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アリスと蔵六 [Alice to Zouroku] #1
Alice & Zoroku, Vol. 1
A thrilling supernatural manga series—now with an anime adaptation!
A group of young girls possesses a mysterious power known as “Alice’s Dream,” which gives them the ability to turn their thoughts into reality. Detained and experimented upon, these youths are locked away in secret until one of them manages to escape. Her name is Sana—a girl with the power to ignore the very laws of physics. When this willful powerhouse crosses paths with a stubborn old man named Zoroku, his carefully-ordered life will never be the same again!
A group of young girls possesses a mysterious power known as “Alice’s Dream,” which gives them the ability to turn their thoughts into reality. Detained and experimented upon, these youths are locked away in secret until one of them manages to escape. Her name is Sana—a girl with the power to ignore the very laws of physics. When this willful powerhouse crosses paths with a stubborn old man named Zoroku, his carefully-ordered life will never be the same again!
180 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 29, 2018
Reality-warping superhuman beings exist, but the government is keeping them a secret, stashing any they find in a hidden facility to be studied as “Dreams of Alice.” The most powerful of these is Sana, the Red Queen, who can summon up anything she can imagine, if she has the energy she needs. Sana has no memories of a time before she woke up in Wonderland, a “magical place” below the facility.
However, Sana has heard from the other children in the facility that there is an outside world, and she wants to see it. Therefore, she escapes! But having been a very sheltered little girl, Sana has no skills for surviving on the mean streets. She finds herself in a convenience store, staring at the goods for sale, but not knowing how to obtain them. The clerk, an immigrant with poor Japanese, asks an elderly customer to help find out what’s going on.
This man is Zoroku Kashimura, a custom florist with a strong ethical sense. It’s not that he’s unkind, but he’s very stuck on people doing the right thing. And he’s not at all happy when Sana starts doing seemingly magical things. And when other little girls start chasing his car and causing havoc. Once the chase ends, Zoroku gives all the girls a good scolding.
Things get even weirder when all of the destruction caused by the chase just…resets…when no one is looking. All the video recordings are gone too. But Zoroku reluctantly agrees to take Sana in…as long as she promises to stop abusing her powers.
Despite the childish appearance of one of the main characters and her pursuers in this chapter, and the Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass references, this is a seinen (young men’s) manga. This allows it to go into more mature themes than are generally covered in kids’ manga. Thankfully, at least in this volume, that doesn’t include sex (but Sana is non-explicitly nude in a couple of scenes.) Rather, Zoroku’s hard-earned life wisdom and connections are vital to the story.
After Zoroku takes Sana home, the girl meets the old man’s granddaughter, Sanae. (The names are probably a coincidence. Probably.) Despite some silliness because Sana doesn’t have a lot of control over her powers, Sanae is able to cope and help Sana learn some basic living skills (these don’t include the proper way to apologize, which becomes an issue later.)
We also meet Zoroku’s old friend (even if they don’t get along well) Ryu Naito, who works for the government, and his assistant Shizuku Ichijo. Naito is a laid-back fellow who seems a bit irresponsible, but is willing to investigate the mysterious facility. Presuming, of course, the facility doesn’t track Sana down first.
And there’s that unknown voice in Sana’s head that told her how to escape in the first place. Is it someone we’ve already met? A person who remains hidden? Or a manifestation of the Red Queen’s power?
The series was popular enough to spawn an animated adaptation, which I have not seen. Zoroku is an interesting enough character to carry this first volume, but it’s not clear if the story will go for a more battle-oriented plotline or focus more on the relationship between the leads. Recommended to urban fantasy fans.
However, Sana has heard from the other children in the facility that there is an outside world, and she wants to see it. Therefore, she escapes! But having been a very sheltered little girl, Sana has no skills for surviving on the mean streets. She finds herself in a convenience store, staring at the goods for sale, but not knowing how to obtain them. The clerk, an immigrant with poor Japanese, asks an elderly customer to help find out what’s going on.
This man is Zoroku Kashimura, a custom florist with a strong ethical sense. It’s not that he’s unkind, but he’s very stuck on people doing the right thing. And he’s not at all happy when Sana starts doing seemingly magical things. And when other little girls start chasing his car and causing havoc. Once the chase ends, Zoroku gives all the girls a good scolding.
Things get even weirder when all of the destruction caused by the chase just…resets…when no one is looking. All the video recordings are gone too. But Zoroku reluctantly agrees to take Sana in…as long as she promises to stop abusing her powers.
Despite the childish appearance of one of the main characters and her pursuers in this chapter, and the Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass references, this is a seinen (young men’s) manga. This allows it to go into more mature themes than are generally covered in kids’ manga. Thankfully, at least in this volume, that doesn’t include sex (but Sana is non-explicitly nude in a couple of scenes.) Rather, Zoroku’s hard-earned life wisdom and connections are vital to the story.
After Zoroku takes Sana home, the girl meets the old man’s granddaughter, Sanae. (The names are probably a coincidence. Probably.) Despite some silliness because Sana doesn’t have a lot of control over her powers, Sanae is able to cope and help Sana learn some basic living skills (these don’t include the proper way to apologize, which becomes an issue later.)
We also meet Zoroku’s old friend (even if they don’t get along well) Ryu Naito, who works for the government, and his assistant Shizuku Ichijo. Naito is a laid-back fellow who seems a bit irresponsible, but is willing to investigate the mysterious facility. Presuming, of course, the facility doesn’t track Sana down first.
And there’s that unknown voice in Sana’s head that told her how to escape in the first place. Is it someone we’ve already met? A person who remains hidden? Or a manifestation of the Red Queen’s power?
The series was popular enough to spawn an animated adaptation, which I have not seen. Zoroku is an interesting enough character to carry this first volume, but it’s not clear if the story will go for a more battle-oriented plotline or focus more on the relationship between the leads. Recommended to urban fantasy fans.
September 24, 2017
Alice & Zoroku was one of my fave anime series to air this year, and the manga didn't disappoint! I ultimately think the anime is a more successful presentation of the story (for me), but I found comparing the manga and anime storytelling choices to be really interesting regardless.
I think Imai's draw here is definitely his high concept story. His art is not super polished, but it's also not really the point. This story concept feels like he looked at the abundance of manga about kids effectively being child soldiers (see: magical girl stories, most shonen fighting stories, etc) and thought, "That's bunk. Those kids need parenting." Me too, Imai. Me too.
Anyway, I appreciated revisiting the story, and the character detail and backstory that didn't make it into the anime! I'll keep an eye out for the next few volumes (I wonder if it goes past the end that the anime sets? Wouldn't be surprised).
Couple of things that bothered me a little:
-There's a shot in the manga of Sana naked. It's not presented in a sexualized context, but it also wasn't necessary (and didn't make it to the anime). I'm always keeping a tally of "iffy things that could be read as pedophilic," so there's one thing.
-There is also mention of a relationship between a mob boss guy and a high school girl (he is old enough to be her father). They're both really minor characters, and I think it's mostly a joke (also, age of consent in Japan is its own hairy thing).
These are pretty small things, and overall if the series (speaking for the anime) has a theme, it's that kids deserve to be happy and healthy, respected and safe. So I'm not super concerned, but I am, as always, vigilant.
Recommended! Watch the anime too!
bye
I think Imai's draw here is definitely his high concept story. His art is not super polished, but it's also not really the point. This story concept feels like he looked at the abundance of manga about kids effectively being child soldiers (see: magical girl stories, most shonen fighting stories, etc) and thought, "That's bunk. Those kids need parenting." Me too, Imai. Me too.
Anyway, I appreciated revisiting the story, and the character detail and backstory that didn't make it into the anime! I'll keep an eye out for the next few volumes (I wonder if it goes past the end that the anime sets? Wouldn't be surprised).
Couple of things that bothered me a little:
-There's a shot in the manga of Sana naked. It's not presented in a sexualized context, but it also wasn't necessary (and didn't make it to the anime). I'm always keeping a tally of "iffy things that could be read as pedophilic," so there's one thing.
-There is also mention of a relationship between a mob boss guy and a high school girl (he is old enough to be her father). They're both really minor characters, and I think it's mostly a joke (also, age of consent in Japan is its own hairy thing).
These are pretty small things, and overall if the series (speaking for the anime) has a theme, it's that kids deserve to be happy and healthy, respected and safe. So I'm not super concerned, but I am, as always, vigilant.
Recommended! Watch the anime too!
bye
September 5, 2020
It was a decent read. I enjoyed the characters and the general story and concept seemed very unique in a great way! When it comes to manga, being unique should be praised highly.
With that being said, I honestly found it rather boring. I could barely get myself through this first volume and struggled to concentrate. Along with that, the beginning of this story was very confusing, I couldn’t tell what was going on during the action. It might just be me, but either way the pacing and the action scenes didn’t work for me.
I doubt I’ll be continuing with this story, but it was a very nice change of pace for me!
With that being said, I honestly found it rather boring. I could barely get myself through this first volume and struggled to concentrate. Along with that, the beginning of this story was very confusing, I couldn’t tell what was going on during the action. It might just be me, but either way the pacing and the action scenes didn’t work for me.
I doubt I’ll be continuing with this story, but it was a very nice change of pace for me!
May 27, 2018
Sana, a girl with strange powers that let her make real anything she can imagine, flees the Lab and ends up with an elderly florist.
Great premise but I didn't really buy into this. I like Zoroku, the florist who believes in doing the right thing, but the idea of shoe-horning him in as the guardian of the 'Red Queen' (Sana) was too absurd for me. Sana's already put his granddaughter at physical risk when he accepts this arrangement and that bothered me. The artwork is very good but I don't feel a need to read more in the series.
Great premise but I didn't really buy into this. I like Zoroku, the florist who believes in doing the right thing, but the idea of shoe-horning him in as the guardian of the 'Red Queen' (Sana) was too absurd for me. Sana's already put his granddaughter at physical risk when he accepts this arrangement and that bothered me. The artwork is very good but I don't feel a need to read more in the series.
September 13, 2021
The premise of this series seems very promising. So far, it hasn't delivered. The story is hard to follow and keeps making sudden leaps to new characters and situations.
I have 4 more volumes; I will buy no more after that unless the promising premise finds its way into the story.
I have 4 more volumes; I will buy no more after that unless the promising premise finds its way into the story.
September 1, 2017
love this.
November 25, 2017
This is faster moving than the anime, but the cutesy bits still feel shoehorned.
May 21, 2018
I liked the anime better
October 21, 2019
I'm not sure where this is going. It reminds me of Elfen Lied, but with less blood.
March 4, 2024
I don't usually say this, but the anime is better. The art style, the action, and the way the characters interact is all done better in animation. However, this still has the same great story.
December 2, 2024
The pacing and such was a bit confusing, but I already love and adore them all! Zoroku is such a fun character, hehe :3
February 1, 2024
La storia inizia con una bambina dai capelli bionda intenta a guardare il panorama di notte sulla struttura altissima che si affaccia sulla città, si scopre che quella bambina si chiama Sana e ha dei poteri che si attivano all'improvviso solo pensando, la bambina sta scappando da una struttura dove ci sono persone come lei, hanno poteri magici ma non li controllano, quindi questa struttura è fatta per queste persone, ma come capiamo se questi bambini sono nati nella struttura o sono stati mandati. Da tutt'altra parte della città un signore anziano sta contrattando per il pagamento della merce, è un fiorista molto scorbutico ma molto bravo nel suo lavoro, l'incontro tra i due avverrà per caso e ognuno dei due personaggi scoprirà cose l'uno dell'altra davvero atipiche, trascinando il vecchio nel mondo fatto di magie e poteri, e lui dal canto suo cerca di insegnarle come si sta nel mondo esterno. Il manga e come la fiaba di Alice nel paese delle meraviglie dove Alice prende questa strada per finire in un mondo diverso da quello che era, in questa storia invece è il contrario dove il mondo reale è molto diverso da quello da cui Sana, il rapporto tra lei e Zoroku e un classico rapporto nipote e nonno, con il nonno che si arrabbia e la riprende molte volte siccome lei non sa comportarsi ed essendo la prima volta che esce dalla sua bolla, usa i suoi poteri anche in modo sconsiderato rischiando di fare del male a qualcuno. Altri personaggi molto caratteristici sono, le compagne che non approvano il suo comportamento, come un bambino che conosce solo quelle quattro mura e vede nel rifiuto di Sana un attacco alla casa che li nutre, come se quella struttura fosse l'unica cosa che hanno e possano definire casa; la nipote di Zoroku, una ragazza castana che lega subito con Sana perché totalmente diversa da Zoroku, se il nonno ha un caratteraccio lei e più tranquilla e quasi affettuosa con la nuova arrivata, come una sorellina piccola; o anche le persone che danno la caccia a Sana. Molti dicono che questo manga sia confusionario ma io l'ho visto molto lineare e non mi sono annoiato nella lettura, poi va a gusti, i disegni rendono bene la storia anche se in alcuni punti sono semplificativi ( vidi quando Sana va al bar con Zoroku , le pietanze sono fatte alla bene e meglio), non sono ne troppo morbidi ma neanche troppo sporchi, è una via di mezzo.
VOTO: 7.8/10
VOTO: 7.8/10
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews