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Manga Classics
Macbeth
Macbeth, the Thane of Cawdor, is a loyal subject to Duncan, the King of Scotland. At least, he used to be. With tempting words and treacherous images, three witches and his own wife inspire Macbeth to a terrible act of treason and murder. As one murder follows another, Macbeth begins to lose his grip upon both his sanity and his hard-won kingdom - but what could possibly unseat him from his bloody throne?
Featuring lush visuals and the FULL, ORIGINAL TEXT of Shakespeare's brutal Scottish tragedy, Macbeth is the second title in Manga Classics ' Shakespeare line, an unflinching version of this classic tale!
Featuring lush visuals and the FULL, ORIGINAL TEXT of Shakespeare's brutal Scottish tragedy, Macbeth is the second title in Manga Classics ' Shakespeare line, an unflinching version of this classic tale!
321 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2018
20 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
About the author
Crystal S. Chan
31 books51 followersAdaptation of classic novels into manga editions with Stacy King.
See also: Crystal King
See also: Crystal King
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
March 22, 2022
TW//
If you’re going to engage in any Macbeth adaptation, I highly recommend reading a synopsis of the story online first. It’s a unique play because of how it deals with guilt, paranoia, and someone essentially losing their mind, but it’s also very dense with dialogue and it’s extremely confusing. I’d seen one of the film versions of Macbeth last month and was thoroughly confused. I paused the film and started laughing halfway through because I had no clue what was going on. I was hopeful that this adaptation would help me understand the story better, but unfortunately it didn’t do that for me. I think I really need to spend some time researching Macbeth adaptations and find one that’s written in modern English so that I can finally understand this story more.
The illustrations in this manga version were beautiful. The character drawings and backgrounds were phenomenal. It sucks that I just couldn’t understand the majority of the text because I feel like understanding the text could’ve helped me appreciate the illustrations more.
The only major thing that I got out of this adaptation was the realization that Double Trouble from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban used lyrics from a song in Macbeth. It was really interesting to make that connection and realize that a song that I adore was partly inspired by this play.
I would only really recommend reading this manga classic if you’re good at understanding Shakespeare’s writing. If you struggle with Shakespeare’s writing, then this manga will unfortunately be a struggle to get through.
Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to review a copy of this book via NetGalley.
If you’re going to engage in any Macbeth adaptation, I highly recommend reading a synopsis of the story online first. It’s a unique play because of how it deals with guilt, paranoia, and someone essentially losing their mind, but it’s also very dense with dialogue and it’s extremely confusing. I’d seen one of the film versions of Macbeth last month and was thoroughly confused. I paused the film and started laughing halfway through because I had no clue what was going on. I was hopeful that this adaptation would help me understand the story better, but unfortunately it didn’t do that for me. I think I really need to spend some time researching Macbeth adaptations and find one that’s written in modern English so that I can finally understand this story more.
The illustrations in this manga version were beautiful. The character drawings and backgrounds were phenomenal. It sucks that I just couldn’t understand the majority of the text because I feel like understanding the text could’ve helped me appreciate the illustrations more.
The only major thing that I got out of this adaptation was the realization that Double Trouble from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban used lyrics from a song in Macbeth. It was really interesting to make that connection and realize that a song that I adore was partly inspired by this play.
I would only really recommend reading this manga classic if you’re good at understanding Shakespeare’s writing. If you struggle with Shakespeare’s writing, then this manga will unfortunately be a struggle to get through.
Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to review a copy of this book via NetGalley.
March 26, 2019
One of a series of manga adaptations of Shakespeare that will surely sell many copies in schools, faithful as it is to the original in certain ways, and not visually boring. Macbeth and most of the other men have male manga (think: eighties rock star) hair. Whenever metaphors are mentioned, we have to see them illustrated, which is a disappointingly literal artistic thing to do.
The best and worst aspect of it is that it translates Elizabethan English here and there to contemporary understandings. This is necessary for most contemporary teenaged readers, and surely will be helpful to those teachers facing the daily resistance based in frustration from generations of students. And adults, too; I skimmed some reviews that admit their reviewers would not have understood what is going on without the illustrations.
Some of the beloved set pieces are largely left alone, such as the "tomorrow speech," though many are, as in almost every Shakespearean production of a play ever, edited down. And whole sections of the original language are, of course, gone, to keep the action lean and mean, which I am not as upset about as I am about the loss of some of the poetry. If Macbeth is largely reduced to an action plot, it loses so much. I'd rather see a film production in the original language than read this manga, but I'll admit it will be useful. It was useful to my son, too, as we prepared to see a production of the play for his first time. I was a high school teacher for a long time, and I see baffled faces in my urban high schools, so I know every new generation is another decade away from the original language. I hope this and other books help keep people reading Shakespeare. Macbeth is a great story of witches and ghosts and murderous greed.
The best and worst aspect of it is that it translates Elizabethan English here and there to contemporary understandings. This is necessary for most contemporary teenaged readers, and surely will be helpful to those teachers facing the daily resistance based in frustration from generations of students. And adults, too; I skimmed some reviews that admit their reviewers would not have understood what is going on without the illustrations.
Some of the beloved set pieces are largely left alone, such as the "tomorrow speech," though many are, as in almost every Shakespearean production of a play ever, edited down. And whole sections of the original language are, of course, gone, to keep the action lean and mean, which I am not as upset about as I am about the loss of some of the poetry. If Macbeth is largely reduced to an action plot, it loses so much. I'd rather see a film production in the original language than read this manga, but I'll admit it will be useful. It was useful to my son, too, as we prepared to see a production of the play for his first time. I was a high school teacher for a long time, and I see baffled faces in my urban high schools, so I know every new generation is another decade away from the original language. I hope this and other books help keep people reading Shakespeare. Macbeth is a great story of witches and ghosts and murderous greed.
July 26, 2022
"Macbeth" is amongst my top 3 plays by Shakespeare, so I was very excited to see what they'd do for a manga adaptation, especially because of Crystal Chan's artwork and the fact that I liked the other adaptations done by Udon that I've read so far.
Unfortunately, it felt like a dry retelling in which everything is taken from the play as is, old-fashioned language included, and thus means nothing new nor fresh was brought in. I feel this was a lamentable miss of an opportunity, because at least the language could've been updated. As is, the only thing that shines through in this adaptation is the artwork, which stays as lovely and beautiful as I've come to expect from this artist.
Thank you to UDON for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, it felt like a dry retelling in which everything is taken from the play as is, old-fashioned language included, and thus means nothing new nor fresh was brought in. I feel this was a lamentable miss of an opportunity, because at least the language could've been updated. As is, the only thing that shines through in this adaptation is the artwork, which stays as lovely and beautiful as I've come to expect from this artist.
Thank you to UDON for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2020
Manga Classics: Macbeth is a lovely adaption of the Shakespeare classic that translates the work well into a more modern take.
I was informed by the publisher that the entire play is within the book. They contacted me after my review was posted to let me know. I previously said it was translated at some spots (because it honestly did seem that way. I didn't get my copy out to verify, so that's my bad...) but it is apparently not. I've had other reviewers reach out to me and tell me they thought the same thing, so that's cool. I did find it interesting that I was contacted numerous times by different people from the publisher in a short time span about my comment though. Take from that what you will.
I think the best way to use this book is as a supplement for mandatory school readings or for introductions into Shakespeare. Nothing can quite replicate the original (or a live take on the play), but this sure makes the story easier to follow. If this would have been used as a supplement in my Grade 11 class, I think we would have found learning way more enjoyable.
The manga was a lovely addition to this story, and is probably the biggest takeaway for me. If you haven't seen the play, you can't always imagine what's going on in the story. Seeing it in picture form was a great way to show the story. Major points for that. I didn't like that some of the metaphors were illustrated exactly as they are written, but that's me as a Shakespeare lover. I understood the metaphor, I didn't need to see it to.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
I was informed by the publisher that the entire play is within the book. They contacted me after my review was posted to let me know. I previously said it was translated at some spots (because it honestly did seem that way. I didn't get my copy out to verify, so that's my bad...) but it is apparently not. I've had other reviewers reach out to me and tell me they thought the same thing, so that's cool. I did find it interesting that I was contacted numerous times by different people from the publisher in a short time span about my comment though. Take from that what you will.
I think the best way to use this book is as a supplement for mandatory school readings or for introductions into Shakespeare. Nothing can quite replicate the original (or a live take on the play), but this sure makes the story easier to follow. If this would have been used as a supplement in my Grade 11 class, I think we would have found learning way more enjoyable.
The manga was a lovely addition to this story, and is probably the biggest takeaway for me. If you haven't seen the play, you can't always imagine what's going on in the story. Seeing it in picture form was a great way to show the story. Major points for that. I didn't like that some of the metaphors were illustrated exactly as they are written, but that's me as a Shakespeare lover. I understood the metaphor, I didn't need to see it to.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
January 27, 2019
I generally enjoy the Manga Classics line, so I was eager to see their take on Macbeth, my favorite Shakespeare play. Unfortunately, even Macbeth cannot survive the casting of Jon Bon Jovi's 1980s giant hair in the lead role. I mean, that crown perched awkwardly atop the head on the cover gives new meaning to the term hair metal. Add in the giant kingly robes he wears, and Macbeth looks like a ridiculous Dalek/Bon Jovi hybrid throughout most of the book.
On top of that, the writer and artist decided to bring Shakespeare's text alive by illustrating the metaphors he uses as background images. So when Lady Macbeth mentions a serpent, a giant serpent floats around her. She says cat, and there's a cat floating behind her. So we have page after page of characters standing in front of dogs, gorgons, bears, wolves, more serpents, etc. And that's as visually interesting as things get.
Disappointing.
On top of that, the writer and artist decided to bring Shakespeare's text alive by illustrating the metaphors he uses as background images. So when Lady Macbeth mentions a serpent, a giant serpent floats around her. She says cat, and there's a cat floating behind her. So we have page after page of characters standing in front of dogs, gorgons, bears, wolves, more serpents, etc. And that's as visually interesting as things get.
Disappointing.
July 7, 2020
Manga Classic: Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a graphic novel experience I didn’t expect. Foolishly, I was unaware of what “Manga” was, if I had of known I probably wouldn’t have requested it – but it’s good to try new things.
Okay, for the uninitiated – Manga is a type of comic originating from Japan and it encompasses a certain style which most of us have probably seen. I was just unaware it had a name. This style isn’t a modern phenomenon, in fact, it’s been around since the 1600’s.
This series of graphic novels covers a good number of the classics, and Macbeth is one of them. I thought I would try this out as it’s always good to see interesting variations of well-known literature. But I must say, I just found it all too much. The graphics for me were highly distracting and in my view not appropriate for the story – it was too light, too Rockstar and way too busy. These guys have hair like Duran Duran!!
It also wasn’t ‘moody enough’.
These books seem to be popular with the younger generation, and to my mind would be an excellent and very digestible introduction to fine literature.
Just not for this old fuddy-duddy.
2 Stars
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review.
Okay, for the uninitiated – Manga is a type of comic originating from Japan and it encompasses a certain style which most of us have probably seen. I was just unaware it had a name. This style isn’t a modern phenomenon, in fact, it’s been around since the 1600’s.
This series of graphic novels covers a good number of the classics, and Macbeth is one of them. I thought I would try this out as it’s always good to see interesting variations of well-known literature. But I must say, I just found it all too much. The graphics for me were highly distracting and in my view not appropriate for the story – it was too light, too Rockstar and way too busy. These guys have hair like Duran Duran!!
It also wasn’t ‘moody enough’.
These books seem to be popular with the younger generation, and to my mind would be an excellent and very digestible introduction to fine literature.
Just not for this old fuddy-duddy.
2 Stars
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review.
March 22, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Manga Classics Inc. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a manga edition of the Shakespearean play, Macbeth. The detailed art and the text and speech work together to express themes from the original play. Honestly speaking, it was a wonderful experience, and I would especially recommend it to others who love to experience Shakespeare's work in a multitude of creative, effective ways.
This book was a manga edition of the Shakespearean play, Macbeth. The detailed art and the text and speech work together to express themes from the original play. Honestly speaking, it was a wonderful experience, and I would especially recommend it to others who love to experience Shakespeare's work in a multitude of creative, effective ways.
March 22, 2024
I love classics, but some of them can be so hard for me to follow along and understand. This manga classic does do justice to the original while also adding visual entertainment and context. I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 2, 2020
If it weren't for the imagery, I would have no idea what was going on in this book.
This book really is a classic adaptation to read in a class room setting, where you can dissect each and every line so you understand the story better. I wouldn't read this as a casual classic read as the Old English is intense. The grammar is completely different and I mostly understood what was happening on the pages through the imagery. So kudos to the artwork, great stuff, but the original material is where I'm just left with a meh feeling. If I had read this as a classroom assignment to really analyze I probably would have loved it but I didn't.
ℹ Disclosure:
I received an arc copy of this book from Udon Entertainment via NetGalley and I’m reviewing it voluntarily.
This book really is a classic adaptation to read in a class room setting, where you can dissect each and every line so you understand the story better. I wouldn't read this as a casual classic read as the Old English is intense. The grammar is completely different and I mostly understood what was happening on the pages through the imagery. So kudos to the artwork, great stuff, but the original material is where I'm just left with a meh feeling. If I had read this as a classroom assignment to really analyze I probably would have loved it but I didn't.
ℹ Disclosure:
I received an arc copy of this book from Udon Entertainment via NetGalley and I’m reviewing it voluntarily.
January 14, 2019
First things first: I received this book through NetGalley
I don't know how to rate this. I don't completely hate it, but I didn't love it either.
I liked the story but at the same time, didn't care for it at all. I'm just really meh about the whole thing. I just really don't care for anything Shakespeare, really. Who would've thought. Actually, I knew. Please don't hate me.
Let's talk about something very positive, tho. The artwork. Hot damn, the artwork was just fantastic and beautiful and just everything that made me actually like the book enough to keep going. Damn, they are good.
I don't know how to rate this. I don't completely hate it, but I didn't love it either.
I liked the story but at the same time, didn't care for it at all. I'm just really meh about the whole thing. I just really don't care for anything Shakespeare, really. Who would've thought. Actually, I knew. Please don't hate me.
Let's talk about something very positive, tho. The artwork. Hot damn, the artwork was just fantastic and beautiful and just everything that made me actually like the book enough to keep going. Damn, they are good.
February 1, 2021
I've been wanting to get my hands on those classics-turned mangas for quite some time.
And finally the time came!
Manga Classics: Macbeth is the known story of a man who manipulates and is manipulated and through deceit and murder ends up becoming the king of Scotland.
But this time it's been adapted into a manga.
To be honest, never before had I read a manga (I've only watched a couple of animes) and reading a book backwards was a little tricky.
Also, for some reason, I thought that the language would have been adapted in a more modern form. It didn't though. it's still Shakespeare's English, which I am also going to admit that sometimes I don't 100% understand.
And yet, this one was more entertaining than I initially expected. It was very easy and quick to read, even with a harder form of English. Granted, being essentially a 'graphic novel' was a great help.
Both because it made reading it easier and because, since this is a play, it added to the visual experience - because as I've said before, plays don't always work as books - plus, the artworks were quite nice too.
This may be deserving of a *3.8/5 because the plot did stop dead a little in the middle and before the end. But overall it was a positive reading experience.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And finally the time came!
Manga Classics: Macbeth is the known story of a man who manipulates and is manipulated and through deceit and murder ends up becoming the king of Scotland.
But this time it's been adapted into a manga.
To be honest, never before had I read a manga (I've only watched a couple of animes) and reading a book backwards was a little tricky.
Also, for some reason, I thought that the language would have been adapted in a more modern form. It didn't though. it's still Shakespeare's English, which I am also going to admit that sometimes I don't 100% understand.
And yet, this one was more entertaining than I initially expected. It was very easy and quick to read, even with a harder form of English. Granted, being essentially a 'graphic novel' was a great help.
Both because it made reading it easier and because, since this is a play, it added to the visual experience - because as I've said before, plays don't always work as books - plus, the artworks were quite nice too.
This may be deserving of a *3.8/5 because the plot did stop dead a little in the middle and before the end. But overall it was a positive reading experience.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2024
I've read some Manga Classics, and they've all been great reads. Manga Classics' Macbeth is another I can add to that list. With amazing designs and faithful to Shakespeare's plays, the graphic novel is a must-read for those who want to enjoy the language of Shakespeare but can't sit through over two hours on stage or those who want to ease into Shakespeare's tragedies through comics before seeing it on stage. I also recommend those who love Shakespeare to read this as it's very faithful to Shakespeare's words and shows the story in a new adaptation (and let's be honest, who doesn't love a good Shakespeare adaptation?)
Thank you, NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 3, 2018
But 'tis strange:
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest consequence.
I read Macbeth two years ago, and I did not understand it. I took the opportunity this year to reread it first in original and then in manga format. I discovered an unexpected beauty.
Füssli - the three witches and Macbeth
I believe that many know the story of Macbeth, his fall in the abyss and in wickedness, a fall helped by the Mephistophelian lady Macbeth. Few know, however, that the world of manga can make a very high contribution to this text. Shakespeare often speaks for metaphors and images: the format of the manga can give the opportunity to create real works of art within the narration, as evidenced by the other volume of the Udon Manga Classics, Romeo and Juliet. Truly an excellent choice, that of re-enacting Shakespearean tragedies in manga style.
Good good good. The drawings related to the scenes with lady Macbeth transmit all the madness and the wickedness of the woman, her cold blood and her bravado.
Even “portraiture” plays a fundamental role: Macbeth changes face in the course of the story, as well as the authors of the manga at the end / beginning of the book explain. They also did An excellent job in the reconstruction of clothes and settings, about which little we known. And now we come to a brief description of the story, just to end the review in the best way.
Frequently represented and readjusted over the centuries, Macbeth has become the archetype excellence of the show for unbridled power and its dangers. For the plot Shakespeare freely inspired the historical account of King Macbeth of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed and that of the Scottish philosopher Ettore Boezio. Also very popular is the opera version of this tragedy, music by Verdi with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.
The tragedy opens in a gloomy Scotland of early Middle Ages, in an atmosphere of lightning and thunder; three Witches decide that their next meeting will have, as a guest, Macbeth, to whom they will make a prophecy.
Personal note: I loved the scenes with the witches, really dark and Halloween.
Macbeth writes to his wife about the prophecies of the three witches. When Duncan king of Scotland decides to stay at Macbeth's castle in Inverness, Lady Macbeth devises a plan to kill him and secure the throne to her husband. Although Macbeth shows concern at the idea of a regicide, Lady Macbeth eventually persuades him to follow her plan.
Macbeth is not discovered after the regicide, but he remains very shocked. According to Lady Macbeth plan, he directs suspicions about the king's guards. the morning after the killing , and the Castle arrive arrive Lennox, a Scottish nobleman, and MacDuff, the loyal baron of Fife. The doorman opens the door and Macbeth leads them to the king's room where MacDuff discovers Duncan's body. In a simulated rage, Macbeth kills the three guards before they can claim their innocence.
Fearing for their lives, the sons of Duncan escape, but this make them suspicious. Macbeth ascends to the throne of Scotland as the heir of the former murdered king.
Macbeth continues to see enemies everywhere, so much that he sends assassins to kill MacDuff's wife and children. Lady Macbeth begins to be tormented by the weight of the murders: there is a scene in which Lady Macbeth walks in her sleep and tries to wash away the imaginary bloodstain from her hands. I can say with total confidence that this is one of the best scenes in the manga.
In order not to spoil, I will not write the end of the tragedy: it is all to be enjoyed.
This is a bloody tragedy, in which evil dominates and in which the characters are complex and ambiguous. Lady Macbeth, the personification of evil, is animated by ambition and wants more power: it is she who persuades her husband, often undecided, to commit the regicide. The supernatural is present with apparitions of ghosts, witches and they represent he absurd in the real life.
As always, manga editor and drawer make a wonderful job with this play. Characters and settings are phenomenal and just perfect. The scenes are well described and well executed. It was a pleasure reading this manga during a stormy night. Hope you’ll enjoy the reading as much as I did.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest consequence.
I read Macbeth two years ago, and I did not understand it. I took the opportunity this year to reread it first in original and then in manga format. I discovered an unexpected beauty.
Füssli - the three witches and Macbeth
I believe that many know the story of Macbeth, his fall in the abyss and in wickedness, a fall helped by the Mephistophelian lady Macbeth. Few know, however, that the world of manga can make a very high contribution to this text. Shakespeare often speaks for metaphors and images: the format of the manga can give the opportunity to create real works of art within the narration, as evidenced by the other volume of the Udon Manga Classics, Romeo and Juliet. Truly an excellent choice, that of re-enacting Shakespearean tragedies in manga style.
Good good good. The drawings related to the scenes with lady Macbeth transmit all the madness and the wickedness of the woman, her cold blood and her bravado.
Even “portraiture” plays a fundamental role: Macbeth changes face in the course of the story, as well as the authors of the manga at the end / beginning of the book explain. They also did An excellent job in the reconstruction of clothes and settings, about which little we known. And now we come to a brief description of the story, just to end the review in the best way.
Frequently represented and readjusted over the centuries, Macbeth has become the archetype excellence of the show for unbridled power and its dangers. For the plot Shakespeare freely inspired the historical account of King Macbeth of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed and that of the Scottish philosopher Ettore Boezio. Also very popular is the opera version of this tragedy, music by Verdi with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.
The tragedy opens in a gloomy Scotland of early Middle Ages, in an atmosphere of lightning and thunder; three Witches decide that their next meeting will have, as a guest, Macbeth, to whom they will make a prophecy.
Personal note: I loved the scenes with the witches, really dark and Halloween.
Macbeth writes to his wife about the prophecies of the three witches. When Duncan king of Scotland decides to stay at Macbeth's castle in Inverness, Lady Macbeth devises a plan to kill him and secure the throne to her husband. Although Macbeth shows concern at the idea of a regicide, Lady Macbeth eventually persuades him to follow her plan.
Macbeth is not discovered after the regicide, but he remains very shocked. According to Lady Macbeth plan, he directs suspicions about the king's guards. the morning after the killing , and the Castle arrive arrive Lennox, a Scottish nobleman, and MacDuff, the loyal baron of Fife. The doorman opens the door and Macbeth leads them to the king's room where MacDuff discovers Duncan's body. In a simulated rage, Macbeth kills the three guards before they can claim their innocence.
Fearing for their lives, the sons of Duncan escape, but this make them suspicious. Macbeth ascends to the throne of Scotland as the heir of the former murdered king.
Macbeth continues to see enemies everywhere, so much that he sends assassins to kill MacDuff's wife and children. Lady Macbeth begins to be tormented by the weight of the murders: there is a scene in which Lady Macbeth walks in her sleep and tries to wash away the imaginary bloodstain from her hands. I can say with total confidence that this is one of the best scenes in the manga.
In order not to spoil, I will not write the end of the tragedy: it is all to be enjoyed.
This is a bloody tragedy, in which evil dominates and in which the characters are complex and ambiguous. Lady Macbeth, the personification of evil, is animated by ambition and wants more power: it is she who persuades her husband, often undecided, to commit the regicide. The supernatural is present with apparitions of ghosts, witches and they represent he absurd in the real life.
As always, manga editor and drawer make a wonderful job with this play. Characters and settings are phenomenal and just perfect. The scenes are well described and well executed. It was a pleasure reading this manga during a stormy night. Hope you’ll enjoy the reading as much as I did.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
March 13, 2025
I am still too dumb to comprehend Early Modern English.
Despite not fully understanding this in high school without external resources, and presently ignoring the "full original text edition" from the cover photo; I wanted to see if I could understand the writing now as an adult. I could not. I was lost on page seven, and the confusion trend stayed stagnant throughout. Thankfully, Comics and Lit on YouTube has a big, juicy brain to summarize all of the five acts. After that, this was immensely enjoyable to follow along.
Chan's illustrations were gorgeous. She was able to emulate the ambition, guilt, and the relationship between appearance and reality without neglecting the successful portrayal of the metaphors, paradoxes, and motifs from this challenging play.
Overall, this is for any true Macbeth fan as it stayed faithful to the original play. I would not recommend to anyone otherwise, unless you plan to follow along to YouTube videos as you read. This would be perfect for any student with a visual learning style.
Thank you to NetGalley, UDON Entertainment, and Chan for providing me this free eBook!
Despite not fully understanding this in high school without external resources, and presently ignoring the "full original text edition" from the cover photo; I wanted to see if I could understand the writing now as an adult. I could not. I was lost on page seven, and the confusion trend stayed stagnant throughout. Thankfully, Comics and Lit on YouTube has a big, juicy brain to summarize all of the five acts. After that, this was immensely enjoyable to follow along.
Chan's illustrations were gorgeous. She was able to emulate the ambition, guilt, and the relationship between appearance and reality without neglecting the successful portrayal of the metaphors, paradoxes, and motifs from this challenging play.
Overall, this is for any true Macbeth fan as it stayed faithful to the original play. I would not recommend to anyone otherwise, unless you plan to follow along to YouTube videos as you read. This would be perfect for any student with a visual learning style.
Thank you to NetGalley, UDON Entertainment, and Chan for providing me this free eBook!
August 7, 2019
A classic comes to life in vivid color as history tells the tale of Macbeth and company. A must read for any fans of history and the legacy that classics have created. 5/5 stars for a beautiful rendition of a tale as old as time.
April 30, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review
Listen. I've never read Macbeth before. I never even cared to. But Hamilton makes reference to it and I was always too lazy to google what it meant. So when I found this on NetGalley I got really excited. I knew nothing about Macbeth except that there were 3 witches you're not supposed to say it in the theater.
I thought Macbeth was the good guy lmaoooo. So yeah. I was wrong on that front. I was unprepared for him to be killing off characters willy nilly all over the place. And then I was somehow surprised that he died in the end lmaooooo. When I say I knew nothing about Macbeth, I really freaking meant it.
I'm glad I was able to read this because I never would have read the play otherwise, and honestly that would be the real tragedy in all of this
Listen. I've never read Macbeth before. I never even cared to. But Hamilton makes reference to it and I was always too lazy to google what it meant. So when I found this on NetGalley I got really excited. I knew nothing about Macbeth except that there were 3 witches you're not supposed to say it in the theater.
I thought Macbeth was the good guy lmaoooo. So yeah. I was wrong on that front. I was unprepared for him to be killing off characters willy nilly all over the place. And then I was somehow surprised that he died in the end lmaooooo. When I say I knew nothing about Macbeth, I really freaking meant it.
I'm glad I was able to read this because I never would have read the play otherwise, and honestly that would be the real tragedy in all of this
August 18, 2020
Another brilliant rendering of a Shakespeare classic! This is one of my favourites and the visual story telling has done it more than justice - this graphic novel is a work of art.
February 12, 2025
Macbeth is my favourite shakespeare play and I enjoy reading manga. So theoretically a book that combines the two should be right up my alley... Right?
As it says on the tin manga classics: Macbeth is a manga adaptation of the classic shakespeare play. For the format it is stripped down quite a lot as to be expected however the language is not simplified it very much still is ye old English. It does try to give modern translations every so often but it's not consistent. So if you struggle to read shakespeare text this would still be a struggle.
The themes of the original play are addressed very slightly. This is a much lighter take on the story, doesn't quite have the same atmosphere or feel to it.
I enjoyed the artwork of the volume some illustrations were detailed and beautiful. I feel like this has a place for perhaps introducing a younger audience to shakespeare work.... But there are still some challenges as already discussed.
Thank you to NetGalley and udon entertainment for providing a copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As it says on the tin manga classics: Macbeth is a manga adaptation of the classic shakespeare play. For the format it is stripped down quite a lot as to be expected however the language is not simplified it very much still is ye old English. It does try to give modern translations every so often but it's not consistent. So if you struggle to read shakespeare text this would still be a struggle.
The themes of the original play are addressed very slightly. This is a much lighter take on the story, doesn't quite have the same atmosphere or feel to it.
I enjoyed the artwork of the volume some illustrations were detailed and beautiful. I feel like this has a place for perhaps introducing a younger audience to shakespeare work.... But there are still some challenges as already discussed.
Thank you to NetGalley and udon entertainment for providing a copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 26, 2019
I read Macbeth in high school, and have been wanting to read it again for some time.
I saw this and thought, I'll give it a go.
While the art work is really well done, the manga style took away the series edge and made what is dark and claustrophobic fill feel anything but. It gave a light almost happy feel to the look that killed right away any want to continue on past the first page.
If you think that is harsh, it isn't. The copy I received breaks down each character (with sketches) and talks about the adaptation process. You see what everyone and everything is going to look like before the story even starts. So by the time it does, you're either stoked, or like me, put out.
I couldn't take it seriously.
I saw this and thought, I'll give it a go.
While the art work is really well done, the manga style took away the series edge and made what is dark and claustrophobic fill feel anything but. It gave a light almost happy feel to the look that killed right away any want to continue on past the first page.
If you think that is harsh, it isn't. The copy I received breaks down each character (with sketches) and talks about the adaptation process. You see what everyone and everything is going to look like before the story even starts. So by the time it does, you're either stoked, or like me, put out.
I couldn't take it seriously.
April 10, 2021
Unlike Romeo and Juliet and Anne of Green Gables, I didn't really know anything about Macbeth. before reading this. Buuuut I actually really enjoyed this story haha. I would love to learn even more about it and see the play haha.
Again, I love these so much.
hmmm, I really want to read a Hamlet one... that would be so interesting.
And yeah, the art is so extremely impressive.
Like, imagine having creativity. I can't.
AnYwAyS, highly recommend these manga classics :)
Again, I love these so much.
hmmm, I really want to read a Hamlet one... that would be so interesting.
And yeah, the art is so extremely impressive.
Like, imagine having creativity. I can't.
AnYwAyS, highly recommend these manga classics :)
November 12, 2023
I really enjoyed adaptation of Frankenstein so I thought "maybe it'll be a smart idea to read Shakespear as well?" In school I found Shakespeare boring. I could not be bothered with it.
This adaptation somehow made it fun.
I enjoyed reading play in manga format. Not only are the visuals pleasant to look at, they also make understanding of wider context much easier.
People who adapted this play payed attention to details. I love when peole who adapt something are also fans of the source materials and add all sorts of cool details. I don't want to elaborate for fear of spoiling the fun for first time readers.
This adaptation somehow made it fun.
I enjoyed reading play in manga format. Not only are the visuals pleasant to look at, they also make understanding of wider context much easier.
People who adapted this play payed attention to details. I love when peole who adapt something are also fans of the source materials and add all sorts of cool details. I don't want to elaborate for fear of spoiling the fun for first time readers.
Read
April 22, 20252025 reads: 80/300
this is a manga adaptation of shakespeare’s macbeth. honestly, i still have yet to read the original, but i’ve enjoyed other manga classics, so i was looking forward to this one when i saw it on hoopla. while i can’t speak to how faithful it was to the original, i thought this was a good book. i liked the art style and thought the fight scenes were depicted especially well.
this is a manga adaptation of shakespeare’s macbeth. honestly, i still have yet to read the original, but i’ve enjoyed other manga classics, so i was looking forward to this one when i saw it on hoopla. while i can’t speak to how faithful it was to the original, i thought this was a good book. i liked the art style and thought the fight scenes were depicted especially well.
January 8, 2020
Out, damn'd spot! Out, I say!
I received this Manga graphic Novel from Netgalley and publishers. as a free complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I read several Manga graphic Novels however, this is my first Shakespeare Manga classic. I am familiar with "The Scottish play."I've seen several versions of it from puppetry to creative dance interpretations to stick figures. (Seriously) I've seen them all. lol. Although not my favorite I still enjoy and like the story of Macbeth very much. It is a compelling story of revenge, blind ambition, betrayal, and guilt. And it has ghosts haunting their murderer the king... This is all told beautifully by the artwork in this Manga. The dialogue recited above the character's heads. The artist captured the Midevel setting with bright colors of reading, black, etc making the story flow along at a good pace. I was able to follow the dialogue and the story without a problem.. I will definitely plan to buy another Manga Shakespeare Play. Maybe even the collection. I would definitely recommend this to a teacher, mother, friend to teach the undeniably timeless tales of Shakespeare.
I received this Manga graphic Novel from Netgalley and publishers. as a free complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I read several Manga graphic Novels however, this is my first Shakespeare Manga classic. I am familiar with "The Scottish play."I've seen several versions of it from puppetry to creative dance interpretations to stick figures. (Seriously) I've seen them all. lol. Although not my favorite I still enjoy and like the story of Macbeth very much. It is a compelling story of revenge, blind ambition, betrayal, and guilt. And it has ghosts haunting their murderer the king... This is all told beautifully by the artwork in this Manga. The dialogue recited above the character's heads. The artist captured the Midevel setting with bright colors of reading, black, etc making the story flow along at a good pace. I was able to follow the dialogue and the story without a problem.. I will definitely plan to buy another Manga Shakespeare Play. Maybe even the collection. I would definitely recommend this to a teacher, mother, friend to teach the undeniably timeless tales of Shakespeare.
March 13, 2021
Interesting take on the classic story, melding it with the style of anime. It makes it less dour than other versions, but perhaps more accessible that way to a younger audience.
March 29, 2022
If you’re looking for a visual representation of Macbeth, this manga is a good source to look into! As with other stories from UDON Entertainment, the graphics are heavily visual and the extra material provides a lot of insight into how this story came to become a comic book.
Special thanks to NetGalley, UDON Entertainment, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC, and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#LifeLongLearning #MacbethMangaclassics #NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley, UDON Entertainment, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC, and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#LifeLongLearning #MacbethMangaclassics #NetGalley
March 15, 2019
Despite its popularity, MacBeth has never been one of my favorite Shakespearean plays. Too bloody and gory and gloomy for my taste. But if you like a dismal adventure with plenty of violence and mayhem, MacBeth has plenty of that! And this manga adaptation rings true with the moods and poetry of the original play. I like that the exact dialogue of the play is used in this manga, and the artwork beautifully illustrates all the action and drama.
Each character has a memorable and striking appearance, and I found it especially interesting to see how MacBeth's demeanor changed after he commits murder. His posture and facial expressions are different, and shadows gather around him in the darker colors of the artwork. It's a subtle but effective way of showing the development of his character, slowing falling into madness and despair.
The witches were especially frightening and creepy with all their dark arts and ugly meddling. Their faces were hairy and eerie, and it weirded me out! All of the paranormal scenes were chilling, and that is just how powerful the illustrations are.
I love the heroic characters, with their square jaws and clear eyes. Just from seeing their facial expressions, I could really imagine their dialogue being spoken in distinct voices.
I'm so in love with all the Manga Classics series, and this one is excellently done!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Each character has a memorable and striking appearance, and I found it especially interesting to see how MacBeth's demeanor changed after he commits murder. His posture and facial expressions are different, and shadows gather around him in the darker colors of the artwork. It's a subtle but effective way of showing the development of his character, slowing falling into madness and despair.
The witches were especially frightening and creepy with all their dark arts and ugly meddling. Their faces were hairy and eerie, and it weirded me out! All of the paranormal scenes were chilling, and that is just how powerful the illustrations are.
I love the heroic characters, with their square jaws and clear eyes. Just from seeing their facial expressions, I could really imagine their dialogue being spoken in distinct voices.
I'm so in love with all the Manga Classics series, and this one is excellently done!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
January 18, 2020
As I did with Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet I read this version of Macbeth with an Italian translation close by. One scene in English, one scene in Italian to check how much I had understood. Kind of useful, even if the notes in my edition were way too focused on mentioning the Greek and Latin sources Shakespeare used for his story.
I love Macbeth and it's my favorite Shakespeare's play. But, yeah. I have to admit I've only read three of them in their original and a couple more as graphic novel adaptations.
I enjoyed this version and my five stars rating goes to the adaptors and their wonderful job. In addition, being am avid manga reader, the Macbeth's Bon Jovi hair didn't bother me at all.
If this adaptation came with Sparks Note attached, that would be perfect. :-)
Looking forward to read A Midsummer Night's Dream...
I love Macbeth and it's my favorite Shakespeare's play. But, yeah. I have to admit I've only read three of them in their original and a couple more as graphic novel adaptations.
I enjoyed this version and my five stars rating goes to the adaptors and their wonderful job. In addition, being am avid manga reader, the Macbeth's Bon Jovi hair didn't bother me at all.
If this adaptation came with Sparks Note attached, that would be perfect. :-)
Looking forward to read A Midsummer Night's Dream...
October 6, 2018
Another brilliant re-edition of a great work of literature, Macbeth manga stays true to the original play. Accompanied by beautiful and inventive illustrations, it is difficult not to love this edition. Strongly recommended to fans of mangas, but also to fans of Shakespeare.
August 5, 2020
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my thoughts.
While I haven’t read Macbeth in its original form, nor have I seen it performed, I am somewhat familiar with the story thanks to today’s pop culture and Google. This manga version of Shakespeare’s work seems to be a very close adaptation - it claims that every line has been adapted from the original, but I personally can’t attest to that - but I fully went into this expecting it to be ‘translated’, too. Sadly, that wasn’t the case and Shakespeare’s writing style is preserved in this. It would have been a much easier and fun read, for me personally, if the dialogue had been modernised.
As it stands, though, this is a solid manga. The art seemed fitting for the story - nothing felt out of place, I got a real sense of the doom and gloom surrounding Macbeth - and you could tell the characters apart well. The latter was aided by a cast list at the start of the book, which was a very helpful addition. I feel like this could be a very helpful tool for those studying Macbeth and struggling with some of the themes and imagery in it, as they are displayed through the artwork in this.
Having finished it, though, I’m very torn on how to rate it: it wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t a book for me. The craftsmanship that went into creating this manga is very apparent, and it’s a beautiful little book. I just don’t care too much for the Bard.
While I haven’t read Macbeth in its original form, nor have I seen it performed, I am somewhat familiar with the story thanks to today’s pop culture and Google. This manga version of Shakespeare’s work seems to be a very close adaptation - it claims that every line has been adapted from the original, but I personally can’t attest to that - but I fully went into this expecting it to be ‘translated’, too. Sadly, that wasn’t the case and Shakespeare’s writing style is preserved in this. It would have been a much easier and fun read, for me personally, if the dialogue had been modernised.
As it stands, though, this is a solid manga. The art seemed fitting for the story - nothing felt out of place, I got a real sense of the doom and gloom surrounding Macbeth - and you could tell the characters apart well. The latter was aided by a cast list at the start of the book, which was a very helpful addition. I feel like this could be a very helpful tool for those studying Macbeth and struggling with some of the themes and imagery in it, as they are displayed through the artwork in this.
Having finished it, though, I’m very torn on how to rate it: it wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t a book for me. The craftsmanship that went into creating this manga is very apparent, and it’s a beautiful little book. I just don’t care too much for the Bard.
November 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!
I feel like I should probably have read Macbeth before reading the manga version... oops. Now, my only point of reference or comparison is the Finnish Macbeth theatre production I watched, which had a very different feel.
I'm not really sure what to say about this manga, either. The story is Macbeth, so there's not much to comment on there. I did enjoy the art style, and, reading the artist's comments at the end of it, I can appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness that went into creating this manga version, considering how little clues there are to go off in the original when it comes to the visual details (according to the mangaka - again, I haven't actually read Macbeth).
I think reading a manga version of Shakespeare's plays, or other old classics, would probably be a good way for people to "get into" reading dramas, in particular, as they tend to be a little difficult to really know how to read if you aren't used to it already. Especially considering that plays ARE meant to be seen, not read, I think a manga version is probably a good compromise, and I defintely appreciate this manga for that alone. Still, it was kind of disorienting, in a way, to have a manga full of Shakespearean dialogue 😅
I feel like I should probably have read Macbeth before reading the manga version... oops. Now, my only point of reference or comparison is the Finnish Macbeth theatre production I watched, which had a very different feel.
I'm not really sure what to say about this manga, either. The story is Macbeth, so there's not much to comment on there. I did enjoy the art style, and, reading the artist's comments at the end of it, I can appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness that went into creating this manga version, considering how little clues there are to go off in the original when it comes to the visual details (according to the mangaka - again, I haven't actually read Macbeth).
I think reading a manga version of Shakespeare's plays, or other old classics, would probably be a good way for people to "get into" reading dramas, in particular, as they tend to be a little difficult to really know how to read if you aren't used to it already. Especially considering that plays ARE meant to be seen, not read, I think a manga version is probably a good compromise, and I defintely appreciate this manga for that alone. Still, it was kind of disorienting, in a way, to have a manga full of Shakespearean dialogue 😅
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