Login to add items to your list, keep track of your progress, and rate series!
Description
From CPM: The Devil's Castle was a dark and somber place, until the good-hearted apprentice ASARELLA stumbled on it in a goodwill mission, against her master's wishes--the archmage ELIWHO. Things sour quickly, as Asarella was bound with a blood pact to the Devil, KAINEN. Little did she know, the mage harbors a secret love for her that will only complicate her training for the upcoming apocalyptic battle. This sets up the most unusual love triangle of all space and time.
Don't let the first volume deceive you--this manhwa is actually incredibly messed up. XD Like the first commenter said in his/her title,"sinister" describes it really well, but it's not a horror manhwa; at least, not exactly. Judging from the raws, it seems more of a tragedy, though I don't understand Korean, so I can't be sure. But there's a lot going on behind this asides from "weird Demon King" and "Asrella, the mage-girl." (And Elihue... btw, what is up with CPM's weird spelling of his name, anyway? >>;;)
It's not a typical shoujo manhwa where everything is set and predictable, defined in overdone, cliched stereotypes--the plot keeps twisting and writhing around (I should say that the timeline does, too..). This overarching sense of angst/tragedy on top of the strange and intriguing storyline is part of the reason why I really like this manhwa (though I have this unsettling feeling of DOOM whenever I read it.. XD;;)
The character designs are really good; this manhwa-ga actually put thought into what an immortal being would be like, and it shows. Asarella is intriguing as well, and the drawing in general is really good, with masterful usage of tones and an interesting style that's an aesthetically pleasing mix between shoujo and shounen. The universe beyond the plot is rather complex, leading a definitely fantastical air to it, but thankfully the manhwa-ga doesn't "tell" too much (unlike CLAMP, with truthfully always puts me off their series..).
Masca is worth reading, if only to check out the Demon Lord (who is definitely one of the hottest things I've seen on paper). But I think that the plot will definitely suck you in, as it did me. ^^
This comment is based on what's translated so far.
It's REALLY too bad that many people have not tried this series. The summary makes this series sound mediocre when in reality, it is amazing! Do not judge this series for it's artwork. I did not like it much at first, but I gradually got used to it (it DOES get better as the story goes on---now I can't get enough of it!).
I definitely agree with one commenter Celinae who said, "Masca is worth reading, if only to check out the Demon Lord (who is definitely one of the hottest things I've seen on paper). But I think that the plot will definitely suck you in, as it did me. ^^"
Of course artwork is very important to most people but the most crucial part of any series has to be the Plot and Characters. Volume one of this series is very light and would easily appeal to many "shoujo" readers. We are introduced to the main character Asarella who is very young but fearless. She is the "strong" female lead that many readers "look for" when they try new series. Asarella is very courageous so she does not fear anything; including the nefarious Demon King! The Demon King has become apathetic since he has lived for so long and is bored with life; nothing is "interesting" anymore and simply living a day-to-day routine is dreary. Little does he know, someone was going to change all of that! However, it is only an Introduction to a serious story later on. After Volume one, there are many plot twists and we get to see many "dark sides" to the characters and their lives. That is why it is the "mature" genre. Just give this series a try!
aaa... i love the art...but i just got bored and dropped it :/ nothing much to say to that...
editk... i dropped it before, got too confusing and i guess i was just really focused on romance part of the story... sigh... here and now, few years later, i am thinking of re-reading (and finishing) since i am older.
I love the theme! About a demon lord that falls in love with a half Masca!!! Awesome!!! I can't wait for more to come out... if more is going coming out. If not, ill cry T-T
nice, light, airy in the first couple of volumes...and should've stayed that way...
however, once past volume 6, the story turned into a direction that strongly reminisced me of angel sanctuary, rg veda, & seimaden together....i read the raws, so i had no idea what they were talking about, but i was able to get the gist of the story through the pictures....the ending was ok....i expected better & more involvement in the relationship of the kainen & rell, and there were hints, but still.....
art is amazing after the first couple of volumes....the last volumes have strong, graphical gore & nudity....don't let it fool you as just another shoujo because of the first volumes....it's like a different author had worked on this manga on the last volumes because of the direction that its genre has gone too....
recommend it for the people who can handle a bit of blood & ecchi, since the female protagonist was likable enough to root for....
The series started out great, but gradually nosedived towards the end. The way the series ended left many questions unanswered.
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
For example, there was an all-out war between different races in the end and the manga didn't explain why the war started. And, who exactly is that masked guy (with the feathers)? Why is he important and who are his parents? And, I still don't understand why Kainen is dying. Is he dying because he loves Asarella way too much????!!!! Is love forbidden for Belliars?
There were many loose ends in the story, and I'm hoping the sequel will patch them up. I thought the manga will end with 1 or more characters dying because of the tragedy genre, but it didn't end as horribly as I expected:
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
Hint: Asarella did NOT end up with Elihue, which is a relief. I hope Asarella will find true freedom in the sequel.
Character development wasn't as extensive as, say, Pandora Hearts. Asarella's indecisiveness can get quite annoying but it's understandable because she's only 18 and just a child (in the Mascan point of view).
When I first started reading this manga I thought that it was not well thought out. The characters had no depth and the "love" circumstances were just plain laughable. The art was very well done, but that was it. After reading more into the series I'm looking forward to the end. Imagination was good and the story was enjoyable
this is such an awesome manhwa!!! but its as if they discontinued scanlating the remaining chapters.... the last chapter available is ch.19! i really want more!!! thats why i dont understand wy people have this in their completed lists.. pm me if there is an available place to read it! (sorry mods). this really is a must-read manhwa!
This is one of my favourits it is such a wonderful story and i love the characters. I brought the first volume from amazon and it got me hooked straight a way. Sadly the second volume doesn't come out till march so i'm so happy that KM are translating it and i really hope they do carry on till the end because i really would like 2 what happens in this manga and who Rell will pick ? i'm hoping the demon lord i love his character and i think he goes well with Rell.
First volumes of this manhwa were so interesting, I just couldn't stop reading(and I have to say I was hungry as hell), but after 6th volume I just looked at pictures - basically I lost interest in story(I don't do that often). It left many unanswered questions, but once sequel is finished I'll give it second try
I gave 9 to this series mainly because of art -ehm...devil lord Kainen. SO SEXY!!! His eyes...kyaaaa. Piercied ears, Pierced lip, PIERCED NIPPLE!!!!.....KYAAAAa....gugggle...major nosebleed
(-10)
(+259)
k... i dropped it before, got too confusing and i guess i was just really focused on romance part of the story... sigh... here and now, few years later, i am thinking of re-reading (and finishing) since i am older.
