Ran y el mundo gris 3

乱と灰色の世界 / Ran to haiiro no sekai #3

by Aki Irie

Ran es una niña de diez años que sueña con tener muchos amigos y ser mayor cuanto antes para hacer lo que le dé la gana. Nada extraño si no fuera porque Ran es la hija de una bruja poderosísima y tiene la habilidad de crecer a voluntad, adoptando la forma de una joven veinteañera para realizar todo tipo de travesuras mágicas. El poder indómito de Ran trae de cabeza a su familia y su madre, la única que podría controlarla, está demasiado ocupada manteniendo a raya las amenazas sobrenaturales: un poder oculto que podría arrasar el mundo humano que tanto ama Ran y dejarlo reducido a poco más que un montón de grises cenizas.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Romance, Seinen, Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy

216 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2011

About the author

Aki Irie (入江亜季, Irie Aki) is a Japanese mangaka.

Name in other languages:
入江亞季 (Chinese)
이리에 아키 (Korean)

Do not add scanlation records.

Reviews

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...


Ran is a 4th grader with a magical family that is too overprotective to the mind of this young sorceress, especially since her mom doesn't spend near the time with her that she'd like. She has a magical pair of sneakers that transforms her little body into that of a grown young woman so why not use them to go one adventures?! Well Ran sure tests her older brother, Jin, and her father's skills at keeping her safe... especially once she meets rich playboy Otaro Mikado, who takes a liking to the grown Ran...


The Premise

I enjoyed the storyline bits in Ran and the Gray World vol 3 as Ran falls for Otaro more and more because he pays attention to her (when her family doesn't). Not because I like Ran with Otaro (he's the villain to my mind) but because of our intrepid Hibi. He wants to know where Ran hurries off to and when he learns he steps up to be a pest to Otaro (you go kid!) When Ran realizes the implications of Hibi's visit she actually moves to intervene. It's a solid magical realism / urban fantasy story that interests me greatly.


The Buzz

Ran and the Gray World vol 3 had its ups and downs this time around. I enjoyed the chapters that were part of the storylines started in volume 2. The random chapters really annoyed me because they were either not about Ran and her family, or they were salacious! I get that this manga is in the adult man's genre and will accept the fan service... but this time it went over the line for the protagonist being a 4th grader!


The Feels

Jin has found love (or lust?!) and it takes a funny turn even if I don't blame Ran for being totally livid about how Jin is dominating his new mate. Poor Ran thought having Sango around would mean some girl time but the woman has spent all her time in the bedroom. Otaro decides Jin is too over protective and goes to Ran's parents!! This is absolutely hilarious and is the beginning of the really great moments in Ran and the Gray World vol 3.


The Visuals

The visuals in Ran and the Gray World vol 3 are as gorgeous as ever!! I wish Aki Irie would get together with a story creator for his next manga... because he really needs to concentrate on the art. His strengths lie there. Even with the uneven story and the wet dream elements I can't help but check out each volume for the dynamite spreads and crazy character actions. Like her father's reaction to Otaro's visit! And Jin's battle with the salacious students because of Sango!! And Ran's magic going crazy at feeling so neglected by her family (hint Otaro will need to redecorate again!)

Ran and the Gray World vol 3 has the art and a cute protagonist who gets to live the life... before she's grown! It's fun, a little crazy and oh so gorgeous. Watch out for the sexualization in this particular volume as it goes into overdrive.


Ran and the Gray World is a series that I have enjoyed for its stellar art and fun story about an elementary student who can grow into a very developed teenager. Alas the demographics for this manga is directed at adult men rather than elementary students. At first I seriously thought readers were over-reacting to the fan service. It's a staple for this type of manga and normally stays on this side of bearable (with the storyline making the read totally worth it).

But stripping a woman down and pulling off her bra and panties when she clearly doesn't want that is too much! So what if its a dream! And the way Sango reacts to Jin's actions while he's in heat is pretty much setting women back decades. I was frankly shocked because this is the first time things became so seriously inappropriate. I don't understand why we don't see Hibi coming out in the story more! Even if he's considered the true villain (by the adult males reading this) he should be on screen more than he has been this volume.


⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

Thanks to Edelweiss and VIZ Media for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.


This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 |

______________________
You can find this manga review and many others on my book blog every Monday @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews at the bottom of the page.

Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!

[Ruthsic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warnings: sexual assault (groping and non-consensual kissing), child abuse, fatmisia

For the first two volumes of this series, I thought - huh, what a weird sort of story! But this volume has me convinced that this isn't really planning to stay to a plotline? It has a slice of life vibe, while also sometimes keeping something in semblance of a story or canon. It is basically about Ran's adventures as a kid in an older body, but it is not trying to be any sort of coming of age kind of story either.

So after Otaro's ordeal in the last volume, he is still having nightmares from the bug thing and in a Sleeping Beauty-like scenario, Ran comes to his rescue (when exactly did she learn how to enter dreams? who knows) and he falls more deeply for her. His obsession with her stems from her manic pixie like nature, and though he still doesn't know she is actually an elementary school kid (which means she is 12 at most) he still thinks her to be an older teen, which is still much younger for him (his stripping and assaulting her when they are escaping from danger wasn't amusing either). Her brother is at a loss as to how to keep him away from her, because he and her parents can't exactly inform Otaro that she's a kid, but this situation still stinks to high heaven. Also the constant sexualization whenever she is transforming doesn't help matters.

Meanwhile, speaking of Jin, he is in heat and is, uh, searching for a mate which leads to a lot of attack-kisses on the female population of his school. He finally gets back to Sango as some sort of ideal woman for him, and maybe the whole Jin-being-embarassed-on-remembering-things-sober would be funny but the whole submissive bride scenario is squicking me out. And to add the cherry on top of all this creepiness, there is an extra story showing a transformation of a fat woman to a skinny body by some sort of magical beauty treatment. I am pretty much at the end of my rope here, and even though I love the concept of the magical creatures in this world, and the weirdness of it, I am cringing hard at the sexist tropes in it.

In short, while the story has potential, it is wasting it on gratuitous sexualization of the female characters in it and the problematic grooming by a shady character who is being set up as a romantic love interest.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 because I got really pissed at Jin getting too wrapped up in his girlfriend to pay attention to his sister, thus driving her into Otarou's creepy, creepy arms. Yes, the plot has problems, but Jin, you do not need to facilitate them.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best part of the volume: the Jin/Sango pairing
Worst parts of the volume: Irie-sensei, why did you create a character like Otaro??? I hate him so much!!

[Laura Coll · Rating 3 out of 5]

El dibujo es bonito, rico en detalles pero al mismo tiempo sencillo. Los diseños de personajes son fantásticos y estos son interesantes y realistas. La trama es costumbrista y, aunque se podía profundizar mucho más el tema de la magia y crear una trama compleja, la obra pretende mostrar el día a día de los personajes, sin aspirar a más, por lo que si eso te interesa, lo hace bien. En cuanto a las relaciones amorosas, son tóxicas, pero están presentadas en clave de humor, un humor muy japonés que no encaja conmigo.

Reseña completa:
https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only continue reading for the secondary characters. Ran, the MC is a spoiled brat. Idk why every character seems to love her. Her relationship with the perverted old guy is really creepy. He treated all women abominably. I skip their parts.

[Met · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo sto amando, mi ricorda tanto le atmosfere alla Ranma - ma disegnato molto meglio.

[Momo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay I am officially dropping this series. The ick somehow got worse and I can't be bothered to care about my interest in the plot anymore.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Más entretenido que el anterior. Me sobra el body shaming y Ôtarô, que tiene perfil de maltratador.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early in the book Ran, a 9-year-old girl in a magically transformed 18-year-old body, inserts herself into the fever dream of the much older lecherous cad, Otaru Mikado, and we're subjected to him roughly fondling her and using dream logic to repeatedly transform her clothes into skimpier outfits until she is totally nude. So there's that.

If Otaru were lifted completely out of the book, this would be a pretty cool title. It still mostly works even with him, what with the great art and fun side characters.

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ran is so pretty, but sometimes I worry when she’s with Otaru- he legit looks like a corrupter of things… 😰

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh no.

[Laurielle Laurielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

El dibujo sigue siendo chulísimo, el humor cotidiano-absurdo me encanta, pero el volumen de agresiones sexuales gratuitas está ya desbocao xD

[Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands) · Rating 5 out of 5]

{September 18th, 2014} UPDATE

I have finished this volume, and it is still continued to be published. It is a gorgeous series that has truly become near and dear to my heart. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is quirky, powerful and has a good balance between lightheartedness and emotions. Truly one of kind. <3

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover color palette is ... I don’t have the adjectives! Wow! So amazing!

But what a skeevy, disjointed mess this volume was. There were even pages of, dare I say it, sloppy art. Had the first issue been this mish-mash of storytelling and art, I wouldn’t have picked up a second volume. I think it will be a seven volume release, so I suppose I’ll see it through.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like Ran. I understand she’s young, but she’s a brat and also pretty stupid. It would be better if she went to school with other magic kids, because her reckless behavior is going to cause a disaster, and she can’t seem to make friends with anyone her own age. This part of the world building makes no sense, as it can’t possibly work for magical kids to just be tossed into the normal world with no supervision. At least have some other magic kids and adults sprinkled around their everyday life. Or wait til she’s older with more control and understanding of consequences to put her in an ordinary school. Magic can’t possibly be a secret if all magical families are like this one. Ran is like a nice version of Otaro in some ways - they both are selfish creatures and think only of the moment and do whatever they please without caring about the impact on others. The main difference is that she is young and her wants are relatively innocent.

Otaro remains a selfish asshole, but he surprisingly has some notion of proper behavior. Thankfully it barely touched on his bug problem, even though I don’t think that’s good for the story (it’s just disappeared for now? And will suddenly return later?), I find it gross and don’t want to see it. Shouldn’t it be dead obvious to her parents that Ran is transforming outside, since Otaro came to see them? Maybe her father has trouble disciplining her, but her mom should put her foot down.

Jin...I don’t know what to say about this storyline. It was funny, but troubling in several aspects. I guess he doesn’t remember anything when he’s in heat...? So why didn’t he kiss Sango at the house before going to school? Surely he could smell her. At this rate she’ll be pregnant in no time, do his parents realize this is going on? I don’t feel this is well thought out. It kind of called out the fact that he’s 18, she’s 16, and that he was being irresponsible, and then...just tossed that right out the window a second later and didn’t care anymore? I don’t know if it’s better or worse that they acknowledged the issue and then ignored it rather than completely not realizing there’s an issue. I did like the reveal of her powers, though why he decided to have sex for the second time in a public place...😐 Jin, be smarter than your sister. And explain to her why Otaro is creepy, because you’re just making her like him more and defend him.

The artwork is pretty and the story is quirky and fun when not focusing on Otaro and Ran. I enjoy the slice of life side stories, but I’m not so sure I’m going to continue because the main story is not appealing. I don’t like our main characters, and I think the author has built a sloppy world. All these characters with apparently super powers, yet they lack common sense and don’t stop the calamity that is clearly about to be unleashed. SUPERVISE YOUR STUPID KID FFS. She nearly burned down a building, then flooded it, because she couldn’t control her powers and emotions (why doesn’t that always happen?). But no one magical noticed? She even has a teacher now, that so far has done zero to teach the kid. And apparently the teacher can’t use magic? She’s always flying around, but I guess that’s not using magic (she did seal the powers of one of the crow guards, which was pretty bad ass, but maybe she needs to do that to Ran). Maybe they could...for example...LOCK THE SHOES UP so Ran can’t use them whenever she wants?? That would basically solve 90% of the problems in this series. It’s never explained why she has the shoes. Same with Jin using a fur cloak to transform, even though he can do it without.

That kid that likes her is the only semi-level headed one here, and it looks like Otaro is jealous and might disappear him if he’s not careful.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, so things got more than a bit uncomfy in this volume as Otaro is definitely crossing lines here w/ Ran, though it's just all weird given the magic situation. It's not like Ran isn't putting herself into bad situations, but she's a kid and just doesn't get it. Otaro however doesn't really know that, though his behavior isn't great regardless, but to make the situation more complex, he's dreaming and aware of that... Can you hold someone accountable for behavior in a dream? Anyhow, there's no denying that he's quite a bit of a jerk, especially as he kisses Sango just because he knows she's with Jin (Ran's brother).

Jin's equally out of control in this volume, as his wolf nature has him "in heat" (I get the idea, but on that's a female hormonal thing... science people! Though who needs science in a world of magic.) Anyhow this has him kissing all the girls in school, until he kisses Sango who he runs off with and we next see them waking up naked in bed.

So anyhow, I keep telling myself that fiction doesn't always have to be *moral*, and if it's an enjoyable read, read it. Despite that however, I find this pushes my cringe buttons quite a bit. I'm intrigued enough to continue and see where this bug possession/war plotline is going, but be forewarned that there's a good bit of busty woman, nudity, and socially questionable behavior mixed into this story.

[Kiruha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta tercera entrega llega mucho más centrada, porque incluso los momentos tontos o sensuales (que en este tomo llegan a niveles atrevidos) aportan al desarrollo de personajes. Aparte de eso leerlo ha sido sumamente divertido, así que los motivos por el que aún no subo la puntuación a cuatro estrellas son conceptos que aparecen indebidamente idealizados en algunos capítulos, tales como estereotipos femeninos sumisos y (aunque consigan regañina) excesiva imposición masculina. Aun así incluso momentos criticables como estos incluyen alguna visión opuesta ofrecida por otro personaje (con la exclusión del inescapable cuerpo perfecto) o un toque de humor que suaviza tales observaciones.

En términos generales la profesora de magia continúa teniendo una participación poco lucida (sin contar el incoherente atuendo) aparte de mínima, pero al menos se descubre (¡en un extra!) el posible motivo detrás de ello. También se revelan lados menos halagadores de algunos personajes, y afortunadamente aquí Ran sí actúa como una niña cuando está en cuerpo adulto. ¡La transformación no sería creíble de otro modo!

[Silvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Posibles espoilers, advierto.

Este tomo deja a un lado todos los puntos interesantes que había en el anterior. Más de lo mismo con Otaro y Ran, rozando extremos intolerables en cuanto a abuso se refiere, o al menos así es como lo veo yo, será que no dejo de pensar que Ran es realmente una niña de 9 años por mucho cuerpo de mujer que tenga, y me da igual que él no lo sepa. Tampoco me ha gustado que Sango sea tan sumisa, un poco más de carácter y amor propio y yo qué sé, no me ha gustado.

Tampoco me gusta que el tomo se centre más en las relaciones "sentimentales" de los personajes en lugar de en la magia.

Y mejor no hablo de los desnudos femeninos gratuitos, igual como no estoy habituada a leer manga me escandalizo yo por nada y soy una exagerada pero me sobra esto bastante.

[Tsuki-chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I figured it out! The author just took all her crazy ideas that she thought would never fit in a proper story and put it in this manga! It's why this whole story is just a bunch of crazy, hilarious and awkward things! And you know what? I absolutly LOVE it!!!! I'm crazy and is good to know that I'm not alone in my own fantasy~ But seriously, I assume the fact that I'd read this book and that I would probably read it again one day.

Really.

Without jocking, I enjoyed my time with this wonderful crazy story! I hope I will find other books like that in the futur! What a relief that I'm just at the fourth book...

(Grabing the fourth book and start reading eagerly again...)

[ℂ ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Em mantinc en tot el que deia en la ressenya del volum anterior, però afegeixo que la trama es complica en el moment en què apareix l'amor... Parelles complicades i un pèl tòxiques amb la problemàtica de l'edat canviant de la Ran :/ fa la sensació que sigui una obra dels anys 80, estil Ranma...
És una historieta simpàtica amb elements màgics i fantàstics explicats d'una manera força caòtica i amb una bona dosi de cosificació a les dones. Les il·lustracions em semblen precioses i és l'únic que em manté l'interès per ara perquè la trama no té cap rumb clar...

[Tar Buendía · Rating 1 out of 5]

Este tomo me ha superado totalmente en cuanto a asco por sexualización. Si al principio ya puaj aquí ha sido nauseabundo. Que es una niña, que tiene diez años, que su cuerpo adulto sigue siendo el de una menor.
Reconozco que la historia no pretende que lo que cierto personajillo hace sea alabado pero no hace menos asqueroso nada de lo que pasa. Y el body shaming que hace el otro niñato encima. No puedo, no puedo.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two books have some gross stuff in it (sexual assault played as a joke, especially against the main character who is a literal child), but I kept reading it because the art is beautiful and the setting is compelling. Well, the sexual assault stuff has gotten so bad I can no longer recommend the series. And yet I still want to read it! This series is a train wreck but god, what a spectacular train wreck it is.

[Lauren Schnoebelen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love the art style so much in this series and the shape shifting magic is just so intriguing too but the story line is just really weird. I keep hoping it moves away from this weird sexualization of Ran but I don’t think it will. I really want to love this series but so much is holding me back.

[Laila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what I deserve for buying books because the art is pretty. The sexualization of ran is something I cant look over and it makes me so uncomfortable. I’m praying that in the next book (yes I will read bc i spent money on it) she’s not treated by the characters as well as the writer as A CHILD BECAUSE. SHE IS ONE!!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

While volume 3 had the most filler-y chapters so far, it was probably the funniest volume yet. The story traveled in many directions I did not think it would - and thankfully stopped short of leaping over the edge into something I could no longer enjoy. Thankfully the whimsical world of magic that is the setting for this story makes some of romances tense without being completely worrisome.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Makoto is right; Otaro is a jerk. What's even worse is that this whole story is super pedophilic. Ran is actually literally ten or even less, and the shoes make her look adult, but she isn't one. For fuck's sake, she can't even write her own surname! Yet her mother seems to have more problems with her transforming in public than dating Otaro, who's close to thirty! 🤮

[stanley snyder · Rating 1 out of 5]

NO SERIOUSLY WTF I'M ACTUALLY READING THIS IS GOTTA BE THE WORST MANGA EVER
the fact that Ran keeps going to Otarou even after he literally touched and took off her clothes inappropriately! and he says he fell in love with her! bro??? she's still a child and you don't know yet!
I'm trying to finish it to see what will happen in the end.
Only Zen, Ran's dad is the only character with a brain.

[Laura Luz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totalmente encantadora la historia.

[Arctialuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adoro a Jin y me encanta Shizuka. El dibujo me tiene enamorada, cada viñeta es preciosa