On her way home from school one day, Noriko is unexpectedly plunged into a strange and extraordinary fantasy world. Her troubles compound exponentially when she is rescued and befriended by a handsome young man by the name of Izark. He may be brave and courageous, but inside Izark lurks the darkest evil imaginable. And according to an ancient prophecy, Noriko possesses the power to unleash that evil. Now, inexorably bound together, these two unlikely allies must navigate a world both wondrous and hostile.
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.
This eleventh entry in Kyoko Hikawa's fourteen-volume fantasy epic chronicling the adventures of two star-crossed lovers from different worlds, who are caught up in a dark prophecy foretelling that one will transform the other into a terrible world-destroying monster, opens in Coropori, the Aibisk port city to which Noriko, Izark and their companions had come at the close of the tenth episode. Still struggling against the corrupt local officials, who seem determined to make life difficult for this new band of traveling "merchants," Alef schemes to sell the last of the group's wares by luring people in with an acrobatic display featuring none other than...Izark. When the unofficial show attracts the attention of town official Arkarella, and Izark is pressed into service as entertainment for Lord Hydran, passing through town with an important prisoner, the companions see an opportunity to rescue another victim of the worsening political climate. But although the dissident scholar Mr. Clairgeeta, with his alternative interpretation of the prophecy, may offer the first ray of hope to our hero and heroine, his rescue and the group's subsequent flight bring the terrifying and not-altogether-human Brunei brothers chasing after them...
This was another exciting addition to the series, and I enjoyed reading it quite a bit. Many of the scenes in Coropori were quite amusing, particularly those in which Izark performed his feats while also humiliating the oafish bully, Salier. The introduction of Mr. Clairgeeta, with his belief that the sky demon might not be evil at all, but rather, a force for good, was the first intimation in the story that the prophecy might be something to be embraced, rather than defeated or avoided. This alternative way of looking at matters gives Izark his first true hope, as he feels a "lighted path" opening up before him for the first time, but Hikawa doesn't allow the reader to linger with that comforting thought for long, as a terrifying chase and confrontation concludes the volume. I had no sooner finished this one, than I was reaching for the next, determined to find out how the battle with the Brunei brothers concluded...
Yaaaaas, algo emocionante pasa en este tomo y wepaaa la historia avanza bastante. No me puedo quejar mucho del tomo anterior porque era necesario pero si. Este tomo me gustó mucho más.
It's so great to not have to rush through a series. I take my time with this gem because I honestly don't want it to end-even though it will in 3 volumes. For this entire ride, I have never once thought poorly of the story, art or characters. I've only held each element in high regard, and I sincerely hope that for once, a happy ending bequeaths these characters. And I don't usually wish for that, since happy endings aren't always realistic and can turn something cheesy. With From Far Away though, I want that happy ending, even if it's cheesy.
Izark and Noriko travel to another city and there they are met with hostility from the street officials. The corruption has spread so far that even the people fear protesting against injustices done to them. And Hydran, a powerful politician, is dragging a potential ally, Secretary Clairgeeta, to his death.
To pay for their lost items and to afford a room to sleep in, Izark agrees to perform for the crowd to draw them to their shop, where his talents are witnessed by Arkarella Son Dororev. Arkarella invites them to stay the night at his place in return for a performance in front of Hydran. They agree, but Arkarella's younger brother Salier, one of the street officials that tried to cause trouble with Izark, is against the idea.
Clairgeeta, the captured Secretary, believes that the Sky Demon is capable of good, and Izark and Noriko are desperate to rescue this man. They agree to all of Arkaraella's wishes all while coming up with a plot to set Clairgeeta free. Little do they know that more allies lurk in the dark, one being a Constable, Lori.
And that revelation suddenly makes the two realize that they might not have a lot of time with each other. Despite how much Izark and Noriko care about each other, so many things could go wrong. And Izark is having a terrible time accepting this.
Despite their plan's success, Hydran sends out the Brunei brothers to capture Clairgeeta. These two can transform into terrible beasts and their bloodlust is frightening. Izark jumps in to rescue them, but will he be able to hold them off?
"You can never imprison hope. Passion has no appearance, no substance. It is intangible. Yet it generates power. And that power will eventually start to take shape and bear fruit."
Very good volume!!
I so desperately appreciated the "humor" this volume brought in Izark performing and then seeing Alef be the "lead man" of everything! While I definitely love love LOVE the romance aspect of this series, I really enjoy the friendships Noriko and Izark have made on their journey. I still miss our old friends and nervous that they will have to depart with their new friends at some point, BUT!
What an amazing surprise to hear someone mention that they feel there is something more to the Sky Demon! :o :o :o Like that is AWESOME news!! I want to say obviously its true because of the transformation we saw in Izark a few volumes ago, but it seems like more and more danger surrounds our couple and their friends that I can't help but be nervous.
Which makes me so thankful that we had the fun shenanigans in this one!
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.
I was thinking that it is a little late in the series to be still doing little circus acts as diversions. Maybe I was tired as I was reading it and maybe it has clouded my judgment a bit. I am ready for things to wrap up! But that is probably because it is rough for me to get my hands on this series at all. It was still good, but it did not grab me the way that the others in the past have.
The best part about this volume was Izark as the street performer. More corrupt government officials take up the bulk of this book. More wrongful arrests. I'm starting to see the big picture and am intrigued at how everything is coming together. I can't wait to see how it all ends!
The gang has their permit but it set up away from the foot traffic so they need Izark to draw customers to them with his athletic abilities. It was a major success & sold most of their goods. However when night came, they were kicked out of their inn & none of the others would accept them. The streets were eerily spooky at night. A carriage with 4 guards pass by them, 2 of them have a eerie aura around them. 2 servants from the Arkarella house persuades Izark & his friends to stay at their master's house, in exchange Izark will perform for him & his guest, Hydran. At dinner they learn the prisoner is former chief cabinet secretary Clairgeeta & his crime is claiming that everyone has misinterpreted the prophecy; that the sky demon is not evil but can be an agent of good. Later that night everyone wants to save the prisoner but doesn't know how. Following a spy Izark learns of another group planning to rescue Clairgeeta; they need Izark to distract Hydran while they freed Hydran. Danjel, Wei & Katarina are former members of the Gray Bird tribe. Izark returned to his friends & informed them of this new development. Showtime: Alef speaks for Izark's during his performance but 1st they have to rescue the chimos from Arkarella's possession, which was a success. Then it was the main performance, which Salier unwittingly volunteered for; walking right into Izark & Alef's plans. It was a major success & departed once it was over. After getting Salier down from the tree, Hydran is informed that his prisoner has escaped & demand the Brunei brothers to recapture him. Meanwhile Tazasheena has been following close behind Izark & Noriko; Sido siphoned her ability to find their prisoner & his cohorts before going after them, alone. Izark's group are traveling as fast as they can to meet up with Danjel & his group but they learn that the Brunei brothers are right behind them so Izark went on ahead. Izark arrives in time before anyone was killed, knocking Lida down. Meanwhile thanks to Tazasheena's attacker she can now find Izark & Noriko, thanks to the people they are traveling with. To be continued...
Something I was absolutely not expecting Kanata Kara to do was to handle the subject of trans people in such a classy way— and so ahead of its time too— this tankobon was originally published in Japan in 2000. I’m thoroughly impressed; and Izark only keeps earning brownie points with me, not that I was tallying them before. But it’s also simply very peculiar though interesting to see a trans character in any manga media from this time besides Sailor Moon— typically they’re used as traps or gags. These are the only two series I know of thus far that handled it so well from back then. Heck yeah.
As Noriko and Izark grow closer, so does their and the world’s impending doom. But they’re on a trail to a man who has reason to believe that the prophecy is wrong, and that people are using this object of power in the ways they feel fit. Political heads are attempting to sway the masses by making them believe and spread false platitudes concerning the end of the world via the Awakening and the Sky Demon. Though Noriko and Izark are never at a shortage of allies for long as they team up with some individuals to save this man with this rare belief and they’re yet again on another chase for a better truth than the reality they’ve been taught… I firmly believe that the “truth” Noriko and Izark have been led to believe is skewed or false. There’s far more to this prophecy than what it allowed to be known. In fact, the Sky Demon is probably a neutral force. Perhaps. I at least believe that with Noriko’s influence, Izark can be stronger than the demon’s instinct.
There's more and more new unique characters. Love how the good guys destined to meet with each other to fight the darkness together. Less action in this volume but I think there will be more in the next volume because we get to meet The Brunei Brothers here and I think they will be a great opponent for Izark, they're so creepy and evil and very strong. There's still cute moments between Izark and Noriko here that just sooooo sweet and adorable.
Overall, not my fav volume but still enjoy it nonetheless.
Unfortunately I'm finding myself less invested as the story continues on. I do however still love Noriko and Izark's relationship and will continue reading for them <3
On her way home from school one day, Noriko is unexpectedly plunged into a strange and extraordinary fantasy world. Her troubles compound exponentially when she is rescued and befriended by a handsome young man by the name of Izark. He may be brave and courageous, but inside Izark lurks the darkest evil imaginable. And according to an ancient prophecy, Noriko possesses the power to unleash that evil. Now, inexorably bound together, these two unlikely allies must navigate a world both wondrous and hostile.
My Thoughts:
Things for Noriko and the others seem to be a little more difficult than they would have liked them to be. In order to attract people to their shop, which the government officials have assigned them to in a place that isn't likely to get much customers, Izark puts on a performance and leads the townspeople to the shop. It was a huge success, so Arkarella uses this to pressure all of the inns into turning the group away and sends his people out to invite Izark and the others to his place. He takes the opportunity to ask Izark to perform for an important guest that will be coming to the city to drop off a prisoner for execution.
Turns out, the prisoner was a high up official in the city who was imprisoned for saying that the prophecy regarding the sky demon and the awakening was false. He insists that the sky demon can be a source of good. Of course, when Noriko and Izark learn about this, they're determined to meet this man. Glocia and her group want to help him because they're on a mission to free the officials that are being rounded up in order to make way for the corrupt officials to take over. Their plan goes well, but now the Brunei Brothers (working for the visiting official) are sent out to recapture Clairgeeta. These guys are no joke. Are they humans or monsters?
Tazasheena is also hanging around. So far, she hasn't been able to find Izark and Noriko thanks to Irk's protective shield, but after being attacked by one of the Brunei Brothers so that he could siphon her power, she has a tie to him. She plans to use this tie in order to find Noriko and Izark. What will happen? This could go really wrong if the older Brunei Brother realizes he can siphon power from Izark. That's one guy I really don't want running around with Izark's abilities.
“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.
Izark and Noriko come across a man who has a different interpretation of the Sky Demon legend that has caused them both so much grief. This man thinks that with the proper influence from the "world of light," that the Sky Demon could actually do good!
That's one of the things I really like about this series. The heroes aren't sheep to be herded by this destiny; they both wonder if they have the power to change what's been foretold. More importantly, they both have the desire to change it also.
The banter between Noriko and Izark is adorable also. Weirdly, I get the impression that Izark is aging backwards. From the stoic warrior he started out as, now he just seems like a young man in love, and he's a lot more expressive. It keeps the romance engaging.
The more I read this series, the more I like it. Sure, the art is a bit weak but the plot makes up for it. I mean, we're at the 11th volumes and still the story's interesting and it makes me want to read more to know what will happen.
There's not much magic in this volume, but there is Izark as a performer for a rich and corrupt man. That was so funny.
I love the chimos and even Doros: he became a much more likeable character over time.
Sigh, three more volumes and then I'm done with the series. I'm going to miss it.