I feel like there were a lot of hidden meaning in this manhwa. Its is indeed very deep and leaves you with kind of a sad feeling but it was probably one of the best things I've read so far. I haven't read anything like this before. Its take on the real world is really on point and you don't get to see that in a lot of stories. The art was fabulous I mean REALLY, it was so weird and out of the norm I loved it. I would recommend the to everyone. I believe everyone at some point in their lives can relate to this story and the feelings behind it.

I feel there was something left unanswered: Leaves you wondering. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read.

... Last updated on April 6th, 2014, 1:57pm

The art was really different; an art that uses many different art styles to convey a message that anyone would get. It a story that would make you cry, since it relates to life!! A perfect story to read when you have some time and you don't know what to do with it. But in the end you'll believe in a magic never told before.

Although it's understandable that the basis of the story may make some people judge that this manhwa is another one filled with cliches, as far as the execution goes, cliche is definitely not it. This story is not fantasy nor romance (even though it's tagged as so, and implied countless times within the story) - it is a flat out coming of age tale that really applies itself to reality, and young adults currently experiencing coming of age is the targeted audience. Let's review based on this:

The main characters are both dynamic and round, showing various positive and negative qualities on top of gradual development. Side characters lack growth, but it is not a story long enough to afford descriptive personalities for the non-essential figures.

Art is without a doubt top notch - it may seem plain, but there is a lot of thought put into each scene. 3D and 2D art are manipulatively entwined together to make not only beautiful images, but also meaningful representations. In example, the fact that almost every location is black and white except certain scenes involving the fairgrounds helps exemplify the overall theme of childlike fantasies vs. reality. 3D art and color is used sparingly as a storytelling device instead of simple illustrations.

Annarasumanara's story, if summed up, is plain and without a doubt overdone. However, one thing Annarasumanara manages to do is not succumb to the expectations of the average shoujo reader. The tale doesn't stray off the path of reality at any point (our characters may, but the tale itself definitely stays true to reality), therefore the ending is only expected to be the most fitting. The messages the author tries to deliver are printed onto the page, which is perfect for a tale like this. If meanings were any more vague, the lessons would have been lost among the pretty images and cute magic tricks. The pacing of storytelling is comfortable, and nothing but. Annarasumanara's beginning, middle, and end never changes its direction from the goal, and it succeeds in taking the reader on a rather magical journey.

Magic isn't the star of the story - it is a story which uses magic to let the reader realize the importance of reality, and how important it is to grab onto other beliefs which may stray from the norm. Do not be disappointed when the ending turns out not to be what you may have in mind, the goal of this story is to show how one may hold a childlike passion while living "successfully" in the real world. As depicted, Il-Deung's daily life is how many children live in many Asian countries - delirious with pressure to do well in school. Irresponsible parents aren't unheard of either. Annarasumanara is depressingly realistic, whilst being so magically wondrous. A great read for young adults.

... Last updated on August 16th, 2013, 10:55pm

I like this series because even thou one of the main characters is trying to convince you to believe in magic like a child would: the story itself is realistic and tries to teach a valuable lesson.
The characters, their emotions and their actions don't feel fake, over the top or simply ridiculous.
Even thou we have the usual: poor girl, rich guy, murmuring students and a 'magical/unbelievable guy; none of them feel cliched- plus within these 27 chapters you can get to know more about the characters than you would after 10 volumes in the usual shojou manga.
Anyway, I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a realistic story with a magical touch.
Also, even thou the genre list includes romance, the story doesn't dwell to much on the characters romantic feelings; so if you want romance this is probably not for you.

This story really is separate and different, not at all following the normal pattern of clichés that you might expect. I enjoyed the story, but it may throw some people off a little with its.... realistic view of the world. Strange that a story about magic can be so grounded in reality! XD

Plot- Deals with growing up, it's a coming-of-age story and centralizes on that theme. The main character Yoon Ah-ee is very well developed, a normal girl of her age who has a lot of struggles she has to try and deal with. She's mature for her age, studious and feels it is time for her to enter the adult world. However, she also shows a childish and naïve side. The story follows her coming to grips with her world and just who she wants to be. It's a truly sweet story, but I must admit that at first I wasn't expecting how real to life the manga was going to be. (I mean come one! It's about magic!)

Characters- I've already mentions how well developed the main female is, but she isn't the only one. All the characters have depth to them, and you can't outright like or dislike any one of them. They are so dimensional like real people there are many different good and bad qualities in each. There are no archetypes, just well-developed characters.

Art- The art is... interesting. The people are drawn nicely, and I really like the abstract qualities the artist brought into the work that held meaning within the story. It's definitely a different art style, but I truly did come to appreciate all the work and effort put into making the art mean something deeper.

Other- At first when I finished this story I was a little disappointed. It did not turn out at all as I had expected, I was too caught up in the clichés I had grown used to. But in retrospect I find that this story is actually a very well-crafted story and quite worthy of the time it takes to read it!

8/10- Was good

This was a totally different manga for me. I don't know how to explain it, but the atmosphere is different... The drawing, the display of the story (loooooong vertical page - I've never seen mangas this way before) and the psychological/filosofical meaning of the manga is just MAGICAL. hehehe Even if the drawings are simple, as people said here, this simplicity just makes the story beautiful.
The end is a little bit sad but it just makes you think more, like how society and life works, etc.

... Last updated on February 2nd, 2013, 8:25pm

     I read this only because a friend recommended it to me. If I have to admit something about this manga, it's that it was almost a complete waste of time to read. Most of the events in this book dragged, but it was fine because there wasn't a lot of dialogue. However, it became so unbearable that I just quickly zoomed through pages and pages of people acting and reacting, and the abstract feelings portrayed in this manga.

I think the point of this story is to follow the simple and creative yet bizarre existence of the girl and the magician; how the magician's childish and innocent belief can inspire doubtful characters into having hopes and confidence again. Even though I didn't like this manga, this was still a very nice touch: to have us believe that the world is rather corrupt and only one man, or those, who's limited mental capacity can try to change the sane with their simple view of life. I don't know if I was just very impatient but I can't believe I read the whole thing just for this one simple meaning.

I loved this moral in the story; however, on another note, the artwork is extremely plain (I believe, to match the simplicity of the story) and almost unbearable, yet all of the characters are very lovable and memorable, each having their own way of dealing with situations.

... Last updated on March 1st, 2015, 2:37pm

Annarasumanara had all the components of a really great series, but for me, it fell a little short in some respects. First, the art is very pretty. I really enjoyed the artist's use of 3D art as well as 2D art (though this is later abandoned after the first couple chapters). I also enjoyed the idea behind the asphalt road and the discussion of what it really means to be an adult in society. However, I felt as though the writing for the manhwa was too blunt. It just tells the reader what (s)he should think about being an adult. I wish it was more open-ended or at least acknowledged the validity of wanting your child to be a "successful adult" instead of painting Il Jeung's parents as very one-dimensional characters. It's a good idea, but the execution was too biased for my taste. The other issue that I have with this manhwa is the plot. It's slow to a fault, and some scenes just aren't necessary and bog down the work as a whole.
Annarasumanara is decent, but I felt deeply unsatisfied after reading it because it could have been much better. If you have time and this genre appeals to you, give it a look. If not, you're not missing too much.

Very artistic work, and in many ways, very beautiful and exquisite. A short, sweet story with a touch of sadness that is worth the read. However, I am not one that is able to rate this a 10 purely based on its artistic value. I have this at 8/10 as I wasn't blown away by the story itself. Nevertheless, an enjoyable read that will give readers something unique to think about.