The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, A Rún, Vol. 6

とつくにの少女 / Totsukuni no shōjo #6

by Nagabe, Adrienne Beck (Translator )

FAR FROM HOME

Pursued by soldiers, Teacher and Shiva left their home and searched for a new one in a distant hamlet. They thought to hide away there, but fate was not so kind to them. The cursed soldiers… The Insiders’ plans… Even Teacher himself. The mysteries surrounding them slowly begin coming to light…

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Horror, Fiction, Young Adult

180 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2018

About the author

Please also see ながべ.

He studied Fine Arts at Musashino University. At first, he was more interested in illustration, printmaking, and painting than in manga. However, when he considered the best way to make a living from his art, he decided to focus on the world of Japanese comics and trained himself, rather than the usual approach of working for several years as an apprentice to an experienced manga artist.

He was still a student when his first work, The Boss Is an Onee, was published. He soon attracted attention for his distinctive drawing style, his fantastical and melancholic plots, and his use of fantasy characters and anthropomorphic animals.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The publisher introduces the series in this way: “In a land far away, there were two kingdoms: the Outside, where twisted beasts roamed that could curse with a touch, and the Inside, where humans lived in safety and peace. The girl and the beast should never have met, but when they do, a quiet fairytale begins.”

I am pretty much hooked on this fantasy manga series about a (human) girl, Shiva, and her Teacher/guardian, who is now inhuman, who may once have been a human, who is now some strange blackbirdhead creature in formal dress. Whom, as it turns out, we are liking very much! What we know is that there are good guys and bad guys, and that the two of them are running from bad guys, and find an abandoned cottage, where they process a sad recent occurrence (no spoilers from me) and learn a bit more about each other and themselves and how they got to where they are.

This is fantasy so it is less about precise plot points and more about mystery, the (lightly) macabre, and (e)motions. In a sense, over six volumes very little has happened; there are many wordless, reflective, moody panels, but in this volume Teacher and the girl make important connections. We love each of them, and we love their developing relationship! There’re a lot of questions, still, but after a (fifth) volume in which there was significant action, this sixth one features a couple rather moving moments, and. . . a cliffhanger that we will have to wait months to see resolved. I’m not going anywhere: Waiting!

[The Artisan Geek]

30/8/20
This was so good! The plot is still so incredibly interested and this volume really ended with a cliffhanger! I need to know what's going to happen!

30/8/20
Okay, last volume I own, brruuh I need more of this series!!

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[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume has no underwater scenes in the lake, and there is very little in the insider city. Instead, it's almost entirely scenes with Teacher and Shiva—and I think that's perfect. As with previous volumes, the plot moves slowly, slowly, slowly toward possible resolutions of ongoing questions. The big question this book dances around is Teacher's identity. Is he, as the Children of Mother believe, one of them? Or is he, as he believes, a human under the curse? Either way, there are more unanswered questions, because he's not quite like either of those types.

Also in this volume is a fantastic scene that brings Teacher and Shiva into closer friendship than ever before. What an amazing friendship! This story just tears my heart out.

I look forward to the finished story in a single collected volume, so I can read straight through it. But I also enjoy this bit-by-bit way of only getting a little more every few months. In those intervening months, I've often forgotten the specific details of what happened in the previous volume, so the new one comes to me somewhat dream-like as I read it and slowly recall what's already happened. It seems like a good way to take in this series.

[Shaghayegh · Rating 5 out of 5]

این جلد در عین حال که باعث میشه یه نفس راحت بکشی و بگی آخیش، بالاخره اسم کوفتی شخصیت رو فهمیدم و کمی از سرگذشتش رو شد، ولی گره به داستان اضافه میکنه و باز هم با اطلاعات قطره‌چکانی در خماری مطلق قرارت میده.
از چند بعد به ابهامات دامن زد. شخصیت‌های اصلی یعنی شیوا و معلم. کلیسا. سرباز‌ها. موجودات بیگانه و تفاوت نوع نفرین و بازگشتشون. اهدافی که دارن و همگی گنگ جلوه میکنه.
طراحی و سیر داستانی مهیجی داره که این بار قوی‌تر بود و کیف کردم. انگار تازه داره جون میگیره.

پ.ن: نفرین بر من که از خرداد تا الان ادامه‌ش ندادم.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quanto vorrei essere una bimba che gioca a palle di neve con il suo padre surrogato mezzo demone

[Jan Agaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the part where they talked about the little girl's feelings and when they played in the snow 🥹

[buket · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally get some own-voices explanation from the Children of Mother, which are apparently not the same as Black Children, although they also call themselves Black children, but they're not cursed, maybe they cause the curse when they take the souls? I'm more confused than ever.

[Mizuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updated: 04/03/2022

Now I noticed, The Girl From the Other Side is also a story about a deadly pandemic (the curse). LOL

I actually bought this volume last year and this time it's a re-read, when you read the Teacher and the little girl wandering in the woodland and playing among the snow, you really would want to step into this world and experience the beautiful landscapes and quietness firsthand.

This time, the Teacher revealed he was once human but he had no memory of his past life, the soldiers are combing the woodland looking for the little girl, whom the King and the Priest believe is the key to break the curse. Meanwhile, the girl is trying to code with the loose of her beloved Aunt.

Another tastefully done volume, the air of mystery is still nicely done. Plus I really like it when the Dark Children come into play and the mention of the mysterious 'Mother'.

[Mizuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Premise: The Girl from the Other Side is a sweet, slightly gloomy but engaging fairy tale about a little girl in white (named Shiva) and a humanoid horned black beast (named Teacher) living in a small cottage among the woods, in a world which is divided as Inside and Outside, Cursed and Uncursed.

The people from the Inside fear the Cursed Ones (black and beastly humanoid creatures who wander in the woods) from the Outside, so they protect themselves by surrounding their towns with a great wall to keep the Cursed Ones and their Curse out. But at the outskirt of this wall, live an oblivious little girl who stays with her Teacher and awaits the return of her 'Auntie'. But when human soldiers start searching the woods, things can become very dangerous for the trusting little girl.

More to come.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teacher and Shiva just cannot catch a break! This story is unfolding so beautifully. I really appreciate the slower pace of it, while still having plenty of conflict and character development. It's so good.

Sometimes (a lot of the times) I hate cliffhangers, but they honestly work so well for this story that I don't mind them.

Luckily, I have volume 7 and can start it right away. I need to know what happens next!

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was waiting for this one for a while now. Glad it was out this week! Very good issue and series as well. We learn a bit more about what is going on but there is still a lot of mysteries around it all. The relation between Shiva and Teacher keep evolving as well and I really like this duo! Going to wait another 3-4 months for the next release!

[Inès · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mijn favoriete deel van deze reeks tot nu toe, nog 5 te gaan :)

[rachel, x · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 1 ★★★★★
#2) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 2 ★★★★☆
#3) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 3 ★★★★☆
#4) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 4 ★★★★☆
#5) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 5 ★★★★☆
#7) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 7 ★★★☆☆

➸ Trigger warnings for abandonment, grief & loss, death of an adopted mother recounted.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • Twitter • Instagram

[kristyn ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

the hug! the hug! the hug! the hug! the hug!

[streuselschnecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Last time I complained that, after reading so many volumes, I still didn't know Teacher's past, and as if by request - he has lifted a small shred of mystery. Not much, but always, at least now we know that he himself no longer remembers his life as an insider. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting the concept of discovering his background along with him, and I like it! But the ending? Well, who would have expected....

[delaram · Rating 4 out of 5]

ارتباط بین دو شخصیت اصلی خیلی شیرین و لطیفه، آدم در کنارشون احساس امنیت می‌کنه. توضیحاتی که داده شد کمی داستان رو پیچیده‌تر کرد، نمی‌تونم بگم واقعاً متوجه شدم چی شد. اما پایانش اون‌قدر کنجکاوم کرد که زودتر بعدی رو بخونم.

[Barbara McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like the author knew they were losing me getting more confusing and incomprehensible in recent books because this one reels you back in. You have the adorable relationship between Shiva and teacher but also some hints at what might be going on. I mean I love weirdness and darkness but some clarity and attempt to pull things back together is just what I needed.

[Bahar meow · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Teacher, you don't sleep right? What do you do all night?
-I read. If i'm not in the mood to read, sometimes i go outside and watch the stars.”

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

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


A quiet fairy tale begins in a land distant and hazy where there are two kingdoms. The Inside is where humans cower worried the twisted beasts of the Outside will come a curse them with a touch. A young girl named Shiva lives on the other side, in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” And so starts our tale... a little girl comes to rely on an inhuman beast...

The Premise

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 6 was soooooo informative! Okay that sounds super dull... but for such a mysterious story I felt like a ton was revealed. It felt like the lull before an incredibly dangerous storm!! We know that Teacher and Shiva have enemies closing around them even though they traveled a long way to try to escape the long arm of the inside AND Mother's minions. These two have drawn closer after their dramatic fight and are determined to stick by one another. And boy are they going to need one another after Teacher makes a faulty decision...


The Buzz

I don't know how Nagabe does it but I feel like the stakes get higher and higher each volume despite the plot staying so true to the quiet fairy tale nature of The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 6. Teacher decides to trust Shiva with truths about his past. I loved how this came so naturally through his experiences with Shiva up to this point. Kids know when adults don't trust them. And its clear that he trusts her a whole bunch more than before when he simply saw Shiva as a sort of responsibility.


The Feels

For such a young girl Shiva really does want to understand Teacher. She knows she doesn't always agree with his actions but just like a child with a parent she battles but also loves. She has such a bright a rosy personality you don't always realize that she's feeling down. I like how Teacher struggles to understand her and when he realizes he's made an error he makes different choices. Their personal moments in The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 6 were so special! They just totally wrung my heart out because I was so tense over what I knew was coming...


The Visuals

I just love the way Nagabe frames things in The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 6. His despair over his locket and Shiva peering worriedly at him through his arms. Her hiding in the closet but wanting to know what is happening. Teacher seeing a parent's worst nightmare for their child happening before his eyes! (Won't tell you what that is cause spoilers... you'll just have to read it!) Teacher seeing the footprints in the snow. Shiva's eyes when she opens the door. It's so gorgeous even in black and white. Plus I love how Nagabe does a lightly colored cover every once in a while. It's a perfect way to punctuate the series.

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 6 was filled to the brim with revelations about Teacher and what the powers that be want from him. Shiva and Teacher draw closer from this journey and unknowingly become surrounded... You won't want to miss what happens next! (And its never too late to start this magically sparse series.)


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

______________________
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!!

[G · Rating 2 out of 5]

The manga still has its charm but after six volumes we’re no closer to getting any explanation on how the monsters fit in this world.

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scans are releasing pretty slowly for this but I gotta say I'm super loving the intrigue and mystery behind this manga and again the art is gorgeous

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dhia Nouioui · Rating 4 out of 5]

ITS ALWAYS SO WHOLESOME AT THE START BUT THEN YOU REMEMBER THAT IT WILL GO DOWNHILL AND THE AUTHOR WILL POUND YOU AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Ekene · Rating 5 out of 5]

They hit in the feels, they do, the teacher and Shiva

[Kerrie-Ann ✨ bookishlybesotted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m having the most wholesome time with this series. I adore it.

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess we get more answers in this volume about the different kinds of Outsiders? Still a bit confusing, though. I like the change of location and that ending cliffhanger!

[Pattrain · Rating 5 out of 5]

im convinced the author either has a daughter he loves really much, or he lost her

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving this series. The unique art shares the slowly unfolding story in such a great way.