蒼の封印 3

蒼の封印 [Ao no Fuuin] #3

by Chie Shinohara, 篠原千絵

自分の秘密が、西家の持つ“西園寺文書”に記されていることを知った“蒼龍”蒼子。敵 対していた“白虎”の彬と協力し、西家の本拠地・鬼無里（きなさ）へ向かう。だがそこ には、蒼子をなかなか殺さない彬に業を煮やした、彬の兄弟たちが待ち構えていた。彬を 殺せば“白虎”の資格を与えられる彼らは、蒼子とともに彬まで殺そうとする。共に逃げ るうちに、敵同士のはずの２人の間に恋愛感情に似た気持ちが。そして蒼子は鬼無里の地 形を熟知しているだけでなく、変身した時の能力まで上がっていることに気づく。必死の 攻防の末、西家に囲まれてしまう２人。殺されそうになる彬を助けようとした蒼子は、右 腕を切断されて…!?

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

Paperback

First published October 26, 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

[Rintea W · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something that made Akira believe that Soko didn’t truly want to devour humans. Every time she killed someone, she looked tormented, as if she was suffering just as much as her victims. Because of this, he decided to give her a chance—to uncover the truth about herself. That led them to the Saionji Manuscripts, which were said to contain the secrets they both sought.

But, of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. In Akira’s old home, his three siblings were waiting—each one eager to take his Byakko title. They weren’t just ambitious; they were powerful. If Akira ever showed weakness, they wouldn’t hesitate to tear him apart and claim his place.

And now, the most intense moment has arrived—Soko’s arm has been severed! But what makes this insanely cool is that her arm isn’t dead. It crawls with its fingertips, moving like a living creature, hunting for food to bring back to her.

Honestly, if you think about it, having a body part that can go out and devour food for you is absolutely awesome! Imagine just sitting there while your hand scurries off, finds a meal, and brings it back—what a next-level survival ability!

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 as while I'm glad Chie is able to balance and deftly move from action to thriller to horror this is lacking a certain oomph at times and I'm getting tired of Soko's wet-noodled lack of agency especially compared to the very much more dynamic and more evolving character of Akira.
With this we solidly have Akira and Soko against the world (that being the rest of the Saionji family). They head over to Kinasa to read the Saionji articles and get the true lore but are met with resistance from the rest of the Saionji family.
This volume is a lot more action-heavy as well with the Saionji children hunting Soko not only to kill the Souryo but for internal strife reasons as they each want to be Byakko (except for full-time lover boy and “Oh wait maybe the prophecy is misread” Akira of course). We also get more mystery and identity-horror (though much less of that) as Soko mysteriously knows a lot more about Kinasa than she should due to her Souryo status (well technically we don't know that yet but it's obvious). I found this to be a neat idea as it sells the cutthroat and slightly business mogul-like nature of the Saoinji family to have all this in-fighting. The siblings fight and all have this “rich kid” energy that really sells that side of the Saionji even more.
We also get some interesting horror right at the end with the rogue agent of Soko's hand. No doubt this keeps the dark Souryo and Oni side stuff in play while keeping Soko as a character scot-free but its an interesting image and definitely is spooky.
I wish Soko got to do more. It feels like she lacks agency. I get she is terrified and overwhelmed but Akira often has to come to her rescue. In the story Akira seems to have much more going on as well with a more interesting story. I think Soko is interesting and I wish we’d get to see her do more by herself than freak out and get helped out instead.

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so emotionally attached to both Akira and Soko now. Individually and as a couple. I love them so much. And not only do I love the characters but the story has a fast pace and never allows me to get bored.
On top of all of that, I get to enjoy Chie Shinohara's beautiful artwork. Always the right amount of graceful and bloody. A beautiful contrast of deep black and pure whites that are so easy to flip through. She's definitely one of my favorite manga artists of all time.
Honestly I don't know what else to ask for. I'm so excited for what comes next.