What do you think?
Rate this book
Primal gods in ancient times
Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times, Vol. 1
Long before even the distant past, the land was ruled by powerful kami, gods as widely varied in form and temper as the parishes they governed, each possessing a unique sacred instrument. Traveling between their shrines in search of divine favor, the priest En the Layman and his two assistants brave dangerous terrain, fearsome creatures, and the wrath of kami themselves!
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2023
4 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 9, 2022
2,5/5
Au premier abord je n'aimais pas trop le style de dessin, mais j'ai plutôt aimé suivre les personnages dans ce monde peuplés de dieux, et ub petit élément de voyage dans le temps du début m'a bien accroché !
Au premier abord je n'aimais pas trop le style de dessin, mais j'ai plutôt aimé suivre les personnages dans ce monde peuplés de dieux, et ub petit élément de voyage dans le temps du début m'a bien accroché !
June 22, 2024
3.5
Le dessin, surtout des personnages, est quand même un peu léger... et l'histoire parfois un peu confuse et surtout répétitive sans qu'on comprenne bien le but des personnages.
Le dessin, surtout des personnages, est quand même un peu léger... et l'histoire parfois un peu confuse et surtout répétitive sans qu'on comprenne bien le but des personnages.
March 30, 2024
There is a reason I love Barnes & Noble. While you can find manga for cheaper online, scrolling through pages on Crunchyroll (RIP, RightStuf...), just isn't the same as meandering through physical aisles, picking up random volumes of series I've never heard of before and paging through them to see the art. That experience is sometimes worth the upcharge, much to my wallet's dismay.
That is how I stumbled across Touge Oni, a series that is actually quite recent, as of this writing, but that I had never heard any mention of. But flipping through it, the art really caught my eye: characters are expressive in a slightly exaggerated fashion that harkens back to the '80s and '90s, somewhat, and the creature designs seemed top-notch. Reading it, there are a handful of times where action scenes don't flow quite as well as they should, but as a first impression, it's great.
As for the story, it isn't entirely what I expected. The synopsis on the back focuses so entirely on En the Layman, when in actuality, this is Miyo's story. And I'm okay with that, because Miyo is a likable, complex character. Chosen as a sacrifice to her village's god, Miyo doesn't want to die, yet simultaneously doesn't want to cause disaster for the people of her village by running away. And her conviction to sticking to her decision is surprising--as is her willingness to take the initiative (again, at great personal risk) when her friends are in danger. There's a courage to her that's very endearing.
But yes, the story. Once Miyo's fate gets...sorted out (no spoilers), and she's suddenly the one choosing her own destiny, she opts to travel with Layman En and his other disciple, Zenki, as they venture forth to find a god who can grant wishes. Along the way, the series seems to be adopting an almost Mushi-shi-esque format, but with more action: Each chapter, the group travels to a new area, they discover the people there are having trouble with a god or spirit, and they intervene, before moving along on their journey. The creatures they encounter are creative, well-realized, and often quite creepy, and the difficulties they present (along with the solutions) have been interesting so far.
Touge Oni is a story about found family, self-determination, and embracing the unknown with open arms. And this is one unknown series that deserves more attention. I'm so very glad I picked it up on a whim, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where Miyo & Co. go from here.
That is how I stumbled across Touge Oni, a series that is actually quite recent, as of this writing, but that I had never heard any mention of. But flipping through it, the art really caught my eye: characters are expressive in a slightly exaggerated fashion that harkens back to the '80s and '90s, somewhat, and the creature designs seemed top-notch. Reading it, there are a handful of times where action scenes don't flow quite as well as they should, but as a first impression, it's great.
As for the story, it isn't entirely what I expected. The synopsis on the back focuses so entirely on En the Layman, when in actuality, this is Miyo's story. And I'm okay with that, because Miyo is a likable, complex character. Chosen as a sacrifice to her village's god, Miyo doesn't want to die, yet simultaneously doesn't want to cause disaster for the people of her village by running away. And her conviction to sticking to her decision is surprising--as is her willingness to take the initiative (again, at great personal risk) when her friends are in danger. There's a courage to her that's very endearing.
But yes, the story. Once Miyo's fate gets...sorted out (no spoilers), and she's suddenly the one choosing her own destiny, she opts to travel with Layman En and his other disciple, Zenki, as they venture forth to find a god who can grant wishes. Along the way, the series seems to be adopting an almost Mushi-shi-esque format, but with more action: Each chapter, the group travels to a new area, they discover the people there are having trouble with a god or spirit, and they intervene, before moving along on their journey. The creatures they encounter are creative, well-realized, and often quite creepy, and the difficulties they present (along with the solutions) have been interesting so far.
Touge Oni is a story about found family, self-determination, and embracing the unknown with open arms. And this is one unknown series that deserves more attention. I'm so very glad I picked it up on a whim, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where Miyo & Co. go from here.
July 29, 2023
Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times is a dark fantasy series set in the old Japan. The story takes place in the kingdom of Yamato during a time when gods and men coexisted. Our main character is Miyo, who's an orphan girl and chosen as the next village sacrifice for a god. She ends up meeting a monk and his helper and decides to follow them when she meets the adult version of herself. So, there's god like time travel, curses, deaths and temples and whatnot. I really like mangas that have Japanese mythology in them. This one is dark and somehow suffocating even when it's cute and nice at times. There's lots of blood and severed limbs, so no wonder this is seinen.
The art works well with the story and the use of darkness is especially well played. The art isn't all that miraculous in a sense, but good still. The gods and monsters are scary and expressive, which is great. Touge Oni is like a road-trip where these characters meet gods and solve what needs to be solved. Your basic fantasy with a dark twist and some mysteries too. A good read by all means.
The art works well with the story and the use of darkness is especially well played. The art isn't all that miraculous in a sense, but good still. The gods and monsters are scary and expressive, which is great. Touge Oni is like a road-trip where these characters meet gods and solve what needs to be solved. Your basic fantasy with a dark twist and some mysteries too. A good read by all means.
March 5, 2024
Only Volume 1 is listed on Goodreads at the time of this review.
I've just finished reading Volume 6 of this series and I would like to say that this is a true hidden gem in the manga world. There's some time travel, quantum physics, mythology, and a hell of a lot more. The characters are GREAT. The gods are well-written. The art is LOVELY. The humor is on-point. The worldbuilding is ridiculously good.
Highly recommend!! Last chapter was released 10 months ago, so the series seems to be on a hiatus. I hope you all check out "Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times," because this story is too remarkable to be so lowkey. Please support Kenji Tsurubuchi's work!!
I've just finished reading Volume 6 of this series and I would like to say that this is a true hidden gem in the manga world. There's some time travel, quantum physics, mythology, and a hell of a lot more. The characters are GREAT. The gods are well-written. The art is LOVELY. The humor is on-point. The worldbuilding is ridiculously good.
Highly recommend!! Last chapter was released 10 months ago, so the series seems to be on a hiatus. I hope you all check out "Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times," because this story is too remarkable to be so lowkey. Please support Kenji Tsurubuchi's work!!
dnf
May 4, 2025First this took a sharp turn in one direction, then it took another sharp turn in another direction. I'm not sure where this series is going. It's cool, I just don't know what the point of it all is yet. Update after getting partway through volume 2: I'm DNFing this series. There's fan service of someone who looks way too young. No exact age given, but she looks like she could be under 18. Nope.
March 16, 2024
I wasn’t a fan of this manga. I couldn’t follow the story properly as everything was too confusing. Generally I don’t like fantasies with Gods and that was the case here too. It could have been written better I feel. This was totally a cover buy.
August 26, 2023
The overall idea is interesting but the execution is a bit lacking.
September 19, 2023
Great Manga!.... just not my preference... not a huge fan of this genre
September 24, 2023
2.5 if I’m being generous
November 4, 2023
It was… fine. Nothing really of interest to me. I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.
January 30, 2024
ARC from Edelweiss
December 2, 2024
i am a slut for mythology and the art style is growing on me
July 3, 2025
3.5
Not bad, but so far more of a middle of the road manga. I definitely need to read more than 1 volume to make up my mind on this one. So far it does have promise for me personally.
Not bad, but so far more of a middle of the road manga. I definitely need to read more than 1 volume to make up my mind on this one. So far it does have promise for me personally.
July 10, 2024
Chronique complète :
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2023/...
Extrait :
Nouvelle petite série de la collection, je me suis laissée tenter par la couverture, qui annonce quelque chose d’assez doux et gentil à première vue. La réalité est toutefois parfois un peu dramatique, et reflète assez bien la réalité selon moi. Miyo, la protagoniste, voit son destin changer le jour où elle reçoit la flèche blanche, signe qu’elle sera le prochain sacrifice pour le dieu local de son village. Orpheline et jeune, elle traversera l’année depuis ce jour toute seule. La veille du sacrifice, un mystérieux groupe d’étranger arrive au village, est-ce là le signe du changement ?
L’intrigue se déroule dans un monde où les dieux existent bel et bien, même si les personnes pouvant le prouver sont assez rare. Comme souvent dans les religions, il faut parfois réaliser des sacrifices, humains ou animaux. Ici, il s’agira évidemment de sacrifice humain. Le village de Miyo, sélectionne, soi-disant, une personne au hasard du village afin d’être le sacrifice… Permettez-moi de douter du côté hasardeux de la chose, viser l’orpheline c’est vraiment très lâche de leur part. Et pourtant, celle-ci croira vraiment que c’est dû au hasard, et à cause de sa gentillesse, elle ne fuira pas, même le moment venu. Les Hommes sont parfois capables du pire pour leur bien être personnel, cette introduction le rappel bien.
Quelques jours avant celui de son sacrifice, arrivent au village trois mystérieux inconnus. L’un d’eux est un ascète, un humain qui est assez pieux, mais dans le cas de celui-ci, il peut aussi communiquer directement avec les dieux, en rentrant dans leur monde. Guider par les trois inconnus vers le lieu du sacrifice, elle fera la rencontre du dieu local. L’un des inconnus, une femme, qui portait jusque-là un masque pour cacher son visage, s’avance vers le dieu. Elle finit par utiliser sa relique, une sorte de miroir, Miyo ne souhaitant pas la voir partir, fini par la suivre, ce qui la fera voyager à travers le temps, mais sans aucun contrôle. Elle finira sauvée par l’ascète, mais le dieu sera très en colère. Apeurée à l’idée de finir comme ses sbires (horribles créatures), elle accepte de devenir la disciple de l’ascète. Après tout, la mystérieuse femme qu’elle a rencontré s’avère être elle-même une fois adulte.
[...]
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2023/...
Extrait :
Nouvelle petite série de la collection, je me suis laissée tenter par la couverture, qui annonce quelque chose d’assez doux et gentil à première vue. La réalité est toutefois parfois un peu dramatique, et reflète assez bien la réalité selon moi. Miyo, la protagoniste, voit son destin changer le jour où elle reçoit la flèche blanche, signe qu’elle sera le prochain sacrifice pour le dieu local de son village. Orpheline et jeune, elle traversera l’année depuis ce jour toute seule. La veille du sacrifice, un mystérieux groupe d’étranger arrive au village, est-ce là le signe du changement ?
L’intrigue se déroule dans un monde où les dieux existent bel et bien, même si les personnes pouvant le prouver sont assez rare. Comme souvent dans les religions, il faut parfois réaliser des sacrifices, humains ou animaux. Ici, il s’agira évidemment de sacrifice humain. Le village de Miyo, sélectionne, soi-disant, une personne au hasard du village afin d’être le sacrifice… Permettez-moi de douter du côté hasardeux de la chose, viser l’orpheline c’est vraiment très lâche de leur part. Et pourtant, celle-ci croira vraiment que c’est dû au hasard, et à cause de sa gentillesse, elle ne fuira pas, même le moment venu. Les Hommes sont parfois capables du pire pour leur bien être personnel, cette introduction le rappel bien.
Quelques jours avant celui de son sacrifice, arrivent au village trois mystérieux inconnus. L’un d’eux est un ascète, un humain qui est assez pieux, mais dans le cas de celui-ci, il peut aussi communiquer directement avec les dieux, en rentrant dans leur monde. Guider par les trois inconnus vers le lieu du sacrifice, elle fera la rencontre du dieu local. L’un des inconnus, une femme, qui portait jusque-là un masque pour cacher son visage, s’avance vers le dieu. Elle finit par utiliser sa relique, une sorte de miroir, Miyo ne souhaitant pas la voir partir, fini par la suivre, ce qui la fera voyager à travers le temps, mais sans aucun contrôle. Elle finira sauvée par l’ascète, mais le dieu sera très en colère. Apeurée à l’idée de finir comme ses sbires (horribles créatures), elle accepte de devenir la disciple de l’ascète. Après tout, la mystérieuse femme qu’elle a rencontré s’avère être elle-même une fois adulte.
[...]
August 2, 2022
Full disclosure - I read an English scanlation of this. I 1000% WOULD have bought the French copy (as it was either French or Japanese, and my weak French is at least an option) if all online sellers didn't list is as out of stock.
Because I seriously want to throw my money at this series.
The story starts out simple; Miyo is to be her town's sacrifice to their local god, but when push comes to shove, she doesn't really want to enter into immortal service, and lucky for her, there's a legendary priest and his apprentice in the area! It turns out the rumors are horribly exaggerated, but Miyo ends up tagging along anyways, and the adventure begins.
The story is great - the three lead characters have lots of layers, with in-depth backstories that really shape who they are, while they still grow so much as the story progresses. It's so interesting to follow any one of them, though it often focuses on Miyo.
And I have to say, Zen and Miyo are SO CUTE and are having the most adorable slow build up to a romance. It is just the sweetest.
What is really to die for in the end, is the art and the worldbuilding. The characters and story are already on point, but the rest just knocks it out of the park. The designs are unique, but conventional (for manga) for the leads, but the gods? They look and FEEL like gods. With each panel they are in, you can feel they are an arcane, ancient being who do not interact with the world like we do. They would give me chills.
The world is, of course, based upon ancient Japan, and it's doing SO WELL. You can tell the age of gods is waning, and the age of men is growing. There are politics and events happening in the background to our stars, and as a result, it feels like I'm reading history happening in real time. It's so interesting and engaging, and really incorporates Japanese mythology and history well!
I find this series to die for. It has epic battles, magnificent gods, and all the soft, human moments you could want.
I cannot wait to read the rest when it comes out.
Because I seriously want to throw my money at this series.
The story starts out simple; Miyo is to be her town's sacrifice to their local god, but when push comes to shove, she doesn't really want to enter into immortal service, and lucky for her, there's a legendary priest and his apprentice in the area! It turns out the rumors are horribly exaggerated, but Miyo ends up tagging along anyways, and the adventure begins.
The story is great - the three lead characters have lots of layers, with in-depth backstories that really shape who they are, while they still grow so much as the story progresses. It's so interesting to follow any one of them, though it often focuses on Miyo.
And I have to say, Zen and Miyo are SO CUTE and are having the most adorable slow build up to a romance. It is just the sweetest.
What is really to die for in the end, is the art and the worldbuilding. The characters and story are already on point, but the rest just knocks it out of the park. The designs are unique, but conventional (for manga) for the leads, but the gods? They look and FEEL like gods. With each panel they are in, you can feel they are an arcane, ancient being who do not interact with the world like we do. They would give me chills.
The world is, of course, based upon ancient Japan, and it's doing SO WELL. You can tell the age of gods is waning, and the age of men is growing. There are politics and events happening in the background to our stars, and as a result, it feels like I'm reading history happening in real time. It's so interesting and engaging, and really incorporates Japanese mythology and history well!
I find this series to die for. It has epic battles, magnificent gods, and all the soft, human moments you could want.
I cannot wait to read the rest when it comes out.
December 31, 2022
Je n'ai pas trouvé d'intérêt à ce manga... et je ne pense pas retenter non plus...
November 14, 2023
Full review in Booklist Magazine.
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews