Otoyomegatari

Description

From Yen Press:
Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori (Emma, Shirley) brings the nineteenth-century Silk Road to lavish life, chronicling the story of Amir Halgal, a young woman from a nomadic tribe betrothed to a twelve-year-old boy eight years her junior. Coping with cultural differences, blossoming feelings for her new husband, and expectations from both her adoptive and birth families, Amir strives to find her role as she settles into a new life and a new home in a society quick to define that role for her.

Note: Nominated for the 4th and 6th Manga Taisho. Won the 7th annual Manga Taishou Award in 2014 and the intergénérations prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2012.

Type

Manga

Related Series

Kaoru Mori Shuuishuu (Side Story)

Associated Names

A Bride's Story

A història de uma noiva

Arojen Morsiamet

Aron morsiamet

Bride Stories

Brudens Fortellinger

Cô Dâu Thảo Nguyên

Gelinin Hikayeleri

Historia de Novias

I giorni della sposa

I giorni delle spose

La historia de una novia

Opowieść Panny Młodej

Pariya-san wa Otoshigoro

The Bride's Stories

Young Bride's Story

Οι ιστορίες της νύφη

История молодой невесты.

Історія молодої нареченої

قصة عروس

दुलहीहरूको कथा

बेहुलीहरूको कथा

เจ้าสาวแห่งทางสายไหม

乙嫁語り

姊嫁物語

少女新娘物语

신부이야기

Groups Scanlating

Duralumin

Hatachi scans

IIChan Translation Group

Maigo

More...

Latest Release(s)

c.112 by TBSP 3 months ago

v.5 c.27.5 by TBSP 6 months ago

v.4 c.22.5 by TBSP 6 months ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

15 Volumes (Ongoing)
13 Wide-ban Volumes (Ongoing)

Completely Scanlated?

Anime Start/End Chapter

N/A

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

2 topics, 6 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.8 / 10.0 (1722 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.76 / 10.0

51%

22%

14%

Last Updated

June 4th, 2025 6:56pm PDT - 1 week ago

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Genre

Comedy Drama Historical Romance Seinen Slice of Life
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Categories

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Dear Mine

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Recommendations

Emma

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Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Enterbrain (2008, 2021)

Serialized In (magazine)

Fellows! (Enterbrain)

Harta (Enterbrain)

Aokishi (Kadokawa)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Yen Press (14 Vols - Ongoing)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #140

(-17)

Monthly Pos #124

(-22)

3 Month Pos #118

(+53)

6 Month Pos #73

(+12)

Year Pos #70

(+7)

List Stats

On 7037 reading lists

On 2924 wish lists

On 171 completed lists

On 201 unfinished lists

On 1144 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

“Otoyomegatari” sparking interest in Central Asian and Iranian history and a desire to see more historical series about it

7 months ago

manga discussion

3 years ago

User Comments [ Order by time added ]

Please Check the Setting Next Time

by blackluna
10 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Before I make any comments, I must correct the anachronism of some prior comments:

Even if you skipped over the beginning of the first chapter, it should be clear from the pocket watch and all things western in the manga that it does not take place in the twelfth or sixteenth centuries but the nineteenth. Based on various details found in the manga, I'm guessing Otoyomegatari takes place mid-century (circa 1860, earlier would make the characters of Mr. Smith and the female Brit impossible).
The story does not take place in Mongolia (East Asia) but in Central Asia in the general region of the Aral and Caspian Seas: from the maps in chapter seventeen and the prior progress of the story, the story begins just East of the Aral Sea but not far enough East for Qing Dynasty China to be a significant factor. (Later on, the location of the village the story starts in is specified to be near the city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, and that's as far East as the setting ever gets. In other words, most of the groups in the story are Turkic, not Mongolic, and the political powers in play are Britain and Russia.)
As with any other work, please read it for what it is, not what it isn't. This story is very definitely a historical slice of life. Note the lack of the action genre, and although it's labeled "drama," it's more like there are touches of drama here and there. Overall, Otoyomegatari is a more serious type of story (or heavier reading, one might say), thus the Seinen demographic (maybe I was a precocious little girl, but I doubt that's it).

The plot is essentially an interconnected episodic, moving from bride to bride, following Amir and then also people connected to her. Using courtship and marriage as a device, Mori-sensei has created a story whose primary aim is ethnographic, and she thus tries to give an objective view of the cultures involved. Even Mr. Smith is a linguist and ethnographer, as well as an excellent method of explaining many aspects of the cultures without forced incursion of a narrator. This is also why she avoids the negative aspects of cultures she's glancing over: sure, she could talk about the negative aspects of the cultures (e.g. polygamy, abuse, and arranged marriages) but, for the purposes of the story, when mentioned, it is in passing. Also disease and illness are addressed to a minor extent, as it is, yet again, not primary (oh, just a point, people do die, not just villains). I should also mention that the complexity of Amir's story and the second bride's tale (Talas) definitely reveal issues found in that region, and that in the fourth brides' (Anis and Shirin) the saccharine feeling is commented on in universe by the nurse as fairytale-like and improbable. Furthermore, daily life is not dramatic, by definition. A story cannot address every single thing imaginable: a story has composition just as much as a picture (i.e. there's a need to pick and choose). Inclusion of rape, bride kidnapping, slavery (not a big issue in that region), and the like is emotionally grabbing and dramatic, which would leave the reader too emotionally involved for Mori-sensei's aims, seeing as it would overshadow the ethnographic details.

As ever, Mori-sensei's artwork is extraordinary and her storytelling masterful. The extended use of visuals works perfectly. The characters are enjoyable, and their emotions and expressions are complex when the situation asks for it. The pace is enjoyable, and the dashes of humour and periodic dark streaks are lovely and make Otoyomegatari all the more worth while.

If you want a harder or more historical view, rather than an ethnographic one, I would look at Wolfsmund, Shut Hell, or Chang Ge Xing. However, for the aims and scope of the story, Mori-sensei is leaving very few gaps. The detail of her research is also fabulous: down to tiny particulars. Although I really would appreciate translations of blurbs of her research for this story, those are in a separate volume.

... Last updated 5 months ago

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Fantastic story, but remember kiddies, it's seinen

by philip72
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

I was looking at Otomegatari's ratings and was astounded to see about two dozen votes of 4 and under. I couldn't understand it, as I thought even the most reserved raters would give it a 6 for it's amazing art, and solid historical perspective on 19th century Central Asia alone.

Then I read the comments and it all made sense.

Kids, this story is Seinen; that means it's aimed at men of university age or older, not tweens and teens. You're not going to find raging powerups, big swords, unusual villains and (as many) panty shots as shounen. Conversely girls, you won't find the heaps of maudlin drama as you would in shoujo. Instead you'll find an in-depth historical drama, very much rooted in the real world.

So if you're under the age of majority, give Otomegatari a miss; unless you're precocious, you really won't enjoy it right now. Once your testes descend, your face starts growing hair, and you start paying your taxes, pick it up again; I guarantee you'll find it amazing.

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Superb attention to details and authencity

by Ultramarinus
14 years ago

Rating: N/A

Being a Turk myself, this whole manga felt something that came out of an Anatolian nomadic tribe documentary. The motifs on the carpets, the jewelry, the clothes, you can find those exact ones still widely used throughout the region in rural areas. The attention to details is through and through in both drawings and how many Turkic people still live in Middle Asia steppes. It's a warm story about everyday life, may be compared to Vinland Saga's current farm arc if someone needs an example.

My sincere respects to Kaoru Mori for spending this much effort to prepare a correct portrayal of those people of that time. It's beautiful and it's true. It's also an ultra rare opportunity to be introduced to this rich, mostly unknown culture.

As for the age difference, I think people are bothered only because the male is still a minor by today's norms. People married and still do in certain regions of the world as early as 14-15, we still have folk songs from old times about such couples and how it was considered purely normal. If someone could take care of their living and fulfill roles in a family, they were eligible for marriage. It's pretty much a cultural and historical difference between the old times and today, I think people should be able to accept that much when reading about a foreign land 150 years ago.

As for deeming rabbit hunting cruel.. Well, I guess they didn't have supermarkets back then which had meat chopped and clean so you can dump the cruelty on someone else with a credit card.

... Last updated 14 years ago

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SJW Disinformation

by LibertyTrooper
8 years ago

Rating: 9.8 / 10.0

There have been comments that the series is somehow unworthy of the times and places it depicts. All should recall that opinions are like anuses in that everyone's has one and they do indeed spew forth smelly material.

Its a manga that represents the ideal of a culture in gorgeous art rarely equaled in its medium. The stories are crafted to that end.

Cultures evolve. Social Justice Warriors ignore this. However, they cannot ignore it should there be coffee served in a teacup. I wonder why that is so?

Not all lives were ugly, brutish, and short. Not all slaves hated their masters. Not all members of harems felt exploited. That is the reality despite what SJW and editorializing historians might have one and all believe.

Applying modern and culturally biased views in revisionist judgement is a crime against history and human knowledge. Using them as a standard for this manga is absurd and deserves derision and scorn.

... Last updated 8 years ago

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Wonderful Depiction of Central Asia

by mikako17
10 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

I didn't want to review this before I had finished reading the series, but upon seeing AquarianDemocrat's comment I felt like I had to say something.

A few of AquarianDemcrocat's comments make sense if you're looking at this manga through a strictly Western, and modern, sense of ethics/morals and are not willing to keep an open mind about the culture you're reading about. I'm not defending slavery, war, and etc, but Mori is depicting this time, which is 19th century not 12th or 16th, and place as many then would have seen it.

The main point of Otoyomegatari seems to be portraying the culture of the people of 19th Century Central Asia. It is a portrayal that doesn't judge the culture nor does it complicate it by creating problems.

There are issues raised, but they are handled well, the characters are not smiling happily while they defend their homes, nor are they all giggling when they marry, the characters deal with what happens to them and move on. There's no dwelling on lost loves, lost lives, and etc because first of all, realistically, they couldn't and secondly the point of the manga is culture.

I'll admit that there are many happy endings, but that just contributes to helping a reader understand the culture and not judge it. I believe Mori would rather readers try to understand the culture then judge than judge and not try to understand and therefore went this route. And I have to say, she does it beautifully and wonderfully. It is very educational as a previous comment said.

As someone who comes from culture that has bride prices and polygamy who grew up with modern Western values I spent a long time detesting it all before I tried understanding it. And yes, I still have issues with them, especially polygamy in these times, but now that I have learned about my culture I understand it and do not detest it.

So my advice to readers is to give it try, keep an open mind, and just enjoy the lovely art. Also keep in mind that this manga is 19th century, which is 1800's, so not that long ago in our history.

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You learn something from this

by okigen
9 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

It's engaging from the very first page, when you see Amir's face. She had that bemused look, with her large eyes wide open and her red lips extending a mischievous smile. She rode a horse on her own over the mountains. Oh my!

And so you can tell whether you will like this story from the first page. And I urge you to do so, before throwing your judgement on that 'child' marriage, because the story summary did a very poor job of showing what it is actually about.

The story is devoted to depicting an ideal world of the Central Asia in the 19th century. It deliberately ignored almost all reality checks, and chose to highlight their cultural value instead. For example, look at how the husbands treat their wives with respect and responsibility. Or how the two parties, during a marriage negotation, also visit each other and try to establish a bond between the families. Look at how the groom asks the bride what he could improve in order to make her like him better. In such a supportive environment, you can't help feeling that the happiness in these arranged marriages is real, not thanks to some lovestruck chemistry but because both sides have worked hard to gradually build it. And so you will come to appreciate this old-fashioned, almost non-existant culture just a bit more.

... Last updated 9 years ago

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Could not make a better series!

by zeidrich
5 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

The best artwork by far. Meticulously researched and detailed.
Storylines drenched in sympathy and compassion.
It would be shame if anyone did not even attempt to read this.
If there were only more mangaka like her...

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Incredible Display of Art and Class

by NoOneSpecial75
10 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

As a manga loving Anthropology student, this manga hits all the right notes for me. Sure it's a highly romanticized look at village life, but it tells its story with dignity, humor, affection and such breathtakingly meticulous art that it's almost like reading a really moving ethnography. Highly recommended.

... Last updated 9 years ago

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Really great storytelling

by Yaoilalala
7 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Absolutely fantastic storytelling. Just pulls you in and you can’t put it down until you’re on the last page, even the side characters and side stories are beautifully written and well thought out. The only side story I wasn’t that interested in was the

sister-wife one but it was still alright.

I have to say I wasn’t a fan of the author seeing how I didn’t like Emma, found it too dry and shallow despite, after some effort, managing to get through both the anime and the manga, but after reading Shirley and hearing such good things about this manga I had to give it a read, am glad I did!

The best thing to do if you’re worried about all the sjw comments is to read it yourself and make your own judgements. Just keep note that this is a historical story and thus has to be kept at least somewhat realistic. Plus the main couples are not abusive at all, in fact it promotes a very emotionally healthy marriage especially with the main couple and with Pariya’s story, and the ones that are abusive are made clear to the readers, no victim blaming or protecting the abusers at all.

... Last updated 7 years ago

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Beautiful artwork aside...

by VenusAD
16 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Because, as everyone has said, it is GORGEOUS. But that all aside, the story itself is fantastic. The relationship between Amira and Karluk is so pure and beautiful in itself. I also like that he isn't just a scared child. He behaves like a man, though his emotions are something he doesn't quite understand yet. Both of them are just so innocent and honest about their affection for each other. It is a strangely beautiful--though altogether unorthodox love story including a healthy showing of familial and community bonds.

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