She publishes under two names in Japanese, that spell the same but are written with different characters. - 硝音あや: for shōjo manga - しょうおとあや: for BL manga
The art is so pretty, but the storyline is a bit slow for me. And does anyone get that delicate, almost-but-not-really sickly vibe from Aoi- I just want to protect him! But I guess it provides a contrast against the strength and beauty of the Nue. 😍
On her 16th birthday, orphan Himari Momochi inherits the ancestral estate she’s never seen. Momochi House exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms, and Himari is meant to act as guardian between the two worlds. But on the day she moves in, she finds three handsome squatters already living in the house, and one seems to have already taken over her role!
This is the volume that the story finally comes into its own! I really appreciated the setup in volumes 1-2 flawed though it may have been... but this is when both Himari and Aoi / Nue really blossomed. First we learn a little about Ise, on of the Nue's shikigami! And we meet an antagonist of Aoi / Nue's - Kasha. We aren't really sure of exactly their relationship but boy is it tense! Himari also ups the stakes with her spiritual abilities!
I enjoy the fact that we aren't following Himari to school everyday but that glimpses of the regular world peek into Momochi House. There is a really striking balance in that compared to the Ayakashi that I can really get behind. We also learn more about why Aoi / Nue are in the house and what the Nue's role is at this border between the realms. That was a great chapter with a bit of a creepy vibe. The romance while a slow burner is sweet and crushes you with small moments. Like I said the balance is spot on!
The plot came up far in this volume. We really get to focus on the Nue and while I adore Aoi I do want to know more about the guardian. Himari featured in the resolutions of both mini-arcs and I really have come to admire her due to these roles. I liked her before but now her depths are starting to be plumbed and even though she is as she appears - a sweet flighty do-gooder she backs that with action.
The art is artgasmic again! I LOVE that the mangaka always has an "excuse" in the plot to add some setting "beauty shots," in this volume a banquet. Additionally this time we got some really creepy frames to do with an Ayakashi that has been locked away! Now those took this manga to a whole 'nother level!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art
BOTTOM LINE: The potential has exploded!! I'm hooked and NEED to go back in for volume 4!
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Another set of adventures in Momochi House, another dose of cotton candy. Much like the previous volume, this one mixes a bit more dark and serious topics into the recipe, but it still comes out being exactly the fluffy snack that I want. I'm adoring how cute and sweet Aoi and Himari are together, while also enjoying the lore revelations and air of spookiness. Thusfar, this is basically the perfect blend of serious, dark, domestic, cute, fluffy, and angsty: exactly suited for my tastes.
One of my favorite realizations this volume is understanding why this series works better than Kiss of the Rose Princess (even if the latter has had more of an impact on me). With less love interests, we can see how integral Himari and Aoi's blossoming feelings for each other are important to the plot without it overtaking some of the supernatural elements. As we start to understand why Ise and Yukari value their own relationships with Aoi, Kasha also makes his grand introduction. I do think elements of it weren't constructed as well as they could have been (the flashback in Chapter 8 makes it seem the impetus for the arc was different than it actually was), but the rest of the volume makes up for it in a way. It's not enough to put it on my stronger sequels shelf, though.
I also found the back half of the volume better on this re-read. The ceremony may have moved at a fast pace. However, I found the resolution satisfying, and part of it has to do with what I discussed above. I also enjoy seeing the Nue operate in a way that's not linked to Aoi. It hints at a few plot points to come (and a future one shot).
First Read Review (October 26th, 2016):
Original Rating: Four Stars
It's pretty odd that when I first started to read this, I noticed an error that on further reading the first chapter of this volume (Chapter 8) I caught immediately.
But that aside, I really liked this volume. All of the positives that have been in this series in the past are still here, including the fact that Aoi's Nue form still makes me want to swoon.
I do think that some of the events of Chapter 11 were rather confusing, and that the volume in itself ended so abruptly (the same chapter too). But I'm still excited to see what the person that appeared at the end will bring to the plot, along with Kasha, who will no doubt return to cause more mischief.
LOVE this manga! reminds me of XXXholic though with all the exorcisms and can't leave the house thingy. Though Yukihira can definitely leave the house.
Still not 100% sold on this one. It's kinda got a Water Dragon Bride vibe but not executed as well. The characters are still a bit flat however it does seem to be getting better. It should be a bit spicier than it is but I don't think it will be so the story and the relationship between the characters is really going to need to take off to keep things interesting. 3.5 sickly teenage boys out of 5 chances to hook up with a demon lord.
In this one the mystery of who of her new friends is dead is solved. Although I am curious what happened to the girl who's soul was taken. I'd like to know more about this Kasha and what he wants with Nue. I liked getting to learn a bit about Ise and his flames. The art though is still the best part of this manga. The story is good but the art is just beautiful.
Antes de mais, mais uma capa maravilhosa, cof cof que já andei a ver as próximas e são cada vez mais bonitas, mas esta simplesmente tem umas cores lindas! E… ainda para mais tem a primeira página a cores *o* bem tentei tirar foto mas ficou meia manhosa. [img]https://raquelcollin.files.wordpress.... Continuando, obviamente, onde parou o outro volume parou.Himari está a tentar descobrir qual dos seus amigos é na verdade sobrenatural e porque é que ela está na casa do Momochi. Quando tudo fica resolvido e toda a verdade é revelada, e que se descobre que era tudo um jogo para Aoi, curiosamente não a Nue *humm* a ajuda de Himari é essencial e fiquei super confusa com as atitudes e admirada e sei lá mais o quê com todo o desenrolar mas toda a verdade é interessante, pelo menos como Himari lidou com ela. Mais tarde Aoi, como Nue, convida Himari para um grande banquete especial e é também revelado o grande propósito do Nue na casa do Momochi. Para não variar *óbvio* Himari mete-se numa alhada e a história toda um rumo novo, assustador e de grande conflito. Se antes não se percebia muito bem a diferença entre Aoi e o Nue, aqui é completamente visível, Nue é até um pouco assustador e muito mandão, é um lado completamente diferente, achei até meio bruto. O que pensei que seria mais revelador seria a força de Himari, mas ainda não foi desta. O respeito que o mundo sobrenatural vai ter por ela na sua forma humana é interessante, mas não como o fazem. Agora o fim… hum deixa a desejar o próximo livro totalmente! Porque aparece uma nova personagem enigmática, e …. o Aoi é tão fofinho, é mesmo querido! e já se está a ver que ali há qualquer coisa entre os dois. No entanto prevejo um triângulo amoroso *hum* … Untitled-2 copy Espero que o próximo volume traga mais novidades e segredos revelados principalmente da parte escolar de Himari. Ah! Estou mesmo curiosa para saber o que virá a seguir!!
This book really worked well. Great mystery and monsters. Loving the texture of this world. It's got some typical tropes of the genre, but it's using them in ways that don't feel tired. I'll keep reading!
Love this series. This 'episode' was exciting as the Nue puts a new seal on an old demon, and the odd relationship between Aoi and Himari advances, such good stuff. Really hope they make this one an Anime.
I checked out Vols. 1-5 from my local joint-use library and I love reading this series.
My Review...
I am always mesmerized by the beautiful covers of each vol that I read. I love this cover with Nue and Himari together. I like how the contrast of colors reddish, yellows, and oranges mix well to blend into a nice sunset... as Aya Shouto said in the last few pages of the book, "I imagine the cover as twilight." and "I draw them like they're reflecting the setting sun. Perhaps it's the impression I get from the colors." (she was talking about Himari's eyes on the cover and the colors of the cover).
A couple of colored pages at the beginning of the volume is also always delightful to see and shows of the true beauty of each character more. Especially, the first page of the Nue colored shows his elegance and grace, along with him looking like a sexy and handsome ayakashi.
I was sad for Himari's friend Torii as she died to want a friend. I was glad that she went peacefully realizing that she did have friends. Furthermore, Kasha was an interesting character and another good-looking guy in the series. But, he made me mad because he was causing trouble, even if it made the story exciting to find out what's next. I am assuming that his appearance and havoc causing means that he is an antagonist; almost mistook him as a new friend to them. There seems to be a past between Aoi and Kasha that I want to know more about.
It makes me happy to see that Aoi and Himari are getting closer and Aoi saying "I'd like to ... ...stay on this side for a little longer." as he was looking at Himari was too cute. Himari is slowly making her way into Aoi's heart and succeeding.
I like that flower ayakashi and "who's always an ally of a girl in love." (either it be a girl ayakashi or human.)
I felt bad for Soga and the guardian, they are friends with a tragic past and I am hoping that one day the ten thousand grudges will one day get settled and they both find peace and happiness.
Lastly, the pretty clover ring that Aoi made for Himari was beautiful and cute. I was captivated by it that the random guy with a distressed and serious face who seems to know about the flower ring surprised me. I am wondering if he could possibly be someone important from Aoi's past?
Again, the more I read, the more I want to know. This series is going smoothly and never loses my interest. As the story progresses, further along, I am finding happiness with shipping Aoi and Himari together. Having Aoi, Yukari, Ise, and Himari get along nicely with their ever-growing friendship. Especially, the part where Ise seems to like getting along with her now after Himari stopped him from losing control and still be Aoi's shikigami. Ise had a tender smile with a "shut up..." remark that was really friendly and thankful to Himari. Also, the great artwork that makes me take my time reading and marvel over it.
I would recommend this series to everyone and anyone who loves reading this series as much as I do too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.