Ghost and Witch Vol. 1

ゴーストアンドウィッチ [Ghost & Witch] #1

by Kore Yamazaki

From the brilliant mind behind The Ancient Magus’ Bride comes a brand-new fantastical tale about a girl and the being possessing her as they travel around the vast country of Ireland.

Haunted by a monstrous presence that clings to her soul, a girl named Saku flees Japan and journeys across the sea to Ireland. There, she encounters a silver-haired witch who may offer her refuge. But the witch’s salvation comes at a price—and as Saku begins to face the power she’s long feared, her path shifts from escape… to transformation.

This is the tale of a girl in flight...and the beginning of her journey to become a god.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Magic, Comics Manga

188 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2024

About the author

Name (in native language) : ヤマザキコレ

Born in Hokkaido. Also known as Yamao Mitsu.

Reviews

[Kerowyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

C'est très brouillon. Probablement à cause de problèmes de traductions. On a des absurdités parfois, comme la fille d'un irlandais qui a immigré aux usa, qui dit "je ne suis pas fille d'immigrés " bah si clairement, tu viens de le dire !
Et puis des jeux d'évitement mal géré pour ne pas dire clairement un truc.
C'est dommage parce que utiliser le folklore irlandais aurait été sympas. Mais c'est pas vraiment recherché si ? La gamine tombe sur une maison au toit de chaume, typiquement japonaise... bah non typiquement irlandais chérie. Et puis dans cette campagne reculée c'est bizarre même qu'elle en ait pas vu avant !
La représentation du petit peuple... qui a été traduit en "bonnes gens" (laissant supposé qu'on ne parle que de fée...)
Bref. C'est dur de suivre. Il y manque sérieusement de réponses. Je suis pas super emballée par ce 1er tome.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

interested in this story but very confused

[J MaK · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.4) Despite the confusion, this was a pretty good read about a haunting presence and the search for one’s roots. Witches, fae, gods, and otherworldly beings all converging at once made the story feel overcrowded, while the uneven pacing often left me feeling like something was missing. The cover artwork is amazing, but I don’t think I’m invested enough to finish the series.

[Liza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Conceptually I do like it, however it feels like a rehash of Ancient Magus Bride as well. How many people are going to come over from Japan to the UK. The characters are also not as fun as Ancient Magus, the only one I kinda like is Sullivan.

[SummerRae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art was beautiful. It just didn't draw me in. Story felt a little flat for me at least.

[Anna (Ink of Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

she doesn't need to understand but the reader absolutely does. this was so so so confusing I don't know what's happening and the art style only adds to it unfortunately:/

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this story!

I really liked the art in this. I think the setting being in Ireland was also very unique for a manga. I also really enjoyed the folk lore in this. I did see other reviews saying it's set in the same world as ancient Magnus bride which I haven't read but immediately added to be TBR after this.

I think especially for this being a first volume it was really good. We get a slight introduction to the world and the characters. I would have loved to get more of the MC Sakus past in japan but I feel like they will probably end up showing it in flashbacks through the series.

My least favorite character was definitely the witch Rosie. I feel like she will most likely be given a really sad backstory to try and excuse her behavior but she just came off as a rude old lady in this. But she is probably the only thing I didn't like about this. I was so intrigued by what exactly was possessing Saku and what it's place was in the folk world that before I knew it the volume was over. I will be definitely be reading more of this series.

[Nick Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite things about this was the setting. I’ve never read a manga set in Ireland before, which made it feel really fresh and different! I also loved the beautiful art style and the use of Irish folklore and mythology. There’s a lot of interesting world-building here, and I’m curious to see where it all goes.

That said, I did find the story a little confusing at times, and the pacing felt slow in places. There’s a lot of information to take in, and I would have liked more time to get to know the characters and their motivations. Still, the unique setting and folklore definitely caught my attention, and I’m interested to see how the story develops in future volumes.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC of this for review.

[Sighthounds_and_stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume one of this manga follows Saku as she flees Japan. Drawn to the magic of Ireland, she finds herself forced to face her past and the power within her.

From Kore Yamazaki, the creator of The Ancient Magus’ Bride. Steeped in folklore and mythology, with a fascinating cast of characters and more than one mystery to unravel. This is a riveting start to a beautifully illustrated series that has real emotional depth and a rich and multifaceted storyline.

Easily a 5 star read for me. Each aspect of this book was beautifully crafted, and I am keen to find out more about the characters and the world they inhabit.

[Curious Madra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for showing me a manga that’s set in my country 🇮🇪 A lot happens that you really don’t have the time to get to know the characters and what their goals are. I appreciate the author showing the Irish Times newspaper and the fish dish with batter as part of our irish culture here but it’s just the story was all over the shop unfortunately

[Kaley Breaden · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

First off I want to thank the ARC for giving me the chance to read this book. I must say this book ended up on my DNF list. Super confusing couldn't make heads or tails of it.

[India Staten · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This could be because of the translation, but I was confused throughout the story. There seemed to be holes in certain places where there wasn't a complete thought, and it just went with whatever was last said. I did think the fae aspect of it was good and I will continue only because I know I really liked the Ancient Magus Bride.

[Marlena Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this manga, even though the art and dialogue was a little confusing at times. It’s definitely something that would benefit from having different text styles for different speakers, though that could be a translation issue. Will definitely be looking to read the next volume!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fae of Ireland are tricksy and dangerous, and an orphan girl from Japan with a snake attached to her has just arrived. Who is she really, when she doesn't know herself? Very dark, I had a hard time telling what was happening during the fight scenes.

[Manon · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @66%
WTF was that ?

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

5/26 Sadly not as good as AMB. The characters, the story, the setting - all are sadly rather dull, lacking the spark they need to make them interesting. I don't think I'll be continuing the series.

[Nick H · Rating 2 out of 5]

キャラクターと世界はそんなに面白くはない、アクションが大体見にくい、話は紛らわしい。時間読まないと思う

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Beste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always found myself drawn to witchcraft related frameworks. Nevertheless, aside from the classics and films, contemporary witch fiction ceaselessly failed to meet my expectations by lacking the specific flavor I was looking for. Thankfully, this manga managed to satisfy that craving with an intriguing read.

The worldbuilding is vast and imaginative, stretching far beyond a narrow focus on just witches. Set in Ireland, a refreshingly unique backdrop for a manga, it populates the narrative with various fairy tale like creatures, making the entire atmosphere vibrant and folkloric.

It is always a genuine pleasure to come across an intelligent female protagonist, and this is where Saku truly shines. She is a stoic young woman, yet beneath her cool, guarded demeanor lies a deep capacity for care toward those around her. Burdened by profoundly harsh internal struggles, she still manages to stay determined.

However, what completely baffled me isn't a flaw in the manga itself, but rather the reader reactions online. Most people seem to miss or entirely confused by core occurrences of the plot. Sure, it is a layered fantasy with rich, intricate elements, but isn't that what the genre is supposed to do in the first place? While it's understandable for readers to feel confused if they aren't used to such sophisticated storytelling, it really isn't that hard to comprehend if you pay attention. Let me briefly break down the core dynamic of the main trio and the general trajectory of the story.

First, Saku deals with a heavy internal conflict regarding her identity. She is possessed by a serpent, constantly fighting against the crude, manipulative instincts the snake whispers into her mind to tempt her. That is precisely why she fled to Ireland, to find a way to break her curse. As the volumes progress, we are clearly heading toward a journey where she must stop running and learn to embrace her monstrous side for the greater good.

Then there is Rosie, the witch who runs the place where Saku ends up staying. While she extends a helping hand, she is by no means a warm, sunshine kind of mentor. On the contrary, she is an aloof, irascible witch who has zero interest in mingling with conventional society.

Last but not least, Sullivan is a pooka—a shapeshifting fairy creature who often takes the form of a horse—who assists Rosie. He provides a contrast to her temperament with his endlessly sassy personality. He balances an air of strange royalty with a deeply twisted kind of devotion to his witch.

Consequently, while this might not be the most conventional starting point for absolute newcomers to fantasy, seasoned readers of the genre are bound to love it.

"You humans love to pursue them, but what good do they do you? It's not as if you can handle the truth.”

╰► 𝑨𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 ˚ ༘✶

[Lanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saku has arrived in Ireland chasing a rumor from the internet, a pond somewhere in Ireland that can grant any wish. What she finds instead is a witch and her familiar and a land awakening with the return of it's god.

I mean honestly it's made by the same creator who did the Ancient Magnus Bride, there was no doubt that this was going to be good!

Saku so far is an interesting MC, I am not really sure what she thinks the snake that exists in her (? with her not sure what it is yet) is, but gievn that it's extremely freaking violent I do not blame her in the least for wanting to get rid of the thing. Also, the fact that she is referred to as the Cailleach at least once in the story is interesting as well. Not just because I'm pretty sure the literal translation is Old Hag but it seemingly implies that what Patrick drove out of Ireland wasn't just snakes or a snake. Which if you take into consideration the fact that there are some interpretations that say that Brighde and the Cailleach are simply different faces of the same god; if we take this into consideration you've got a fun line to travel down in terms of who Rosie actually is. Either way this is why I love stories based on mythology, folklore, and/or fairy tales. There are so many awesome directions this could go in and all would be good!

Now, I did mention Rosie, who is our shoe addicted, chain smoking, bed and breakfaster owner, and the Witch of the Well. She's got an interesting backstory I guarantee it. Sullivan is her familiar and one of the fair folk to boot, so again we have some interesting side characters who I think are going to possibly be even slightly cooler than Saku.

I am 100% going to be following this series! I was literally just talking about how difficult it is to balance Western folklore/fairy tales with Japanese story telling and Yamazaki is one of those creators that simply make it look easy!

As always thanks to Netgalley and

[Katharine · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

2.75
I leapt to read this, because I remember really enjoying the The Ancient Magus Bride, and was excited to see how the author would happen Irish mythology. But this story has way too much going on and way too fast! This story also assumes that the reader knows some basics of Irish folklore, so if you don't, you will be last pretty damn confused at several elements of this story. I do know Irish folklore, so those parts are easier for me to understand, but only just. The rest of the story feels oddly disjointed, and it feels like way too much is happening way too fast. The monster designs do not help either, they massively over-complicated and make it incredibly hard to understand what's happening in certain scenes. I do find the idea of a Japanese girl trying to find the answers to her "curse" in Ireland to be interesting. It would be interesting if Japanese mythology and Irish mythology come together somehow in this story, but so far, that doesn't look like it will happen.

Though one thing I feel like I need to point out. When St Patrick drove the "snakes" out of Ireland, they're not talking about literal snakes. They're talking about pagans. St Patrick is a Catholic saint who rid Ireland of paganism. Which is a point of high contention in some pagan circles.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Nicole Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kore Yamazaki's other series "The Ancient Magus' Bride" features fantastic, emotionally compelling stories involving thoughtfully developed characters, set in a gorgeous and detailed containing many beloved magical English myths and legends. I have been delighted and enchanted by the series in both anime and manga forms.

This brand new one, "Ghost and Witch", is set in Ireland, but promises the same sweeping storytelling, elements of mythology, and complex characterization of "The Ancient Magus' Bride". Consider me invested.

A comparison to Yamazaki's storytelling might be Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn", which was also an amazing novel aside from a classic animated film. It, too, portrayed the most romantic, noble, vulnerable, and wretched elements of the experience of being alive. It, too, is embedded in my sensory memory and literary spirit for life; part of my imagination's DNA.

I can't recommend Yamazaki's work enough. This new series promises greatness already. I can only hope it's someday adapted to anime!

[Zaidee · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

An intriguing start to a new tale, and a return to the world of the Ancient Magus Bride! While I was not as quickly invested in this story as I was for Bride, there is a lot of potential here and it's got a nostalgic feel to it. I look forward to seeing what other aspects of Irish folklore will be woven into the series, along with the designs for other fae folk and mystical beings.

Saku is a rather sullen lead character but shows a willingness to grow and learn. I hope her connection with the character Esther continues to be expanded on, as they have a good contrast in personalities. There is a deeper plot going on behind the scenes in terms of the background of the serpent haunting Saku's life, and the reactions of other fae to a serpent being in Ireland has been intriguing. Excited for the next installment!

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saku arrives in Ireland in search of a solution to the problem that had her fleeing Japan. Only the quick fix she was hoping for is a myth, one of many that will have her learning to embrace her power and the transformation it brings.

I'm a big fan of Kore Yamazaki's style of storytelling. You get little hints and glimpses of the bigger story while the focus is on the magical beings Saku is encountering. The story ends with you having learned almost nothing, but you can't help but get pulled into wanting to know more.

The art is gorgeous when it comes to the different beings and moments of magic, but, as with everything Kore Yamazaki, it is sometimes impossible to tell who the character on the page is.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Seven Seas Entertainment for the magical read!

[Waldkauzz · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

A serpently possessed young woman encounters in Ireland an old witch and her snappy familiar, finding refuge with them. As with the author's other work, The Ancient Magus Bride, this work takes inspiration from the local folk lore and incorporates them in little adventures of the protagonist's world. The first volume appeared at times a bit disjointed in storytelling and character introduction, but knowing the author, this will likely find its footing.

Definitely recommend for manga readers endeared with fae stories, or familiar fans of the writer. ​Thanks to NetGalley and Seven Seas Entertainment for an eARC for an honest review.

[River Reviews · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Ghost and Witch is delightfully creepy and atmospheric tale filled to the brim with folklore. The plot this volume centers around a girl from Japan who travels to Ireland seeking escape and instead finds a chance at redemption. As someone who is a big fan of myth and folktales, I really enjoyed it, and am certainly interested to see where the story goes. This series has a lot of potential, though I must admit this particular volume did struggle a bit in its pacing, as it seemed to be trying to set up a lot of things that could maybe have been introduced more gradually. It is not for everyone, but I think it will land well with its target audience.

[Shiritaku · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Viel Text, viele Infos - aber sehr interessant. Ich hab mich nur ein wenig schwer getan, weil ich bei einigen Begriffen nicht gleich wusste, was genau gemeint war. Auf deutsch funktioniert’s sicher besser. Der Plot mit den Faes und co verspricht viel Potential und macht sehr neugierig. Auch die Charakterdesigns sind sehr cool. An manchen Stellen fühlte es sich ein wenig langatmig an, dafür war's an anderen sehr spannend zu folgen. Zum Schluss hin hat's mich dann auch mehr überzeugt, als es zu Beginn der Fall war. Kann ich mir gut vorstellen auf deutsch weiterzuverfolgen.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is gorgeous with each character having a distinct look and feel. This manga is perfect for when you want a creepy, atmospheric read.
Saku is a young, Japanese woman seeking answers in the Irish countryside.
This is a good start to a new series that promises some chills and a perspective on Irish myth that is not Americanized.

This is worth checking out if you want great character art, an look into the Irish country side or are just a fan of the manga artist and author.

[Awesome Ashley Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard that the author of the Ancient Magus Bride had a new series coming out, I knew it would be something that I loved. And sure enough I really enjoyed the first volume of this series. I love the supernatural element to the story as well as the mystery to who or what our main character Saku is. I'm looking forward to adding this physically to my collection and reading v2 soon.

Thank you NetGalley and SevenSeas Entertainment for this digital arc.

[Sarah Jewett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something was likely lost in translation but even so I'm liking the story. Everyone has a tragic past, I can already tell, which tracks with the supernatural IMO. I look forward to the next volume and where this story leads me.