The Demon Prince of Momochi House: Succession, Vol. 1

百千さん家のあやかし王子‐継‐ [Momochi-san Chi no Ayakashi Ouji: Tsugu] #1

by Aya Shouoto

As before, shikigami and yokai cluster to Aoi’s side. Things are lively at Himari’s newly purchased "Momochi House," and mysterious beings from the spiritual realm have already found their way there!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Graphic Novels

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2024

About the author

Aya Shōoto is a Japanese mangaka.

She publishes under two names in Japanese, that spell the same but are written with different characters.
- 硝音あや: for shōjo manga
- しょうおとあや: for BL manga

Associated Names:
Aya Shōoto
Aya Showoto
Kashi

Reviews

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a spin-off to a 16-volume series I haven’t read, and there’s no attempt to bring new readers up to speed, so I was lost the whole time. It wasn’t solely due to not having read the original though. The narrative was full of flashbacks (I presume) that kept confusing me.

The characters of the original now live fully human life and Aoi, a former yokai, is trying to track his family history so that he and Himari can marry. But all sort of supernatural creatures get in the way. Nothing gets solved by the end of the volume.

This probably works better for the fans of the original. It’s not very romantic, if the readers want that between the main characters; it more seems like Hinari is still a child even though she’s supposedly older than Aoi. Other characters of the original make an appearances too.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh I’ve missed these characters so much!!!

[Kaitlynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this. I'm curious (and also a little scared) about what's going to happen next. Something big and traumatic probably.

The artwork is as beautiful as I remember it being, and it's serious but has random bits of humor thrown in that I appreciate.

Can't wait for volume 2!

Thank you to VIZ Media for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was ecstatic when I saw this title show up when planning comic pulls. Oh Nue Sama! (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠).⁠｡⁠*♥♡

However. I was tempted to give this volume 4 stars. The art is gorgeous. That hasn't changed. But this reads like a volume 1 that hasn't found the story's flow or rhythm. It's scattered and repetitive in a few places. Ex: the marriage thing. Himari's boss makes a big deal of things, so they change the situation and it's not brought up again, like, ever - not oooo we're married or not or whatever. It's like that chapter is a one off. And, we meet the couple in the hospital and jump to a different part of the story and then see the same panels of the couple in the hospital later in the book - like word for word - before the story continues again. And, the opening chapter confused the heck out of me and I was (am) a die hard fan of the original series, and then Aoi doesn't go back to that job. Which means, the first chapter has very little to do with the rest of the book. I know what the point was, but that point would've been better made after we knew what Aoi was trying to figure out instead of at the very beginning of an unexpected sequel.

I know it'll find its way. Vampire Knight Memories had similar issues when it first started, too, and then settled itself.

I think it would've been better to use the first chapter as a refresher on what happened and where things stand. We're told there are age differences, but never given ages. I'll probably reread the last few books in the original to reaffirm how it ended and revisit this. Volume 2 is slated for January.

For anyone confused - Aoi is a human boy here and he was a human boy before, but after he stumbled into the original Momochi house, he could never leave, but he could change into a powerful Ayakashi called the Nue (or just Nue), aka the Omamori Sama, and his main rival was a powerful demon/Ayakashi named Kasha. Nue protected the gate between worlds because Momochi House sat right on the border. He lived there alone with his two Shikigami (that we see in this book), until one day Himari, having just unexpectedly inherited the house, shows up and refuses to leave, and eventually sets out to find a way to free Aoi. Thus, the story proceeds from there and ends and now we are here. It's a very good series. Highly recommended.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

In this new collection, following the events of the long running original series, Himari and Aoi now live together and continue to care for the spirits (good or evil) who wonder in through the house's gate to the other realm.

This mostly concerns life now that Aoi has been freed of his curse and both have to consider the ramifications of being seen as living together. Himari ponders marriage but worries about both their young ages and the challenges they have while taking care of the house.

Many of the side characters return here and fortunately Aoi can still communicate with his yokai friends. I am not sure if this is a short series or starting something completely new and long running. But fans of the original will be happy to see a return to Momochi House. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m pretty leery of sequel series—but I actually liked this?

This first volume features a lot of familiar faces—but plenty of new problems.

After the events of the first series, Aoi and Himari are trying to live as normal a life as possible. But, ayakashi are still drawn to Aoi and he still provides assistance when spirits stir up trouble. Recent spirit activity makes Aoi fear that his old nemesis Kasha may find his way back to the mortal realm…

In some ways, this volume feels a little haphazard—we go back and forth for a while before settling into the plot. But, all that meandering does manage to capture a good handful of issues for this story to work through.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading more? At least, I want to give this series a couple more volumes to find its momentum~

[Kait W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize that this was a sequel series, so my initial thoughts were that I was very confused and having a hard time following along, but now I realize I'm missing 16 volumes worth of context. I really enjoyed the artwork and what appeared to be very careful worldbuilding in this volume. The characters were also intriguing and I was curious about their lives and history. This is definitely not a series you should read separately of the original, but it intrigued me enough I'm thinking of trying to read it from the beginning.

[Jack Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

We'll see where this sequel series goes as I'm definitely interested in reading more of it. I can see Shouoto's growth as an artist and appreciate the ties back to events in the main series (the Human Faced Stone from volume 5). Aoi's continued interest in how his life has shifted since the curse has been lifted builds on the discussion from when he was trapped in Momochi House. I do think the point raised by Susanna of Himari acting younger is valid. There's also a sense of lullness that I hope fades because it does feel like Shouoto came back to this with fresh eyes and not because this is her most popular series.

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANK YOU, NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC!!

I cannot explain the shock and joy that went through me and saw that my favorite Manga had a new arc. To see Aoi and Himari and the gang back together filled me with such happiness. Also...dread because Aya Shouto has a way with ripping my heart out and mending it with bandaid stickers. I am excited for the next volumes in the series.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an pretty good first volume. It has a few issues being a little bit stop and start in places but I think it will find it's rhythm with the next few volumes. I'm interested to see where everything goes. I will definitely be reading more volumes!

[Marveen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a beautiful book. I got it for my daughter who loves manga. I confess that I couldn't really get into it but appreciate what the author was trying to communicate