Bradherley's Coach present the most awful story I've ever read, and I mean that as positively as is possible.

Without a little knowledge of Japanese history, it seems like just a well-done tragedy porn, exploring the limits of the evils of mankind - mankind, specifically - while stirring up as much righteous anger in the reader as possible. The only consolation for the unthinkably heinous things people do in this manga is that they couldn't possibly happen in real life. But they can - and they have.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the situation bears a striking resemblance to the Japanese practice of collecting so-called "comfort women" for the use of its soldiers. It's transposed onto an exotic European background, and the drama is cranked up a few notches - there aren't many figures more pitiable than a little orphan girl who dreams of being an opera singer - but all the main parts are still there. I don't know if this was a subconscious national guilt thing on the part of the author or just a premise he thought might be fun to draw, but it's definitely not a coincidence.

Despite my hatred of gore, I managed to read through this volume without any queasiness - except for one niggling element. Something about this manga makes it seem like it's supposed to be sexy. A certain angle of bloody breast, a certain curve of broken leg. Something about the author's casual afterword. Even though the rape isn't really all that explicit, there's something about it that seems like he intended jacking off to be part of the reader's viewing experience. I don't like to judge, and I don't like to think people can ever be considered "evil", but if I ever was to I think I'd include getting turned on by this manga as one of the criteria.

seriously...this just left me with this depressing feeling like my will to live is being taken away from me...i have a very active imagination and while im reading this half of my mind is like putting myself in those girls shoes <i know not a good habit...and the bad thing it usually doesnt happen when im reading happy shoujo romances!!> and another thing is im a girl! the mangaka is such a genius for creating something like this but hes a twisted genius...

im only intrigued because many people left very "intriguing" comments...for once i want to believe once again...actually when i read Battle Royale it didnt made me sick...but this one did...maybe because i can stand murder and betrayal but never rape! <and their doing it in groups! damn it!!>

the last part was the past that i loved the most...the divine retribution...and it shows that the man <lolzzzi thought that its a woman at first...Nicola> behind it all is still human afterall...and some chapter is good...but ironic...i dont know what to ay anymore...

this is a masterpiece but ity made me really sick and im not sure if this really did happen because it wasnt really stated...so im giving it an 8.5

im not an eroguro person , but as someone else has mentioned this story seems to almost be a ... idk, homage seems to be inappropriate here, but it definitely echoes back to the WWII euphemistically-named "comfort women" and their experiences, transposed to 19th century europe.

... Last updated on November 22nd, 2009, 7:34pm

This manga is not recommend for those with a weak heart. The theme revolves around dreams that end up being nightmares. The first chapter would be the most gruesome, as it immediately presents the dark theme of the manga(it also involves physical injuries to gut wrenching places i.e. the eye). However, the later chapters focus more on the psychological side of the girls soon to be or involved with the troupe. Still, I see it as extremely depressing. The story is interesting and provides different points of view of those involved in Bradherley's troupe. My biggest gripe though, would be the ambiguous ending for some of the chapter's characters(It still makes me depressed) . However, the story wraps up perfectly in what to me seemed reminiscent of what happened to Rorschach in Watchmen. I recommend people to read it for the story and the though provoking themes the mangaka gives.

You should be able handle a dark manga with nasty raping scene if you gonna read it. So far the idea is sick but not so unreality.
After all, It's a well draw 1 vol manga that would really touch your feeling during the whole story.

... Last updated on May 7th, 2009, 2:18pm

This is one very sick and disturbing story. There were some scenes I couldn't stomach. You have to be able to accept dark mangas to be able to read this cause this is one of the extremes. It terrifies me that this could actually really happened back then since they didn't have human right's protection like today. I can't say I hate it and I can't say I like it either so I guess no ratings for this one.

Need to wash my head of this sickening story by reading super cute shoujos.

Seriously I'm warning those to can't stand gruesome rape. It's really quite nasty.

if you're looking for something to enjoy and kill the time, i suggest you look elsewhere. this is the kind of stuff that professors can write dozens of essays on. although the concept would be ridiculous nowadays, it wouldn't have been uncommon during the early 20th century. the artist weaves the story and tone in such a way that you can't help but feel sympathy for the orphans. this is definitely a masterpiece that shows the power of visual imagery.

Yes, this is a fictional story, but we can be and have been cruel creatures historically. The story is not so far fetched given the time period where both women and orphans were lower than dogs. They had no rights or freedoms to speak of. That is why I said that this story could well have taken place in that period of history. It really is an excellent story. The art is beautiful. The characters, although only appear for a short time are extremely well developed. It is not a story for the feint of heart, but a wonderful story to read.
I really look forward to read more of this artist's works.

This manga was really good and interesting. It would've gotten a nine, but its ending was a bit open, so I had to lower it to an eight.

The art was great; a bit scratchy, but I like it that way. The plot wasn't much of one, but how the author tells the story and the story as a whole is utterly fascinating.

Woah woah woah...didn't quite expect this from Samura. It's a pretty sick idea for a manga. While I generally like reading manga with gratuitous sex and violence, I draw the line at two things:

1. Eye injuries
2. Underaged rape

I was actually quite close to puking at one point.

The way the story is structured, reminds me a little of Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction'. There isn't much of a resolution at the end (maybe there was something I missed), and, I would say, overall, reading this didn't really make for a good or satisfying experience...

... Last updated on September 23rd, 2008, 2:18pm