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Mermaid Saga, Vol. 3
Eating the flesh of a mermaid grants eternal life. But living forever can be a blessing or a curse. Immortal lovers Yuta and Mana are relatively lucky...others who partake of mermaid's flesh are transformed into savage lost souls! Yuta encounters two young immortals--each with very different dreams for their future... One, he must fight. The other, he fights to save. Mermaid Saga 3 contains three of Rumiko Takahashi's uniquely macabre tales: parts one and two of Mermaid's Scar, and The Ash Princess.
176 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2004
25 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,586 books2,145 followersRumiko Takahashi (高橋留美子) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 24, 2014
This manga series is pretty dark. I'm happy to see Takahashi-san can write some more series things! She's versatile!
The only thing is the series is short but already it's just getting so repetitive. It seems like Yuta and Mana seems to come across way more people who have eaten mermaid flesh than not. At this point, it shouldn't be so surprising. *shrug*
The only thing is the series is short but already it's just getting so repetitive. It seems like Yuta and Mana seems to come across way more people who have eaten mermaid flesh than not. At this point, it shouldn't be so surprising. *shrug*
June 4, 2024
that small boy..... damn
April 22, 2016
I like this volume a lot better than the last one. It feels much fresher to me, though tbf I only have so much tolerance for Mana in danger stories. It seems to happen to her a lot. At any rate, this volume expands a bit on the 'bad shit happens if you eat mermaid bits' mythos, introducing new elements and adding twists to old ones. I really like the story with the girl on the cover, but the little boy's story was my favorite. It was unexpected and creepy and the boy was adorafreakingble. Which only added to the overall sinister atmosphere.
Also, man, you'd think Yuta would be used to getting speared in the chest by now.
Also, man, you'd think Yuta would be used to getting speared in the chest by now.
November 18, 2024
This was interesting! It felt like you're with them trying to solve the mysteries of the characters that the main characters meet. This particular one turned to the weird and you can't help but feel sorry for the characters.
This volume was good but it's not so different with the previous volumes. Not a lot of progression and we don't really learn much about the main characters.
This volume was good but it's not so different with the previous volumes. Not a lot of progression and we don't really learn much about the main characters.
December 7, 2023
Esperaba mas de este final, me parecido confuso con saltos en epocas y personajes que se convierten en otros. No le he visto la fluidez de los anteriores y ya es algo cansino con "inmortales" por todos lados
August 19, 2024
I didn't enjoy this volume as much as the previous two. It contains two complete stories. They are neither as clear nor as warm as the stories in volumes 1 and 2. This is my final volume, although there bare more in the series. I have plenty of Rumiko Takahashi to go.
May 1, 2023
Holy shit.
By far the best of the series with the creepiest antagonist and darkest moments yet. Good stuff
By far the best of the series with the creepiest antagonist and darkest moments yet. Good stuff
December 16, 2021
I am loving this!
Mermaid saga is the story of Yuta and Mana.
Yuta is an immortal who is looking for the mermaids because he wants to become mortal again. A long time ago he ate mermaid's flesh without knowing it and ever since then he has seen all the people he knows and loves pass away.
However, after centuries of being alone, he finds Mana.
Mana was raised very carefully in a village inhabitated by old women who wanted to make her eat mermaid flesh and then eat her to become young again. Yuta rescues her, and, for the first time since he became immortal, is not alone anymore.
Mermaids saga alternates between Yuta&Mana's adventure's and Yuta's from before he met her.
It's all very interesting and the whole nature of what mermaid's are exactly is what really draws you in.
Mermaid saga is the story of Yuta and Mana.
Yuta is an immortal who is looking for the mermaids because he wants to become mortal again. A long time ago he ate mermaid's flesh without knowing it and ever since then he has seen all the people he knows and loves pass away.
However, after centuries of being alone, he finds Mana.
Mana was raised very carefully in a village inhabitated by old women who wanted to make her eat mermaid flesh and then eat her to become young again. Yuta rescues her, and, for the first time since he became immortal, is not alone anymore.
Mermaids saga alternates between Yuta&Mana's adventure's and Yuta's from before he met her.
It's all very interesting and the whole nature of what mermaid's are exactly is what really draws you in.
August 10, 2012
The horror laced mermaid flesh myths continue, but then a dash of Western folklore gets sprinkled in (Fiji mermaid, yeah!)
Also, VIZ, I appreciate you guys painstakingly touching up all the art to edit in english sound effects and titles.. but could you maybe spell-check more carefully?
Also, VIZ, I appreciate you guys painstakingly touching up all the art to edit in english sound effects and titles.. but could you maybe spell-check more carefully?
August 7, 2021
The whole resurrection thing gave off serious Inuyasha vibes... (I'm looking at you, Kikyo)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews