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Mermaid Prince
Where do you belong? On the edge of death and danger, to feel life flowing through you? Can you find shelter in a space not meant for you? When new people move into your life, will there still be enough room left for you?
From the author of The Gods Lie and The Golden Sheep.
Mermaid Prince explores such complex themes in a series of short stories that highlight the beauty, wonder, pain, and loneliness that can come from feeling adrift in the world, as well as the joy that can accompany finding your own anchor amidst the seas of change.
A Prince Out of Water
Mugi is a big city kid struggling to adjust to life in Okinawa, where he moved with his sister and new brother-in-law. But to his only friend Matori, he’s a bona fide prince. Feeling out of place at home, Mugi runs away to Matori’s house and learns about legendary mermaids who will grant you one wish—if you can make it to them alive.
This moving new compilation by Kaori Ozaki (author of the gods lie. and The Golden Sheep) also features “Ametsukigahara,” a short story about a young girl trying to navigate the complicated emotions that come with growing apart from friends, and “One Snowy Day,” a tale of a librarian who encounters an unusual father and son seeking shelter from an unforgiving winter whiteout.
From the author of The Gods Lie and The Golden Sheep.
Mermaid Prince explores such complex themes in a series of short stories that highlight the beauty, wonder, pain, and loneliness that can come from feeling adrift in the world, as well as the joy that can accompany finding your own anchor amidst the seas of change.
A Prince Out of Water
Mugi is a big city kid struggling to adjust to life in Okinawa, where he moved with his sister and new brother-in-law. But to his only friend Matori, he’s a bona fide prince. Feeling out of place at home, Mugi runs away to Matori’s house and learns about legendary mermaids who will grant you one wish—if you can make it to them alive.
This moving new compilation by Kaori Ozaki (author of the gods lie. and The Golden Sheep) also features “Ametsukigahara,” a short story about a young girl trying to navigate the complicated emotions that come with growing apart from friends, and “One Snowy Day,” a tale of a librarian who encounters an unusual father and son seeking shelter from an unforgiving winter whiteout.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2015
11 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Kaori Ozaki
27 books171 followersKaori Ozaki (Japanese name: 尾崎かおり) is a professional comic artist and character designer. She made her debut in 1993 at the age of 15 for shojo publisher Shinshokan with the short series An Angel above the Piano. Her breakthrough work Immortal Rain earned her great acclaim globally as it was translated into a dozen languages and eventually published in the United States by Tokyopop. She worked on the eleven volume series for 12 years before switching publishers and switching genres with her first title from Kodansha's young adult magazine Afternoon, The Gods Lie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
August 30, 2024
kids these days…
August 23, 2024
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
3 Stars!
The cover and the title of this manga were the main reason why I found myself being very intrigued by it. The story itself was short, sweet, hopeful and interesting in general, but I was so confused by the short stories. In my opinion they didn’t have much to do with the stories, which started many pages later that I had no idea where everything was going. I also thought that this was going to be a part of several volumes. Turns out it was just a one story, with a happy ending, naturally.
The art style was very pretty too.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Mermaid Prince, despite it making me confused a lot of times, but I loved the ending of the story.
3 Stars!
The cover and the title of this manga were the main reason why I found myself being very intrigued by it. The story itself was short, sweet, hopeful and interesting in general, but I was so confused by the short stories. In my opinion they didn’t have much to do with the stories, which started many pages later that I had no idea where everything was going. I also thought that this was going to be a part of several volumes. Turns out it was just a one story, with a happy ending, naturally.
The art style was very pretty too.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Mermaid Prince, despite it making me confused a lot of times, but I loved the ending of the story.
October 31, 2025
not what i was expecting, as this was a short story collection, and so i’m a tad disappointed
November 17, 2019
Es bonito. Me ha gustado.
November 16, 2019
3,5. Este tomo único incluye 2 pequeñas historias, y una tercera, un poco más larga que da nombre al título del manga.
En Ametsukigahara vamos a encontrarnos con dos amigas, que se separan irremediablemente al enamorarse una de ellas.
Un día en la nieve, nos contará el día a día de una chica en una biblioteca.
Por último, el relato con más presencia, El príncipe del mar, nos hablará de Matori y Mugi, dos compañeros de clase que descubrirán que en la profundidad del mar, hay muchas más cosas de las que se imaginan.
Los tres relatos me han gustado bastante, pero el problema vuelve a ser el mismo de siempre. Son demasiado cortos. La segunda y la tercera historia, mis favoritas, merecían ser bastante más extensas y exploradas con mayor profundidad. Aún así, lo recomiendo.
En Ametsukigahara vamos a encontrarnos con dos amigas, que se separan irremediablemente al enamorarse una de ellas.
Un día en la nieve, nos contará el día a día de una chica en una biblioteca.
Por último, el relato con más presencia, El príncipe del mar, nos hablará de Matori y Mugi, dos compañeros de clase que descubrirán que en la profundidad del mar, hay muchas más cosas de las que se imaginan.
Los tres relatos me han gustado bastante, pero el problema vuelve a ser el mismo de siempre. Son demasiado cortos. La segunda y la tercera historia, mis favoritas, merecían ser bastante más extensas y exploradas con mayor profundidad. Aún así, lo recomiendo.
July 29, 2017
"El príncipe del mar" me ha parecido una historia muy chula. No le doy más valoración, porque el tomo, además de la historia principal, contiene dos historias cortitas que no me han dicho mucho: "Ametsukigahara" y "Un día de nieve".
September 7, 2024
My gratitude to ever-generous Kodansha Comics for providing me copy in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love with this entertaining compilation of short stories although I’ll admit I was taken aback reqding the first half of the first story thinking it’s a children book turning a dark point. Failed to notice the 16+ age rating. So, you know now: It contains few nudities and may be intimate at times but the art style is still decent.
Started off a little aggressive with a feisty character trying to find the meaning of her life, to a sprinkle of fantasy with a librarian who encountered a boar-turned-human father and child seeking shelter from the blizzard (lol, I was wanting a little more interaction with the father and the librarian l. I love that dynamics! It’s definitely giving Wolf Children parents—and we all know we needed a little more domesticity with that tragic love story as well!), ending the note with a cute friendship story albeit unrequited or so so. It’s perfect! But I need more.
I fell in love with this entertaining compilation of short stories although I’ll admit I was taken aback reqding the first half of the first story thinking it’s a children book turning a dark point. Failed to notice the 16+ age rating. So, you know now: It contains few nudities and may be intimate at times but the art style is still decent.
Started off a little aggressive with a feisty character trying to find the meaning of her life, to a sprinkle of fantasy with a librarian who encountered a boar-turned-human father and child seeking shelter from the blizzard (lol, I was wanting a little more interaction with the father and the librarian l. I love that dynamics! It’s definitely giving Wolf Children parents—and we all know we needed a little more domesticity with that tragic love story as well!), ending the note with a cute friendship story albeit unrequited or so so. It’s perfect! But I need more.
April 18, 2023
Drei Geschichten vom Erwachsenwerden, von neuen Freundschaften, erster Liebe und mutigen Zukunftsplänen. Und von Begegnungen... mit einer mystischen Meerjungfrau auf Okinawa, einem anrührenden Vater-Sohn-Gespann an einem nach Frühling duftenden Wintertag und einer freiheitliebenden jungen Frau, die ihren Weg abseits der Norm sucht.
July 19, 2016
Enamorada de esta autora y de sus historias. ¡¡Qué bonico todo!! <333
September 6, 2024
cute but i did not understand the first two stories
June 2, 2025
Honest response: WTF did I just read?
I had no idea what was going on for pretty much the whole book. But the art was decent and there were mermaids in it.
Favorite character: the characters all mostly blended together and I can’t say I really had a favorite. Maybe the librarian.
For some reason, this book reminded me of Umbrella Academy because of how random and unhinged it was.
I had no idea what was going on for pretty much the whole book. But the art was decent and there were mermaids in it.
Favorite character: the characters all mostly blended together and I can’t say I really had a favorite. Maybe the librarian.
For some reason, this book reminded me of Umbrella Academy because of how random and unhinged it was.
August 24, 2024
4 stars, but only because I love mermaids of all kinds.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics for the ARC of this beautiful manga.
The illustrations are fantastic and there are even some in colour that are even more impressive than the images without. I even like the cover.
'Mermaid Prince' by Kaori Ozaki is a beautiful manga about a girl named Matori and a boy named Mugi and their quest to find a mermaid. Mugi is from a big city when he moves to a small town and meets Matori at school.
I don't want to give too much away, but it really is a beautiful novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics for the ARC of this beautiful manga.
The illustrations are fantastic and there are even some in colour that are even more impressive than the images without. I even like the cover.
'Mermaid Prince' by Kaori Ozaki is a beautiful manga about a girl named Matori and a boy named Mugi and their quest to find a mermaid. Mugi is from a big city when he moves to a small town and meets Matori at school.
I don't want to give too much away, but it really is a beautiful novel.
September 17, 2024
Tres pequeñas historias contadas de manera muy conmovedora.
Quizás la primera es la que menos me ha gustado, pero recomiendo el tomo. Se lee de una sentada y te deja el corazón calentito, lleno de esperanza.
Quizás la primera es la que menos me ha gustado, pero recomiendo el tomo. Se lee de una sentada y te deja el corazón calentito, lleno de esperanza.
August 24, 2019
Der Zeichenstil ist solide und schlicht, das macht aber gerade das Besondere und Schöne an diesem Manga aus. Die Geschichten an sich sind alle drei recht speziell, aber sie fesseln und bleiben doch irgendwie im Kopf, weil sie anders sind. Dabei ist die Geschichte vom "Mermaid Prince" aber trotzdem meine liebste in diesem Manga, einfach wegen dem "emotional clime act". Doch auch "Snowy day" ist wirklich süß gemacht. Die erste, die heißt "Ametsukigahara" - schwerer Name 🤭 - war etwas komisch, wie ich finde, weil sie von einem Mädchen erzählt, das ihren Platz in der Welt nicht findet, und was diesem so passiert und was sie durchmacht, ist auf eigenartige Weise sehr kurz dargestellt, sodass ich persönlich es beim ersten Mal lesen nicht ganz nachvollziehen konnte. Vielleicht kann ich es beim zweiten Mal? ☺️
September 27, 2021
I liked the artstyle, but the stories were not that interesting. Except for the last one. Would have potential if adapted to a mini series or movie.
September 28, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Vertical Comics, and Kaori Ozaki for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
Mermaid Prince is a collection of three stories. The first is about a boy named Mugi who recently moved to Okinawa to live with his sister. He has a fascination with mermaids, loving to paint them in school. However, he often gets bullied by the other boys at school and they ruin his paintings. Madori is his only friend, more emotional than Mugi - to the point of crying for him when his painting get ruined. Mugi desperately wants to swim and see mermaids but can't due to his health. However, Madori still views Mugi as her own mermaid prince.
This was my favorite of all of them and the longest of the three. Mugi is very emotional in his own way and has a lot of feelings about himself because of grief, often punishing himself when he doesn't do anything wrong. As someone who also has a fascination with mermaids/sirens and was in a similar place as Mugi as a teen, I really related to him. I also adored how the mermaids were drawn in this manga!
“One Snowy Day,” a tale of a librarian who encounters an unusual father and son seeking shelter from an unforgiving winter whiteout.
The shortest of the three stories. It was alright but nothing to really speak much about. If there was more chapters for the story, I think it would of been a great short story! But sadly, it was much too short for any development to even happen.
The last story is called Ametsukigahara . It follows a girl named Akari. Akari cares about nothing in this world other than her friend Fumika, who is afraid of boys. However, Fumika ends up getting a boyfriend and Akari gets more jaded about the world than before because she lost the only thing she cared about.
This was also not as strong as the first story but much stronger than the second. Akari does some things that are really messed up but you can tell its because of trauma. Doesn't excuse her actions but it does explain them. She is a very morally gray character which is interesting to read a short story about. And her ending of finally finding what she wants to do with her life is very nice. She finally learned to live for herself, and not for another person. She learned to care about the world she is in.
Mermaid Prince is a collection of three stories. The first is about a boy named Mugi who recently moved to Okinawa to live with his sister. He has a fascination with mermaids, loving to paint them in school. However, he often gets bullied by the other boys at school and they ruin his paintings. Madori is his only friend, more emotional than Mugi - to the point of crying for him when his painting get ruined. Mugi desperately wants to swim and see mermaids but can't due to his health. However, Madori still views Mugi as her own mermaid prince.
This was my favorite of all of them and the longest of the three. Mugi is very emotional in his own way and has a lot of feelings about himself because of grief, often punishing himself when he doesn't do anything wrong. As someone who also has a fascination with mermaids/sirens and was in a similar place as Mugi as a teen, I really related to him. I also adored how the mermaids were drawn in this manga!
“One Snowy Day,” a tale of a librarian who encounters an unusual father and son seeking shelter from an unforgiving winter whiteout.
The shortest of the three stories. It was alright but nothing to really speak much about. If there was more chapters for the story, I think it would of been a great short story! But sadly, it was much too short for any development to even happen.
The last story is called Ametsukigahara . It follows a girl named Akari. Akari cares about nothing in this world other than her friend Fumika, who is afraid of boys. However, Fumika ends up getting a boyfriend and Akari gets more jaded about the world than before because she lost the only thing she cared about.
This was also not as strong as the first story but much stronger than the second. Akari does some things that are really messed up but you can tell its because of trauma. Doesn't excuse her actions but it does explain them. She is a very morally gray character which is interesting to read a short story about. And her ending of finally finding what she wants to do with her life is very nice. She finally learned to live for herself, and not for another person. She learned to care about the world she is in.
May 4, 2025
Momenti iz Ametsukigahare (prve priče) su verovatno jedino po čemu ću pamtiti ovu mangu. Talentovana devojka nesvakidašnjeg temperamenta u snažno tradicionalnom društvu — sama po sebi zanimljiva premisa. Dodaj temu udaljavanja prijateljica, pa još i Wolf Children-inspirisano bonus poglavlje (ha?) i dobiješ nešto neobično. Volim kad priča zaluta u nasumično, nepredvidivo.
Ali iskreno, priče su nepovezane i to delimično objašnjava zašto nisam uspela da razvijem simpatiju prema zbirci kao celini. Materijala za “žvakanje” ima malo — sve više liči na skicu nego na gotovu sliku.
Zanimljivo za prelistavanje, ali ne nešto čemu ću se vraćati.
Ali iskreno, priče su nepovezane i to delimično objašnjava zašto nisam uspela da razvijem simpatiju prema zbirci kao celini. Materijala za “žvakanje” ima malo — sve više liči na skicu nego na gotovu sliku.
Zanimljivo za prelistavanje, ali ne nešto čemu ću se vraćati.
September 14, 2021
tres historias donde podemos apreciar el estilo japonés en su máxima expresión. Algo de magia, algo de misterio y finales que dejan mucho a la imaginación (finales abiertos).
Le doy tres estrellas porque los finales abiertos siempre me dejan una sensación de vacío. ¿Qué les cuesta a los autores regalarlos un "10 años después" en todos y cada uno de los libros existentes? Nada, solo lo hacen para hacernos sufrir (jajaja).
Le doy tres estrellas porque los finales abiertos siempre me dejan una sensación de vacío. ¿Qué les cuesta a los autores regalarlos un "10 años después" en todos y cada uno de los libros existentes? Nada, solo lo hacen para hacernos sufrir (jajaja).
February 8, 2018
Los dos one-shot que preceden a la historia, no tienen ninguna relación con esta.
Ametsukigahara me ha parecido normalita, y no me ha convencido mucho.
Un día de nieve me ha gustado más, aunque tiene un punto triste que vaya.
El príncipe del mar si que me ha gustado, es una historia tierna, aunque creo que unas cuantas paginas mas, para explicar un par de cosas no hubiera estado nada mal.
Ametsukigahara me ha parecido normalita, y no me ha convencido mucho.
Un día de nieve me ha gustado más, aunque tiene un punto triste que vaya.
El príncipe del mar si que me ha gustado, es una historia tierna, aunque creo que unas cuantas paginas mas, para explicar un par de cosas no hubiera estado nada mal.
August 31, 2022
Primera historia: Ametsukigahara
Segunda historia: Un día de nieve
Tercera historia: El príncipe del mar
Las primeras dos historias me parecieron bastante malas. De hecho, las leí hace unos días y ya no me acuerdo muy bien de lo que pasa.
Sin embargo, la tercera historia gira entorno a las leyendas de las sirenas y me pareció mucho más entretenida y amena.
Segunda historia: Un día de nieve
Tercera historia: El príncipe del mar
Las primeras dos historias me parecieron bastante malas. De hecho, las leí hace unos días y ya no me acuerdo muy bien de lo que pasa.
Sin embargo, la tercera historia gira entorno a las leyendas de las sirenas y me pareció mucho más entretenida y amena.
June 8, 2022
non ho esattamente capito la prima storia, quella della ragazza che non voleva legarsi a nessuno, ma è stato comunque un bellissimo manga. mi è piaciuto veramente tanto e soprattutto la storia principale (che sarebbe la seconda, quella di matori e mugi) è stata bellissima. corta ma stupenda, grandiosa e poetica. mi è piaciuta davvero tanto. racchiudeva tante metafore, credo soggettive, ma in ogni caso sarebbe bello sapere se sono condivise :)
September 12, 2022
Contiene 3 historias dos más cortas que me hicieron pensar si las había entendido y la ultima que es la que da título al tomo la más larga aun asi me falto algo aunque la recomiendo
October 15, 2025
Drei sehr süße und emotionale Kurzgeschichten. Haben mich gut unterhalten.
December 7, 2025
Ich han absolut nix vrstandä
December 7, 2025
ig checke was der Manga ungefähr wott vermittle, abr isch glich weird gsi
February 9, 2020
Véritable coup de coeur pour ses 3 petites histoires (en particulier la deuxième), j’aurais toutefois voulu que ce soit plus développé. J’ai été vraiment émue par ses histoires.
June 4, 2025
This book was a trip. A good one….mmm maybe? The first two short stories were an interesting experience with both of them being almost a picture into lives of ordinary people which was pleasantish. The main story of Mermaid Prince did not go the way I thought it would. I thought it would an aquatic love story with the main character falling in love with a mermaid. That did not happen and that’s okay. The resulting story was filled with real emotions and pretty ocean which made me happy.
March 7, 2020
Kaori Ozaki art is to die for.
This volume consists of three short stories, two of them with a magical touch. All of the stories have good pacing and lots of heart. I love the way Kaori Ozaki writes teens.
If you want a quick yet layered read, I recommend this little volume.
This volume consists of three short stories, two of them with a magical touch. All of the stories have good pacing and lots of heart. I love the way Kaori Ozaki writes teens.
If you want a quick yet layered read, I recommend this little volume.
April 27, 2022
Il volume contiene tre mini storie che si leggono in pochissimo tempo ma che richiedono qualche momento per essere davvero assimilati, lasciando un retrogusto piuttosto dolceamaro.⠀
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La prima storia è “Ametsukigahara”, in cui la protagonista, Akari, mi ha colta alla sprovvista lasciandomi riflettere su quanto, a volte, crescere e soddisfare quelle che sono le aspettative della società è sinceramente sfiancante⠀
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La seconda, “Giorno di neve”, è la dolce storia di una bibliotecaria alle prese con due senzatetto che mi ha ricordato che a volte le apparenze ingannano e mi ha intenerita oltremodo.⠀
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L’ultima è “Mermaid Prince”, che da nome all’opera e narra di Mugi, che si è appena trasferito da Tokyo, e Matori, esuberante ragazzina che ritiene l’amico il suo principe azzurro dopo che l’ha consolata in un momento difficile. I due scopriranno della favola della sirena in grado di esaurire qualsiasi desiderio…⠀
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Questo volume unico è davvero troppo breve, tanto che la prima storia mi è sembrata un po’ chiusa in fretta e la seconda come se avesse altro da raccontare; avrei desiderato tantissime altre tavole di Kaori Ozaki, che ho trovato esser semplici e delicate ma ben intrise di emozioni. Mi sento di consigliare “Mermaid Prince” a tutti coloro che cercano delle storie brevi ma piacevoli, non ve ne pentirete. ⠀
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La prima storia è “Ametsukigahara”, in cui la protagonista, Akari, mi ha colta alla sprovvista lasciandomi riflettere su quanto, a volte, crescere e soddisfare quelle che sono le aspettative della società è sinceramente sfiancante⠀
⠀
La seconda, “Giorno di neve”, è la dolce storia di una bibliotecaria alle prese con due senzatetto che mi ha ricordato che a volte le apparenze ingannano e mi ha intenerita oltremodo.⠀
⠀
L’ultima è “Mermaid Prince”, che da nome all’opera e narra di Mugi, che si è appena trasferito da Tokyo, e Matori, esuberante ragazzina che ritiene l’amico il suo principe azzurro dopo che l’ha consolata in un momento difficile. I due scopriranno della favola della sirena in grado di esaurire qualsiasi desiderio…⠀
⠀
Questo volume unico è davvero troppo breve, tanto che la prima storia mi è sembrata un po’ chiusa in fretta e la seconda come se avesse altro da raccontare; avrei desiderato tantissime altre tavole di Kaori Ozaki, che ho trovato esser semplici e delicate ma ben intrise di emozioni. Mi sento di consigliare “Mermaid Prince” a tutti coloro che cercano delle storie brevi ma piacevoli, non ve ne pentirete. ⠀
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