but maybe I just have a thing for pirates? I love the characters, with the exception of a few, and the longer, more drawn out storyline is unique and captivating. The art, especially for Canale, and I love the depth to the plot and character history. Give it a try, I think this series is like marmite, you either love it or you hate it, and you cant rely on someone else's opinion.

All it needs now is for the rest of the manga to be scanlated ^_^

... Last updated on October 28th, 2009, 10:44am

I absolutely loved this. The plot is well thought out, the art is gorgeous, I'm in love with the main characters, it has a lot of twists, and I even teared up several times. Plus, it plays with expectations, like who you would expect to be the leader of the pirates and so on. I also really liked that Canale was blind, because it was not cliche, but more than that I appreciated that he was as equally strong of a character/had as strong of presence as others around him too. Being blind is just another description for him, the way it should be; like saying he has blue eyes or he's beautiful or thin-- not something used as some sort of disadvantage.

I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away any spoilers... But I do have to address Canale because of some other reviews I noticed.

Personally, I love Canale. I can't blame him for anything that is done in the course of the story or back story. He is forced into pretty much every move he makes and even then he doesn't want to do it and more than repents later. He is more than willing to give up on everything to atone when really he is a victim. I feel really bad for him and I felt that the way he reacted to things actually showed how good of a person he really is. How much he cared and how much he was put in situations where it was dangerous or not acceptable to care.

I really don't see any problem with any of the times Canale cried so I was kind of surprised to see it mentioned negatively. How many years did he not cry in between? How many times did he force himself to try to feel nothing or was resigned to his fate? Most of the times he cried it's because someone else was taking control away from him in some manner. And being a victim his whole life... jeez, cut the guy some slack. I think probably anyone who had a heart or found something to lose would cry in most of those circumstances.

Ayase has some faults and is a bit brutish but he's also someone who does what needs to be done and says what needs to be said and I liked him for that. He's not quite as mysterious as Canale and yet there's something alluring about how brooding he is.

In the end, I liked the characters-- especially for their flaws. They weren't perfect. Things didn't easily fall into place. I just wish there was more to the story because I didn't want it to end. I found the world to be very interesting.

Plus, pirates + beautiful characters. You can't go wrong.

Okay, so I have to admit this manga didn't do much for me at the beginning couple of chapters with all the names and places jumbled around every where, especially when they're not that typical/normal to be easily remembered right away at first. Thus I found it even a bit too boring to get through to the main events.

However once I had passed all that the series pleasantly surprised me with the progression and I have to say it didn't disappoint at all. And piracy isn't even my usual cup of tea, let me tell you that! The settings, the designs, the plot premises are all what I normally consider too dull for my taste (well sorry if I offended anyone but it's my personal opinion) yet somehow the manga still managed to win me over with the flow in story-telling and execution. The art is I guess somewhat eye-candy to normal standards - though it's not my absolute favourite type of art, everything still nicely fits into places to produce a great result overall.

I guess what I'm trying to conclude here is that this definitely isn't the type of manga filled with guys in hot steamy actions, so if you're looking for those materials it's better not to waste your time here. Nonetheless with some time to spare you should absolutely check this manga out and I believe it will not leave you bad aftertaste. Fulfilling? Maybe, maybe not. But definitely not dull I can guarantee that.

This manga has a love-hate relationship with its readers lol....

Anywho, not wanting to confuse future comment readers, I'll get this straight.

This manga deals with uncertain issues that will leave some of you questioning but at the same time makes you go, "Oooo....ok." It has good artwork and the plot is a bit dark but understandable. Again, it will leave you questioning. To enjoy it, you either have to believe the logic or simply ignore the questions in your head.

Personally, I quite enjoyed it because I accept this manga's logic pfft! It is according to your taste whether you will enjoy it or not! No graphic rape scenes though which is why this is good for newly made fujoshis or for the curious ones. The plot is forgivable and the ending is good enough to leave you satisfied~

My rating is based on artwork and the feel it left me after I was done reading it.

... Last updated on October 13th, 2013, 9:58pm

Those words say it all, this is a great manga to read. Romance, dark past, great story plot, and excellent character development. I had a caring feeling for each character, even the "bad guy". There is plenty of awesome story plot, deep character background for the main character, good xxx scenes, good looking characters, and a decent amount of fight scenes. This manga kept me turning the pages, I just couldn't put it down. To bad there isn't a continuation, wish I could read another manga about them... But isn't that speak the way wth good stories? U just can't get enough.

I defiantly recommend this manga. It's a must read!

so far, the manga is really good. there might be some times where you think, why did that even happen.

well, about Canale being blind, if you noticed, the places that he walks are all familiar places. so he memorized them but when they went to the pirate castle place, he wasn't used to it so Harold had to help him walk. other places, he stayed there for at least 5 years or more.

and, since he was trained to be an asassin, his senses are more honed plus the fact that he's blind. if he loses his eyesight then he hieghtens the other senses.

... Last updated on February 13th, 2011, 4:05pm

This manga left me feeling both love and hate. The plot can be very intricate at times, but at other points, it really lets go and becomes cliched and uninteresting. I liked Canale's character, though I wish there was more character development from him rather than leaving his fate up to the people he's around at the moment.

Ayace on the other hand has had almost no character development. I had really been expecting his back-story to come into play at some point or other - why is he so loyal to the pirates, how did he come to be picked up by them, what does he even think about other than pirate life and Canale? Because his character wasn't explored, I felt he was left too flat for a character who could be extremely interesting.

And probably the bitterness I feel the most towards this story is that I feel it should be considered a 'tragedy'. There is so much sadness, pain and death in the story, including the fact that the main character is basically suicidal the entire time, that it left me with such a defeated feeling. I dislike reading tragedies. This one was close enough to really ruin my mood.

Great story, but it could've explored character growth - even of the antagonist - MUCH more. I would've liked to see what these characters could've accomplished if they'd been allowed to grow out of the character moulds the author started with.

Also, there were quite a number of weaknesses to the plot, politics, and world creation that took me out of the enjoyment of the story a bit. Not a major thing, but it happened enough times to warrant a mention here.

That's the only word that can describe this manga. It didn't get interesting until the second volume, but it was completely worth it.

Of course, if you get past the uke looks like a girl (I thought he was at first), you've got a pretty well rounded manga. I would recommend this for those looking for a good story, not just those who want to get their smut fix.

... Last updated on June 24th, 2011, 5:57pm

Loved it the art was superb and the plot kept building up. I even loved the characters, despite Canale crying so often, for some reason it didn't annoy me as these types of characters usually do, since tears jerks don't work on me. I highly recommend this work, it really has everything.

... Last updated on June 21st, 2011, 1:54pm

I truly, truly, cannot understand why this manga is so well liked. I have some speculations:
1. The setting: Pirates and stuff aren't my preferred setting but I guess to other people it is? Still, that's absolutely not why I gave this a 1. Anyway, I feel that the author did basic research to just find out what Oriental tropes can be used and left it at that. There is absolutely no depth to anything here at all. This author can definitely learn something from Otoyomegatari or Vinland Saga.
2. Art: This again I will have to give to the mangaka. The art isn't half bad. But really, its not beautiful enough for so many people to be going gaga over it.
3.Action? Well, yes, it was action packed. And there was no shortage of .
4. Everything isn't about sex. Yeah, okay. Let me just stop you there. I am not even going to get into this.

There are may more things more but I am tired, and hungry, and I would rather not waste anymore of my time on this.
Also, I read the whole thing before commenting, so it's not like I am randomly hating on this.

... Last updated on January 4th, 2017, 8:38am