蒼の封印 2

蒼の封印 [Ao no Fuuin] #2

by Chie Shinohara, 篠原千絵

彬が言った通り、自分が人の生気を食べる鬼・“蒼龍”であることを認めた蒼子。それで も、彼女は自分が人間であることを確かめようと以前住んでいた街へ。しかし、知り合い のはずの友達は蒼子のことを別人だと言う。写真を見せてもらうと、そこには全く別の顔 をした蒼子が。呆然とする彼女に、一緒についてきた彬は「本物の蒼子を食べて入れ替わ った」と言う。そこへ彬の伯父が部下を連れて現れた。容赦なく襲いかかってくる彼らを 前にして、蒼子は“蒼龍”に変身。自分が何者なのかがわかるまでは死ねないと必死に逃 げる。苦しむ蒼子を目にしてためらいつつも、彬は彼女を追う。だが、彼女の胸に弾丸が 命中してしまい…!?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Japanese Literature, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Shojo

Paperback

First published July 24, 1992

About the author

Chie Shinohara (篠原千絵) is an award winning Japanese manga artist best-known for Red River, known in Japan as Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story. She has twice received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo, in 1987 for Yami no Purple Eye and in 2001 for Red River.

Aside from her comics work, she has also written several prose novels. She has published the six volume Big Draw Daughter Hatsu light novel series, as well as five gaiden (or side-story) novels related to her Red River series. All of these were illustrated by Shinohara herself.

Works

Akatsuki no Lion - 2003
Ao no Fūin (Blue Seal) - 1992–94
Houmonsha wa Mayonaka ni (Midnight Visitor) - 1984
Kioku no Ashiato (Footprint of Memories) - 2005
Kiri no Mori Hotel - 2007
Kootta Natsu no Hi (Frozen Summer Day) - 1995
Mizu ni Sumu Hana (Romance of Darkness) - 2004
Mokugekisha ni Sayounara (Farewell to the Eyewitness) - 1985
Nanika ga yami de mite iru (Something Watching in the Dark) - 1986
Ryouko no Shinreijikenbo (A Record of Ryoko's Psychic Events) - 1988–91
Sanninme ga Kieta (A Third Person Disappeared) - 1992
Soshite Gokai no Suzu ga naru (Then Five Bells Rang) - 1994
Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story (Red River) - 1995–2002
Tokidamari no Hime - 2008-09
Touboukyuukou (Runaway Express)
Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage (Moon Shadow on a Dark Sea) - 1986–91
Yami no Purple Eye (Purple Eye of Darkness) - 1984–87
Yume no Shizuku, Kin no Torikago - 2010-present

Reviews

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

We learn more about Soko's identity crisis and I really enjoyed it. I do hope Soko gets a bit more agency. I understand this is shocking for her but she frequently states this is that make it feel she expects someone else to deal with it. Having her gain agency would be a cool way to see her acknowledge her situation and own how she wants to be an Oni not how others want her to.
We establish Akira and the Saionji / Family of the West lore here. Not only in their social power and how they came to be but also how ruthlessly they are to kill Souryo. If the first volume had a horror vibe this one has much more of a thriller vibe as Soko tries to find out about herself inside Saionji territory.
AkiraxSoko heats up a bit too as Akira having doubts about how evil Soko as Souryo is and how the how prophecy their family has long held onto even goes. It's great to see this hunter x hunted dynamic and see Akira's conflictions over Soko.

[Rintea W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akira's mission, as the leader of the Western faction, is to destroy the Souryo and prevent the rebirth of the Oni. For thousands of years, they have coexisted with humans, ensuring that the Oni can never return.

Akira possesses immense power and an extensive network across the country. He has had multiple opportunities to kill Soko, yet he always seems to fall under her spell, unable to carry out his duty. There is an undeniable pull between them, as if fate itself has bound them together.

[Ingrid Hernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7⭐

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect this ending

[Serena W. Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more word heavy than volume one. The exposition could definitely have been smoother, but the story is still gripping and exciting. BOY! That's a lot of kanji though, plenty of furigana is employed so I was thankful~