Plot/Story
“There is a rumor that a magician lives in the tent by the abandoned theme park; some even say his magic is real. However, before he starts his show, he always asks his audience: "Do you believe in magic?"

For Yoon Ah-ee, magic seems like a distant memory. Faced with the harsh reality of poverty, she spends all her time studying, working, and taking care of her younger sister in the absence of their parents. She no longer believes in the wonders of magic, just like her sceptical classmate Na Il-Deung, who has been brought up to believe that a good education is the only way to approach life.

When Ah-ee stumbles into the abandoned theme park and has a chance encounter with the magician, her life is changed forever. Annarasumanara reveals a philosophical, heartwarming, and thought-provoking story of what it means to grow up into the person you want to be.”

Annarasumanara isn’t like any manga I’ve read, and it probably will be the same for you too. I don’t mean that in the sense that it is a Manhwa, it does far more than just ‘being a manhwa’. Despite this claim, the story, or at least the setup for Annarasumanara isn’t anything particularly special, a girl living in poverty, tragedy and harsh reality. It’s a great way to make people empathize and root for a character, when it’s done well; and in this case, it is! Annarasumanara stands out not in its story and plot. The story is good and it carries a valuable message about life and society.

Drawing Style
That isn’t why Annarasumanara is as good as it is. It’s all in the art and the visuals.

The visuals are simply amazing. They are so original, they blend so many styles and incorporate so many techniques that throw the ‘draw on paper and scan it’ standard out the window. It’s just breathtakingly original and different. Just scrolling down that first chapter (Manhwa format) is like the best thing since sliced bread. Collage, panorama, patterns, photos, heavy contrast, good grayscale, landscape arranged in portrait it’s just an amalgam, and It just works™. I mean the guy even used LEGOs, like excuse what, and he made it work!

Characters
Back on topic, the art isn’t the only thing compelling about this work, the characters are very interesting, in that they are used to great length by the author to explore universal ideas and challenges that people face. Each of our three main characters suffer from very bad cases of misfortune, and all three feel stuck. Yoon Ah-ee is stuck in poverty, Euh Lee is stuck in the child-like wonder of the past and Il-Deung Na is stuck on a predetermined path. All of them are great, they aren’t one-dimensional sheets with no discernible personality. I personally found myself easily having empathy and sympathy for them.

Enjoyment
I really enjoyed reading this manga, it’s a treat on a visual level, and the story and characters are very engaging and well made. They don’t come close to the level which the art has obtained, but this is still a once in a lifetime read.

Overall
10/10.