is forbidden to men, the group concoct a plan to infiltrate the place...in disguise!
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2010
146 people want to read
About the author
Yuu Watase
362 books1,164 followersYuu Watase (渡瀬悠宇) is a Japanese shoujo manga-ka. She is known for her works Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, Ceres: The Celestial Legend, Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend. She likes all music, except heavy metal and old traditional music.
She received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Ceres, Celestial Legend in 1997. Since writing her debut short story "Pajama de Ojama" ("An Intrusion in Pajamas"), Watase has created more than 80 compiled volumes of short stories and continuing series. Because of her frequent use of beautiful male characters in her works, she is widely regarded in circles[which?] as a bishōnen manga artist.[citation needed] In October 2008, Watase began her first shōnen serialization, Arata: The Legend in Weekly Shōnen Sunday.
Her name is romanized as "Yû Watase" in earlier printings of Viz Media's publications of Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, and Ceres, The Celestial Legend, while in Viz Media's Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend her name is romanized as "Yuu Watase". In Chuang Yi's English-language versions of Fushigi Yugi (spelled without a macron or circumflex), her name is romanized as "Yu Watase".
She received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Ceres, Celestial Legend in 1997. Since writing her debut short story "Pajama de Ojama" ("An Intrusion in Pajamas"), Watase has created more than 80 compiled volumes of short stories and continuing series. Because of her frequent use of beautiful male characters in her works, she is widely regarded in circles[which?] as a bishōnen manga artist.[citation needed] In October 2008, Watase began her first shōnen serialization, Arata: The Legend in Weekly Shōnen Sunday.
Her name is romanized as "Yû Watase" in earlier printings of Viz Media's publications of Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, and Ceres, The Celestial Legend, while in Viz Media's Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend her name is romanized as "Yuu Watase". In Chuang Yi's English-language versions of Fushigi Yugi (spelled without a macron or circumflex), her name is romanized as "Yu Watase".
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 7, 2024
Despite my numerous complaints, this story does seem to be interrogating some of the expectations of shonen manga (while also leaning into some of them, like fan service). I appreciate how it looks rather unflinchingly at cycles of abuse, violence, and trauma, while also feeling that maybe a fantasy story isn't the best venue to explore them in. (The way Fruits Basket handled abuse and trauma themes wasn't always deft, either.)
Some events, like what happens with Kanate in this volume, are somewhat confusing or seemingly contradictory. Maybe if Kanate had expressed his desire to a number of times along the way, I'd have been more convinced when he . It's pretty obvious his decision was made for reasons that aren't in keeping with the ideals of the story as embodied in Arata. We'll see how Arata helps him shape up!
I'm interested in seeing how Arata resolves the conflict between (spoilers for v. 7) subduing the shinsho, and keeping his loved ones on Earth alive. Maybe fantasyland Arata, or even Oribe, can help defend them in Earth Arata's stead.
I know I have all 24 of the volumes of this manga that were officially released in English, but I've misplaced all but one of them after this volume. Given that this was a weekly serial before being published as "graphic novels," and that I'm not entirely gripped by it, it's easy enough to break things off until I track down the wanderers.
Some events, like what happens with Kanate in this volume, are somewhat confusing or seemingly contradictory. Maybe if Kanate had expressed his desire to a number of times along the way, I'd have been more convinced when he . It's pretty obvious his decision was made for reasons that aren't in keeping with the ideals of the story as embodied in Arata. We'll see how Arata helps him shape up!
I'm interested in seeing how Arata resolves the conflict between (spoilers for v. 7) subduing the shinsho, and keeping his loved ones on Earth alive. Maybe fantasyland Arata, or even Oribe, can help defend them in Earth Arata's stead.
I know I have all 24 of the volumes of this manga that were officially released in English, but I've misplaced all but one of them after this volume. Given that this was a weekly serial before being published as "graphic novels," and that I'm not entirely gripped by it, it's easy enough to break things off until I track down the wanderers.
January 10, 2013
First part of the Kugura arc: Volume eight covers chapters 68 to 77 and is mainly about Kugura--the Shinshou who controls the wind, and his brother, Eto. In Kugura's palace, men are forbidden, hence, they concocted the idea of crossdressing in order to infiltrate the palace. It would've been brilliant, if it didn't backfire to Arata himself! ^_^
This is my most favorite volume so far, mainly because it's hilarious! I laughed and laughed until I hiccuped. It may be bad for me to laugh at Hinohara Arata's predicament, but I can't help it. He kind of brought it upon himself! ^_^
The ending of Kugura's arc was sad, just like that of every one of the 12 Shinshou's lives that had been shown so far. His life as the Shinshou of the Wind is not all rainbows and roses. And he might be childish most times, but he takes his responsibilities seriously as evidenced on his actions during the Muroya incident 52 years ago.
This is my most favorite volume so far, mainly because it's hilarious! I laughed and laughed until I hiccuped. It may be bad for me to laugh at Hinohara Arata's predicament, but I can't help it. He kind of brought it upon himself! ^_^
The ending of Kugura's arc was sad, just like that of every one of the 12 Shinshou's lives that had been shown so far. His life as the Shinshou of the Wind is not all rainbows and roses. And he might be childish most times, but he takes his responsibilities seriously as evidenced on his actions during the Muroya incident 52 years ago.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2012
Ahh Arata. What a good shoujo heroine he is. :D Seriously, I adore that he is basically a shoujo heroine in a shonen story. Winning over the bad guys with his kindness! Holding fast to his faith in his friends! Struggling to reconcile his gentle nature with situations where violence is necessary! Yes, good, carry on my lad. Moving to plot specifics: I thought the Kanate storyline was well handled but not particularly interesting to me. Apparently I am far more interested in the relationship between Arata and Kadowaki? This surprises me since I was pretty sure I hated him. I suppose that doesn't have to preclude interest though; I've enjoyed the things this manga has to say about bullying so far. 3.5 stars
November 4, 2017
A solid continuation of the journey. Hinohara gets close to learning that Mikusa is a girl. There is some good drama when Kanate learns that his old gang is nearby and he decides to go after them on his own. It'll be interesting to see how this affects the group and their overall trip.
There's also some fun as Yuu Watase brings back the cross-dressing element (last seen in volume 1). This added some extra comedy to the story of the new shinsho. I must admit that all the guys do look cute as girls!
There's also some fun as Yuu Watase brings back the cross-dressing element (last seen in volume 1). This added some extra comedy to the story of the new shinsho. I must admit that all the guys do look cute as girls!
December 18, 2025
The ending . . . LOL . . . the "girls" . . . LMAO! I really liked how we learned more about Kannate. It was sad but I feel like I know him so much better. This volume started out serious and became a laugh fest at the end. I definitely needed that. Very enjoyable. I can't wait to see how Hinohara gets out of his recent sleeping arrangement.
March 15, 2017
This volume was fairly good. I enjoyed it. Great comedy at the end too.
August 27, 2015
Guess who joined the THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS TRAIN. Go on. Guess. If you said Kanate you'd win! What do you win? A one way trip to OH MY GOD STOP WATASE THIS IS NEVER A GOOD PLACE FOR YOU TO GO land.
Let me get something outta the way--of her series I've read (and I've read most of her stuff domestic and not translated officially) the main thrust of the angst is two friends (or family members) having idealogical differences in their approach to important matters.
In this case it's how Hinohara viewed his friendship with Kadowaki. Kadowaki saw him as a rival to respect and that in turn was his idea of friendship. Hinohara made him (or really enabled him) to be better just by being at Kadowaki's side and giving it his all.
Hinohara meanwhile viewed friendship in more of "I want to help you" way, unintentionally causing Kadowaki to think that Hinohara saw him as less than his equal when really Hinohara thought he was doing him a favor.
Having accidentally spoiled myself on some things I know that some sorta horrible things are gonna happen. Also we get some insight into not only Mikusa's dilemma but also what's up with Oribe (yes it was important she told Hamanuwa that Arata is under her protection) but argh annnsssweeerrrssss.
Let me get something outta the way--of her series I've read (and I've read most of her stuff domestic and not translated officially) the main thrust of the angst is two friends (or family members) having idealogical differences in their approach to important matters.
In this case it's how Hinohara viewed his friendship with Kadowaki. Kadowaki saw him as a rival to respect and that in turn was his idea of friendship. Hinohara made him (or really enabled him) to be better just by being at Kadowaki's side and giving it his all.
Hinohara meanwhile viewed friendship in more of "I want to help you" way, unintentionally causing Kadowaki to think that Hinohara saw him as less than his equal when really Hinohara thought he was doing him a favor.
Having accidentally spoiled myself on some things I know that some sorta horrible things are gonna happen. Also we get some insight into not only Mikusa's dilemma but also what's up with Oribe (yes it was important she told Hamanuwa that Arata is under her protection) but argh annnsssweeerrrssss.
October 8, 2016
Kanate finally meets up with his brothers again. they beat him and a dying Sho saves him. Kanate becomes a Sho so that he may be strong and Arata Hinohara's friend (always wanted to be his equal). the palace that they need to infiltrate only allows women and so they must masquerade as women. (there is great hilarity from the cross dressing boys fighting over who's prettier). the Sho of the palace, Kugura, chooses the female Hinohara for the night. Hinohara fights him until the Sho changes into his true form, a boy. He will never grow to be a full man (very Peter Pan, me likey). Hinohara explains to him just to accept himself as who he is and not to compare himself to others. Kugura responds, 'I'm seriously falling in love with you. I've decided. I'm going to conquer the world...for you!'
July 27, 2013
Tomes 6 à 9.
Arata continue son parcours, réussissant à asservir les fourreaux qu'il rencontre, non par la force, mais par sa compassion... (non sans de nombreuses péripéties, bien sûr).
Je me demande à chaque fois comment Arata va convaincre le prochain fourreau, mais l'auteur munit chaque adversaire d'une faille psychologique dont le héros bénéficie, en étant emphatique avec cette personne. Habilement fait, et suffisamment varié (dans le style des adversaires, et dans les intrigues / personnages secondaires) pour garder l'attention du lecteur.
Dessin toujours excellents, combats bien orchestrés et variés, finesse psychologique toujours présente, une bonne série.
Arata continue son parcours, réussissant à asservir les fourreaux qu'il rencontre, non par la force, mais par sa compassion... (non sans de nombreuses péripéties, bien sûr).
Je me demande à chaque fois comment Arata va convaincre le prochain fourreau, mais l'auteur munit chaque adversaire d'une faille psychologique dont le héros bénéficie, en étant emphatique avec cette personne. Habilement fait, et suffisamment varié (dans le style des adversaires, et dans les intrigues / personnages secondaires) pour garder l'attention du lecteur.
Dessin toujours excellents, combats bien orchestrés et variés, finesse psychologique toujours présente, une bonne série.
February 7, 2013
Oh well, when in doubt - harem, x-dressing and shouta-ness. The story is mildly dragging, but the funny bits are still funny
February 20, 2013
The end of this volume made me laugh so hard. The "You...are cute" part totally caught me off guard, and Arata and Kannagi in drag were hilarious. It reminded me a lot of Some Like it Hot.
September 29, 2013
This series has been slowing down for me. Feel like I am in the falling action, but the main event hasn't happened yet. This could just be a burn out from reading manga.
March 26, 2015
It's really picking up. I like Kugura
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews