Transported into a fantastical world of high adventure, a confused and frightened teenager discovers she holds a prophetic power that will awaken a new epoch of staggering uncertainty. But even with such infinite power, Noriko remains vulnerable to the dangers that swirl around her. Ever so slowly a small delegation of supporters has rallied to her defense-most notably a fierce and loyal swordsman by the name of lzark. Both demon and savior, lzark struggles daily with the good and evil that resides deep inside him. Is he the monster a whole world fears? Or is he the hero who will lead his people to a new and prosperous era? Whether she knows it or not, Noriko is the only one who has the answer to that fateful question.
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.
Gah, how I wish the rest of the series could be a bunch of happy moments like it was for the first quarter of this volume! Man that was so good and was like YES LET OUR COUPLE BREATHE PLEASE!!!
Sigh. At least it was unexpected and something I wasn't prepared for even if I now want more. LOL! The second half or so picks up with all the action that we've seen before, but this time Keimos is on the scene and he is A LOT stronger than last time. Not only that, but I take back the nice things I said about Rachef and being curious about him because nope, not anymore. Since we are halfway through the series, I'm not even remotely sure where this series is going to go. I have a feeling that Noriko will get stronger, but not sure if Izark will get any less protective (which is honestly fine by me LOL). They both are still wanting to break the fate over them and truly want to see them have a peaceful ending even if again, I don't know how they are going to get there.
I've got a feeling that this is just the beginning because Rachef is no joke and seems to not care what needs to be done to make his personal plans unfold the way he wants them to.
Picking up a few months after the events of the previous episode, this eighth volume of Kyoko Hikawa's epic manga fantasy series sees traveling companions Noriko and Izark, on the run from those who would exploit their respective (but intertwined) destinies as The Awakening and The Sky Demon, participating in a local flower festival, as a favor to their hosts in the town through which they are passing. When the local seer senses a terrible evil on the move, the two star-crossed lovers flee again, only to find themselves confronting an old enemy, in the form of deranged warrior Keimos Lee Goda, intent upon avenging himself against Izark, the only opponent who ever defeated him. As the two warriors and swordsmen face off, Noriko is kidnapped by the agents of the evil Lord Rachef, who dispatched Keimos as a distraction. Will Izark be able to defeat his enemy, whose powers have been magically enhanced? Will he be able to rescue Noriko, transported, in the blink of an eye, thousands of miles away...?
The tension continues to build in this installment of the series - I'm now more than halfway through! - and I raced along, completely engrossed in my reading on this morning's train commute. Keimos makes a good pawn for Rachef, but not a particularly convincing character in his own right, and I found myself wondering whether there was anything to him, save for a desire to fight. Leaving him aside, the characters here are complex and fascinating: Izark is becoming more human, through his contact with Noriko, but also is in danger of losing his humanity altogether; Noriko herself is still a bit of a goofball, but also increasingly capable of sticking up for herself; while Rachef is so cool and calculating, that I'm convinced that something more must lie beneath his exterior. I was pleased to see that some of our supporting cast appear briefly here, in a short scene that makes it evident that they are continuing their quest to unite some of the moderate leaders recently dispossessed as their respective countries have lurched toward extremism and warfare.
All in all, an entertaining episode in an engaging series! With a cliffhanger, of course, which means I need to get to episode nine as soon as possible...
The blossoming love Izark and Noriko have for each other grow and we see the ups and downs to their relationship. Izark is anxious and overprotective and Noriko can't bear to part from him. And this all ties in to their past experiences so well that it makes this completely believable.
After staying at a little village, the Seer declares that the evil is moving. Without hesitation, the two leave and are soon attacked by Keimos. And Keimos not only is stronger, but something terrible has consumed him.
Lord Rachef has finally made his move. Whilst displaying animal cruelty, good looks and a stylish side ponytail, he traps Izark in a battle with Keimos. Izark tries to protect Noriko but she is taken away and when Izark catches up, new revelations are made.
One of Lord Rachef's own appears as though he will betray him after the inhumane slaughter of the Chimos and Gorya replaces Tazasheena as Lord Rachef's personal Seer, much to her dismay.
The fight scenes were well done. So well done in fact, that I started to think maybe this series was a shounen. The panels were fluid and sharp, with minimal monologues and just enough of everything to set the tone.
Noriko doesn't shy away from violence either, ready to pounce on Tazasheena in order to escape. Unfortunately, it seems that Noriko has nowhere to go, for Izark is 16 miles away in Mt. Purple Spirit (lol, that name) fighting for his life-and for Noriko. Yet, Noriko might just save him.
Overall Series review 3 Stars. I probably should have left it after book 7, because there is a sort of ending there with Noriko and Izark leaving their (first set of) friends behind but I did want to see what the conclusion was. The second half of From Far Away (books 8-14) is weaker in my opinion but I do like Noriko as a character, she’s endearing, and there are parts that I enjoyed.
3 months later. The 1st part was ok but the 2nd part was better. Part 1: Noriko & Izark arrive in town about to celebrate the flower festival & Noriko has developed a fever. They are given lodge at the Mayor's daughter's house in exchange for Izark to take her husband's place in starting the festival. It was a massive success, thanks to Izark, even though it was predicted to be a failure. A rainbow was an added bonus. Part 2: Noriko & Izark enjoy the festival before leaving the next day as Izark senses danger is approaching. Seers around the world are sensing that the source of all evil is moving. Keimos is excited to meet Izark again & finish their battle but Rachef has the best battle field for that. Using the chimos, that Doros has been raising, Rachef uses their blood to open a portal to an underground temple. With help from Gorya & Tazasheena, Keimos finds Izark & using dozens of chimos he opens a portal to their location. Izark had to hide Noriko in order to fight Keimos effectively but Rachef's men came through the portal & kidnapped her. Izark had to put Keimos down before he could go after her but Rachef has already sent her away to his palace. Keimos follows Izark then Gorya closes the exit, leaving Izark trapped as Keimos continued to fight him. Meanwhile Noriko tries to go back to Izark & fights with her captors. To be continued...
It’s nice to see Izark and Noriko nestle into each other more, but it seems the world is never kind to the two of them. They’ve found themselves in the frying pan, being used for political schemes. Not only that, but Rachef seems to have gotten his hands on some ancient power, one which can be easily channeled. So easily, apparently, that he is able to reinforce Keimos’s body and life force with said power he’s gained. Things are truly getting more heated now…
Izark and Noriko are the point of this series, aren't they? It seems like there's a shift in focus in this volume towards The Plot and away from the unexplainable-yet-adorable chemistry between the leads. Vol 7 basically tied up the parts of the story I care about (*cough* the romance *cough*) in a big bow, and I think maybe I should have left it there? We'll see.
This volume is packed with action and suspense and I love it. Izark and Noriko can't take a breath even for a minute, they're always in constant danger and this time is worse, Lord Racheff and Keimos finally get their hand on Izark and Noriko and the got separated. I'm at the edge of my seat the whole time. I just want them to be together again.
I love the shifting of the relationship now that Noriko and Izark understand how the others feel. Of course new dangers emerge - how could they not? This is a definite shift from the first half of the series. But I'm looking forward to see where this is going.
Creo que habiendo transcurrido tanto de la historia Noriko debería aprender a defenderse un poquito sola. UN POQUITO NADA MAS. Algo básico, peor vamos.
No le gustan las protagonistas que son todo el tiempo damiselas en peligro
This volume starts out calm... Too calm. Izark and Noriko take refuge with festival performers, and even do a bit of performing themselves all while figuring out how to be together not just as simply Izark and Noriko (that rainbow bit was adorable) but as the Sky Demon and The Awakening (both of which are meant to destroy the other). And just when I thought it couldn't get any sweeter... Izark and Noriko are the OTP. But that cliffhanger, though?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Transported into a fantastical world of high adventure, a confused and frightened teenager discovers she holds a prophetic power that will awaken a new epoch of staggering uncertainty. But even with such infinite power, Noriko remains vulnerable to the dangers that swirl around her. Ever so slowly a small delegation of supporters has rallied to her defense-most notably a fierce and loyal swordsman by the name of lzark. Both demon and savior, lzark struggles daily with the good and evil that resides deep inside him. Is he the monster a whole world fears? Or is he the hero who will lead his people to a new and prosperous era? Whether she knows it or not, Noriko is the only one who has the answer to that fateful question.
My Thoughts:
Things aren't looking so good for Noriko and Izark right now! Someone needs to help them, but how? I don't want Rachef and his group getting what they want.
Soobie, ten days to read a manga?! What's happening to you?
I don't know. I've been so exhausted lately that I find it very difficult to seat down and read a manga like From Far Away. Don't get me wrong: this is a beautiful manga with fantastic characters and a great storyline. But I can't seem to be able to read it.
At the beginning the two protagonists are getting used to their feelings for each other and they're so cute. But soon after that, enemies are lurking anywhere. They're trying to awake the Sky Demon and the don't hesitate when it comes to killing those poor Kimos. Sigh! Animal abuse at its best!
Another reason why this manga is so engaging is Noriko. Sometimes she's just your typical, defenseless Japanese girl. But sometimes she mans up and tries to fight the enemies by herself. She's funny but I love strong female characters.
“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.