L'Enfant et le Maudit, tome 5

とつくにの少女 / Totsukuni no shōjo #5

by Nagabe

Un conte noir et fantastique entre Tim Burton et The Ancient Magus Bride encensé par la critique et le public !
Sélection officielle du 45e Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Angoulême !

Il existe deux mondes : L'Intérieur, où vivent les humains, et L'Extérieur qui est le repaire de créatures maudites. Quiconque serait touché par l'un de ces monstres serait maudit à tout jamais et chassé du pays des hommes.
C'est pourtant dans ce monde sombre que vit la petite humaine prénommée Sheeva.
Elle a été recueillie par une créature non humaine qu'elle appelle le Professeur.
Il veille sur elle et lui interdit tout contact avec les autres créatures de L'Extérieur. Il lui cache la terrible vérité de son abandon et n'ose lui dire que personne ne viendra la chercher...
Ils sont aussi différents que le jour et la nuit... Et malgré tout ce qui les sépare, malgré les ténèbres qui les entourent, ils vont écrire petit à petit une fable tous les deux...

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Fiction, Mystery

174 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 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

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wellllll I’m never going to look at trees the same again. Whew. I have been cruising right along through this series and Volume 5 of The Girl From the Other Side is another great installment. This series is amazing and I want to shout about it from the top of a mountain and pass out copies on the street corner. This volume continues to tease out some more depth and detail about the curse and what befalls those who get it but also confronts us with just as many new mysteries as well. This series is plunging deeper into darkness and it feels like the walls are starting to close in for our adorable unlikely pair but Shiva remains as pure and sweet as ever. Literally would die for Shiva, I totally understand how Teacher feels. But his anxieties are showing consequences when his silences and withholding of information he hoped would protect her are revealed and she sees it all as if he had been lying. As one would expect with a child, it doesn’t go well for him.

But this series is amazing and I can’t wait to keep going. As always the art is incredible and the story just gets better and better. There is a lot of change that happens rather suddenly here, and now I’ll have to get used to Teacher with a missing horn and a new location.

The Girl from the Other Side is an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT. I want you to all read it. Please. We must discuss. It’s so good. SO GOOD.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each volume opens us up to more information and emotions in this dark yet hopeful fantasy/horror? story of Shiva and Teacher. Shiva finds out about Auntie and confronts Teacher, whom she presumes knew about and could have protected her. Teacher returns to the cottage at one point and finds that Shiva has locked herself up in a room. They argue, call each other (funny) insulting names, they laugh at each other and make up, but then decide to leave, feeling unsafe from the "uncursed" population. Plenty of foreboding about the future for our darling girl Shiva. Great artwork, as always.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shiva has only been with Teacher a month?! I thought it was years. Didn't she look little earlier? Maybe her memory is messed up the way some of the other characters' seemed to become.

It is kind of hard to tell which outsider is which sometimes. But otherwise I really like the art. Interested in finding out what's going on with the lake.

[The Artisan Geek]

30/8/20
Splendid as always! Nagabe has done a great job at keeping the mystery of the curse and everything surrounding it interesting, giving bits of information, but leaving enough there to keep me reading. On to sadly the last volume that I own of this series!

30/8/20
Just finished volume 4, enjoyed that one a lot! On to the next one :)

You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website | The Storygraph

[Jan Agaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my faves of the series so far because that argument segment was the most savagely cute thing ive ever read 😂

[Marquise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprising and excellent story this turned out to be! Its dark atmosphere and plot would lead one to think it's horror, but instead it proves to be so hopeful.

There's a beautiful story of companionship and mutual trust and care between a cursed monster, a human victim of a mysterious plague that's split the world between the Outsiders (creatures of Darkness) and the Insiders (of the Light), and a girl child abandoned in the cursed woods who for some reason doesn't seem to transform due to the curse. Although there's "Beauty and the Beast" undertones in this manga fairy tale, the relationship between Teacher and Shiva isn't romantic, probably because Shiva is still so small. She's appropriately naïve and trusting as a child her age would be, but also extremely resilient, and for a monster he's quite the caring sort. Their story starts with their relationship and a few other things already established though not yet elaborated on, a little as in media res, and the plot moves at a slow pace and the mysteries tend to be unravelled very slowly as well, which will require patience so as to not feel frustrated too early and be rewarded as the story progresses.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're even bad at cooking!"
"I — I don't think that's relevant . . . "
"IT IS SO!"

This series is so good! Volume 5 covers a broader range of emotions, and Shiva and Teacher have to work through a major conflict with each other. The mythology deepens, and Shiva's role becomes both further clarified and more complex. This book includes only a brief "inside" scene; most of these chapters focus on Teacher's inner turmoil.

I love diving into this world. Volume 6 can't come quickly enough!

[Shaghayegh · Rating 3 out of 5]

این بار نشون داد نفرینی که آدم‌های عادی بهش دچار میشن، فقط باعث تبدیل اون‌ها به فردی بیگانه نمیشه و پایان ماجرا چیز دیگه‌ایه.
معلم هم برای محافظت از شیوا، حقیقت رو نمیگه و دخترک که بو برده، ازش رنجیده‌خاطر میشه و دعوای عجیب و نازی شکل میگیره که فحش‌هاشون هم کم از نوازش لطیف بچگانه نداره. در واقع رابطه‌شون اینقدر خالص و معصومانه‌ست که موقع جدال هم دل ندارن چیزی بگن که منجر به ناراحتی شه. ارتباط سالمی که پشت و پناه همدیگه‌ن و آدم از زندگی دیگه چی می‌خواد؟
در کل اطلاعات چندانی داده نمیشه. رورمزگی، تلاش برای کشف حقیقت و فرار از مصیبت. این‌ها تو جلدهای قبل هم رخ داده بودن و انتظار فراتر از این رو داشتم.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se il maestro ha un milione di fan, io sono una di loro. Se il maestro ha dieci fan, io sono una di loro. Se il maestro non ha fan, vuol dire che non sono più su questa terra. Se il mondo va contro il maestro, io vado contro il mondo.

[kristyn ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love my little cream puff and my big ink pot so much 😭

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

Check out more manga and graphic novel 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 Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 5 TOTALLY WOWED ME!! Seriously Shiva has had some heartache and it effected her in the most startling way. It's really amazing to me how a child will listen and interpret what they are hearing. They get so much of the truth that when they confront all the adult can do is sputter and admit that the child is correct. No amount of Buts will work at that point. I love how teacher devolved into a child's reactions. It was so delightful!!! And the answer to their problem also comes from Shiva... Auntie really did love the girl no matter all she'd done.

The art in The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 5 is so, so good... I truly felt the ominous intentions of the soldiers just by how the art was framed! And the hope when Teacher and Shiva were on their journey! I love the play of dark and light and how perfectly it expresses the emotions of the characters. The dark pages with the change and the dream are spooky and you really feel for Shiva who seems to sense that her world is full of change... And with it will come heartache. Seeing where these two are headed... I worry for them!!

I was totally taken with the breakdown between Teacher and Shiva... I mean really, its so reflective of a child and parent's relationship. He is so good and kind but he can totally learn from Shiva too!! And she really teaches him that in The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 5. I was swept up in their argument, their making up and more importantly those on their trail. The tension is so sweet in this series... you worry but despite the darkness there is always the light to balance it. It reads so true to life...

The plot is still simple but powerful! The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 5 really explores the relationship between Shiva and Teacher. Up until now he's been doing what he thinks is right for the child and not asked her how she feels about it all. That is about to change and yet it happens in a very natural way that I applaud. He's not giving a child the power to rule the roost... He's giving her a chance to take that first step to growing up. It doesn't mean she's going to loose her innocence all at once... no its means she can strengthen him too when all he feels is despair.

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil A Rún vol 5 is simply the best volume so far in a series that totally WOW me every time I read it. It's one that I have to have on my shelves because a quick flip is a pick me up that will last for days. Seriously if you need to choose one manga to try then this is the series to start with...!

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

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews in a special feature called Saturday Morning Cartoons...

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

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

احتمالن برم هرچی ناگابه نوشته رو بخونم و از این به بعد دنبالش کنم.
با خوندن این یکی دلم برا پرامیسد نورلند هم تنگ شد.

[buket · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m so curious how this will end

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much evolution in this one, we turn in circle a bit but the ending is promising. Still very good but this series have me put the bar so high that I keep expecting more and more from it. Now there isn't any out left to read, I will have to wait a while until the next one come out! Can't wait!

[Cori Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely was under the impression this was the last volume in the series so the ending jarred me. Glad I was wrong!

[Mizuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book cover is so lovely!

In The Girl From the Other Side vol. 5, the Teacher found out Shiva the little girl under his care, is now influenced with the Curse which will on day turns her into a black beast like himself, and he would do anything to prevent the Curse from harming Shiva, including seeking help from the other Black Children in the forest.

Sensing the Teacher is keeping something from her, Shiva has a shouting match with the Teacher, meanwhile the soldiers from the Inside are chasing Teacher and the little girl, believing she is the key to break the Curse.

Throughout the whole series the forest and the landscape is so exquisitely drawn it takes my breath away. Plus I am glad to see there is more explanation about the mysterious entity known as Mother, the Black Children and the Strange Children (Teacher and Auntie), and we also learn what happened to Auntie after she wandered off into the forest on her own, poor Auntie. T_T

The final scene with the girl and the Teacher walking in the rain is so beautiful!

PS: The Mother really has exquisite taste in creating life form, an Outsider in a whale form, with horns and all... who would have guessed?"

Review for vol. 6: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprising turn of events. Finally learning more about what's going on inside the city and why they are after Shiva.

[Rachel (Kalanadi) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[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 ★★★★☆
#6) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 6 ★★★★☆
#7) The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 7 ★★★☆☆

➸ Trigger warnings for death of an adopted mother, attempted murder, sword violence.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • Twitter • Instagram

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may have been my favorite volume yet! I've been waiting for Teacher and Shiva to have a conflict in their friendship, and boy was I not disappointed. The conflict was serious, the blow up argument was not! I really liked the shift here and thought it was so necessary.

Definitely looking forward to the next volume!

[Jack Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiva is such a joy. Honestly, she is so pure and kind and strong willed. She inspires me to be better. This volume is focused on strengthening the relationship between Shiva and Teacher, and sets up something big to come!

[Dhia Nouioui · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to punch that self-proclaimed "Voice of God" in the face.

[streuselschnecka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but I'm finding it more and more tiresome to read with each volume, especially as I realised that there are still 6 volumes ahead of me and the plot is moving so slowly. Half the plot here is occupied by the Teacher's moral conundrums and the other by Shiva's sweetness and childishness. I've noticed a pattern, as if the plot only moves forward at the end of a given volume, leaving the reader on a cliffhanger. I find it annoying that new characters appear here, but there is no sign of the Teacher's or Mother's story being explained. Normally I would leave a series that annoys me and not read any further, but here I am really curious to see what will happen in the end, and besides, the first volumes set the bar pretty high.

[Yub Yub Commander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely felt like a lot of this book was pointless, other than the growing relationship between the Teacher and Shiva. Random creature suddenly introduced without explanation. Mother has still not been explained. The Black Children and the Outsiders as well as anyone inside the walls has still completely been ignored in any sort of explanation. Genuinely not sure if I wish to continue on considering how much of this series has so far spent its time saying "What if I told Shiva (and the reader) but oh, I can't do that." Yes, you can do that. It would help your story immensely if you actually explained a portion of anything.

[Federica · Rating 5 out of 5]

io provo un profondo dolore

[Amir · Rating 3 out of 5]

خیلی حس خوبی ندارم که 3 دادم ولی در حد 4 هم نبود. یه بخش‌هایی از این ولوم اصلا لازم نبودن و حس کردم کش داده شده. علاوه بر این، کلی تایم گذاشت تا شخصیت اصلی چیزی کشف کنه که من مخاطب، 3 ولوم قبل‌تر فهمیده بودم. حس بیهودگی بهم داد. از طرف دیگه، داستان منسجم‌تر شده . خیلی خوبه که کم کم هدف دار شد. ببینم در ادامه چی می‌شه.

[delaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you think about sad, gloomy stuff too much then sad, gloomy stuff is gonna happen! So you have to smile and laugh and make all that stuff fly away!”
شیوا دختر کوچیکیه، اما منطقی که برای خوشحال بودن و شاد موندن داره همونیه که آدم‌ها بعد از یک عمر بهش می‌رسن. زیاد فکر نکن. زیاد فکر کنی بدتر می‌شه. غم همیشه هست، اگر دنبالش بگردیم همیشه پیدا می‌شه. اما لبخند بزن، بخند، بذار یه‌کم دور شه.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues to be strange and weird, but the world also keeps getting bigger, in this one both geographically, but with characters!!! You're learning more but that doesn't mean you're getting more answers... just more questions!!! The relationship between the girl, Shiva, and the Teacher continues to be the sweetest thing, but with some angst in this one... Still a fantastical series!!!

[Mangrii · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 / 5

Esta quinta entrega parece pisar un poco el acelerador, con alguna que otra escena de acción, y dando pie a respuestas que buscábamos desde el comienzo. No es que se revele grandes interrogantes, pero si la información da para encauzar un poco más la historia ¿Por qué Shiva permanece inalterable pese a que un ser del exterior la ha tocado? La respuesta, la podéis interpretar a través de este volumen.

Este volumen es cuanto menos, el más íntimo de todos. Se enfoca de pleno en la estrecha relación que Shiva y el Doctor mantienen. El dibujo, sigue siendo el arma diferenciadora. Le otorga a todo ese grado de majestuosidad y tenebrosidad por el que nos sentimos atraídos. La sensación de cuento popular sigue vigente, como en cada panel que hemos leído. Cierra este volumen con una nueva situación, un nuevo punto en el camino por así decirlo, que puede ser muy interesante.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so, so much. And yes, it contains my favorite trope (something between Beast and Beauty and Child and Badass... Beast and Child?) so I was always going to be biased. I love this particular volume because of the dimensions it brings out in Shiva. Always the innocent, positive force in this graphic novel, we finally see Shiva break down in anger. This is followed by probably the most adorable fight ever drawn.

The art is so beautiful and delicate, the perfect merging of manga and gothic styles like Edward Gorey. Even though the story dances with dark and Biblical themes, the story remains sweet and refreshing at its core.