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彼方から / From Far Away #5
彼方から 5
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.
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
19 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Kyoko Hikawa
60 books340 followersName : 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 7, 2022
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/EMxUhGUtHPs
"He told me that I could do a lot just by being who I am. If I can do important things and be who I am I should do those things first before trying to change."
THIS WAS SO GOOD!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I promptly read this volume and then went back and skim read it because SOOOOO much wonderful and amazing things happen in this one!
I know I usually focus on the romance aspect, but I loved loved LOVED the message and takeaway involving Noriko! That quote above was AMAZING and loved how she really stands her ground because she believes what she is told. And rightfully so! I think we all need a reminder to be who we are and found that message's timing perfect. I don't need to change me to do other things when I'm doing important things right now. Hopefully that makes sense but it was such a beautiful message! I also totally loved her determination in multiple scenes!! Those moments made me want to fist punch the air because that's our ordinary human girl!
What was NOT beautiful though was Izark's backstory!!! *sobs* Poor Izark!!! My heart was hurting on his behalf and made me all the more thankful for Noriko! He really needs someone showing him kindness which made TWO certain moments so squeal worthy!! Granted I know their lives are on the line, but him and Noriko together just make me feel so happy inside! <3
The "story" with a new character we met made almost tears come to my eyes. You can really feel his gentleness and how much he cared for the village. It was very moving and powerful.
AND THE ENDING!!!! I WAS FLAILING!!! IT WAS SO GOOD!!! GAHHHHHHH!!!
Also the bonus story was great! I absolutely loved seeing the backstory we got with a certain character and Izark!
I know I said this the last volume was my favorite but I think this one might be even more so! LOL!
Second also, the cliff hangers in this series are brutal! I went and bought the next volume ASAP because I MUST know what happens after that ending!!
"He told me that I could do a lot just by being who I am. If I can do important things and be who I am I should do those things first before trying to change."
THIS WAS SO GOOD!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I promptly read this volume and then went back and skim read it because SOOOOO much wonderful and amazing things happen in this one!
I know I usually focus on the romance aspect, but I loved loved LOVED the message and takeaway involving Noriko! That quote above was AMAZING and loved how she really stands her ground because she believes what she is told. And rightfully so! I think we all need a reminder to be who we are and found that message's timing perfect. I don't need to change me to do other things when I'm doing important things right now. Hopefully that makes sense but it was such a beautiful message! I also totally loved her determination in multiple scenes!! Those moments made me want to fist punch the air because that's our ordinary human girl!
What was NOT beautiful though was Izark's backstory!!! *sobs* Poor Izark!!! My heart was hurting on his behalf and made me all the more thankful for Noriko! He really needs someone showing him kindness which made TWO certain moments so squeal worthy!! Granted I know their lives are on the line, but him and Noriko together just make me feel so happy inside! <3
The "story" with a new character we met made almost tears come to my eyes. You can really feel his gentleness and how much he cared for the village. It was very moving and powerful.
AND THE ENDING!!!! I WAS FLAILING!!! IT WAS SO GOOD!!! GAHHHHHHH!!!
Also the bonus story was great! I absolutely loved seeing the backstory we got with a certain character and Izark!
I know I said this the last volume was my favorite but I think this one might be even more so! LOL!
Second also, the cliff hangers in this series are brutal! I went and bought the next volume ASAP because I MUST know what happens after that ending!!
January 15, 2018
So many things to love here! I adore the time spent on building the relationships. The pacing of the story makes it feel very real and natural. I also loved the story about Izark at the end, as we finally get a look at who he was. The hints to his childhood are absolutely wonderful.
Overall, this series has been building and developing into something rather special. I can't wait to read the rest of it. I really don't know why more people don't know about this one.
Overall, this series has been building and developing into something rather special. I can't wait to read the rest of it. I really don't know why more people don't know about this one.
February 28, 2022
Flew through this in one sitting. Oh my goodness, THAT KISS! Right in the feels, GUH! I am sooooo in love with this series. 5, I need to pace myself, but where’s the fun in that, stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2017
Welcome to volume 5 of From Far Away! In this volume...there's a lot of hair. I mean a lot. Like Shepard Book levels of hair.
Also some people really try it with Izark and it DOES NOT go well for them.
We have a name for our ghostly boy - its Irkule! He's the spirit of the Morning Mist Tree and is simply at a loss as to how to help the villagers trapped by the hair monster of nightmares. Have no fear though he helps Noriko realize that just being herself is such a big responsibility.
Minor digression - from here on out its an important theme that each character, simply by being their truest self, can and will help others. Other then Izark none of the other characters in the main "good guy" cast have offensive supernatural powers, but they are able to achieve the results they do by believing in something larger than theirselves. Namely in Noriko and Izark, but also in the inherent goodness in people's hearts.
Back to the volume at hand, we also see Izark just...well he demons out. He and Noriko wind up in a nasty jam thanks to the hair demon nightmare thing and he loses control in his fear for Noriko. So Noriko sees the Sky Demon form of Izark (random aside: in volume 5 of Fruits Basket, this happens to Tohru and Kyo as well) and while Izark is busy alternating between freaking out and growing so frantic he can't think straight, Noriko realizes two things: 1) she can totally see why Izark is scared of being the Sky Demon and 2) him being the Sky Demon meant he'd leave her and THAT WOULD NOT STAND.
We have what young me jumped up and down about - a confession! And it works!
Its important to note however that at this point Izark is not really romantically in love with Noriko. He cares about her, he worries after her and he doesn't want to leave her side, but he's so frightened by what being the Sky Demon could mean he's not at liberty to love her. When Noriko confesses to him, while he's in almost full on Sky Demon mode, he's reacting less to 'omg she returns my feelings!' and more to 'omg she isn't scared of me and cares about me still?'.
We also get a side story about when Gaya met Izark for the first time (he's like...15?) that really illustrates why Gaya trusts him and why Izark trusts her. Also the words that Gaya speaks about the Founder of the Gray Bird Tribe are very important later on. Just saying.
Also some people really try it with Izark and it DOES NOT go well for them.
We have a name for our ghostly boy - its Irkule! He's the spirit of the Morning Mist Tree and is simply at a loss as to how to help the villagers trapped by the hair monster of nightmares. Have no fear though he helps Noriko realize that just being herself is such a big responsibility.
Minor digression - from here on out its an important theme that each character, simply by being their truest self, can and will help others. Other then Izark none of the other characters in the main "good guy" cast have offensive supernatural powers, but they are able to achieve the results they do by believing in something larger than theirselves. Namely in Noriko and Izark, but also in the inherent goodness in people's hearts.
Back to the volume at hand, we also see Izark just...well he demons out. He and Noriko wind up in a nasty jam thanks to the hair demon nightmare thing and he loses control in his fear for Noriko. So Noriko sees the Sky Demon form of Izark (random aside: in volume 5 of Fruits Basket, this happens to Tohru and Kyo as well) and while Izark is busy alternating between freaking out and growing so frantic he can't think straight, Noriko realizes two things: 1) she can totally see why Izark is scared of being the Sky Demon and 2) him being the Sky Demon meant he'd leave her and THAT WOULD NOT STAND.
We have what young me jumped up and down about - a confession! And it works!
Its important to note however that at this point Izark is not really romantically in love with Noriko. He cares about her, he worries after her and he doesn't want to leave her side, but he's so frightened by what being the Sky Demon could mean he's not at liberty to love her. When Noriko confesses to him, while he's in almost full on Sky Demon mode, he's reacting less to 'omg she returns my feelings!' and more to 'omg she isn't scared of me and cares about me still?'.
We also get a side story about when Gaya met Izark for the first time (he's like...15?) that really illustrates why Gaya trusts him and why Izark trusts her. Also the words that Gaya speaks about the Founder of the Gray Bird Tribe are very important later on. Just saying.
October 12, 2019
The excitement continues non-stop in this fifth entry in Kyoko Hikawa's fourteen-volume manga epic, which chronicles the story of Noriko, a young schoolgirl mysteriously transported to a strange world where her coming has been foretold in prophecy, and Izark, a mysterious wandering warrior who comes to her aid, and who ends up having an important role in that same prophecy as well. Picking up right where the fourth installment left off, as Izark battles the strange and malicious monster that haunts the White Mist Forest, it follows the companions - Izark and Noriko, Gaya, Agol and Geena, Barago, Jeida and his sons - as they struggle to escape the dangerous situation in which they find themselves. Noriko discovers that the beautiful "ghost" who has been appearing to her is none other than Irktule, the spirit of the white mist tree, and the companions team up with him to combat their mutual enemy. As they slowly (and painfully) win their way through to Guzena, where they hope to shelter with Gaya's seeress sister, a number of flashbacks fill in some important information about our cast, from Izark's true identity, to the story of how he and Gaya first came to know one another.
My enjoyment of this series continues to increase with each subsequent volume - a big thank you to my friend Jeannette, who made me aware of its existence! - and I fairly raced through this fifth installment. This episode is action-packed, from the fight between Izark and the "hair" monster at the beginning, to the battle with the Rock Bird at the close, but there is also some significant character development. Izark's destiny, as the is revealed, and his relationship with Gaya, who taught him swordplay, is clarified. I had guessed the former, and then had it accidentally confirmed when reading something about the From Far Away series, so that didn't come as much of a surprise. Noriko's declaration of love, when confronted with Izark's other face, also wasn't terribly surprising (surely most readers knew this was coming?), but it made for a very satisfying moment when she kissed him! All in all, an engrossing fifth volume - I finished it with an immediate desire to begin the sixth.
My enjoyment of this series continues to increase with each subsequent volume - a big thank you to my friend Jeannette, who made me aware of its existence! - and I fairly raced through this fifth installment. This episode is action-packed, from the fight between Izark and the "hair" monster at the beginning, to the battle with the Rock Bird at the close, but there is also some significant character development. Izark's destiny, as the is revealed, and his relationship with Gaya, who taught him swordplay, is clarified. I had guessed the former, and then had it accidentally confirmed when reading something about the From Far Away series, so that didn't come as much of a surprise. Noriko's declaration of love, when confronted with Izark's other face, also wasn't terribly surprising (surely most readers knew this was coming?), but it made for a very satisfying moment when she kissed him! All in all, an engrossing fifth volume - I finished it with an immediate desire to begin the sixth.
September 15, 2021
Muy bueno este tomo! Hubo una escena que me hizo acordar a Sakura card Captor, si lo leen ya van a saber cuál es 😂
Por otro lado, me gustó conocer un poco más sobre el pasado del protagonista aunque no tanto como me gustaría. Confío en que vamos a poder ver más 🌟🙌🏻
Por otro lado, me gustó conocer un poco más sobre el pasado del protagonista aunque no tanto como me gustaría. Confío en que vamos a poder ver más 🌟🙌🏻
May 23, 2015
MY FLIPPING FEEELS!!! "How can a man, who was given terrible powers at birth...escape his destiny?"
Not only is Noriko a great heroine, but the love interest, Izark, is wonderful. He has a bad past but IT WORKS and let me tell you, I cried. When has YA done that to me? When has YA given me a troubled love interest with a dark past and made me FEEL, made me CRY etc? NEVER.
So after escaping the White Mist Forest, I realized why I love the protagonist. SHE KNOWS HER LIMITS. She is smart. She knows when she needs to stay out of the way and when to act. This is something every protagonist in manga, books, or movies needs to do. They should use their brains as intended. Noriko uses it, and that's why she is successful and not an annoying character.
And the romance!!!! It is not overwhelming or angsty. It is well done and made me shed tears already. As you probably guessed early on (and due to the blurb on the cover spoiling it) Izark is the Sky Demon. His parents didn't just raise him for money and ostracize him like I initially believed. His MOTHER TRIED TO KILL HIM. And she scarred him for life and that's why he's such a precious baby that needs love and omadkgkdgjjg.
It's pretty obvious now that Izark is hopelessly in love with Noriko and does not realize it. And after their little scene, Noriko discovers what Izark is, and you know what? She couldn't care less! It's like that scene in volume 6 of Fruits Basket guys. Exactly like that, except this time, there's a kiss scene.
And that bonus chapter where we learned more about Izark nearly broke my heart.
If you have never read this series, get out there and do so! Unfortunately this series is out of print (so some volumes can be upwards of $100), so I was lucky to purchase what I did. Viz has this on their digital store but I won't say no if you want to read scans. VIZ PLEASE REPRINT THIS SERIES!!!!
Not only is Noriko a great heroine, but the love interest, Izark, is wonderful. He has a bad past but IT WORKS and let me tell you, I cried. When has YA done that to me? When has YA given me a troubled love interest with a dark past and made me FEEL, made me CRY etc? NEVER.
So after escaping the White Mist Forest, I realized why I love the protagonist. SHE KNOWS HER LIMITS. She is smart. She knows when she needs to stay out of the way and when to act. This is something every protagonist in manga, books, or movies needs to do. They should use their brains as intended. Noriko uses it, and that's why she is successful and not an annoying character.
And the romance!!!! It is not overwhelming or angsty. It is well done and made me shed tears already. As you probably guessed early on (and due to the blurb on the cover spoiling it) Izark is the Sky Demon. His parents didn't just raise him for money and ostracize him like I initially believed. His MOTHER TRIED TO KILL HIM. And she scarred him for life and that's why he's such a precious baby that needs love and omadkgkdgjjg.
It's pretty obvious now that Izark is hopelessly in love with Noriko and does not realize it. And after their little scene, Noriko discovers what Izark is, and you know what? She couldn't care less! It's like that scene in volume 6 of Fruits Basket guys. Exactly like that, except this time, there's a kiss scene.
And that bonus chapter where we learned more about Izark nearly broke my heart.
If you have never read this series, get out there and do so! Unfortunately this series is out of print (so some volumes can be upwards of $100), so I was lucky to purchase what I did. Viz has this on their digital store but I won't say no if you want to read scans. VIZ PLEASE REPRINT THIS SERIES!!!!
October 11, 2012
As if being dumped down into a completely fantastical and strange world that doesn’t speak her language or play by her rules wasn’t bad enough. Noriko faces bigger enemies in this volume and feels more powerless than ever. She can’t help her friends or fight the bad guys, all she can do is be herself. But will that prove to be enough?
It turns out being herself is more powerful than Noriko originally thought, but she isn’t the only one showing her true colors. Izark finally breaks down and reveals his true self to Noriko and the result ends up shocking them both.
This volume delivers two fantastic, worth the wait, reveals. One is Izark’s long kept secret that he now shares with Noriko and the other is a flashback to Izark’s childhood and his struggles right after he left home. Both were exciting to read about and I’m glad this twist has come along, it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
The author is still interrupting herself a bit but it’s becoming less and that’s good. Her side panels throughout the volume responding to fan mail are very annoying and keep coming in during key tense and emotional scenes in the book. That I could really do without.
It turns out being herself is more powerful than Noriko originally thought, but she isn’t the only one showing her true colors. Izark finally breaks down and reveals his true self to Noriko and the result ends up shocking them both.
This volume delivers two fantastic, worth the wait, reveals. One is Izark’s long kept secret that he now shares with Noriko and the other is a flashback to Izark’s childhood and his struggles right after he left home. Both were exciting to read about and I’m glad this twist has come along, it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
The author is still interrupting herself a bit but it’s becoming less and that’s good. Her side panels throughout the volume responding to fan mail are very annoying and keep coming in during key tense and emotional scenes in the book. That I could really do without.
January 19, 2015
Oh geeze the sexual tension is killing me. And the secondary characters just add so much to the story besides the two protagonists
August 5, 2022
I absolutely love that after all the hardships Izark had been through and the complex he developed about himself, that Noriko’s first response to seeing Izark’s beast form, likely more of it than anyone ever has, including himself, is for her to beg him not to leave (since she thinks she disobeyed him), thinking how unbearable it would be without him again and then professing her love for him and kissing him in his demonic form after saying she doesn’t mind how he looks or what he is so long as he is still Izark. Besides just these two, I also like to see Banadam expressing his affection for Noriko. It’s very cute and pure (not to say our main two are not).
I feel as though Noriko continuously surprises Izark and somehow that’s good for him. But I wonder what her love and affection for Izark will do for him, physically. Besides her very presence, do her actions also expedite his awakening?
I really liked Irktule, the spirit of the morning mist tree. He was very beautiful, very serene and just overall a very pleasant, beautiful and mysterious character. The story of that village is heartbreaking, but it’s also bittersweet. They were finally freed by the tree whom they cared so much for, with the help of the Awakening, the Sky Demon and their companions.
Additionally, Gaya and Izark’s meeting is cute. If he was 17 when they met and it was 2 years ago, then he must be 19 now. I think I estimated Noriko to be 16 at the start but I don’t quite remember. They’re not too far off in age. But yes; I can see now how and why Izark trusts her like he does. He likely feels a large well of respect for her as well as some attachment. In a roundabout way, he owes a lot to Gaya. Whether he feels that way exactly is uncertain, but she is certainly someone special to him.
Lastly, I quite like how this manga shows blushing and other sorts of emotions like that to denote normal, human reactions between each other opposed to strictly romantic tropes like manga nowadays. I, too, blush with my friends be it for embarrassment or because someone has warmed up to me when they hadn’t before, or even many other types of things. My heart can jump or race for an array of emotions, not merely romantic ones. I like that you can see it in their faces this type of thing being portrayed. I don’t see it often anymore with newer manga unless it’s for a purpose of shipping. This simply feels warm and at times, exciting.
I feel as though Noriko continuously surprises Izark and somehow that’s good for him. But I wonder what her love and affection for Izark will do for him, physically. Besides her very presence, do her actions also expedite his awakening?
I really liked Irktule, the spirit of the morning mist tree. He was very beautiful, very serene and just overall a very pleasant, beautiful and mysterious character. The story of that village is heartbreaking, but it’s also bittersweet. They were finally freed by the tree whom they cared so much for, with the help of the Awakening, the Sky Demon and their companions.
Additionally, Gaya and Izark’s meeting is cute. If he was 17 when they met and it was 2 years ago, then he must be 19 now. I think I estimated Noriko to be 16 at the start but I don’t quite remember. They’re not too far off in age. But yes; I can see now how and why Izark trusts her like he does. He likely feels a large well of respect for her as well as some attachment. In a roundabout way, he owes a lot to Gaya. Whether he feels that way exactly is uncertain, but she is certainly someone special to him.
Lastly, I quite like how this manga shows blushing and other sorts of emotions like that to denote normal, human reactions between each other opposed to strictly romantic tropes like manga nowadays. I, too, blush with my friends be it for embarrassment or because someone has warmed up to me when they hadn’t before, or even many other types of things. My heart can jump or race for an array of emotions, not merely romantic ones. I like that you can see it in their faces this type of thing being portrayed. I don’t see it often anymore with newer manga unless it’s for a purpose of shipping. This simply feels warm and at times, exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2021
Izark is captured by the hair monster.
Noriko is separated from the others & helped by the spirit of the morning mist tree, Irktule. With help from Izark, Noriko & Irktule destroyed the evil living in the forest & freed the villager's souls'. Having used up all his energies Irktule fall into a deep slumber, leaving the villager's souls guide them out of the forest via Geena.
Just as they reached the border of Guzena, the evil possesses a rock bird & attacks Noriko & Izark. Noriko gets injured & Izark transforms into the sky demon after he saved Noriko's life. He fears Noriko's rejection. Instead Noriko expresses her love for him & begging him not to leave her again but fainting.
Izark returned to normal, carried Noriko back to the others, who have been looking for them.
Special side story: Gaya is telling Noriko & Geena how she met Izark.
Noriko is separated from the others & helped by the spirit of the morning mist tree, Irktule. With help from Izark, Noriko & Irktule destroyed the evil living in the forest & freed the villager's souls'. Having used up all his energies Irktule fall into a deep slumber, leaving the villager's souls guide them out of the forest via Geena.
Just as they reached the border of Guzena, the evil possesses a rock bird & attacks Noriko & Izark. Noriko gets injured & Izark transforms into the sky demon after he saved Noriko's life. He fears Noriko's rejection. Instead Noriko expresses her love for him & begging him not to leave her again but fainting.
Izark returned to normal, carried Noriko back to the others, who have been looking for them.
Special side story: Gaya is telling Noriko & Geena how she met Izark.
September 5, 2013
Ok, so this review of From Far Away is going to go from volume five to volume nine.
I have to say that this series gets a little better as the series keeps going into the later volumes. The villains appear, there are more fight scenes, and we get a little more character depth and development. At first, I was expecting something a little similar to the transition from volume one to two where it starts good but then gets a little boring at the end. Surprisingly, it doesn’t and it gets more interesting.
We get to see more of Izark and what his power is as the sky demon and there are instances where there’s more to Izark’s power than just being the sky demon.
Anyways, I won’t spend too much on the characters because I’ve already did a review on them in my previous reviews but I’ll have them anyways.
Noriko is still pretty likable. She's probably one of the most likable "damsels in distress" that I have ever seen. She's kind, shy, has a good heart, and does her best to help others when she can in order to make up for her being rescued all the time. And seeing how she is out of her normal environment, it makes sense for her to be rescued. I also like the fact that she's NOT STUPID. She doesn't make dumb choices that get her into trouble. She thinks things through and it usually comes up with good results. (I know I’ve mentioned this a BUNCH of times but I’ll keep repeating it. She's also clumsy at times but she still has this certain shine to her that just makes her so nice and everybody is just drawn to her and like her very much. Especially towards Izark where he is comforted and loved by her because he accepts him for who he is and even after she sees his powers she still wants to be with him but recognizes the burden he places on his shoulders and tries to help in any way she can. Like sometimes when she gets kidnapped, she will find a way to escape or keep herself out of danger. She’s not the bravest character but that’s okay. She’s still likable and I want to keep seeing her throughout the rest of the manga.
Izark is still wonderful and I love him just as much as I love Noriko. We get to see more of him as the series progresses but we get to see a side of him that we weren’t able to see until he grew closer to Noriko. He’s quiet, thoughtful, shy, calm, and very protective of Noriko. It does get annoying when he won’t let her go into town just to buy some supplies but then again, I don’t blame him. Almost everywhere they go, someone’s out to get them. So his protectiveness doesn’t bother me too much. He also seems to have this inner conflict with himself that appear in later volumes and I won't spoil anything but I will say that it makes him so interesting and incredibly wonderful to like.
The villains Lord Rachef and Keimos appear again and they don’t do much except for a few cliché things. Keimos fights Izark and Rachef has Noriko taken as bait for Izark to transform and that’s just boring. What’s even more boring about them is their motive. It’s just cliché and overused. They want Izark’s sky demon power to take control. Hmm . . . sound familiar?
The other side characters are interesting and I’ve mentioned them before but they are still likable and they don’t appear too often and because of certain events Izark and Noriko leave the group and go on their own as to not endanger anyone. Ok, seems reasonable but what are they going to do? Just wander around? Ok, but for how long and what’s the point? The villains ALWAYS find them and they end up fighting or running for their lives. So it doesn’t even matter.
There was also a moment where Gaya’s sister was talking about bringing fate into her own hands, which I thought was a really good conversation. But it still leaves one major concern that keeps this manga from being a five. What does the prophesy say that Noriko and Izark are going to do? Do they bring chaos or war or something? In the first volume it was a big deal but guess what it said? The prophesy said that they would bring uncertainty. Really? Even the prophesy doesn’t know what’s going on! Seriously, what the hell? Are they supposed to be good or evil? If the prophesy and seers don’t know then what’s the big deal?
And another thing, why does Geena see darkness around Izark and Noriko while Gaya’s sister saw light? Is it because of their great power that brings darkness but their love towards each other gives off light? If that’s the case, why does one see darkness while the other saw light? What’s going on?! Don’t leave me hanging please???????
Oh and apparently Anyway . . . . . .
Besides that those nitpicks and the villains, I don’t have any more problems with this manga series. In fact, I’m looking forward to completing this series.
I have to say that this series gets a little better as the series keeps going into the later volumes. The villains appear, there are more fight scenes, and we get a little more character depth and development. At first, I was expecting something a little similar to the transition from volume one to two where it starts good but then gets a little boring at the end. Surprisingly, it doesn’t and it gets more interesting.
We get to see more of Izark and what his power is as the sky demon and there are instances where there’s more to Izark’s power than just being the sky demon.
Anyways, I won’t spend too much on the characters because I’ve already did a review on them in my previous reviews but I’ll have them anyways.
Noriko is still pretty likable. She's probably one of the most likable "damsels in distress" that I have ever seen. She's kind, shy, has a good heart, and does her best to help others when she can in order to make up for her being rescued all the time. And seeing how she is out of her normal environment, it makes sense for her to be rescued. I also like the fact that she's NOT STUPID. She doesn't make dumb choices that get her into trouble. She thinks things through and it usually comes up with good results. (I know I’ve mentioned this a BUNCH of times but I’ll keep repeating it. She's also clumsy at times but she still has this certain shine to her that just makes her so nice and everybody is just drawn to her and like her very much. Especially towards Izark where he is comforted and loved by her because he accepts him for who he is and even after she sees his powers she still wants to be with him but recognizes the burden he places on his shoulders and tries to help in any way she can. Like sometimes when she gets kidnapped, she will find a way to escape or keep herself out of danger. She’s not the bravest character but that’s okay. She’s still likable and I want to keep seeing her throughout the rest of the manga.
Izark is still wonderful and I love him just as much as I love Noriko. We get to see more of him as the series progresses but we get to see a side of him that we weren’t able to see until he grew closer to Noriko. He’s quiet, thoughtful, shy, calm, and very protective of Noriko. It does get annoying when he won’t let her go into town just to buy some supplies but then again, I don’t blame him. Almost everywhere they go, someone’s out to get them. So his protectiveness doesn’t bother me too much. He also seems to have this inner conflict with himself that appear in later volumes and I won't spoil anything but I will say that it makes him so interesting and incredibly wonderful to like.
The villains Lord Rachef and Keimos appear again and they don’t do much except for a few cliché things. Keimos fights Izark and Rachef has Noriko taken as bait for Izark to transform and that’s just boring. What’s even more boring about them is their motive. It’s just cliché and overused. They want Izark’s sky demon power to take control. Hmm . . . sound familiar?
The other side characters are interesting and I’ve mentioned them before but they are still likable and they don’t appear too often and because of certain events Izark and Noriko leave the group and go on their own as to not endanger anyone. Ok, seems reasonable but what are they going to do? Just wander around? Ok, but for how long and what’s the point? The villains ALWAYS find them and they end up fighting or running for their lives. So it doesn’t even matter.
There was also a moment where Gaya’s sister was talking about bringing fate into her own hands, which I thought was a really good conversation. But it still leaves one major concern that keeps this manga from being a five. What does the prophesy say that Noriko and Izark are going to do? Do they bring chaos or war or something? In the first volume it was a big deal but guess what it said? The prophesy said that they would bring uncertainty. Really? Even the prophesy doesn’t know what’s going on! Seriously, what the hell? Are they supposed to be good or evil? If the prophesy and seers don’t know then what’s the big deal?
And another thing, why does Geena see darkness around Izark and Noriko while Gaya’s sister saw light? Is it because of their great power that brings darkness but their love towards each other gives off light? If that’s the case, why does one see darkness while the other saw light? What’s going on?! Don’t leave me hanging please???????
Oh and apparently Anyway . . . . . .
Besides that those nitpicks and the villains, I don’t have any more problems with this manga series. In fact, I’m looking forward to completing this series.
August 13, 2019
AH! Be still my heart! That is all. I'm going against the grain of a rambley review, but rest assured this volume did NOT disappoint. It lulled me into a slow burn that caught fire (lookin' at you, Izark and Noriko). I want whoever reads this to be just as surprised and delighted when THAT moment (and you'll know it when you see it) arrives.
April 25, 2020
It should not be so refreshing to find a manga heroine who isn't thick or annoying, but here we are. I love stories about enchanted woodlands, so this volume was a right treat. Noriko, Izark and their travelling companions get lost in a forest full of monsters and ghosts, and Izark has a rough time of it (again). That poor demon boy.
March 18, 2023
This is my favourite volume so far! We get to learn more about Izark and his past and how Noriko pertains to his destiny. Noriko's character comes more into focus and what abilities she has in the universe, we're still left in the dark however as to what she actually is or can do and why she turned up in this universe in the first place.
January 7, 2020
2020 Read #41
Just chiseling at this series one volume at a time. It’s not my favorite shojo fantasy, but parts of it remind me that it could have influenced series like Inuyasha and Yona of the Dawn. Media does not exist in a vacuum!
Just chiseling at this series one volume at a time. It’s not my favorite shojo fantasy, but parts of it remind me that it could have influenced series like Inuyasha and Yona of the Dawn. Media does not exist in a vacuum!
September 23, 2022
LOVE IZARK AND NORIKO SO MUCH. Literally stop it🥹😩 Their love is so subtle, but SO obvious and amazing I can’t. It is so obvious that he cares for her so much by the little things he does and how he always watches out for her. Jeez, when am I gonna have an Izark☺️😩🥹
July 10, 2024
Good, but digital copy is missing 6 pages
6 of the pages in the side story at the end are missing. Good thing I used to have the physical copy and read it many times before. They need to fix this glitch, though.
6 of the pages in the side story at the end are missing. Good thing I used to have the physical copy and read it many times before. They need to fix this glitch, though.
November 11, 2024
It keeps getting better and better. Action most of the time.
Evil darkness always around. Lots of sweet moments.
And now we know what's Izark been hiding and his past.
Aaaaannnd Noriko loves Izark.
Loveee this volume.
Evil darkness always around. Lots of sweet moments.
And now we know what's Izark been hiding and his past.
Aaaaannnd Noriko loves Izark.
Loveee this volume.
November 29, 2017
3.5/5 Stars
February 6, 2018
My, my!
August 19, 2018
Good.
June 14, 2021
MONSTER ROMANCEEE YEAHHHH
October 8, 2021
it's so good! they're so cute together
February 19, 2022
新キャラは登場したとたん興味失ったみたい。
何故か分からないが新キャラのバクストーリーは全然面白くない。一つはあのお母さん、母上より大人な娘はありえない過ぎ。それからあのしっかりした政府で働いているの男の人がそんな天パの女の人と結婚するのは信じがたい。
何故か分からないが新キャラのバクストーリーは全然面白くない。一つはあのお母さん、母上より大人な娘はありえない過ぎ。それからあのしっかりした政府で働いているの男の人がそんな天パの女の人と結婚するのは信じがたい。
September 18, 2022
3.5 stars.
May 30, 2023
best thing i ever read, i really love the side story as well
July 31, 2023
This volume had major Howls Moving Castle vibes!!! 😭😭😭🪶💕✨
September 17, 2023
Noriko suddenly going I love you when their relationship really hasn’t been developed like they’ve had cute moments but dang girl lol
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