蒼の封印 5

蒼の封印 [Ao no Fuuin] #5

by Chie Shinohara, 篠原千絵

蒼子の前に死んだはずの兄・高雄が現れた。しかし彼は兄ではなく“蒼龍”の力を使って鬼門復活を企む「北家」の“玄武”だった。高雄にむりやり人喰いをさせられた蒼子は、 その直後、高雄の不思議な力によって口から生気の玉を出す。不気味に光るその玉“蒼魂” を、捕まえてきた人間に食べさせたとたん、その人間は鬼に変身した！実は、それこそが “蒼龍”である蒼子の持つ「鬼門復活」の能力だった。人間をすべて鬼に変え、街を乗っ 取ろうとする高雄。彼に操られた蒼子は、体が欲するままに次々に人を食べる。だが、人 間としてそれに耐えられない蒼子。必死の思いで逃げ出し、彬の弟・楷（かい）に助けを 求めるのだが…!?

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

Paperback

First published April 26, 1993

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]

3.5 rounded up! This feels like a big step up from the previous volumes to me. The blend of action horror and thriller come together very smoothly here and the new plot beats were really enjoyable. Watching Soko struggle, Takao's power over her, and the tragedy befallen common people as they turn into Oni and kill others was well-written. The ending with Soko and Akira with Soko allowing him to kill her and him doing what he wanted to do which is now kiss her. Chefs kiss. I'm also looking forward to the next volume. The use of Rago's hair to create more comes means the two cannot go much farther in their relationship so it means we get a lot of romantic tension that I'm sure Chie will write really well.
I'm glad Soko's lack of agency is seemingly being used by the story now what with her struggling against the will of Takao the Genbu who's emotional manipulation powers are empowering her to kill and transform others into Oni. It adds some good horror and thriller vibes to her lack of agency and makes it go from her personal reaction to something more relevant to the plot. With Soko unwillingly resurrecting the Oni we get a lot more horror as well and it's framed just as well as it was prior.

[Rintea W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The once seemingly insignificant glasses-wearing older brother from Volume 1? Well, in this volume - he takes off his glasses, and BAM!! he's ridiculously handsome!

And he’s far from ordinary!

What was once just a conflict between the Western and Eastern factions of the hero and heroine, now expands with the emergence of the Northern faction.

Soko’s true origin is fully revealed, along with the ultimate purpose behind her creation, the means to revive the Oni race.

And at the center of it all? Takao.

But the real game - changer? He can control Soko’s mind.

This is bad. Really bad.

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about c*ckblocked