This manga is extremely cute, light and fluffy and I can understand why it is so loved! I enjoyed leisurely reading each page, and though I did not find it an extremely amazing story that is a must read, I did enjoy the story even if it was a bit overdone.
Plot- Save the world… in a down toned kind of way. Noriko is whisked suddenly away (in a very strange turn of events… terrorists? Huh?) to a different world, and there she will discover that she is the fabled Awakening who will arouse the fearsome Sky Demon who is said to hold great evil that could destroy the world. Well, the plot does deepen more than just Noriko’s struggle, we are introduced to the world and its struggles. Corruption is EVERYWHERE and Noriko is quickly, through her own gentle spirit and desire to help others, caught up in many people’s troubles. The plot is well paced out and the many weaving thread of story entwine nicely into an enjoyable story. However the plot is a little cheesy are times, a bit overdramatic and drawing out a little chuckle at times and sometimes it seems that some random stuff happens. While these random events fit into the plot and add to the story they could have been fit in better and hinted at more, instead of appearing suddenly. The plot is still very nice and though not very original it still manages to please.
Characters- Noriko and Izark are just too cute! Pretty typical characters they still manage to hold their own charms and one can’t help but love them and root for them! There is quite an ensemble of characters, not to many to confuse but just enough to make the world lifelike and realistic with its many inhabitants. The villains can be called villains, the heroes or just that. There are really no inward struggles between characters except for the Awakening and the Sky Demon who have ‘an evil within’. Everything is pretty clean cut but perhaps that’s what makes the characters so fresh and enjoyable, there are no real complications, everyone is working to help each other and that’s quite refreshing to see.
Art- The art is… old, very shoujo at times (sparkles and big eyes and tears) and while I did not consider the most beautiful art it was not that bad either, it told the story well enough and it was quite good.
Other- This story is cheesy, as I said before, especially the ending.
Finding the light within you? Yeah, I’ve heard that before, even that’s cliché. Of course they got to fight together in the end... and of course everything just goes so well after that evil is gone. Though cheesy as well I did like the addition of Noriko being able to send her family something… I guess… I’m just surprised she didn’t think of her family more often.
Anyway! Overall I enjoyed the story, but did not find it anything special; nothing really stood out and made this manga special. Do I recommend it? I’m not quite sure; it if intrigues out then yes read it, if the premise doesn’t really appeal to you then you’re probably shouldn’t waste your time on reading it and find something more appealing.
8/10- Was Good
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