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Hitsugi no Chaika Manga #1
Chaika: The Coffin Princess, Vol. 1 - manga
Five years of inconceivable peace after two hundred years of war left erstwhile saboteur Toru Acura without a job or a meaning in life--until he saves a mysterious wizard with a coffin on her back. But when the coffin-wielding, silver-haired Chaika Trabant hires Toru and his sister, Akari, to accompany her on a death-defying journey, Toru's life of mind-numbing, meaningless peace is about to end!
196 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2012
About the author
Ichirou Sakaki
125 books22 followersSAKAKI Ichirou
Name (in native language): 榊一郎
Associated Name:
SAKAKI Ichirou
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Name (in native language): 榊一郎
Associated Name:
SAKAKI Ichirou
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 19, 2015
If not for the totally unappealing characters and jokes about sexual assault, this may have been good.
The artwork's decent, the magic is nifty... But the characters are the kind I wouldn't touch with a 49 and a half foot pole.
So... yeah. No thanks.
The artwork's decent, the magic is nifty... But the characters are the kind I wouldn't touch with a 49 and a half foot pole.
So... yeah. No thanks.
June 23, 2015
Chaika: The Coffin Princess was an anime I greatly enjoyed. When I heard that Yen Press was going to publish the English language version of the manga, I decided to pick it up and try it out. There are, to be sure, some differences, but we'll get to those later.
The story begins five years after a long conflict has finally ended. The conflict is due to the nations fighting agsinst the tyranny of the legendary Emperor Gaz. Eventually, these nations won and destroyed Gaz's power. At last, peace reigns!
At least, that was supposed to be what would happen. Instead there is massive incompetence at the highest levels of government and many who fought in the war, or would have thought had they been old enough, don't know how to handle this time of "peace". Among the second group are the adopted Acura siblings, Toru and Akari. Toru is hit with this worse than Akari, who is able to adjust.
The thing is that Toru is actually kind of an heroic guy who doesn't like hurting people. He just was trained for so long to fight, using the magic practice of the "saboteur", that he has no clue what to do. He is unable to handle a time of peace and yearns to put his skills to use. Little does he know he's about to have that chance.
While in the woods foraging for food, Toru comes across a mysterious white haired girl carrying a coffin of all things. When he and the girl, who just so happens to be a wizard, work together to survive a dangerous situation, the story get started. The girl, Chaika Trabant, decides to hire the Acura siblings to help her recover a very important item for a very important purpose...
The story is a unique look (at least the anime was and this manga seems to be as well, at some interesting topics. Among these, are such issues as how to handle a post-war environment, how the military: both those who fought and those who trained to fight deals with peace, PTSD, various other psychological issues, the morality and ethics of certain issues of warfare, so on.
I found myself as one who was in the sandbox feeling some empathy for Toru. As much as I hated it, it was a sense of purpose. Some of the above topics will not be dealt with in this volume as they happen later on. But the anime dealt with them, so I fully expect the manga will do so as well.
Some of the characterization is different than the show. Gillette's wizard guy is not really more ruthless than in the anime, but he is more sadistic and bloodthirsty. Chaika is a just as clumsy and clueless on a lot of issues, but she is also more daring, while still being shy. There are some other differences that don't (so far) change the story much, so note those if you have seen, or want to see, the show and read this.
The art was quite good, and portrayed the action quite nicely. Especially good were the facial expressions, which was greatly appreciated, as they gave an insight into some of the characters' thoughts, motivations, personality, etc.
I loved this anime and really enjoyed this manta. I can't recommend it enough.
The story begins five years after a long conflict has finally ended. The conflict is due to the nations fighting agsinst the tyranny of the legendary Emperor Gaz. Eventually, these nations won and destroyed Gaz's power. At last, peace reigns!
At least, that was supposed to be what would happen. Instead there is massive incompetence at the highest levels of government and many who fought in the war, or would have thought had they been old enough, don't know how to handle this time of "peace". Among the second group are the adopted Acura siblings, Toru and Akari. Toru is hit with this worse than Akari, who is able to adjust.
The thing is that Toru is actually kind of an heroic guy who doesn't like hurting people. He just was trained for so long to fight, using the magic practice of the "saboteur", that he has no clue what to do. He is unable to handle a time of peace and yearns to put his skills to use. Little does he know he's about to have that chance.
While in the woods foraging for food, Toru comes across a mysterious white haired girl carrying a coffin of all things. When he and the girl, who just so happens to be a wizard, work together to survive a dangerous situation, the story get started. The girl, Chaika Trabant, decides to hire the Acura siblings to help her recover a very important item for a very important purpose...
The story is a unique look (at least the anime was and this manga seems to be as well, at some interesting topics. Among these, are such issues as how to handle a post-war environment, how the military: both those who fought and those who trained to fight deals with peace, PTSD, various other psychological issues, the morality and ethics of certain issues of warfare, so on.
I found myself as one who was in the sandbox feeling some empathy for Toru. As much as I hated it, it was a sense of purpose. Some of the above topics will not be dealt with in this volume as they happen later on. But the anime dealt with them, so I fully expect the manga will do so as well.
Some of the characterization is different than the show. Gillette's wizard guy is not really more ruthless than in the anime, but he is more sadistic and bloodthirsty. Chaika is a just as clumsy and clueless on a lot of issues, but she is also more daring, while still being shy. There are some other differences that don't (so far) change the story much, so note those if you have seen, or want to see, the show and read this.
The art was quite good, and portrayed the action quite nicely. Especially good were the facial expressions, which was greatly appreciated, as they gave an insight into some of the characters' thoughts, motivations, personality, etc.
I loved this anime and really enjoyed this manta. I can't recommend it enough.
January 7, 2017
4 stars
First experience with Japanese manga. Story seed good. Liked the characters. Still not really sure how to read manga. Will have to work on it.
First experience with Japanese manga. Story seed good. Liked the characters. Still not really sure how to read manga. Will have to work on it.
July 1, 2021
The worldbuilding of a recently ended lengthy war and Chaika's magic are extremely interesting. But the political intrigue was mostly confusing and the sexual interest of the sister towards her brother was exceptionally uncomfortable.
November 7, 2018
I definitely wanted more storyline about Totu and Chaika and way less about Akari. The art work for Chaika is stunning. But I found volume one extremely underwhelming and won’t continue this series. 🤷🏻♀️ 3 stars was a stretch.
June 29, 2016
This series would be much more tolerable without Akari. Her character can be summed up with two words: "brother complex." Literally, that's all there is to her. Sure, I guess you could include "yandere" as a descriptor (essentially psychopathic/dangerous in her attraction), but that's almost a given with brother complex characters. Every scene she's in (and she's in a lot) quickly defaults to her wondering out loud why her brother isn't sleeping with her, or why he's giving attention to another girl, or what his "type" is, etc. and so on, ad nauseum. It gets tiresome really quickly.
And that's a shame, because there are glimmers of a halfway competent plot here. Toru isn't just a lazy deadbeat, but rather a soldier who feels he has nothing to live for in a time of peace. Chaika is a klutz, but a likable one, and seems to have a mission that could theoretically become interesting once it's revealed. There's some shadowy types working to mysterious ends, mystical powers, all pretty standard fare. But some great things have occasionally been done with cliched beginnings--particularly when we see that modern-day firearms exist, but are powered by magic, leading to speculation that this story might be set far in Earth's future, where such things are relics of a bygone age.
Unfortunately, I don't think I care enough to find out, because of Akari. It's clear she's entirely one-dimensional, and equally clear that the author felt it would be a great idea to make her a main character. If she just popped up every once in awhile for some brief, cringe-worth "comic relief," that would be one thing, but I just can't stick with a series that's around 30% brother complex-innuendoes.
And that's a shame, because there are glimmers of a halfway competent plot here. Toru isn't just a lazy deadbeat, but rather a soldier who feels he has nothing to live for in a time of peace. Chaika is a klutz, but a likable one, and seems to have a mission that could theoretically become interesting once it's revealed. There's some shadowy types working to mysterious ends, mystical powers, all pretty standard fare. But some great things have occasionally been done with cliched beginnings--particularly when we see that modern-day firearms exist, but are powered by magic, leading to speculation that this story might be set far in Earth's future, where such things are relics of a bygone age.
Unfortunately, I don't think I care enough to find out, because of Akari. It's clear she's entirely one-dimensional, and equally clear that the author felt it would be a great idea to make her a main character. If she just popped up every once in awhile for some brief, cringe-worth "comic relief," that would be one thing, but I just can't stick with a series that's around 30% brother complex-innuendoes.
September 6, 2016
Looks promising. Although I hope Akari loses her infatuation with her brother...
November 14, 2018
Normally, I'd give something like this only three stars, but... Something about this manga has a special charm to it that makes me feel warm, safe, more innocent like I used to be. I guess it brings me back to better times somehow, and that coupled with the absolutely adorable and pretty art style gives it an extra star from me.
So, I've known about Chaika for many years now. Three or four at least. And I knew it was fun to watch, had good animation and such, but I never really knew much about the stories or the characters.
I always pictured Chaika being intelligent and like a mix of the main girl from Gosick and Rachel Alucard. I always pictured Akari being some badass adventurer or something (I guess she kind of is). I had never imagined the main cast would consist of an autistic loli, a beautiful badass woman with a brother complex, and a lazy ass ordinary protagonist... Or that was my initial reaction anyhow, watching three minutes of the anime then reading the first few panels of the manga. But I told myself I knew it was worth another chance or two. So the very next morning (today), I read the entire first volume of the manga. I realized my first assumption after attempting to dive in wasn't correct, not entirely.
Chaika is an intelligent young lady, 14, and Japanese/English is her second language, evident when she speaks perfect Laake and is able to understand others almost perfectly in their own language but she herself struggles to speak it. That's exactly how it is when you're not fully fluent in another language. So, after coming to that conclusion, I simply imagined her with a broken English Russian accent, much like Simon from Russia Sushi but with a cute little girl voice. Because that's basically almost exactly what she is. A little Russian girl who can barely speak a language that isn't her native tongue. She's intelligent, durable, and focused. But being that she's only 14 and who knows who or what raised her after Gaz was killed, she's not perfect at any language other than Laake.
Now, as for Toru and Akari... I'm still a bit disappointed. Toru, I like him (aside from his stupid X HAIR). He reminds me of Hiro from Darling in the Franxx, just a little bit, as well as a soldier returned from home who no longer has any purpose and just waits to either waste away or a new purpose come knocking. Because that's exactly what he is. His sister too. They're both ex-soldiers in a world that has faced five years of completely blissful peace. Except to ex-soldiers like Toru, that peace is much more morbid, depressing, and eery than anything else.
And Akari... So much potential in her design. So much potential in her capabilities. But she's just a horny younger sister who can't stop making sex jokes if not jealous remarks because that's all that ever seems to be on her mind. Please stop, Akari. Please stop. Hold it in, keep your pants on. You are free to feel what you feel, but please reign it in.
Oh, and that Fayla unicorn.. Damn, that hurt. And even more so when its master went to investigate and holds its remains. DAMN, that HURT. I don't want to have to see anything like that again, and not that specific thing ever again.
Ah... And as mentioned before, I do really love the art in this, ohhh yes. I rented a copy of this volume from my local library but I am almost tempted to buy it nearly solely for the art work! Ahh, but that's what art books and posters are for. So I'll settle for those, they'll likely satisfy me more anyhow.
Well, I expect improvements in the next volume. With what this story is building itself up to be, I can't see it either 1. lasting long, or 2. not playing the exact same tropes and storyline over and over so long that it's boring as hell because everything is the same yet slightly different.
So much potential, so much creativity. And as for the characters, SO MANY DAMN OVERPLAYED TROPES. Oh, please don't just be another squandered amount of potential. This story can do so much, please don't just be another stereotype with a base story cooler than anything it ever delves into, without ever developing anything substantial. Ugh.
So, I've known about Chaika for many years now. Three or four at least. And I knew it was fun to watch, had good animation and such, but I never really knew much about the stories or the characters.
I always pictured Chaika being intelligent and like a mix of the main girl from Gosick and Rachel Alucard. I always pictured Akari being some badass adventurer or something (I guess she kind of is). I had never imagined the main cast would consist of an autistic loli, a beautiful badass woman with a brother complex, and a lazy ass ordinary protagonist... Or that was my initial reaction anyhow, watching three minutes of the anime then reading the first few panels of the manga. But I told myself I knew it was worth another chance or two. So the very next morning (today), I read the entire first volume of the manga. I realized my first assumption after attempting to dive in wasn't correct, not entirely.
Chaika is an intelligent young lady, 14, and Japanese/English is her second language, evident when she speaks perfect Laake and is able to understand others almost perfectly in their own language but she herself struggles to speak it. That's exactly how it is when you're not fully fluent in another language. So, after coming to that conclusion, I simply imagined her with a broken English Russian accent, much like Simon from Russia Sushi but with a cute little girl voice. Because that's basically almost exactly what she is. A little Russian girl who can barely speak a language that isn't her native tongue. She's intelligent, durable, and focused. But being that she's only 14 and who knows who or what raised her after Gaz was killed, she's not perfect at any language other than Laake.
Now, as for Toru and Akari... I'm still a bit disappointed. Toru, I like him (aside from his stupid X HAIR). He reminds me of Hiro from Darling in the Franxx, just a little bit, as well as a soldier returned from home who no longer has any purpose and just waits to either waste away or a new purpose come knocking. Because that's exactly what he is. His sister too. They're both ex-soldiers in a world that has faced five years of completely blissful peace. Except to ex-soldiers like Toru, that peace is much more morbid, depressing, and eery than anything else.
And Akari... So much potential in her design. So much potential in her capabilities. But she's just a horny younger sister who can't stop making sex jokes if not jealous remarks because that's all that ever seems to be on her mind. Please stop, Akari. Please stop. Hold it in, keep your pants on. You are free to feel what you feel, but please reign it in.
Oh, and that Fayla unicorn.. Damn, that hurt. And even more so when its master went to investigate and holds its remains. DAMN, that HURT. I don't want to have to see anything like that again, and not that specific thing ever again.
Ah... And as mentioned before, I do really love the art in this, ohhh yes. I rented a copy of this volume from my local library but I am almost tempted to buy it nearly solely for the art work! Ahh, but that's what art books and posters are for. So I'll settle for those, they'll likely satisfy me more anyhow.
Well, I expect improvements in the next volume. With what this story is building itself up to be, I can't see it either 1. lasting long, or 2. not playing the exact same tropes and storyline over and over so long that it's boring as hell because everything is the same yet slightly different.
So much potential, so much creativity. And as for the characters, SO MANY DAMN OVERPLAYED TROPES. Oh, please don't just be another squandered amount of potential. This story can do so much, please don't just be another stereotype with a base story cooler than anything it ever delves into, without ever developing anything substantial. Ugh.
September 25, 2022
This was an interesting read. The conceit here is what happens to soliders in a time of peace. A concept that was already explored beautifully in the hurt locker, but in this manga, its during a medieval setting where magic is not unknown and fey creatures like unicorns, dragons, and the likes are also not uncommon.
The main characters are a bit cliched, and one of the main characters have a relatively disturbing complex, although its not as uncomfortable as that of After the Rain, still makes you feel a little bit off. What made it better in the end is that you can find out (outside the source material, that is, via wiki and such) that two of the main characters aren't blood related. they just call each other brother/sister in the way folks in an orphanage might call each other bro's and sis'es.
With that out of the way, the artwork is rather good, the story is intriguing and I would love to read more of the series EXCEPT they end it after 5 books. At the end of the current adventure, but its very disappointing as I'd love to have read more of it!
Hence 4 stars. I might have to track down the light novel serializations and read that instead as I want to know the rest of the story. There is sufficient world building, and background rendering of the main characters that I'm willing to endure certain peccadilloes of the main characters. They are there mostly as comic relief anyhow, so I can bear that. As a maker of bad puns/jokes, i can't hold others to a higher standard than i do myself, even if the joke/conceit is way overworn after the 3rd or 4th iteration! Recommended, just a warning that you'd find yourself wishing there was more to read.
The main characters are a bit cliched, and one of the main characters have a relatively disturbing complex, although its not as uncomfortable as that of After the Rain, still makes you feel a little bit off. What made it better in the end is that you can find out (outside the source material, that is, via wiki and such) that two of the main characters aren't blood related. they just call each other brother/sister in the way folks in an orphanage might call each other bro's and sis'es.
With that out of the way, the artwork is rather good, the story is intriguing and I would love to read more of the series EXCEPT they end it after 5 books. At the end of the current adventure, but its very disappointing as I'd love to have read more of it!
Hence 4 stars. I might have to track down the light novel serializations and read that instead as I want to know the rest of the story. There is sufficient world building, and background rendering of the main characters that I'm willing to endure certain peccadilloes of the main characters. They are there mostly as comic relief anyhow, so I can bear that. As a maker of bad puns/jokes, i can't hold others to a higher standard than i do myself, even if the joke/conceit is way overworn after the 3rd or 4th iteration! Recommended, just a warning that you'd find yourself wishing there was more to read.
December 15, 2017
Chaika is a young girl that the main character Toru finds out in the woods. Her background is shrouded in mystery but she becomes a damsel in distress. Toru, being a trained swordsman, finally finds he has some usefulness in protecting this girl. The action is a little hard to follow with this illustrator but his sister is absolutely nutso and it makes for some good laugh out loud comedy. Overall I think this might turn out to be a good read, we will see where this story goes from here.
September 2, 2022
Ich bin absolutes Manga Greenhorn.
Die Sargprinzessin war ein Zufallsgriff ins Abverkauf Regal meiner örtlichen Bibliothek.
Leider mochte ich es überhaupt nicht.
Diese unangenehmen, ich bin versucht das Wort "cringy" zu verwenden, pubertären Fan-Service Inzest Szenen sind mir einfach zuwider.
Dass ein Mann das schrieb, erkennt ein Blinder mit Lesehilfetechnologie.
Die Geschichte war teils okay, jedoch nicht mehr. Die Punkte gibt's für die Zeichnungen.
3/10.
Die Sargprinzessin war ein Zufallsgriff ins Abverkauf Regal meiner örtlichen Bibliothek.
Leider mochte ich es überhaupt nicht.
Diese unangenehmen, ich bin versucht das Wort "cringy" zu verwenden, pubertären Fan-Service Inzest Szenen sind mir einfach zuwider.
Dass ein Mann das schrieb, erkennt ein Blinder mit Lesehilfetechnologie.
Die Geschichte war teils okay, jedoch nicht mehr. Die Punkte gibt's für die Zeichnungen.
3/10.
September 1, 2018
Great character and monster design, and fantastic battle illustrations. The plot is a little simplistic for now, but the art absolutely makes up for it. If anything, Akari's incestuous interest in her brother, though played for humor, is still squicky, but that's really my only complaint about this volume. On to the next!
August 5, 2022
Could’ve had a lot of potential if it weren’t for the HORRIBLY WRITTEN CHARACTERS! It was super uncomfortable to get through because of the weird relationship between the siblings and how the sister talks to the coffin girl. Could’ve been a lot better.
May 6, 2018
So far the manga is already a lot better than the anime was. Hopefully it stays this way
September 18, 2025
This was funny and really weird.
June 8, 2026
I wasn't expecting to like this at all, but it is a pleasant surprise. I like the characters and the story is clear.
July 25, 2015
It has been five years since the end of the war with the Gaz Empire, and up until now, there has been peace. Not everyone has adjusted well to the post-war era. In particular, Toru Acura based his entire identity around being a “saboteur”, a kind of super-warrior with the Iron-Blood ability to make himself stronger and faster. He refuses to take any other kind of work, and has spent most of the last five years sulking in his bedroom.
Toru’s sister Akari, tired of being their sole support, informs him that he won’t get breakfast unless he earns it himself, and he leaves the house for the first time in weeks, possibly months. No one needs a saboteur, and he isn’t willing to lower himself to anything else, so he winds up in the woods looking for edible berries and roots.
This not being a story about wilderness survival techniques, Toru runs across a young woman who does not speak the local language well and is carrying a coffin on her back. As it happens, she is Chaika, who is being pursued by a bloodthirsty unicorn creature. Chaika makes a bargain to feed Toru in exchange for him helping her with this problem. Turns out she’s a powerful wizard, but her spells require a lengthy start-up time, and Toru must engage the unicorn in battle until she can unleash destruction.
Thankful, Chaika buys Toru breakfast, and departs. But soon she’s back. It seems she needs the services of a couple of saboteurs, and she noticed Toru and Akari were out of work. Because of Chaika’s communication difficulties, she isn’t able to convey the full meaning of this mission, which is unfortunate, because it turns out there are other people interested in the same target she is.
This fantasy manga is based on a light novel, which was also recently turned into an anime series. There’s some interesting world-building going on here, and hints at a complex political situation. I also like Chaika’s personality and those eyebrows. The clothing choices are kind of dubious–Chaika’s outfit is in no way suitable for long wilderness hikes. and Akari’s has some obvious vulnerable spots not wise to have for a warrior.
Also, I like the language difficulties, not often realistically done in fantasy works.
However, I cannot recommend this manga to most readers due to something it shares with too many recent light novel adaptations. Akari is constantly making incestuous remarks towards or about Toru. Now I’m sure that it will turn out they’re not blood-related, or it’s her idea of a hilarious running joke, but I just don’t find incest funny, and that tainted the entire story for me. If you are okay with this sort of humor, you will probably enjoy it more than I did.
Still, good art, some interesting story potential.
Toru’s sister Akari, tired of being their sole support, informs him that he won’t get breakfast unless he earns it himself, and he leaves the house for the first time in weeks, possibly months. No one needs a saboteur, and he isn’t willing to lower himself to anything else, so he winds up in the woods looking for edible berries and roots.
This not being a story about wilderness survival techniques, Toru runs across a young woman who does not speak the local language well and is carrying a coffin on her back. As it happens, she is Chaika, who is being pursued by a bloodthirsty unicorn creature. Chaika makes a bargain to feed Toru in exchange for him helping her with this problem. Turns out she’s a powerful wizard, but her spells require a lengthy start-up time, and Toru must engage the unicorn in battle until she can unleash destruction.
Thankful, Chaika buys Toru breakfast, and departs. But soon she’s back. It seems she needs the services of a couple of saboteurs, and she noticed Toru and Akari were out of work. Because of Chaika’s communication difficulties, she isn’t able to convey the full meaning of this mission, which is unfortunate, because it turns out there are other people interested in the same target she is.
This fantasy manga is based on a light novel, which was also recently turned into an anime series. There’s some interesting world-building going on here, and hints at a complex political situation. I also like Chaika’s personality and those eyebrows. The clothing choices are kind of dubious–Chaika’s outfit is in no way suitable for long wilderness hikes. and Akari’s has some obvious vulnerable spots not wise to have for a warrior.
Also, I like the language difficulties, not often realistically done in fantasy works.
However, I cannot recommend this manga to most readers due to something it shares with too many recent light novel adaptations. Akari is constantly making incestuous remarks towards or about Toru. Now I’m sure that it will turn out they’re not blood-related, or it’s her idea of a hilarious running joke, but I just don’t find incest funny, and that tainted the entire story for me. If you are okay with this sort of humor, you will probably enjoy it more than I did.
Still, good art, some interesting story potential.
July 8, 2015
This was the other new series I decided to start and along with the other one, I felt like okay there's potential but there are issues too.
I liked the plot of this one. It's a few years after the war and the main point of view character, Toru, is battling major depression. He only wants to lie in bed all day. He was a saboteur but without the war what is there for him to do.
His sister, Akari, attacks him in bed and forces him out to get a job or she'll kill him. Sounds fair. So as Toru is wandering around in the woods, pouting, he comes across the titular character, Chaika, lugging a huge coffin around. What's interesting is that Chaika doesn't know the local language and speaks it very brokenly which is hard to do without coming across as offensive. IT does manage to avoid that.
Toru and Chaika are attacked in the woods and both have secret weapons that are interesting. She hires Toru to get her to town in return for food. He's content to do that.
However this doesn't equate to him getting a real job or getting out of bed the next day so Akari keeps her promise and draws him into a violent battle that spills out into the street but it is a battle with a reason. By the end, Chaika hires them both to help her.
In the meantime there is another point of view character, Alberic Gillet, whose man was the one attacking Chaika. He is a young, menacing character who seems to be after the same thing Chaika is and might just want her dead or stopped. It's too early to tell.
I think it was a promising beginning (it's an adaptation of a light novel) and the art is fairly nice, though the battle scenes are a bit confusing. What I didn't like was Akari. At all. I could look past her garb and gravity-defying boobs of doom, but her attitude toward her brother creeps me out. I'm not sure if it's a running joke or serious but she spends most of her on-screen time trying to seduce her brother. Toru is having none of it, thankfully. But it is very creepy with the incest is best vibe. If it's not a joke, it's very unhealthy (unless down the line we learn they're not actually related and she knows it). Most of her talk is about sex and/or her jealousy over Chaika thinking Chaika wants Toru (with no evidence of it). I've seen a lot of various manga with incest. I've never liked it. Pretty sure I'm not going to. That said, I'd give it another try because there is potential.
I liked the plot of this one. It's a few years after the war and the main point of view character, Toru, is battling major depression. He only wants to lie in bed all day. He was a saboteur but without the war what is there for him to do.
His sister, Akari, attacks him in bed and forces him out to get a job or she'll kill him. Sounds fair. So as Toru is wandering around in the woods, pouting, he comes across the titular character, Chaika, lugging a huge coffin around. What's interesting is that Chaika doesn't know the local language and speaks it very brokenly which is hard to do without coming across as offensive. IT does manage to avoid that.
Toru and Chaika are attacked in the woods and both have secret weapons that are interesting. She hires Toru to get her to town in return for food. He's content to do that.
However this doesn't equate to him getting a real job or getting out of bed the next day so Akari keeps her promise and draws him into a violent battle that spills out into the street but it is a battle with a reason. By the end, Chaika hires them both to help her.
In the meantime there is another point of view character, Alberic Gillet, whose man was the one attacking Chaika. He is a young, menacing character who seems to be after the same thing Chaika is and might just want her dead or stopped. It's too early to tell.
I think it was a promising beginning (it's an adaptation of a light novel) and the art is fairly nice, though the battle scenes are a bit confusing. What I didn't like was Akari. At all. I could look past her garb and gravity-defying boobs of doom, but her attitude toward her brother creeps me out. I'm not sure if it's a running joke or serious but she spends most of her on-screen time trying to seduce her brother. Toru is having none of it, thankfully. But it is very creepy with the incest is best vibe. If it's not a joke, it's very unhealthy (unless down the line we learn they're not actually related and she knows it). Most of her talk is about sex and/or her jealousy over Chaika thinking Chaika wants Toru (with no evidence of it). I've seen a lot of various manga with incest. I've never liked it. Pretty sure I'm not going to. That said, I'd give it another try because there is potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2026
2.75
Chaika’s design is super cool.
I think the story has to pick up a bit, so it will get better.
The dynamic between the brother and sister was weird and uncomfortable though.
I looked it up and they aren’t dealt related… but still.
Chaika’s design is super cool.
I think the story has to pick up a bit, so it will get better.
The dynamic between the brother and sister was weird and uncomfortable though.
I looked it up and they aren’t dealt related… but still.
October 22, 2015
Toru Acura lives a quiet, peaceful life. The war ended five years ago and with it, his reason for getting out of bed every day. He was a Saboteur in the war with a unique ability but without a war to fight what is a man whose only skills are on the battlefield to do?
Toru lives with his sister Akari. She is about fed up with his lazy ways. Is it so much to ask that he get out of bed and get a job? Akari forces Toru out of bed to find a job or at least some breakfast. Toru goes into the forest to forage for food and there he runs into Chaika.
Chaika is a strange girl from another country. She caries a huge coffin on her back and speaks in broken sentences. The chance encounter between her and Toru in the forest is about to shake up Toru's mindnumbingly peaceful life.
I enjoyed this manga quite a bit. Toru feels like a relatable character and Chaika is a mystery waiting to be solved. Akari is not wonderful in my opinion. She is the typical little sister with a brother complex that is mostly just annoying. She does seem like a capable fighter and maybe she will grow to be something more than the token annoying little sister with a brother complex.
I am interested to see where this story ends up. It feels like a good set up for a great story. So far it is a little short on detail but it feels like it could be something wonderful. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure series.
Toru lives with his sister Akari. She is about fed up with his lazy ways. Is it so much to ask that he get out of bed and get a job? Akari forces Toru out of bed to find a job or at least some breakfast. Toru goes into the forest to forage for food and there he runs into Chaika.
Chaika is a strange girl from another country. She caries a huge coffin on her back and speaks in broken sentences. The chance encounter between her and Toru in the forest is about to shake up Toru's mindnumbingly peaceful life.
I enjoyed this manga quite a bit. Toru feels like a relatable character and Chaika is a mystery waiting to be solved. Akari is not wonderful in my opinion. She is the typical little sister with a brother complex that is mostly just annoying. She does seem like a capable fighter and maybe she will grow to be something more than the token annoying little sister with a brother complex.
I am interested to see where this story ends up. It feels like a good set up for a great story. So far it is a little short on detail but it feels like it could be something wonderful. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure series.
August 5, 2015
I received a copy from First Reads.
The main characters are Chaika Trabant (who is on the cover), Toru Acura and his sister Akari. In this first volume the reader gets to know that there used to be a centuries long war and ended only recently. Apparently five years ago according to goodreads description.
Toru used to be a Saboteur a couple years ago--something to do with the war, a guild, though not many details yet. However, now those services are no longer needed since the war ended he has no interest in finding a job, mostly he sleeps. His sister Akari demands he get a job. She has a forceful personality, I say, and she seems to be in love with her brother. I don't really like her, for now.
Chaika meets Toru after he's gone to forage (no job, no food). She is mostly a mystery. He ends up having to help her. Yes, there be villains. From their encounter Toru gets a sense of purpose, something he had not felt in while. I could tell more of what happens, but really check it out yourself to know what happens next.
I was confused while reading because the story starts and these characters come with pasts that are mentioned in passing. I decided I will eventually find out, so just continue reading. I liked how Toru and Chaika met, their later interactions. I want to learn more about their pasts and also what may happen in their future. I will be picking up volume two.
The main characters are Chaika Trabant (who is on the cover), Toru Acura and his sister Akari. In this first volume the reader gets to know that there used to be a centuries long war and ended only recently. Apparently five years ago according to goodreads description.
Toru used to be a Saboteur a couple years ago--something to do with the war, a guild, though not many details yet. However, now those services are no longer needed since the war ended he has no interest in finding a job, mostly he sleeps. His sister Akari demands he get a job. She has a forceful personality, I say, and she seems to be in love with her brother. I don't really like her, for now.
Chaika meets Toru after he's gone to forage (no job, no food). She is mostly a mystery. He ends up having to help her. Yes, there be villains. From their encounter Toru gets a sense of purpose, something he had not felt in while. I could tell more of what happens, but really check it out yourself to know what happens next.
I was confused while reading because the story starts and these characters come with pasts that are mentioned in passing. I decided I will eventually find out, so just continue reading. I liked how Toru and Chaika met, their later interactions. I want to learn more about their pasts and also what may happen in their future. I will be picking up volume two.
June 26, 2015
~3-3.5/5
Going into this volume with little knowledge of it, I wasn’t expecting this.
Firstly, Toru lives with his sister. After a bad experience, he refuses to work, or do much of anything. I’m not sure why. His sister keeps pushing him to do something, to help out, though. Toru is a pretty average guy; he’s all right. Akari, his sister, though, is in love with him. In a very creepy way. I’m not a fan of her.
But then Toru meets and helps Chaika, a mysterious girl traveling in the area. Chaika later hires him and his sister to help her in her quest.
I would read more of this series for Chaika alone. She’s younger, I think, and speaks broken English which is charming, and I think she’s adorable and super sweet. I like her a lot, and even I’m surprised by how much.
There’s also the bigger plot—that someone’s after Chaika, and she’s trying to get back something that was taken from her. We’re given hints to her past, and the volume ends with Toru beginning to tell Chaika about his.
Mostly, I liked Chaika. I’m intrigued by the people who are after her, as well. I’m not sure if I’m going to read more, but I’m intrigued.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
Going into this volume with little knowledge of it, I wasn’t expecting this.
Firstly, Toru lives with his sister. After a bad experience, he refuses to work, or do much of anything. I’m not sure why. His sister keeps pushing him to do something, to help out, though. Toru is a pretty average guy; he’s all right. Akari, his sister, though, is in love with him. In a very creepy way. I’m not a fan of her.
But then Toru meets and helps Chaika, a mysterious girl traveling in the area. Chaika later hires him and his sister to help her in her quest.
I would read more of this series for Chaika alone. She’s younger, I think, and speaks broken English which is charming, and I think she’s adorable and super sweet. I like her a lot, and even I’m surprised by how much.
There’s also the bigger plot—that someone’s after Chaika, and she’s trying to get back something that was taken from her. We’re given hints to her past, and the volume ends with Toru beginning to tell Chaika about his.
Mostly, I liked Chaika. I’m intrigued by the people who are after her, as well. I’m not sure if I’m going to read more, but I’m intrigued.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
July 15, 2015
After two hundred years of war, there's finally peace. While for most people that would be a thing to rejoice, it's left Toru Acura without a job or a meaning in life. Forced to be useful by his sister Akari, Toru sets off to search for food in the woods. Instead, he saves a mysterious wizard with a coffin on her back. Impressed by his skills, the wizard Chaika hires Toru and Akari to help her on her journey.
Whew. That was an action packed read. I'm intrigued, but not fully in love. The sister loving the brother is weird (but ). It's an interesting set up though. Former soldier unsure of where they fit in the world. A girl who lugs around a huge coffin for a still unknown reason. It has a lot of potential.
June 29, 2015
This book was received as a Goodreads Giveaway contest win.
I enjoyed this story, but like most Asian entertainment, it is another example of the masters of the cliffhanger. The author does a great job of getting the reader involved in the lives of the characters (although I did not care for the perv sister) but keeps us waiting for more. You know there will be something else just around the corner, but that will be in the next volume. I want to know more about Chaika. She's very mysterious, and that coffin on her back, what a burden!
I enjoyed this story, but like most Asian entertainment, it is another example of the masters of the cliffhanger. The author does a great job of getting the reader involved in the lives of the characters (although I did not care for the perv sister) but keeps us waiting for more. You know there will be something else just around the corner, but that will be in the next volume. I want to know more about Chaika. She's very mysterious, and that coffin on her back, what a burden!
July 3, 2015
I really enjoyed the anime, but not quite sure about the manga. I don't know if I follow it better because I've seen the anime or not. Also, there is not actually a sibling relationship in the anime. Akari and Toru are brother and sister in arms, grew up together, etc. But in this part in the anime that wasn't clear either, so no surprises. But it the description in the book says they're brother and sister, so maybe they changed things in the anime from the light novel and brought it back in the manga.
August 10, 2015
There's the seed of an interesting story here. One about redemption and purpose. And I see promise in the relationship between Chaika and Toru. And while I understand the value of comic relief, the character of the sister has got to go. She seems to exist solely for titillation and fan service. It is jarring, annoying and frankly seems out of place.
August 12, 2015
I love the character design for Chaika, but there is too much left unexplained for my liking (like a wizard uses a sniper rifle to shoot spells?). I usually like the first volume of a series to set up the setting and such in better detail.
Also, the weird incestuous obsession that Toru's sister has weirds me out. I'm not for that.
Also, the weird incestuous obsession that Toru's sister has weirds me out. I'm not for that.
August 29, 2015
I bought this on a whim when I saw it at the bookstore and happened to open to a page where Toru is discussing how he feels purposeless now that there's no war, and I like Chaika's character. I agree with everyone saying Akari needs to back the heck off, though! I kept waiting for some sort of explanation of what was up with that, and it never came (in this volume, at least.)
May 2, 2016
I just couldn't get into this series. Between the unlikable characters, Chaika's horrible dialogue, and the nonexistent story line, there wasn't anything to bring me back to even give a try to the second volume. I rarely give out bad reviews but this series is a hard pass. There are better series out there to send your time reading.
August 2, 2016
The fight scenes have to much going on. It is just dark circles to me. A more simple art would make this an easier read for me.
I don't understand Akari's single minded attraction to her brother. That's a little too weird for me. I may pick up the next volume to see if it gets better.
I don't understand Akari's single minded attraction to her brother. That's a little too weird for me. I may pick up the next volume to see if it gets better.
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