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ブナの森のアリア #2
Aria of the Beech Forest, Vol. 2
With the help of her newfound friends, Aria’s horizons are now expanding day by day! From attending a house party to getting lost in the supermarket, Aria has a life full of fresh and exciting (and maybe slightly daunting!) experiences. But will it all prove to be too much when a mysterious visitor comes bearing an offer that could turn her world on its head…?!
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 28, 2025
3.5 Stars
I'm still really enjoying this series and it's very cute. I'm also so intrigued by Gwyn and what's going on there. I did feel like this was a little bit of a filler. But I liked it nonetheless.
I'm still really enjoying this series and it's very cute. I'm also so intrigued by Gwyn and what's going on there. I did feel like this was a little bit of a filler. But I liked it nonetheless.
November 21, 2024
Another very sweet volume!! (Though I didn't appreciate that HUGE cliffhanger of an ending! LOL!)
I really thrived seeing Aria grow and learn more about the modern world! It was fun and refreshing to see her slowly learn and see all the technology she'd never used, only to think it was because magic helped make it work (like the oven for example). On the flip side, I loved how Alvin was teaching her about how things work and being patient with her. It's very sweet. <3
Speaking of sweet, Colleen really shined this volume! I LOVED her sincerity and how much she cares for Aria and their friendship. She is the perfect first friend to have and loved seeing moments of them together! I especially appreciated how kind Colleen and Alvin's mother is to Aria and embracing her with open arms.
One thing that really struck me about this volume is being content in your circumstances. Maybe that sounds weird to say given that there is someone trying to convince Aria to leave for London, but I think it's obvious that Aria is happy where she is and where she lives. Does she want friends? Yes, and she now HAS friends, so she doesn't have to move to a "fancy place" just so she could be happy. I'm a little unsure if Aria is afraid to leave or if she is sternly putting her foot down because she's happy in her home, but I can honestly say I'll be sad if she ends up moving to London in the end. I think Aria has such a beautiful lifestyle and can only hope that those around her will embrace just as much as she has.
Sad to know the next volume is the final volume, but will eagerly be looking forward to it nonetheless!
I really thrived seeing Aria grow and learn more about the modern world! It was fun and refreshing to see her slowly learn and see all the technology she'd never used, only to think it was because magic helped make it work (like the oven for example). On the flip side, I loved how Alvin was teaching her about how things work and being patient with her. It's very sweet. <3
Speaking of sweet, Colleen really shined this volume! I LOVED her sincerity and how much she cares for Aria and their friendship. She is the perfect first friend to have and loved seeing moments of them together! I especially appreciated how kind Colleen and Alvin's mother is to Aria and embracing her with open arms.
One thing that really struck me about this volume is being content in your circumstances. Maybe that sounds weird to say given that there is someone trying to convince Aria to leave for London, but I think it's obvious that Aria is happy where she is and where she lives. Does she want friends? Yes, and she now HAS friends, so she doesn't have to move to a "fancy place" just so she could be happy. I'm a little unsure if Aria is afraid to leave or if she is sternly putting her foot down because she's happy in her home, but I can honestly say I'll be sad if she ends up moving to London in the end. I think Aria has such a beautiful lifestyle and can only hope that those around her will embrace just as much as she has.
Sad to know the next volume is the final volume, but will eagerly be looking forward to it nonetheless!
May 30, 2025
Cozy fantasy in a world of manga! I wish it was longer series 💔
December 1, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
I’d say that this volume pretty much stays the course of the previous one, mixing real world history with some magic and seeding some more mystery down the road. All bundled up in Aria’s cozy life and her friendships with the modern world.
Sheltered barely begins to describe Aria’s own world, as we learned last time that she is essentially existing outside of time in a forest that everybody else left behind. Not surprisingly, such a peaceful existence cannot last and the equilibrium is sent flying a couple times.
And as happy as Aria is, she doesn’t know how to use any magic and is still very awkward with people. If she didn’t have Gwyn she’d be very alone and he realizes that, even if she refuses to acknowledge it. That will come to put them at odds by the time the volume is over.
Amidst that we get the usual light comedy and slice of life stuff, mingled with Aria’s extended culture shock as she learns about planes and automobiles (trains next time, presumably). The recipes continue, but they don’t actually have any measurements so I consider them of dubious value. The cultural integration is otherwise well done.
Poor Aria doesn’t have a goal or anything she wants, other than the one thing she can’t have, which is for everything to stay the same. It’s a struggle that informs her decisions, including turning down a very good offer that just doesn’t mesh with her desires. It’s good conflict and shows how little she’ll let anything in that might change her own perspective.
If you liked the first volume, yes, it’s pretty much still that story. It’s mostly light stuff, the consequences of that peeler got a good laugh out of me, with a bit more emotion running underneath it than you might expect.
I’d say that this volume pretty much stays the course of the previous one, mixing real world history with some magic and seeding some more mystery down the road. All bundled up in Aria’s cozy life and her friendships with the modern world.
Sheltered barely begins to describe Aria’s own world, as we learned last time that she is essentially existing outside of time in a forest that everybody else left behind. Not surprisingly, such a peaceful existence cannot last and the equilibrium is sent flying a couple times.
And as happy as Aria is, she doesn’t know how to use any magic and is still very awkward with people. If she didn’t have Gwyn she’d be very alone and he realizes that, even if she refuses to acknowledge it. That will come to put them at odds by the time the volume is over.
Amidst that we get the usual light comedy and slice of life stuff, mingled with Aria’s extended culture shock as she learns about planes and automobiles (trains next time, presumably). The recipes continue, but they don’t actually have any measurements so I consider them of dubious value. The cultural integration is otherwise well done.
Poor Aria doesn’t have a goal or anything she wants, other than the one thing she can’t have, which is for everything to stay the same. It’s a struggle that informs her decisions, including turning down a very good offer that just doesn’t mesh with her desires. It’s good conflict and shows how little she’ll let anything in that might change her own perspective.
If you liked the first volume, yes, it’s pretty much still that story. It’s mostly light stuff, the consequences of that peeler got a good laugh out of me, with a bit more emotion running underneath it than you might expect.
December 24, 2024
Such an adorable, cozy, cottagecore manga. The English version of Volume 3 won’t be out for months, so I’ll read the Japanese version (it even has furigana). I hope this series continues for a long time!
January 20, 2026
so cute!
July 28, 2025
This is a librarian review. I try to leave notes on books I’m considering for a middle school library for others in the school library profession because manga is hardly ever professionally reviewed for us to properly vet before buying. I mainly just look for troublesome issues for younger ages, such as sexual content, language, or extreme violence.
Language:
The book is rated for teens with a warning for language. The language in the previous volume was more mild than this one. Unfortunately, "bitches" comes into play during one scene when a character shows another a video of a rockstar shouting to her concert attendees. "Bloody" is also used as a British curse, though I don't really see any issue with that one personally.
Sexual Content:
This manga is mostly clean. There was a sort of sexual joke in this one, in which the boy character accidentally walks in on Aria while she's mending her shirt. She's wearing an undergarment, so nothing is shown and she's bare-chested anyway, but it's played for the somewhat 'undressed' embarrassment. And during one scene when a character is outside of Aria's door, she hears the wolf talking to aria about how great she was and how much he appreciated her, and the character seemed to think some major "heated" love confession or something else was taking place behind the door and gets really flustered while listening in.
Substances:
An adult character is shown smoking a cigarette for perhaps aesthetic. Not great.
There's one more volume in this series, and I'll review it when able. I'm a little more disappointed in this one, but at least there weren't too major of issues.
Language:
The book is rated for teens with a warning for language. The language in the previous volume was more mild than this one. Unfortunately, "bitches" comes into play during one scene when a character shows another a video of a rockstar shouting to her concert attendees. "Bloody" is also used as a British curse, though I don't really see any issue with that one personally.
Sexual Content:
This manga is mostly clean. There was a sort of sexual joke in this one, in which the boy character accidentally walks in on Aria while she's mending her shirt. She's wearing an undergarment, so nothing is shown and she's bare-chested anyway, but it's played for the somewhat 'undressed' embarrassment. And during one scene when a character is outside of Aria's door, she hears the wolf talking to aria about how great she was and how much he appreciated her, and the character seemed to think some major "heated" love confession or something else was taking place behind the door and gets really flustered while listening in.
Substances:
An adult character is shown smoking a cigarette for perhaps aesthetic. Not great.
There's one more volume in this series, and I'll review it when able. I'm a little more disappointed in this one, but at least there weren't too major of issues.
March 4, 2026
Aria is invited over to Colleen and Alvin’s house for a party. It exposes how much she doesn’t know about the outside world. And then there’s the arrival of a magical woman offering to take Aria somewhere else to be trained. And then something happens to Gwyn.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this one. It seems like Aria needs someone to teach her about the outside world, about magic, and look out for her as she grows up, but the way the book presented those offers from others…they all felt like threats. There’s also just some awkward interactions with others in this one that were a little uncomfortable, and it wasn’t the feel good, cozy read the first one was. I have book 3 to read and will see if some of the awkwardness is resolved in that one.
Notes on content:
Language: 1 moderate swear
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: The humans are Irish.
LGBTQ+ content: At one point Colleen says Aria should marry into their family and when Alvin looks uncomfortable she offers to marry her instead. (It seemed more like something a little girl determined on getting what she wants would say rather than a declaration of her gender identity of anything. But it is one of the awkward parts of the story based on others’ reactions.)
Other: Aria is a tween living alone with just a magical wolf for a guardian.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this one. It seems like Aria needs someone to teach her about the outside world, about magic, and look out for her as she grows up, but the way the book presented those offers from others…they all felt like threats. There’s also just some awkward interactions with others in this one that were a little uncomfortable, and it wasn’t the feel good, cozy read the first one was. I have book 3 to read and will see if some of the awkwardness is resolved in that one.
Notes on content:
Language: 1 moderate swear
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: The humans are Irish.
LGBTQ+ content: At one point Colleen says Aria should marry into their family and when Alvin looks uncomfortable she offers to marry her instead. (It seemed more like something a little girl determined on getting what she wants would say rather than a declaration of her gender identity of anything. But it is one of the awkward parts of the story based on others’ reactions.)
Other: Aria is a tween living alone with just a magical wolf for a guardian.
April 4, 2025
This was such a heartwarming sequel!
Aria is still figuring herself out, but we really see her come into her curiosity here. She’s stepping out of her comfort zone, forming deeper connections, and honestly? The found family vibes are so heartwarming. Her friendships feel more solid, and I loved seeing her grow in confidence.
And Gwyn? The sass levels are off the charts. Their dynamic is everything I want in a person / animal duo. Sharp, hilarious, but with so much unspoken care. Of course, not everything is sunshine and magic. Firstly, THAT TWIST at the end. And then there’s someone who claims they want to help Aria, but something about it feels… off.
Overall, this had all the heart, wit, and intrigue I hoped for. Already excited for the next volume! 4 Stars.
Aria is still figuring herself out, but we really see her come into her curiosity here. She’s stepping out of her comfort zone, forming deeper connections, and honestly? The found family vibes are so heartwarming. Her friendships feel more solid, and I loved seeing her grow in confidence.
And Gwyn? The sass levels are off the charts. Their dynamic is everything I want in a person / animal duo. Sharp, hilarious, but with so much unspoken care. Of course, not everything is sunshine and magic. Firstly, THAT TWIST at the end. And then there’s someone who claims they want to help Aria, but something about it feels… off.
Overall, this had all the heart, wit, and intrigue I hoped for. Already excited for the next volume! 4 Stars.
February 18, 2026
Volume 2 follows Aria more as she learns to deal with people and be exposed to things that she has been sheltered from her whole life. I do like the character progression as we see Aria step more and more out of her comfort zone to do things she normally wouldn't do. There is also a hint at her being able to do some kind of magic as she came across a car with some slight damage to it, and in the next panel that damage is gone. How did she do that we wonder. We also see Aria spend more time with her friends Colleen and her brother, and they even go to the grocery store with their mom. The mom is a very good person who wants to be there for her daughter, and spends time with all the kids in the story. 10/10 mom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
Many new 'firsts' for Aria here. I really enjoyed her first visit to a supermarket, so cute. And all the food she makes looks so good aah. Can't believe there's only one volume of her little adventures left.
July 2, 2025
an adorable cooking witch girl manga 🤩 can’t wait to read more in the series! Loved the recipes listed & focus on food, the adorableness of the characters, and how aria is content with what she has and mesmerized by the world around her.
November 30, 2024
Soooo cute!! 🥰 they even put in recipes! Arias meeting new people and going on new adventures, what will she do next?
January 9, 2025
cute, slice of life ish, decent emotional through line. This was 2 stars just okay for me, but I totally see the charm.
January 13, 2025
I love this story so much. It’s so cozy and cute, but it’s also nice to see the story moving ahead in this volume. Aria’s coming of age is so precious.
January 17, 2025
Love the story in this and will continue to read this. Only my second ever manga to read but so adorable aria and the way she is navigating socializing.
February 1, 2025
Continues to be cute! I think the next volume is the final one, so I’m anxious to see if it ends well.
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April 1, 2025Okay, I tried...don't care.
June 26, 2025
love how the story is developing and the new elements introduced.
August 10, 2025
Aria and Gwyn are adorable together.
August 27, 2025
UGH THE ENDING OMG?! I KNEW HE WAS HUMAN AHAHHA YES I NEED THE THIRD NOW UGH THEY ARE ALL SO CUTE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
So cozy and sweet.
October 2, 2025
This series is so cute omg. And it’s perfect for this time of year. The art is so cute and I love all of the pictures and expressions of Gwyn. I’m sad there’s only one more but excited to read it. :)
October 3, 2025
so cute and i LOVE IT!! also what is up with gwyn
October 6, 2025
the friendships are adorable, and the cooking/food is growing to be my favorite part of this series! 🥘
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews