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あやかし恋絵巻 [Ayakashi Koi Emaki] #1
あやかし恋絵巻 1
By the creator of Ai Ore! and Sensual PhraseMiko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off women’s feelings of passion and love. Kagura’s insatiable appetite has left many girls at school brokenhearted, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works—sort of—but now Kagura is after her!
Reads R to L (Japanese style) for teen plus audiences.
Reads R to L (Japanese style) for teen plus audiences.
Paperback
First published May 25, 2009
84 people are currently reading
2756 people want to read
About the author
Mayu Shinjo
175 books398 followers新條まゆ in Japanese
Mayu Shinjo debuted in 1994 in Shogakukan's Shōjo Comic with "Anata no Iro ni Somaritai". She continued writing for Shogakukan until 2007, with her works appearing in both Shōjo Comic and their other magazine Cheese!. She left the company to go freelance citing a dispute over working conditions and abusive treatment by her editor.
Mayu Shinjo debuted in 1994 in Shogakukan's Shōjo Comic with "Anata no Iro ni Somaritai". She continued writing for Shogakukan until 2007, with her works appearing in both Shōjo Comic and their other magazine Cheese!. She left the company to go freelance citing a dispute over working conditions and abusive treatment by her editor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
September 18, 2013
Dear God this thing was hysterical!
Played straight, this would have been boring, perhaps a little creepy, and certainly not worth reading. Done the way it was, everything was so over-the-top you couldn't help but start laughing. Shinjo definitely succeeded in making a manga you can't help but crack up at.
Besides just laughs, "Demon Love Spell" also has an entertaining starring duo. I can't help but love Miko, who accidentally gets it right when she tries to seal a demon. Miko's got strong opinions and a loud mouth to go with it, as well as an interest in the occult that borderlines on obsessive and a punchline to go with just about any of her shrine priestess "spells". Somehow, those qualities make her more awesome than annoying, especially when paired with Kagura, the super sexy/adorable incubus she manages to bind with her shrine-priestess abilities. Kagura's just as ridiculously over-the-top as Miko, making them an excellent slapstick pair as well as a very interesting couple. These two put the "dynamic" in "dynamic duo" and when they aren't having a exciting shouting match they are having a tender, if awkward, moment.
The art is also surprisingly good for a comedy. The story's not just great, the art is really pretty to look at.
If you like the demon-romance genre, this is a great book to giggle with.
Played straight, this would have been boring, perhaps a little creepy, and certainly not worth reading. Done the way it was, everything was so over-the-top you couldn't help but start laughing. Shinjo definitely succeeded in making a manga you can't help but crack up at.
Besides just laughs, "Demon Love Spell" also has an entertaining starring duo. I can't help but love Miko, who accidentally gets it right when she tries to seal a demon. Miko's got strong opinions and a loud mouth to go with it, as well as an interest in the occult that borderlines on obsessive and a punchline to go with just about any of her shrine priestess "spells". Somehow, those qualities make her more awesome than annoying, especially when paired with Kagura, the super sexy/adorable incubus she manages to bind with her shrine-priestess abilities. Kagura's just as ridiculously over-the-top as Miko, making them an excellent slapstick pair as well as a very interesting couple. These two put the "dynamic" in "dynamic duo" and when they aren't having a exciting shouting match they are having a tender, if awkward, moment.
The art is also surprisingly good for a comedy. The story's not just great, the art is really pretty to look at.
If you like the demon-romance genre, this is a great book to giggle with.
September 4, 2018
Somehow adorable AND semi-smutty! (Hey, it works.)
February 21, 2021
This is a review of volumes 1-2 which I read together back to back. See the plot section for my thoughts on the individual volumes.
Miko's dad is a major player in the occult world... banishing spirits left and right! Miko so badly wants to belong to that world too... Then she meets Kagura!! An incubus who feeds himself off women's feelings of passion and love. When her school friends get their hearts broken Miko comes to the rescue... Only the spell actually worked and now if Kagura is to survive he has to have Miko!!
I didn't really think about the fact this could have gotten smutty fast if it wanted to until I read some reviews! Actually it NEVER strays into that territory at all I'm happy to report. There is some innuendo towards some passionate times between our couple but those dreams are never more than hinted at.
What I ended up loving about these two volumes is that it seemed to be a commentary on instalove. Kagura instantly loves Miko when she becomes his only meal source. Miko seems to want to give in too, except that love isn't her focus. Yes, she's attracted to Kagura (who wouldn't be?!) but she's just as interested in keeping the hearts of the girls from school from being broken as well as taking out demons that will endanger others. Yes, its the classic "should I? or shouldn't I?" that makes up romances but its done in a way that calls into question just what instalove is... Kagura HAS TO BE loved or he'll die. So is he in love? Or is instalove a cry for help due to his need to be loved?! Well Miko is clearly going to put him through the wringer!!
The art is really, really good. It's not gorgeous in the ways of some of my absolutely favorite manga series but its perfectly suited to the story. This mangaka clearly knows her stuff! The love interests are where the time is spend and for good reason... we get the most from that time spent. There are a few backgrounds when we need it and Miko is relatively simple, everything about her being developed in her personality and character arc!! The BEST choice ever though is to develop a mini-Kagura form... This mini me is so freakin' adorable and his way of speaking subtly changes when in that form. GAH!!! So smart... And you may want to look away from the covers because they are freaking gorgeous (look now I have to take away that first art comment...)
In the first volume her parents quickly find out about Kagura and its so freaking adorable!! I mean your heart totally melts!! That was the first time that I realized that this isn't going to be a regular shoujo manga. You expect the tension in the story to arise from outside Miko and Kagura's relationship because duh, instalove! But its the exact opposite... the demons that come, they provide the means for Miko to reveal some of what she feels without compromising the strong young woman she is (who is determined to be a proper shrine maiden despite not being able to see the demons!) It's unexpected and makes for super fun!!
I really loved how the plot flowed. Because there are demons there are battles and fights over Miko. There is Miko and Kagura's relationship and it being about more than instalove. Then we have her parents and the fact her father could exorcise him in an instant! We also deal with Kagura's nature and the fact he must feed off of love. In volume 1 we are learning about Miko and incubi so there are a series of interactions and they are fun and tell us a lot... but the story really gets going at the end of the volume with the fox demon! So volume 2 we get a poignant story that practically rips your heart out... And then Miko and Kagura's relationship is tested for the first time!! He really is a danger to her... Will she continue to have him in her life?!
Writing
So the plot... its so natural and organic. In volume one its the most natural thing that those you live with would find out about Kagura, so they did! It was so damn funny how they treated mini-Kagura... and it had to be mini-Kagura to work and that was already established from the start!! GAH! I just love when a mangaka knows what they're doing!! It's also quite natural that if you're the strongest demon around then if you're weakened then other demons come and try to take advantage!! And we learn more about incubi in the most natural way possible!! Then in volume 2 there is the creation of lovey dovey day to relieve the pressure Miko feels... this comes up against a new bigger threat to Miko herself and Kagura is forced to reveal some truths to her father! This will of course change their relationship... This is what happens naturally in relationships so its just absolutely incredible how well Mayu Shinjo plotted her story!!
I thought Demon Love Spell would be light and fluffy and all about the humorous situations Miko would get into with an incubus... and it is that... but its also about the nature of love, that love is about more than needing emotion and passion in one's life. It's about what you sacrifice for the one you love and the meeting in the middle that has to happen for real love to bloom!! This is an incredible shoujo manga and I was WOWed!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Art
July 7, 2016
I've got to admit, this was hilarious. xD
June 27, 2022
Review for volumes 1-3
It seems Mayu Shinjō and I are a poor match for I have yet to enjoy a single work by her. This was my fourth attempt - it failed and will therefore be my last. However, it does need to be said that Demon Love Spell is so much superior to all else I have read by her. In fact, it's not a bad manga at all, it's just that after almost a month of trying to get through this, it's time to admit that this is not holding my attention. That in itself doesn't mean others can't enjoy it though.
It would be a stretch to call this a particularly original plot - it's the story of Miiko who happens to be a Miko and has close to no magical talent despite being the daughter of a famous Shinto priest. By what seems to be a stroke of luck, she manages to seal the powers of a strong demon away. Kagura, the said demon, ends up living with her at the Shinto shrine and eventually a love story develops. Actually, strike that, the love story unfolds at a rapid speed which was probably one of the reasons this wasn't keeping me interested enough.
I feel as though this series has a much stronger focus on comedy than it does on the romance, which in itself isn't exactly a bad thing depending on what you are looking for. On the other hand, I wonder if I simply feel this way because the non-comedic scenes felt super rushed which prevented me from connecting to any of the characters. I guess it also doesn't help that Miiko was a tad annoying. Some might like her, but her whole wavering back and forth became boring quite fast.
What Shinjō did a lot better here than I have seen in her other works is that, while not perfect, there wasn't so much smut for the sake of smut. There was actually a coherent and reasonably logical plot going. There was even remarkably little smut compared to what Shinjō normally delivers. Her art has also improved a lot, although I still don't think it's marvellous. Some panels look great whereas faces become a pit wonky in others. Men's faces can get too long and Miiko's cheeks are weirdly bent inward.
As I have only read half of this series, I can't say for sure where it is headed. I did flip through the remaining three volumes to see whether it's worth my time but it looked like much of the same. I do think it's a readable manga and might be a good read for those who like RomComs and a dash of Shinto. I personally believe you can do much better but there's also no harm in giving this one a shot. And judging by other reviews, there are plenty of people out there who thought this was a perfectly funny series.
September 9, 2018
Given their levels of caution and intelligence it is amazing that this family survives their demon-destroying career.
March 4, 2018
I randomly decided to check this out and it's fine. To be honest, most books centered around a heterosexual romance bore me to tears. This one had an interesting premise but that was about where it stopped for me.
I like Kangura. I loved the parents bonding with him and making him cute little outfits and a house. A lot of it was surprisingly cute. However, I just... didn't really connect to the main character all that much. I didn't quite get the appeal of the constant "should I? I shouldn't" stuff but I understand that that is a constant theme for straight romances.
Anyway, if this is your jam, you'll probably enjoy it. It was entertaining for the most part.
I like Kangura. I loved the parents bonding with him and making him cute little outfits and a house. A lot of it was surprisingly cute. However, I just... didn't really connect to the main character all that much. I didn't quite get the appeal of the constant "should I? I shouldn't" stuff but I understand that that is a constant theme for straight romances.
Anyway, if this is your jam, you'll probably enjoy it. It was entertaining for the most part.
February 21, 2018
I am so excited to finally be reading this series! I have wanted to read it for years and for some reason just never did. Now I am changing that! So this volume is about Miko, she's the oddball in her family, all of them can sense/see demons but her. She tries so hard but she just can't. When her friend comes running saying this guy was cheating on her, she runs after him thinking he's demon... she's right and she gets him. Now he's pretty much the size of a little doll and is forced to do whatever she wants... or is he?
It's a cute manga, a little smutty, the art is great and it's just simple fun. I read it quickly, really just wanting to see if in her waking mind, Miko, will confess that she's already falling for the smutty demon. I'm sure she will eventually but I'm here for ride. It just pulled me in and won't let me go. Besides, I'm curious to see what happens with all the demons in the area now that Kagura is pretty much useless unless she allows him to be his normal size.
It's a cute manga, a little smutty, the art is great and it's just simple fun. I read it quickly, really just wanting to see if in her waking mind, Miko, will confess that she's already falling for the smutty demon. I'm sure she will eventually but I'm here for ride. It just pulled me in and won't let me go. Besides, I'm curious to see what happens with all the demons in the area now that Kagura is pretty much useless unless she allows him to be his normal size.
February 3, 2021
Read 3 volumes.
Pretty cute manga about a priestess who falls for an incubus. By volume 3 the situations were getting somewhat repetitive and boring. It’s a cute manga but the amount of times that Kagura was forcing himself on Miko was starting to bother me and/or give me yucky feelings. Will not continue but I know I would have loved this when I was younger.
Pretty cute manga about a priestess who falls for an incubus. By volume 3 the situations were getting somewhat repetitive and boring. It’s a cute manga but the amount of times that Kagura was forcing himself on Miko was starting to bother me and/or give me yucky feelings. Will not continue but I know I would have loved this when I was younger.
September 17, 2012
I quite loved this manga. But, being as I love pretty much all Shinjo Mayu's mangas, that comes as no surprise.
Why, hello there, Saku---um, Kagura. Ms. Shinjo's main bishies are starting to pretty much look alike, though. She needs to start making them look different.
-----------------
Miko's best friend's boyfriend is cheating on her. She comes to Miko about that, and joking makes the accusation that Kagura might be a demon incubus, since he is such a womanizer. Of course, Miko is a serious shrine maiden, so she takes this seriously.
Miko goes after Kagura,and uses a demon-sealing spell on him, which ends up sealing his powers, and turning him into a cute chibi. Kagura wonders how Miko knew his real form and asks her. She boasts about it a minute. But, there really is no time to gloat.
With Kagura sealed, all the demons are suddenly after this woman that could seal such a powerful demon, so they keep coming and trying to woo her so they can attack her. Kagura promises to protect her with his life. But, it comes at a price.
Demon dream sex. Yes, demon dream sex. Only someone like Shinjo Mayu could make this concept work instead on making it sound weird. So, Kagura creeps into Miko's dreams at night, and makes love to her. That's how he gets the powers to protect her. But, when she awakes, she has no idea he did that. But, she still gets all blushy and hot and bothered whenever he starts talking love and sex at her.
Needless to be said, they do indeed fall in love with each other.
-------------------
I would definitely love to read other volumes of this series.
--------------------
This volume was provided to me as an eARC by VIZ Media via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Why, hello there, Saku---um, Kagura. Ms. Shinjo's main bishies are starting to pretty much look alike, though. She needs to start making them look different.
-----------------
Miko's best friend's boyfriend is cheating on her. She comes to Miko about that, and joking makes the accusation that Kagura might be a demon incubus, since he is such a womanizer. Of course, Miko is a serious shrine maiden, so she takes this seriously.
Miko goes after Kagura,and uses a demon-sealing spell on him, which ends up sealing his powers, and turning him into a cute chibi. Kagura wonders how Miko knew his real form and asks her. She boasts about it a minute. But, there really is no time to gloat.
With Kagura sealed, all the demons are suddenly after this woman that could seal such a powerful demon, so they keep coming and trying to woo her so they can attack her. Kagura promises to protect her with his life. But, it comes at a price.
Demon dream sex. Yes, demon dream sex. Only someone like Shinjo Mayu could make this concept work instead on making it sound weird. So, Kagura creeps into Miko's dreams at night, and makes love to her. That's how he gets the powers to protect her. But, when she awakes, she has no idea he did that. But, she still gets all blushy and hot and bothered whenever he starts talking love and sex at her.
Needless to be said, they do indeed fall in love with each other.
-------------------
I would definitely love to read other volumes of this series.
--------------------
This volume was provided to me as an eARC by VIZ Media via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 26, 2022
From my blog Auntie Spinelli Reads
Demon Love Spell was so cute! It's been awhile since I've read any manga, so I thoroughly enjoyed this one. (This is my first manga review, by the way ^.^) It actually reminded me a LOT of Mugen Spiral, which is one of my favorites.
I love romance stories that start off as hatred. LOVE them. As far as romance goes, that's my favorite kind. I know, I'm weird. :p But I think that's why I enjoyed this one so much, because they were stuck with each other against their will and fell for each other reluctantly.
Miko was cute! When Kagura gave her crap, she gave it right back. I loved the banter between them! I giggled out loud several times. And Kagura was sexy, of course (and freaking adorable in his mini form), despite being a womanizer - although that was part of being an incubus. He was very matter-of-fact about his...er, needs....because he didn't see anything wrong with it.
The art was really good, too! When it comes to manga, the art makes or breaks it for me. I am extreeeemely picky about it. If I can't stand to look at the artwork, I'm not going to bother reading it. I like a certain type of art (examples of favorite art: DNAngel, Vampire Knight, Chrono Crusade) and this one fell into that category.
And the ending? Whaaaaaat?! Do I sense a love triangle in the next volume???? I can't wait to get my hands on it so I can find out. If you like manga and are a fan of shoujo (and don't mind a few steamy scenes), I recommend giving this one a try!
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Originality: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Demon Love Spell was so cute! It's been awhile since I've read any manga, so I thoroughly enjoyed this one. (This is my first manga review, by the way ^.^) It actually reminded me a LOT of Mugen Spiral, which is one of my favorites.
I love romance stories that start off as hatred. LOVE them. As far as romance goes, that's my favorite kind. I know, I'm weird. :p But I think that's why I enjoyed this one so much, because they were stuck with each other against their will and fell for each other reluctantly.
Miko was cute! When Kagura gave her crap, she gave it right back. I loved the banter between them! I giggled out loud several times. And Kagura was sexy, of course (and freaking adorable in his mini form), despite being a womanizer - although that was part of being an incubus. He was very matter-of-fact about his...er, needs....because he didn't see anything wrong with it.
The art was really good, too! When it comes to manga, the art makes or breaks it for me. I am extreeeemely picky about it. If I can't stand to look at the artwork, I'm not going to bother reading it. I like a certain type of art (examples of favorite art: DNAngel, Vampire Knight, Chrono Crusade) and this one fell into that category.
And the ending? Whaaaaaat?! Do I sense a love triangle in the next volume???? I can't wait to get my hands on it so I can find out. If you like manga and are a fan of shoujo (and don't mind a few steamy scenes), I recommend giving this one a try!
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Originality: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
April 5, 2016
Okay this was wonderful!
Great story,funny characters and just great overall.
Even the ending had me laughing out loud, poor Miko!
And Kagura, God! This is why they say perfect boys only exist in books!
But I have to admit. I wish Miko would just realize that Kagura loved her, I mean it's obvious! But anyways great writing, beautiful art, a smexy hero and wonderful heroine, what more could you ask for! Definitely gonna read this series.
Great story,funny characters and just great overall.
Even the ending had me laughing out loud, poor Miko!
And Kagura, God! This is why they say perfect boys only exist in books!
But I have to admit. I wish Miko would just realize that Kagura loved her, I mean it's obvious! But anyways great writing, beautiful art, a smexy hero and wonderful heroine, what more could you ask for! Definitely gonna read this series.
September 28, 2020
I like the artwork in this series. The story arc is simple, fun and enjoyable. A demon falling for a priestess and the priestess falling for the demon.
December 2, 2017
Cute manga.
August 6, 2018
I ended up liking this more than I thought and all I could think is: THIS NEEDS TO BE AN ANIME. It would be so hilarious
February 4, 2023
I love it.
April 14, 2021
Demon Love Spell is a short 6 volume series by Mayu Shinjo.
The story follows Miko (a miko) and daughter to a famous Shinto priest who has abundant powers but no abilities to sense or see spirits... and Kagura (an incubus) the strongest demon from the demon world who gains his powers from the directed love and passion of women. Miko is surprised when she accidentally seals his powers, and they are both surprised when they begin falling in love with each other.
This story is so a-typical of Mayu Shinjo. And, if you were familiar with her work, you would know exactly what I mean. From the love/hate relationship of the main couple, the continual passionate declarations of love followed by complete denial and forgetfulness, and of course the classic art style with bizarrely over-proportioned features (particularly hands and torsos) - it is her work from start to finish.
Compared to some of her other works, this story tends to be lighter and fluffier. And, is nearly void of the rape, torture, and drug abuse that you would expect from her. Probably the most dynamic of Miko and Kagura fights lead to no more than a bit of pouting on Miko's side. So unusual, but personally, also nice and refreshing.
I often have a hard time deciding whether the situations Shinjo writes belong in a shoujo or josei subgenre - this one I believe fits neatly as shoujo. Apart from the constant sexual references from a being whose entire life is supported by sex, this is no more than a silly high school fantasy of a romance. A handsome virile man who is suppressing his immoral nature because he is desperately in love with the plain, boring, moral, and slightly disconnected school girl... what girl can win against that combination??
The end for me was a failure. It ends, yes, and the solution is what you've been waiting for the entire time. But, with a story so focused on the "getting together" of the main characters (from page 1), you'd think there'd be a bit more romance at the end. Instead it just fizzles out, because well, it had to happen. Oh well.
Despite the ending, I actually enjoy this series. And, of Shinjo's works it is probably my favourite. The best scene for me falls in the beginning of volume 4. Miko finds a baby/demon in a peach while bathing in a hotsprings (think Momotaro), and she and Kagura raise it as their own child. But, of course, as you read and as the source of the baby is determined, you realize that Mayu Shinjo has thrown together some of Japan's most famous fairy tales and weaved them into one very strange outcome to the point that even the characters are left scratching their heads. It was a nice fun diversion.
For the most part it was a fun romantic series. And, I'll probably read it over many times.
The story follows Miko (a miko) and daughter to a famous Shinto priest who has abundant powers but no abilities to sense or see spirits... and Kagura (an incubus) the strongest demon from the demon world who gains his powers from the directed love and passion of women. Miko is surprised when she accidentally seals his powers, and they are both surprised when they begin falling in love with each other.
This story is so a-typical of Mayu Shinjo. And, if you were familiar with her work, you would know exactly what I mean. From the love/hate relationship of the main couple, the continual passionate declarations of love followed by complete denial and forgetfulness, and of course the classic art style with bizarrely over-proportioned features (particularly hands and torsos) - it is her work from start to finish.
Compared to some of her other works, this story tends to be lighter and fluffier. And, is nearly void of the rape, torture, and drug abuse that you would expect from her. Probably the most dynamic of Miko and Kagura fights lead to no more than a bit of pouting on Miko's side. So unusual, but personally, also nice and refreshing.
I often have a hard time deciding whether the situations Shinjo writes belong in a shoujo or josei subgenre - this one I believe fits neatly as shoujo. Apart from the constant sexual references from a being whose entire life is supported by sex, this is no more than a silly high school fantasy of a romance. A handsome virile man who is suppressing his immoral nature because he is desperately in love with the plain, boring, moral, and slightly disconnected school girl... what girl can win against that combination??
The end for me was a failure. It ends, yes, and the solution is what you've been waiting for the entire time. But, with a story so focused on the "getting together" of the main characters (from page 1), you'd think there'd be a bit more romance at the end. Instead it just fizzles out, because well, it had to happen. Oh well.
Despite the ending, I actually enjoy this series. And, of Shinjo's works it is probably my favourite. The best scene for me falls in the beginning of volume 4. Miko finds a baby/demon in a peach while bathing in a hotsprings (think Momotaro), and she and Kagura raise it as their own child. But, of course, as you read and as the source of the baby is determined, you realize that Mayu Shinjo has thrown together some of Japan's most famous fairy tales and weaved them into one very strange outcome to the point that even the characters are left scratching their heads. It was a nice fun diversion.
For the most part it was a fun romantic series. And, I'll probably read it over many times.
February 18, 2013
So far this is one of Mayu Shinjo's more pure stories. It's not quite as smutty yet I think, the last volume will be quite a bit. This is also more along the lines of Love Celeb and Midnight Children both of which I loved, if you can't tell (haha)
Plot
Miko can't see spirits despite the fact that she's a shrine maiden, next in line to inherit her father's shrine. Because of that she's pretty damn lively when it comes a hint or whisper of spiritual activity. Then she meets the lust demon, Kagura and well, banishes him. Except rather than completely banishing him, she shrinks him into a cuter, tinier version of himself. Kagura can only survive on the passions of women, so when Miko seals him, well, he then starts going after her.
Characters
Miko: I actually think she's one of the less stupid characters in Shinjo's works. I don't mind her in the same way I don't mind Kirara as much in Love Celeb. There is one moment where I really wish I could slap Miko's face. But the event passes and the result, well, actually made me like Kagura more Lol! Miko is strong, highly averse to Kagura's perverted ways and definitely not quite as much of a pushover as the other Shinjo female protags. She's also pretty damn pure too. Even her parents are funny!
Kagura: Perverted yet strangely honest lust demon. He's also childish ang really cute in his chibi form! He also comes to love Miko very much! (One thing I like about Shinjo's mangas is that the guys do fall in love the girl pretty quickly, and afterwards will only love them, yet at the same time, I like that the girls are not under any illusions. They do acknowledge that there is a possibility that the guy won't like them.)
Setting
Contemporary Japan! As with most shoujo manga, many scenes take place at school, and some in the shrine.
Writing/Artwork
As always, beautiful. The words really convey the feelings of the characters. The artwork, I really like Shinjo's artwork, especially the guys, they just seem really beautiful in a masculine way, compared to some others (but don't ask me to name them! I can't think of any at the moment). This is also one of her mangas where the female doesn't look incredibly petite next to the guy.
Overall
So far great manga. I want to know how it ends, ignoring the obvious, I wonder how the next arc will end.
Plot
Miko can't see spirits despite the fact that she's a shrine maiden, next in line to inherit her father's shrine. Because of that she's pretty damn lively when it comes a hint or whisper of spiritual activity. Then she meets the lust demon, Kagura and well, banishes him. Except rather than completely banishing him, she shrinks him into a cuter, tinier version of himself. Kagura can only survive on the passions of women, so when Miko seals him, well, he then starts going after her.
Characters
Miko: I actually think she's one of the less stupid characters in Shinjo's works. I don't mind her in the same way I don't mind Kirara as much in Love Celeb. There is one moment where I really wish I could slap Miko's face. But the event passes and the result, well, actually made me like Kagura more Lol! Miko is strong, highly averse to Kagura's perverted ways and definitely not quite as much of a pushover as the other Shinjo female protags. She's also pretty damn pure too. Even her parents are funny!
Kagura: Perverted yet strangely honest lust demon. He's also childish ang really cute in his chibi form! He also comes to love Miko very much! (One thing I like about Shinjo's mangas is that the guys do fall in love the girl pretty quickly, and afterwards will only love them, yet at the same time, I like that the girls are not under any illusions. They do acknowledge that there is a possibility that the guy won't like them.)
Setting
Contemporary Japan! As with most shoujo manga, many scenes take place at school, and some in the shrine.
Writing/Artwork
As always, beautiful. The words really convey the feelings of the characters. The artwork, I really like Shinjo's artwork, especially the guys, they just seem really beautiful in a masculine way, compared to some others (but don't ask me to name them! I can't think of any at the moment). This is also one of her mangas where the female doesn't look incredibly petite next to the guy.
Overall
So far great manga. I want to know how it ends, ignoring the obvious, I wonder how the next arc will end.
January 5, 2020
2020 Read #13
No holds barred: this is probably the worst manga I’ve read in a long, long time. The art is subpar when compared to other shojo/josei manga, but the story itself is just bare bones and contains no depth whatsoever. I think I should have known there was going to be an issue simply because the heroine, a priestess, is named Miko, of all things! *facepalm* But the biggest plot hole is that the heroine is suddenly a target for demons — even though she had no power to see them prior and she had been unprotected all that time. I guess she’s only desirable for her power when “the strongest demon of all,” an incubus, targets her. This is just plain bad, and no manga fan should have to suffer through it when there are better paranormal/supernatural romance manga out there.
No holds barred: this is probably the worst manga I’ve read in a long, long time. The art is subpar when compared to other shojo/josei manga, but the story itself is just bare bones and contains no depth whatsoever. I think I should have known there was going to be an issue simply because the heroine, a priestess, is named Miko, of all things! *facepalm* But the biggest plot hole is that the heroine is suddenly a target for demons — even though she had no power to see them prior and she had been unprotected all that time. I guess she’s only desirable for her power when “the strongest demon of all,” an incubus, targets her. This is just plain bad, and no manga fan should have to suffer through it when there are better paranormal/supernatural romance manga out there.
August 12, 2020
This was very silly. The plot and main characters were very predictable, but her parents were just hilarious. That little house! Goodness.
From a professional standpoint, this would be tough to recommend at the library: the main characters are an incubus and a high schooler, for goodness' sake. I wouldn't have batted an eye reading this as a teenager, but as an adult who works with teens I can't help but cringe. (For what it's worth, I have similar feelings about the relationship dynamic in the Twilight books.) Perhaps there's a longer conversation to be had about cultural norms and expectations, but Goodreads is not the platform.
From a professional standpoint, this would be tough to recommend at the library: the main characters are an incubus and a high schooler, for goodness' sake. I wouldn't have batted an eye reading this as a teenager, but as an adult who works with teens I can't help but cringe. (For what it's worth, I have similar feelings about the relationship dynamic in the Twilight books.) Perhaps there's a longer conversation to be had about cultural norms and expectations, but Goodreads is not the platform.
June 21, 2021
What’s a girl supposed to do, trained her whole life to expel demons like her father, but can’t see them, and then accidentally finds an incubus but instead of expelling him, she shrinks his size and power….now all the demons want to fill the void he left, but she can only see them when she’s touching the miniature incubus, who needs his batteries recharged regularly. This could have gone so badly, but I thought it was adorably funny.
January 3, 2018
This was a fun read, I ended up enjoying it more than I initially thought I would.
April 8, 2019
So cute! Way funnier then I thought it was going to be. Insta-lovey but in a cute way I cannot wait to read more, I love little Kagura.
September 8, 2022
Kinda boring 🤷🏻♀️
July 11, 2019
Such a cute, fun read! I can't wait to find volume 2.
September 22, 2012
I've liked Shinjo's work in the past, although I'll admit that after a while some of her work just seemed to be a little bland, too much of a copy of Sensual Phrase. This was partially due to a publisher Shinjo had been working with, but for a while afterwards I just couldn't seem to get into the stuff she'd released even after she broke off with her old publisher. I'm officially digging her work with Demon Love Spell, though.
If you're wondering, the smut level in this actually isn't that bad when you consider how mature some of her other works are. It's relatively tame at this point in time, with sex being referred to and there being sexually charged moments but no actual depictions of sex to the degree that you see in some of her other works. This doesn't mean that this won't change as the relationship between our two main characters changes, so if you're someone who doesn't like seeing smut in your manga then I'd approach this with a degree of caution.
The story here is rather straight forward. It's your typical "boy meets girl, enter the supernatural creatures and romantic entanglements" stuff that you've come to expect from manga and Shinjo, but it's just so incredibly cute that you won't really mind that you've seen a lot of this before in various incarnations. The chibified version of Kagura is fairly cute and it's one of the first things that drew me into the volume so quickly. It hits a lot of my manga quirks pretty hard (chibi versions of things, romance, a little light smut, etc), and I have a feeling that this will do the same for a lot of other readers. My only true complaint is that this does seem to suffer from "first volume-itis" because there's one or two tedious parts where the action slows down so we can have some groundwork laid for future story lines and plot arcs. It doesn't ruin the overall fun of the volume, but it is slightly noticeable.
Now when it comes to the artwork, I'll warn you: it's your typical Shinjo. By this I mean that the artwork is well done and the guys are all suitably hunky bishies, but that they also all look like various incarnations of male characters from her other works. Shinjo's style is fairly distinctive and her habit of making the main romantic lead resemble the main romantic lead from other works still applies here. As the series pretty obviously makes a point to show that Miko will eventually end up with Kagura at some point, I can overlook this for the most part. I would like some variety, but I do love the way she draws her men.
I have to say that I'll undoubtedly collect this series and store it next to my Sensual Phrase books. It's fairly well done and I couldn't help but love the setup. It's fun, it's cute, but most of all, it's something that I want to read the next volume of.
4 out of 5 stars
(ARC provided through Edelweiss)
If you're wondering, the smut level in this actually isn't that bad when you consider how mature some of her other works are. It's relatively tame at this point in time, with sex being referred to and there being sexually charged moments but no actual depictions of sex to the degree that you see in some of her other works. This doesn't mean that this won't change as the relationship between our two main characters changes, so if you're someone who doesn't like seeing smut in your manga then I'd approach this with a degree of caution.
The story here is rather straight forward. It's your typical "boy meets girl, enter the supernatural creatures and romantic entanglements" stuff that you've come to expect from manga and Shinjo, but it's just so incredibly cute that you won't really mind that you've seen a lot of this before in various incarnations. The chibified version of Kagura is fairly cute and it's one of the first things that drew me into the volume so quickly. It hits a lot of my manga quirks pretty hard (chibi versions of things, romance, a little light smut, etc), and I have a feeling that this will do the same for a lot of other readers. My only true complaint is that this does seem to suffer from "first volume-itis" because there's one or two tedious parts where the action slows down so we can have some groundwork laid for future story lines and plot arcs. It doesn't ruin the overall fun of the volume, but it is slightly noticeable.
Now when it comes to the artwork, I'll warn you: it's your typical Shinjo. By this I mean that the artwork is well done and the guys are all suitably hunky bishies, but that they also all look like various incarnations of male characters from her other works. Shinjo's style is fairly distinctive and her habit of making the main romantic lead resemble the main romantic lead from other works still applies here. As the series pretty obviously makes a point to show that Miko will eventually end up with Kagura at some point, I can overlook this for the most part. I would like some variety, but I do love the way she draws her men.
I have to say that I'll undoubtedly collect this series and store it next to my Sensual Phrase books. It's fairly well done and I couldn't help but love the setup. It's fun, it's cute, but most of all, it's something that I want to read the next volume of.
4 out of 5 stars
(ARC provided through Edelweiss)
September 7, 2012
Shoujo manga lovers can look no further
These days I’m hard pressed to read a lot of manga as opposed to written novels, so Mayu Shinjo’s new series, Demon Love Spell, was a welcomed reprieve. Miko is a budding shrine maiden who is still developing her abilities to banish spirits, a skill and duty that has passed down from generation to generation in her family for centuries. She strives to keep her family’s tradition alive, but she has to get better. She sees one opportunity to do so when she meets Kagura, an incubus demon who feeds on women’s desires for strength. Miko’s spell inadvertently works to incapacitate his abilities, even shrinking him to the size of a pixy! But this plan isn’t full proof and he now has his sights set on her. While not completely evil, Kagura aides Miko in banishing spirits with intentions more evil than “lady-killing.”
It’s a cute, short, and occasionally humorous read. While it’s not what I’d consider explicit, the implied sexual themes are very obvious. He is an incubus with an appetite! I will say that I like how his smoldering sexiness is balanced with implementing his chibi form whenever Miko sees fit. Their dynamics shift at these points, which gives the series breathing room to put the two on screen while limiting the sap.
Overall, not a lot struck me as particularly original or innovative when it came to the art or the story, but I didn’t come in expecting that anyway. The plot is still entertaining even with the elements that I’ve seen before.
I liked the two lead characters overall and I expect a lot of emotional development as the series progresses. This is only the first volume, so it’s going to take time to build to something deeper I think.
*ARC Provided by the publisher
These days I’m hard pressed to read a lot of manga as opposed to written novels, so Mayu Shinjo’s new series, Demon Love Spell, was a welcomed reprieve. Miko is a budding shrine maiden who is still developing her abilities to banish spirits, a skill and duty that has passed down from generation to generation in her family for centuries. She strives to keep her family’s tradition alive, but she has to get better. She sees one opportunity to do so when she meets Kagura, an incubus demon who feeds on women’s desires for strength. Miko’s spell inadvertently works to incapacitate his abilities, even shrinking him to the size of a pixy! But this plan isn’t full proof and he now has his sights set on her. While not completely evil, Kagura aides Miko in banishing spirits with intentions more evil than “lady-killing.”
It’s a cute, short, and occasionally humorous read. While it’s not what I’d consider explicit, the implied sexual themes are very obvious. He is an incubus with an appetite! I will say that I like how his smoldering sexiness is balanced with implementing his chibi form whenever Miko sees fit. Their dynamics shift at these points, which gives the series breathing room to put the two on screen while limiting the sap.
Overall, not a lot struck me as particularly original or innovative when it came to the art or the story, but I didn’t come in expecting that anyway. The plot is still entertaining even with the elements that I’ve seen before.
I liked the two lead characters overall and I expect a lot of emotional development as the series progresses. This is only the first volume, so it’s going to take time to build to something deeper I think.
*ARC Provided by the publisher
September 24, 2017
This story is about a shrine maiden named Miko who just can't seem to do her job. Both of her parents and even her grandparents expelled demons from the world. While she tries to expel demons from her shrine, she can't see the demons, so she doesn't even know if the spell went in the right direction or not! When her friend rushes to her telling Miko about this boy who must be possessed by a demon, since he is such a womanizer, Miko runs to the call of her friend and classmates. Of course, her friend was just joking. When Miko arrives on the scene and uses a dispel charm, it turns out the guy was an incubus all along (a male demon that feeds of of female energy). Miko can see demons when she touches Kagura (the demon she dispelled), and she finds that he is adorable (as a key chain) and useful in her demon hunting. Of course, feelings seem to blossom on both ends. When a bunch of demons come to try and take Miko's power away, the two must work together to emerge victorious.
When I picked this manga up, it seemed kind of cheesy, and it...well...kind of is, in a cute way. I really liked the heroine as well as the demon. Both characters had something to them that made me want to see how they grow and change over the course of the series. While I have only read the first volume, the writing and shoujo aspects of this manga do make me want to pick up the next one at some point in the future for sure. The art is nice too, which just adds to the allure.
When I picked this manga up, it seemed kind of cheesy, and it...well...kind of is, in a cute way. I really liked the heroine as well as the demon. Both characters had something to them that made me want to see how they grow and change over the course of the series. While I have only read the first volume, the writing and shoujo aspects of this manga do make me want to pick up the next one at some point in the future for sure. The art is nice too, which just adds to the allure.
February 7, 2022
This is the story of Miko, a girl trying to live up to her family's long tradition of ability of banishing demons. However, she's had very little luck sensing or vanquishing demons--at all. That is until one day, when she has an actual encounter with a demon, a really hot, smoldering demon, but that's not the point. According to her family, she must banish him. That is until Miko realizes she just took away all his powers and he is transformed into a cute chibi version of his former self. Now with his help, Miko is finally able to make her family proud, but at a price. It seems that she is starting to fall for the infamous demon, but is unsure as to whether this is just a spell to rob her of her power or if this demon might be the exception. One thing is for sure things can only get more complicated from here on out.
I was really interested in reading this manga because I like a lot of the themes that were going on in it. I just have to worn audiences that there is probably a lot more explicit stuff in this than there were be in a standard fantasy manga so I would recommend this for mature audiences only!
I was really interested in reading this manga because I like a lot of the themes that were going on in it. I just have to worn audiences that there is probably a lot more explicit stuff in this than there were be in a standard fantasy manga so I would recommend this for mature audiences only!
January 17, 2015
Warning! Contains content not meant for young children.
Note: Found under "Ayakashi Koi Emaki"
A fun read with humor and romance and demons oh my! I love it when I read something that makes me laugh, so extra points for this one.
Miko, our leading female role, comes from a long line of priests and priestess' who can see and feel evil spirits and banish them. But Miko can't do either of those. Well... When her friend bursts in and starts complaining about her "boyfriend" Kagura kissing another girl, she jokingly states that he must be possessed by an evil spirit who feeds off women when Miko brushes her off. Miko takes it to heart and runs off to find Kagura and exorcise the evil spirit. Turns out that he really is an evil (good-looking) spirit. And now they're kinda stuck with eachother. I wonder what will happen... :)
Note: Found under "Ayakashi Koi Emaki"
A fun read with humor and romance and demons oh my! I love it when I read something that makes me laugh, so extra points for this one.
Miko, our leading female role, comes from a long line of priests and priestess' who can see and feel evil spirits and banish them. But Miko can't do either of those. Well... When her friend bursts in and starts complaining about her "boyfriend" Kagura kissing another girl, she jokingly states that he must be possessed by an evil spirit who feeds off women when Miko brushes her off. Miko takes it to heart and runs off to find Kagura and exorcise the evil spirit. Turns out that he really is an evil (good-looking) spirit. And now they're kinda stuck with eachother. I wonder what will happen... :)
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