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 2 months ago

v.5 c.27.5 by TBSP 5 months ago

v.4 c.22.5 by TBSP 5 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

Click here to view the forum

User Rating

Average: 8.8 / 10.0 (1719 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.76 / 10.0

51%

22%

14%

Last Updated

April 28th, 2025 10:24am PDT - 2 days ago

Image [Report Inappropriate Content]

Genre

Comedy Drama Historical Romance Seinen Slice of Life
Search for series of same genre(s)

Categories

Log in to vote! Show all (some hidden)

Category Recommendations

Usagi Yojimbo

My Misraised Husband

Boku wa Chikyuu to Utau - "Boku Chikyuu" Jiseidai Hen

Dear Mine

Itoshii Kimi to, Seiryaku Kekkon - Ijippari Fuufu, Shoya kara Kozukuri Hajimemasu

Recommendations

Emma

Bonnouji

Basara

Akagami no Shirayukihime

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 #85

(-8)

Monthly Pos #95

(-5)

3 Month Pos #65

(+10)

6 Month Pos #55

(-6)

Year Pos #61

(-48)

List Stats

On 6992 reading lists

On 2913 wish lists

On 171 completed lists

On 200 unfinished lists

On 1141 custom lists

Note: You must be logged in to update information on this page.

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

5 months ago

manga discussion

3 years ago

User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

Quite interesting

by alex3510
13 years ago

Rating: N/A

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!

Was this comment useful? Yes

Culturally Diversed

by scarlet2life
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

Beautiful

by Dionaea
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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 13 years ago

Was this comment useful? Yes

Refreshing

by Verix
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

Context is all

by Delorita
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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 🙂

Was this comment useful? Yes

Lovely, but not a series for everyone

by ACNg
13 years ago

Rating: N/A

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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

Beautiful art, but disapointing female leads.

by Cassiopea
13 years ago

Rating: 5.0 / 10.0

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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

beautiful

by xdeLiiRiOus
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

You know who's younger than the bride...

by Hell_Clues
13 years ago

Rating: 8.0 / 10.0

-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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

Can't get enough!!

by PaprikaPrincess
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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.

Was this comment useful? Yes

Pages (9) [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... ]