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伯爵カイン [Hakushaku Cain] #13
Godchild, Vol. 8
International hit by the creator of Angel Sanctuary
Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.
The Final Chapter!
It is time for the truth to be told. At last, all the secrets of the Hargreaves family are brought from the dark into the harsh light of day, as Cain's epic adventures draw to a close.. Is Cain ready to find out who he truly is? Are you ready?
Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.
The Final Chapter!
It is time for the truth to be told. At last, all the secrets of the Hargreaves family are brought from the dark into the harsh light of day, as Cain's epic adventures draw to a close.. Is Cain ready to find out who he truly is? Are you ready?
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2004
5 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Kaori Yuki
203 books678 followersKaori Yuki (由貴香織里) is a Japanese manga artist.
She debuted in 1987 with Natsufuku no Erii (Jap: 夏服のエリー) on the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha.
She is best known for her gothic manga works, such as the Earl Cain series (Jap: 伯爵カイン, Hakushaku Cain) and Angel Sanctuary (Jap: 天使禁猟区, Tenshi Kinryōku)
Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo manga anthologies, Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume. In 2010, Kaori Yuki was one of many manga artists whose work would appear in the new shōjo manga anthology Aria by the publisher Kodansha on July 28, 2010.
Her doujinshi-ka name is MoonClock.
She debuted in 1987 with Natsufuku no Erii (Jap: 夏服のエリー) on the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha.
She is best known for her gothic manga works, such as the Earl Cain series (Jap: 伯爵カイン, Hakushaku Cain) and Angel Sanctuary (Jap: 天使禁猟区, Tenshi Kinryōku)
Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo manga anthologies, Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume. In 2010, Kaori Yuki was one of many manga artists whose work would appear in the new shōjo manga anthology Aria by the publisher Kodansha on July 28, 2010.
Her doujinshi-ka name is MoonClock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 4, 2024
Having vowed to end Delilah's experiments with the dead,Cain solves murders while periodically running into Jizabel and other members of Delilah. After encountering Mikaila, who professes her one-sided love for him and wants to become Suzette, he becomes obsessed with destroying the organization and learns that it is secretly building a memorial temple. Meanwhile, despite Jizabel's efforts to delay Riff's second, hidden, and cruel personality from awakening, the hypnosis suppressing it breaks. Riff later declares to Cain that he secretly works for Delilah: the loyal, kind-hearted Riff Cain had known is an alternative personality used to deceive others. Alexis had intended for Cain to develop a close bond with Riff, only to break it, to remind Cain that he is unloved. After Riff's departure, Cain resolves to confront Alexis and promises Mary that they will have a tea party after the conflict with Delilah ends. Led by Cassian, whose brain has been transplanted into an adult body, he reaches the tower within the temple where Alexis plans to sacrifice the brainwashed people of London to revive Augusta.
Within the tower, Riff reveals his intent to overthrow Alexis. Unconcerned, Alexis divulges that Riff is Delilah's longest surviving doll and will soon die.
Riff attacks Cain, but Riff's other personality resurfaces, causing him to deliberately shoot himself. Riff's loyal personality triumphs over the cruel one, but he and Cain are separated. Because Riff's wound cannot heal, Jizabel commits suicide so Riff can use his blood to briefly remain alive and return to Cain. Meanwhile, Cain successfully poisons his father and with his death, the tower begins to crumble. Cain, unable to escape and hurt by the falling debris, reunites briefly with Riff. However, the ceiling collapses and Riff tries to push him away. Cain embraces him, choosing to stay.
After Cain's disappearance, Mary becomes head of the Hargreaves. Augusta possesses Alexis, and seeks out Mary in the mausoleum Cain had built before leaving to confront Alexis. Augusta reveals that she manipulated Alexis into abusing his sons and trying to resurrect her for her amusement. Before she can kill Mary, Augusta triggers Cain's trap in the mausoleum and dies. Years later, Mary is married to Oscar and pregnant with their child, although she still waits for his return. Crehador, a medium close to Cain, sets up a tea party for Mary, fulfilling Cain's promise; he then reminisces on how he found Cain being held by Riff's corpse within the ruined tower. The bunkoban-exclusive epilogue expands the ending slightly. It shows an elderly Mary, who lies on her deathbed attended by a woman nearby and hears the laughter of Jizabel's ghost as he plays with his pet sheep. Sensing a presence nearby, she dies, and taking the form of her ten-year-old self, her soul joins Cain hand-in-hand at a tea party with their friends and loved ones—although they exist as spirits, a boy nearby can hear them.
Within the tower, Riff reveals his intent to overthrow Alexis. Unconcerned, Alexis divulges that Riff is Delilah's longest surviving doll and will soon die.
Riff attacks Cain, but Riff's other personality resurfaces, causing him to deliberately shoot himself. Riff's loyal personality triumphs over the cruel one, but he and Cain are separated. Because Riff's wound cannot heal, Jizabel commits suicide so Riff can use his blood to briefly remain alive and return to Cain. Meanwhile, Cain successfully poisons his father and with his death, the tower begins to crumble. Cain, unable to escape and hurt by the falling debris, reunites briefly with Riff. However, the ceiling collapses and Riff tries to push him away. Cain embraces him, choosing to stay.
After Cain's disappearance, Mary becomes head of the Hargreaves. Augusta possesses Alexis, and seeks out Mary in the mausoleum Cain had built before leaving to confront Alexis. Augusta reveals that she manipulated Alexis into abusing his sons and trying to resurrect her for her amusement. Before she can kill Mary, Augusta triggers Cain's trap in the mausoleum and dies. Years later, Mary is married to Oscar and pregnant with their child, although she still waits for his return. Crehador, a medium close to Cain, sets up a tea party for Mary, fulfilling Cain's promise; he then reminisces on how he found Cain being held by Riff's corpse within the ruined tower. The bunkoban-exclusive epilogue expands the ending slightly. It shows an elderly Mary, who lies on her deathbed attended by a woman nearby and hears the laughter of Jizabel's ghost as he plays with his pet sheep. Sensing a presence nearby, she dies, and taking the form of her ten-year-old self, her soul joins Cain hand-in-hand at a tea party with their friends and loved ones—although they exist as spirits, a boy nearby can hear them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
my intake from The Cain Saga & Godchild:
- Kaori Yuki loves dark, taboo shit
- Riff and Cain were very gay for each other
- Kaori Yuki loves dark, taboo shit
- Riff and Cain were very gay for each other
January 24, 2008
Oh, man. Oh man. Ohmanohmanohman.
Even though I had read the Japanese edition and thus knew what was going to happen, the ending here is just so... SUBLIMELY saddening, so PERFECTLY poignant that I can't stand it, and every time I read it it's like my tonsils are swollen. Pardon me while I cry over a couple of fictional characters.
If there is such a thing as a perfect story arc, Kaori Yuki pulled it off with this one. I can't imagine it ending any other way, honestly. I wouldn't want it to.
Even though I had read the Japanese edition and thus knew what was going to happen, the ending here is just so... SUBLIMELY saddening, so PERFECTLY poignant that I can't stand it, and every time I read it it's like my tonsils are swollen. Pardon me while I cry over a couple of fictional characters.
If there is such a thing as a perfect story arc, Kaori Yuki pulled it off with this one. I can't imagine it ending any other way, honestly. I wouldn't want it to.
December 27, 2022
What an ending 🙈 it was perfect! There was no way that Riff, Cain or Alexis could survive, but maybe, just maybe....
I like the idea of Merry and Oscar. They have gone through so much together that there was no other way than to marry each other. Oscar is the only one that will ever truly understand Merry. He’s going to be a good husband for her. I wonder if Clehadol will ever visit them? I hope so, somehow. They were a good team in the end.
That Augusta was the real culprit came out of nowhere 😱 I was so convinced that Alexis was he evil one. If was the best plot twist ever, well, apart from Riff being one of the puppets that is.
So now it’s over. After nearly 15 years, I have finished the series and I’m happy I did. The ending was so good and I will always come back to Cain, Merry, the poisons and the criminal cases. Victorian London hs me in it’s grip and I have no desire to escape.
That’s all 😉
I like the idea of Merry and Oscar. They have gone through so much together that there was no other way than to marry each other. Oscar is the only one that will ever truly understand Merry. He’s going to be a good husband for her. I wonder if Clehadol will ever visit them? I hope so, somehow. They were a good team in the end.
That Augusta was the real culprit came out of nowhere 😱 I was so convinced that Alexis was he evil one. If was the best plot twist ever, well, apart from Riff being one of the puppets that is.
So now it’s over. After nearly 15 years, I have finished the series and I’m happy I did. The ending was so good and I will always come back to Cain, Merry, the poisons and the criminal cases. Victorian London hs me in it’s grip and I have no desire to escape.
That’s all 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2022
LOVE IT FOREVER!
March 4, 2020
First of all, I love Kaori Yuki - her art style is so beautiful and expressive - which is originally why I snatched this series up in the first place.
That being said, I had a few issues with this series. Like I said before, it’s a very Sherlock Holmes style story with intriguing mysteries to solve and a bad guy that always seems a step ahead of our protagonist. And I am a HUGE Sherlock fan so naturally I fell head over heels for this series. However what I loved most was how supernatural things would happen that defined all conventions and then eventually Cain would figure out how it all worked. The fact that that kept happening but then eventually there really was supernatural things happening was disappointing. They can call it “medical science” all they want but unless they show me the science parts, it’s magic.
I was also disappointed when I found out Alexis big evil plan. I mean, it kinda belittled all the crazy stuff Delilah was doing and really cheapened the whole organization. Kinda like how the last season of X-Files turned this whole group of folks that controlled all the power in the world into just one very easily killable old dude.
As far as the two major twists go: I liked that Yuki had the guts to do the first one and, not gonna lie, as soon as it happened, I could not put the books down - I had to see what the final confrontation would be. The second one was kind of meh to me. It was a surprise that I didn’t see coming but I also didn’t really need. The call back to the black sheep was nice, though.
Some folks might be disappointed by the ending but I kinda figured it’d be something like that so I’m fine with it. In a way it was sort of beautiful. I’m also going to ignore the ickiness of the Epilogue because it was ye olden times and that kinda creepy stuff wasn’t considered creepy then.
All in all, a good series I do recommend. Fair warning, Kaori Yuki can get a little, um, wordy is the best way of putting it. Dramatic is probably a better word. Still, good story but you really should read Cain Saga and Godchild to get the whole story.
That being said, I had a few issues with this series. Like I said before, it’s a very Sherlock Holmes style story with intriguing mysteries to solve and a bad guy that always seems a step ahead of our protagonist. And I am a HUGE Sherlock fan so naturally I fell head over heels for this series. However what I loved most was how supernatural things would happen that defined all conventions and then eventually Cain would figure out how it all worked. The fact that that kept happening but then eventually there really was supernatural things happening was disappointing. They can call it “medical science” all they want but unless they show me the science parts, it’s magic.
I was also disappointed when I found out Alexis big evil plan. I mean, it kinda belittled all the crazy stuff Delilah was doing and really cheapened the whole organization. Kinda like how the last season of X-Files turned this whole group of folks that controlled all the power in the world into just one very easily killable old dude.
As far as the two major twists go: I liked that Yuki had the guts to do the first one and, not gonna lie, as soon as it happened, I could not put the books down - I had to see what the final confrontation would be. The second one was kind of meh to me. It was a surprise that I didn’t see coming but I also didn’t really need. The call back to the black sheep was nice, though.
Some folks might be disappointed by the ending but I kinda figured it’d be something like that so I’m fine with it. In a way it was sort of beautiful. I’m also going to ignore the ickiness of the Epilogue because it was ye olden times and that kinda creepy stuff wasn’t considered creepy then.
All in all, a good series I do recommend. Fair warning, Kaori Yuki can get a little, um, wordy is the best way of putting it. Dramatic is probably a better word. Still, good story but you really should read Cain Saga and Godchild to get the whole story.
December 27, 2013
I have mixed feelings towards this final volume. I thought I would be sadder about , but I was strangely ok with how it all went down. It seemed a fitting end after all the crap they’d been through. The one part I liked was when . It made me feel nostalgic for the beginning of ‘Godchild’ and the strong relationship Cain and Riff once had. I also liked the happy ending that Mary and Oscar got because god knows I’ve been shipping them forever.
On the other hand, there were so many things that bothered me. The organization was all kinds of messed up. It was like the author was trying to fit too much into the space of one volume. Telling stories from multiple characters is fine, but there weren’t really any transitions between each separate part. One second I was reading about Mary and Cain on a train and then it would randomly switch to Alexis and the dealings with Delilah. A few panels later it would go back to Mary. This happened with about four different characters. It wouldn’t have bothered me normally, but all the individual scenes were little snippets as opposed to the time being devoted to a certain person for a chunk before changing to someone else. The volume gave me whiplash with how many times it switched between all the characters. Also, I’ve never had this problem before in ‘Godchild’, but a lot of the characters looked the same. In particular, all the young-ish guys with light color hair. Numerous times someone new would pop up into the scene and I’d either think it was the original guy that had been there or say to myself ‘who the hell is that?’. I still think the artwork in this manga is beautiful, but it was super difficult to tell who was who at times. The twist at the end with didn’t make much sense to me. The revelation came off as rushed, like it was thrown in at the end. It felt unnecessary and in my opinion, the story wouldn’t have suffered if that part had been left out.
On the other hand, there were so many things that bothered me. The organization was all kinds of messed up. It was like the author was trying to fit too much into the space of one volume. Telling stories from multiple characters is fine, but there weren’t really any transitions between each separate part. One second I was reading about Mary and Cain on a train and then it would randomly switch to Alexis and the dealings with Delilah. A few panels later it would go back to Mary. This happened with about four different characters. It wouldn’t have bothered me normally, but all the individual scenes were little snippets as opposed to the time being devoted to a certain person for a chunk before changing to someone else. The volume gave me whiplash with how many times it switched between all the characters. Also, I’ve never had this problem before in ‘Godchild’, but a lot of the characters looked the same. In particular, all the young-ish guys with light color hair. Numerous times someone new would pop up into the scene and I’d either think it was the original guy that had been there or say to myself ‘who the hell is that?’. I still think the artwork in this manga is beautiful, but it was super difficult to tell who was who at times. The twist at the end with didn’t make much sense to me. The revelation came off as rushed, like it was thrown in at the end. It felt unnecessary and in my opinion, the story wouldn’t have suffered if that part had been left out.
May 6, 2020
This is a review of the entire series.
Synopsis: Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.
Review: A detective manga series that draws a lot of inspiration from classic gothic horror fiction and tropes. It's a love letter to writers such as Agatha Christie, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, the Bronte sisters, the Grimm brothers and even Shakespeare. Family curses, a brutal father and son rivalry, religious allegory, destined betrayal, violent supernatural murders, dark fairy tale undertones, a gloomy atmosphere and melancholy characters. The art is flowery and gorgeous to look at, the classic tropes are pleasant for fans of classic horror elements and there's a few scenes that pack quite an emotional punch. It's a bit melodramatic and over-the-top at times, but it actually gives it more of that authentic, pulpy feel of popular penny dreadfuls from the Victorian era.
Synopsis: Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.
Review: A detective manga series that draws a lot of inspiration from classic gothic horror fiction and tropes. It's a love letter to writers such as Agatha Christie, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, the Bronte sisters, the Grimm brothers and even Shakespeare. Family curses, a brutal father and son rivalry, religious allegory, destined betrayal, violent supernatural murders, dark fairy tale undertones, a gloomy atmosphere and melancholy characters. The art is flowery and gorgeous to look at, the classic tropes are pleasant for fans of classic horror elements and there's a few scenes that pack quite an emotional punch. It's a bit melodramatic and over-the-top at times, but it actually gives it more of that authentic, pulpy feel of popular penny dreadfuls from the Victorian era.
December 31, 2013
31 December 2013 - My re-read of the series is complete and I don't have anything to add to the review below. Nice to know I'm consistent in my feelings even five years on!
1 February 2008 - I've finally reached the end of the 13 books in the Count Cain / Godchild series, which is a bittersweet feeling actually because I have really enjoyed the ride and feel sad that it's over.
*warning - spoilers*
I would really class this series as gen rather than shounen-ai but the thing that hooked me from the beginning was the bond between Cain and Riff, and the obvious devotion and deep love that they share. So the most shocking thing for me was Riff's betrayal, I really didn't see it coming >.<, and I felt a bit desperate when it seemed that there was no way that Cain's Riff could return to him. I was worried that it would end with Cain killing Riff but I needn't have worried because it ended perfectly for me with Cain and *his* Riff dying together, locked in each other's embrace.
I'll definitely be re-reading this series soon ^_^!
1 February 2008 - I've finally reached the end of the 13 books in the Count Cain / Godchild series, which is a bittersweet feeling actually because I have really enjoyed the ride and feel sad that it's over.
*warning - spoilers*
I would really class this series as gen rather than shounen-ai but the thing that hooked me from the beginning was the bond between Cain and Riff, and the obvious devotion and deep love that they share. So the most shocking thing for me was Riff's betrayal, I really didn't see it coming >.<, and I felt a bit desperate when it seemed that there was no way that Cain's Riff could return to him. I was worried that it would end with Cain killing Riff but I needn't have worried because it ended perfectly for me with Cain and *his* Riff dying together, locked in each other's embrace.
I'll definitely be re-reading this series soon ^_^!
June 25, 2021
Seriously who is gonna look me in the eye and tell my Cain and Riff weren't in love?? Who? Riff wasn't even the original personality! He asserted himself because of his love for Cain, Cain was his reason to even exist! And Cain adored him from day one! Gahh he wanted to die in Riff's arms!! Hello?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2019
Excruciatingly tragic, to the point that I was almost in tears. A beautiful series that has most definitely become a favorite of mine.
April 23, 2020
I don’t know why I thought that I should reread this roughly 10 years after finishing it the first time. I always had a deep fascination for Kaori Yuki’s drawing style and her choice of stories. I’ve always loved the God Child series and after going through it again I was reminded of why I love it. The drawings are amazing. The story is well thought through and the characters are real - they have flaws but most of them (most...) are lovable. As I remembered, the end was heartbreakingly perfect. Seems as if I still cannot get over this, even after all this time. I really adore this series!
August 26, 2017
Ein wirklich passendes Ende zu dieser Reihe. Irgendwie musste es ja dazu kommen, dass Riff und Cain zusammen sterben (oder zumindest Riffs Persönlichkeit). Der Tod und das rächen von etwas wurde so stark romantisiert, das es dazu kommen musste. Aber nett, das später Merry und Oscar zusammen gefunden haben. Ebenso war es herzerwärmend, dass das Medium den Ring an Merry weiter gab, aber so verkleidet, dass sie dachte Cain wäre noch am leben.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
El final estuvo impactante.. No pude siquiera respirar. Cada momento del manga pasaba y no sabía cómo iba a terminar. Tengo sentimientos encontrados con el final. No soy tan fan de los finales abiertos y este lo tiene. Pero también es un buen final.. Cierra todos los arcos y lo que quiera imaginar para Rift y Cain son buenos finales. Puedes imaginar un final trafica ente romántico o un final feliz... Igual mi corazón duele pero amo a Rift y Cain. Y los shipeo con cada centímetro de mi ser!!
July 2, 2024
I always cry when Jizabel dies, but at least he finally realized there was someone who actually cared about him. I never know how to feel about Riff and Cain dying together, but I guess it makes sense... Just kinda wish Cain would have thought more about Mary and his uncle, but I dunno. The reveal that Augusta was evil always kind of felt unnecessary; she and Alexis deserve each other. Screw them both. Pretty sure Alexis was tormenting little Jizabel before Cain was conceived.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2025
I miss 90's gothic manga, they were just on a different level - and completed!
I first read this way back in school and just recently collected all the volumes I've missed to experience the story all over again.
Was this ending necessary? - No.
Was it fitting tho? - Absolutely.
It ended in the most Cain-way, and although I finished it with the biggest lump in my throat, I wouldn't have wanted it another way.
The extra epilogue? A punch in the gut.
I miss them all.
I first read this way back in school and just recently collected all the volumes I've missed to experience the story all over again.
Was this ending necessary? - No.
Was it fitting tho? - Absolutely.
It ended in the most Cain-way, and although I finished it with the biggest lump in my throat, I wouldn't have wanted it another way.
The extra epilogue? A punch in the gut.
I miss them all.
August 9, 2024
This series was insane from beginning to end, so expected nothing else from this volume.
Overall a very fitting end to this series. But sadly I feel like Kaori Yuki tried to cram too much into this last volume. Switching between all the pov's created some confusion. I think it easily could have been split into two, and a bit more fleshed out.
You know it's the early 2000's when the gays get a tragic end.
Overall a very fitting end to this series. But sadly I feel like Kaori Yuki tried to cram too much into this last volume. Switching between all the pov's created some confusion. I think it easily could have been split into two, and a bit more fleshed out.
You know it's the early 2000's when the gays get a tragic end.
May 16, 2018
the books were very good it was about a guy that solves crime and is known as the prince of poison he has a very bad family tree full of killing deaths and more it is poisoned there the whole family a person said one's
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2021
I guess in actuality I would give it 4.5 stars. This entire series was dark and had every trigger that could possibly be thought of. That being said, the very ending was bittersweet. It ended as happily as possible.
April 12, 2023
Technically, more like a 4.5 for me. I like how this wraps up everything with the characters. While I wish we could have had more for the epilogue, I enjoyed what was included. I still feel bad for Cain, Riff, and Mary though.
July 6, 2017
Pending.
November 20, 2017
Well, I finished it! Gonna write a full review of the series and FINALLY post something to my book review blog. XD
September 12, 2020
4.5 stars
October 11, 2020
Well I finished it all, and now we just wait 10 years from now to see what I think about it then!
November 22, 2021
Really loved this series, great gothic Shoujo manga! Love the story, characters and art style 😻😁👌❤️
December 1, 2023
This book had such a sad but beautiful ending, I wish that Riff and Cain would have survived but their deaths did make for a beautiful ending to this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2024
I had to finish this but just so everyone knows... it's diabolical.
January 12, 2025
Ohhh what an ending…. Just rip my heart out.
December 23, 2019
W/o giving too much away, the story arc of the entire series is to show us the beginning and the end of the "Godchild."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews