彼方から 3

彼方から / From Far Away #3

by Kyoko Hikawa

With each passing day, Noriko discovers more and more about the strange and chimerical world she now calls home. Everyone is talking about an ancient prophecy and "the awakening" that will usher in a new epoch.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Comics, Adventure

187 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 1995

About the author

Name : 冰川京子 (ひかわきょうこ)

Blood type : A

Likes Jackie Chan movies and American movies like BIG. Also cats, but not enough to own one. One of her favorite activities is decorating and creating useful objects for her home. Hates mosquitoes and cockroaches. Has enormous trouble in bicycle parks.

Does mostly light-hearted comedy stories, but very entertaining. She does surprisingly great action scenes (haven't seen many shoujo artists try at a Western before!!).


Her stories ranges from cute to action, but all done unparalled attention - the drawings are refined and the storylines bring the readers into what the characters feel. Her page layouts and camera angles varies a lot, and thus keeps the interest of the reader.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noriko and Izark part ways in this third volume of Kyoko Hikawa's epic fourteen-volume manga series, which tells the fantastical tale of a contemporary Japanese schoolgirl who finds herself transported to another world, where her coming - as the fabled "Awakening" - has been foretold, and where she finds herself involved with a wandering warrior who has a connection to the same prophecy. Leaving Noriko in the care of gruff but kindhearted Gaya, Izark sets off on his own, determined to forget the young girl he rescued a few months before, who, all unknowingly, is set to bring cataclysmic changes to his world. Noriko, for her part, tries to adapt to life at Gaya's, only to lose this new protector as well when beleaguered Grand Duke Jeida seeks shelter at her house, only to find it attacked by his enemy, Grand Duke Kemil. Far apart, and facing different challenges and difficulties - Noriko is pursued through the streets by a gang of young men, while Izark is harassed by men who want to fight him, for the entertainment of Lord Nada - the two are still connected, somehow...

I enjoyed this installment of the series and the revelations it brought, concerning the main characters and their relationship. Clearly, if Izark is hearing Noriko's cries for help from miles way, there is a strong metaphysical connection between them. More importantly, the pain they both feel at parting is evidence of a strong emotional connection. There are hints of Izark's curse in the scene at the beginning, in which he fights the monsters that are pursuing him, and the other travelers - he is shown with fangs, at one point - and that was very interesting. Noriko begins to figure out that she is the Awakening, despite the language barrier - a process I expect to see continue, in the next volume. I was intrigued to see Agol Dena Ofa and his blind seeress daughter, Geena Haas, both servants of Lord Rachef of Rienka, pop up in the unnamed town where Gaya lives. I suspect that they are going to turn out to be allies for Noriko, although it's too soon to say for sure.

All in all, this was an engaging entry in the series, one which left me wanting more! I will note that it was a little odd to see an unrelated story included at the back of the volume - apparently the third chapter of a school story known as "Girls Have a Lot of Room in Their Hearts? - and I was left wondering whether it had any significance for the main narrative. But leaving that aside, this was an entertaining book, one I would recommend (along with its companions) to readers who enjoy romantic-fantasy manga.

[MaguiWorld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revise cuántos tomos tiene la historia y son como 14. Ahora entiendo porque va tan lentamente. No es algo que me moleste la verdad porque justo acá conocemos más a fondo otros personajes que habían aparecido muy al pasar en los anteriores.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot thickens! I like the cute little end stories too, so on to the next! 4, I’m so happy this series has an end and I’m not wait for the next one like usual, stars.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/EMxUhGUtHPs

"Good job, honey."

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! One of the BEST part of the series thus far! I've read it at least 3 times and each time I laughed so hard because its so precious and funny!

These two continue to be the ultimate ship, even though I was SOOOOO heartbroken and crushed by Izark's decision in this one! It's one time I literally wish I could have shaken him and be like, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IZARK?!?!!" BIG sigh. And then we later on see him realize the error of his decision, but it feels wayyyyy too late and just like WHY MUST IT END ON THIS CLIFFHANGER!!! GAHHHHHH!!

*coughs*

But I digress…It was super awesome to see a new element to their friendship/relationship though because Noriko CALLS for him and definitely was feeling all the :o :o :o :o! On top of that though, my heart was breaking for Noriko! She really is trying so hard and totally feel she deserved a bear hug in this one. My favorite part truly was the beginning because it was happier then what happens later. LOL!

I LOVED Auntie as well as Agol and Geena! Auntie was definitely intimidating when we first meet her, but she definitely has a heart of gold! And Agollllll! Ah, I love his relationship with his daughter! They are both so precious together on page and very excited to see more of them, even though now we know who he's working for and a little bit nervous about that. For now though, I am appreciating nothing "bad" happening and just enjoying them with Noriko. <3

Overall, this was such a great volume! I confess I got a little loss with the politics near the end (and DEEPLY disliked Izark's decision LOL) so I did take off a star, but I continue to very much love and enjoy this series!! It is so wonderful!

[Dora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything about this story feels random... For one, pacing is all over the place like instead of spending time with out two main characters we keep jumping back and forth to random side characters who spend pages and pages talking about stuff that isn't importabt for the story... Then there is the instalove and just dunno it's a mess 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Khari · Rating 5 out of 5]

あの～、その終わりことはあまりだよ。私は本気に死ぬかも。そこまでワクワクさせてその興奮を裏切ってクライマックスのところでカットするの！？あまりだよ！！！！明日まで待ったなきゃいけない！二十四時間！どうやってできるか？！

イザークの姿みたい！イザークのノリコはどうやってこの試練を乗り越えるの？みたい！今は皆はイザークのことを疑っている、まーしょうがないでしょう？自分の切った腕をもう一度付けたから私も疑っているはずだ。でも、何か深い意味あると思う！ノリコとイザークはこの世界のメシアかも、占い人は全部間違えているかも。あああああああもううううう！読みたい！！！

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

What’s with that see you tomorrow thing at the end? No thanks.

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Volume 3 of From Far Away, or as this volume proves, no action does not mean inaction! When last we left our duo the two had left Calco and headed...somewhere farther away. Noriko's language difficulties were becoming less of a problem and things seemed to be going well. You know except for Keimos hanging out there somewhere, Lord Rachef hanging out with Keimos out there somewhere, Noriko's possible status as the destroyer of worlds, Izark's unhappiness over her status as a possible destroyer of worlds...

We pick up the story about three months into Noriko landing in the world. She's frantic because Izark left her behind. The long story short is they arrived at this small town and unfortunately Noriko began gabbing about how she met Izark. So in true Izark fashion he decides they need SPACE and he leaves her in the care of a friend of his. Noriko is upset, but she eventually rationalizes that he wouldn't have left her behind unless he trusted the woman and felt Noriko would be safe.

Let me state again that Noriko being so practical about matters is SO NICE (especially since at the time I originally read this series, in 2004, I was also reading Fushigi Yugi and lawd Miaka x.x).

So here's where sadly Izark needs to stop trying to escape fate - he leaves her with his friend...who happens to be on friendly terms with the newly deposed leader of the city she lives in. Doubly unfortunate is she decides to harbor this deposed leader and FIGHTING OCCURS.

We also meet Barago (he becomes important later), Noriko meets Agol & Geena Haas (who have sort of left Rachef's service) and Izark feels a PAIN in his chest when he thinks of leaving Noriko behind...and then he gets himself kidnapped. Because for once its the able warrior man who gets kidnapped, not the damsel.

There's also a short story - chapter 3 of "Girls Have a Lot of Room in Their Hearts" or Onnanoko wa Yoyuu (aka "Girls Need to Be Self-Composed", at least that's the title I knew it as in scanlation). I always felt it was weird that they included this, because the first two chapters were not (to my knowledge) officially translated in America so the entire nuance of the story is lost.

The basic story is that Tomomi was originally in love with her best friend, but he was in love with another classmate. Heart broken she finds her senpai (upper classman) Ojika trying to win her heart. This last chapter shows how the last two chapters (the first in which Tomomi is too heart broken to see beyond tomorrow and the second in which Ojika proves he is serious in his pursuit) culminate. Its a sweet slice of life manga, very much in line with Hikawa's other series I love (Chizumi & Fujiomi).

[Sx3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost took away a star simply because Noriko and Izark are separated in this volume. That said, I put that star back because of the awesomeness that is Gaya Il Bizka.

Although a chunk of this volume is taken up by a one shot called "See You Tomorrow" which is set in modern Tokyo about a high school girl which almost made me take away the star that Gaya Il Bizka had earned back but Gaya is, as I noted, just that awesome.

And the one shot can be read as an optional because it is just that generic.

But anyway, back to From Far Away, it opens with Noriko sharing that she's gotten the basics of the language in Izark's world. While she's not completely fluent, she is learning fast. Almost to Izark's dismay which leads to a moment where Izark appears to snap harshly at Noriko.

The incident is used well to highlight the danger that Noriko is in and why Izark does the whole "We need to part!" stuff.

I wasn't keen on the separation because I rather like Noriko and Izark together but it gives us Gaya, a shopkeeper who is tough on her own terms.

We also have the reappearance of Agol and his blind daughter and we learn a little more about him as well.

Definitely a good set up. I won't lie though, that 5-stars is purely based on a biased opinion and I'm not being a tough critic on this.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 "I can't erase...Noriko's face from my mind."

Much shorter because a one shot by the same mangaka was put into this volume.

Izark reckons that he must drop off Noriko at a place that he trusts before continuing on with his life. Contrary to what he said earlier, it seems that he now trusts that Noriko won't let it slip that she might be the Awakening, and entrusts her to a friend of his. What follows is a very tear-jerky scene where Noriko thanks Izark for everything but he can't bare to look at her and leaves. Thankfully, we get to see his perspective and this clears up the confusion.

Noriko has been in this world for 3 months and has made a HUGE leap in learning Izark's language, which really impressed and motivated me. I am learning Japanese and if I could learn to speak how Noriko could after just 3 months I would be very happy. It works though since she is surrounded by that language and has to learn it to survive and it's a breath of fresh air to see a complex issue being developed.

Later, Noriko's caretaker is threatened when politics and stuff get in the way and soon she finds herself needing Izark to help. Too bad he's been taken captive by a Duke. And it seems Izark might be more attached to Noriko than he thought ;)

[Novia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Can you see it. This is the world of light. Everything has become one in light. I entered the world of light and I found you.
Do you understand? We are the world of light. This is what we have been searching for. I feel a gentle energy that embraces everything. And this energy can be felt anywhere anytime as long as you open yourself to it”

Kanata Kara by Kyoko Hikawa has been my most favorite Shoujo Manga since early 90s till today and I know it will stay as my most favorite for years to come.

Kanata Kara is the only shoujo manga that can come close to shounen manga. Hikawa can beautifully mix love story with interesting adventure and great fighting scenes, she also put some good moral in it.

Continue reading> http://bokunosekai.wordpress.com/2011...

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was that cliff hanger?!

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noriko has begun to learn the native language of her new world well enough to decipher most things and to speak in broken sentences. This both aids her and puts her in harm’s way with the information she jokes about her own identity. Izark is able to get it through to her that her memories, while not false, need to be hidden and replaced by another story, though she doesn’t know why, beyond the truth of her identity being bad. Slowly, she’s learning she might be exactly what everyone is so afraid of and trying so hard to find. Meanwhile, Izark is struggling to deal with his blooming feelings of affection for Noriko, and his desire to protect her.
I get the feeling that these two are bound by more than imprinting, bonding or even curses… It feels as though something more is at play. But it does seem obvious that a lot of their connection is due to the fact that Noriko is the Awakening and Izark appears to be the Sky Demon. But we shall see; perhaps this is something else entirely…

P.S. The one-shot story at the end was cute but I felt like it was a random chapter out of a multi-chapter manga. A bit odd, with no resolution or conclusion at all. I suppose the enjoyment and mystery was to be gained out of the middle of it, in Tomomi’s observations of life in Japan, most specifically in Japanese schools.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this manga, so I was bitterly disappointed that almost half of this volume was taken up by some other work by this author - which wasn't even a complete story, but chapter THREE of something. I found this bonus work somewhat confusing and disjointed and it spoiled all the pleasure I'd found in following the story of Noriko and Izark.

Noriko is really becoming one of my favorite heroines from the fantasy genre. She's not stupid, she's making the best of the situation, and doesn't spend her time weeping and in hysterics. The storyline itself is complex and full of politics, just as it should be. The world itself is fascinating.

Hence my disappointment over being given something else to read. Especially an earlier work that definitely doesn't show the true skill of this artist.

I'm hoping that future volumes concentrate more fully on Noriko. I do still highly recommend this series, but this volume just isn't up to the author's usual standard.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a stagnant volume. Izark and Noriko were separated for most of it (he left her in the care of an old friend), but we get insight to Noriko's connection to The Awakening (namely that she may be it), and Izark (he's supposed to kill The Awakening, which complicates the budding romance). Political conflicts are getting fleshed out, and there's a ton of action. This is a slow burn, not just for romance, but in that what's known of The Awakening is dolled out slowly, which is great for story digestion, but since the volume goes pages without a mere mention, it makes you forget those aspects. Not exactly a bloated tale, but definitely a lot happening. Eagerly awaiting the inevitable declarations.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are alot of manga's that have this premise with a main character getting sucked into a foreign and distant land and she/he has to find a way back to where they belong while falling in love with another main character and you ship them together or ship two other characters together it is a round about way of saying i want to play match maker which is cute ya i have had alot of manga entertain me with this premise but it was just another fad before it went to the basic fight this person against this other strong person to make a big boom and go ooohhh and aaahhh. I really miss this old romantic way of getting two people together and have love blossom ne of my favorites.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume had some fairly heavy lifting to do in terms of the plot, as the first two books were much more character driven. We had some details already - that Noriko is The Awakening that will unleash the demon inside Izark and end the world (just normal couple problems, y'know) - but that's pretty much it. Vol. 3 introduces a lot of characters that are hunting for the two of them, and it suffers when Izark and Noriko are split up, because this exposes how flimsy the world and plot are without their 'on-screen' chemistry. Overall, From Far Away is an inconsistent but fun read so far, with a sub-par story propped up by two absolutely wonderful main characters.

[Vivien · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 months has passed. Noriko is doing well learning this new world's language. But it is also the end of her journey with Izark who left her with Gaya as guardian. But trouble shows up & Noriko is left on her own.
Grand Duke Jeida, 2 sons & Banadam are captured by Kemil's followers.
Lord Nava's warriors capture Izark to fight in his arena.
Noriko meets Agol Dena Orfa & Geena Hans, who have been searching for her & Izark.
To be continued...

[georgie⁎⁺˳✧༚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noriko learns more of the language in this volume which makes for some funny interactions but then we part ways with the hero...or do we? With Noriko learning more about the world around her and herself and Izark her safety becomes more crucial and we see Izark and Noriko part ways. Excited to see where Noriko's independence leads and what meeting these characters has in store for her.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this world and what I imagine is going to happen, but it irks me a little that the only characters of note are Noriko and Izark. The story itself isn’t really moving me as much either. I shall carry on, though!

[Julie Shuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

They’re apart for most of this volume so I gotta knock a star off. Also it has another manga promo story at the back so shorter plot wise than some of the others. Obsessed with the series as a whole regardless.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet the 3rd best person in this series Gaya. Also Noriko is starting to realize that coming from the sea of trees is more import then she realizes. I think this is the beginning of important characters meeting and the start of politics coming into play.

God the art is so pretty.

[Jessie H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars

[Andhee.bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aku gak sukanya karena ada cerita tambahan yg gak penting. Pengen fokus ama Izaku aja.

[May · Rating 2 out of 5]

So confused between two and three!!

[Saba · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little slower paced than the other volumes but still enjoyable

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

so so good.

[Khari · Rating 4 out of 5]

のり子とイザークが少しずつ近寄る姿ってかわいい！！

のりこは彼のことと彼の心を気を付けてプライドを守ってあげて彼は逃げってばっかり。かわいい。

彼の過去も興味深い。彼は鱗がある、牙もある、体が変化している、半妖のようなかな？でも火も操れる。なんで？火の妖怪？

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Dennise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way he hugged her omg