Usually, I am NEVER one for an older woman/younger man relationship in a book/manga, but this one has made the small list of exceptions. It has a very intricate story, nothing about this SCREAMS romance, yet it is there. This is more of a cultural/art experience, as it is very rich and not for a light read.
This one I will recommend!

It's very rare to find a refreshing manga like this. The author not only gave us (the readers) a solid story and intricate artwork. It was able to educate readers about a culture. The author was very successful in educating the readers the lifestyle and customs of people that time. Not only that, she was able to capture the richness of the culture. Through her drawings, she was able to give justice in presenting how elaborate and deep the culture. It fascinates me that the author was able to weave the story and customs/practices of the people back then. The author proves that manga isn't only for story and art, it's how you educate the readers as well.

The art in this manga is simply superb, the story moves at a relaxed pace and gives you the time to truly enjoy it. The leads from the first chapters are very innocent and sweet. I don't get why some people complain about the girl's character, I completely agree with Delorita, not everyone has to be a bitch to be happy. And one of the things that should be kept in mind, beside the more clearcut gender roles in these cultures, is that despite their age differences they're equally inexperienced at relationships and the fact that she's much older is likely to only make Amir more insecure.

A very good slice of life manga: I can definitely recommend it

... Last updated on June 22nd, 2012, 8:13am

This manga seriously makes me want to travel all over. Oh well: as for a little review.
This one starts a little slow I found. Like so many times, if you stick with it it becomes wonderful (I was 100% sold by volume 4.. so give it some time). I love Mori Kaoru's work since reading Emma, but this is nothing like it at first glance. As usual for the mangaka everything is drawn superbly well, and the setting and plot draw you into the another world.

The summary coupled with a historical tag makes may put people off (and pull people in all the same, mind you); but all together this is a blissful seinen read. Highly recommended.

This manga owes part of my soul. It is so refreshing to see a calm, slice of life manga that doesn't have oversized boobs, harem, or skinny, barbie eyed heroines (did anyone notice that little muffin top stomach of hers?! Thumbs up to mangaka!). Some people complained that the heroine is too meek, or mellow, etc but really, take the setting into context. Certain cultures were geared that way, and some still are. Women were to take care of the household, listen to the husband, etc. As much as I uphold gender equality, not every lady needs to be a raging feminist to be happy. I'm glad this manga portrayed that

The artwork is fantastic. The detail is extraordinary. I am very happy I didn't judge the series by the cover on this page and decided to give it a try. The historical background makes an interesting environment and the traditions of the people are fascinating.

Admittedly, this series is NOT for everyone. It definitely lacks the usual melodrama/fight scenes/hot sex scenes/etc of the usual manga----in other words, if you are a teenager, you are most likely not going to enjoy the series (I myself am 18 and adore this manga series).

It's sweet and enjoyable. It provides a relatively realistic view on people of that specific time and place. Kudos to the author/artist.

I wanted to give this manga a try, and so I did.

Sadly, I was so irritated with the lead women characters. It is the annoying strong male, weak female mentality between the main relationships.

Amir is supposed to be 20, but she acts like a 12 year old. Her husband is supposed to be 12, but actually acts like a 20 year old. The 12 year old is already wonderfully mature, understanding, with subtle wisdom, but the 20 year old wife can act very childlike.

Amir is very talented at hunting - skilled with a bow, skilled on a horse, skilled at taking down sorts of animals of all sizes - but then needs the small preteen boy to save her life like the usual damsal in distress. Really??

She is constantly meek, leaps up at any chance to cling to her little husband in every chapter, is panicy, and for however reason is falling in love with him. Additionally, The relationship seems to be perfect and calm from the very start, with immediate attraction and bonding. I was hoping for a little bit more of journey and a learning process between the two, and to see what it was like for an adult bride to deal with such a situation. Sadly, again, this was missing. There is no stress between the two; the only thing that happens is a bad fever and a brief stint of people trying to get Amir back. Then the story takes a turn and focuses on something else.

The Western Anthropologist's love interest is no better. She is meek/timid, eyes casting down, and has a tendency of running off.

Kaoru Mori is great, but the potrayal of these female leads is getting very disapointing. It was like in "Emma" - while I initially enjoyed the story, the character of Emma had a tendency to take off from William (She did this at least a couple times; she sees him, then turns around and runs the other way) blushed every second page, looks down at the ground, faints, surrounds herself in muted melancholy even when others show kindness and friendship to her...and has the tendency to need William to catch her everytime she needs help, gets hurt, whatever.

I'm not sure if Kaoru thinks it is all sweet, cute and romantic, but it isn't appealling, and it's very old fashioned. Maybe I am just strange little minority, or maybe I'm just too old on account that I'm pushing my mid 20's, but I am more drawn to stronger women characters - and more equal, dynamic relationships.

The supporting female characters are oddly the more stronger ones. In the case in this series, I really liked the grandmother, who really is a solid matriach and stands up for what she believed in. I also reasonably liked Amir's friend, the unconventional girl who isn't very good at some of the household chores, and doesn't let go of the chance to beat up on a boy (including her possible betrothed) or open her mouth to tell it like it is.

It's funny in a way, Kaoru Mori makes poor main female roles, but she can actually do a decent job at making the other minor/supporting ladies more developed, tougher, and less one-dimensional.


Overall, the impact of the plot was a bit weak for me, with empty dialogue being apparent or prolonged unnecessary scenes. The parts that are supposed to be a climax felt a bit forced too. Unfortuntely, it felt like work having to read towards the end. There are some solid parts, but not enough to keep me going.

For the record though, the art is absolutely beautiful. So for the eyecandy market, you won't be disapointed (Though I do wonder if it is too beautiful....the characters are all perfectly clean, tidy, clear skinned, attractive, gorgeous attires...it might be a tiny bit too unrealistic, considering they are supposed to be Tribal Nomads travelling and living off amongst harsher lands. Normally these people are quite tough, and it shows from their reality of daily life. But, a minor complaint)

I really wished I could have liked this series, I really do. But it was just a bit more of a miss for me. And I am the type that enjoys realism, and real authentic storylines and dialogue - but in this case there was a lack.

it's laden with history. detail and developement. and my god, the artwork. its detail and work is amazing. you know everything is hand drawn. a feat that is not so common in today's manga. as expected from kaoru mori. I love her characters. they're the ones you actually care for.

-The Bridesgroom, but I guess it's not his story.

I remember reading the first chapter or two(least upto the decision to get the girl back) and quitting because the premise made me unexpectedly uncomfortable, this was like 5 or 6 years ago. Also thought it was kinda boring at the time, and I was looking for darker material too(or a lot optimism and humour, an extreme at either side).

I have and haven't changed since then. I don't understand why my past self had a problem since it's takes place in a different time period, in a different culture ect. I also no longer find it boring. There's a fun that's similar to yotsuba and Suicide Island. Watching people live a simple but complicated life(I love to contradict myself like this apparently) and do things we can't anymore because it's outside our norm to survive. Skinning a rabbit, shooting a deer ect.

The art is quite nice, especially on the clothes(or furniture/items sometimes). The people aren't detailed but the girls are quite cute. Backgrounds tend to be sparse though.

First of all- kudos to Mori Kaoru for this manga; I absolutely love Otoyomegatari. I can find no real fault in the entire manga. The story is great, the historical accuracy is phenomenal, and the ART is simply BREATHTAKING. This manga is a real gem among many shallow stories out there and I think everyone should try it at least once, though it won't satisfy all readers.
Honestly, when I first picked this up I was expecting more of a romance between Amira and Karluk, but I was pleasently surprised when I found a more in-depth multi-faceted story about life in nomadic Asia. I still wish there was a tad more romance in it but that's only because I'm mainly a romance manga reader.
Otoyomegatari is defintely a good read, and something that I will eagerly wait for chapters for.