Hatenkou YuugiDazzle Edit What would you like to edit? SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links   4f642m

Story:


This... is a quirky tale about a girl's adventure in the world that goes a lot darker than it might seem at first glance. It's filled with paradoxes, mysteries, secret pasts, guns, quips, ghosts, spoiler stuff I won't disclose, fashion, blood, and magic. It's a story about trust, and the bonds we have that can overcome whatever obstacles we come across- be it memory, or time, or death.

To be honest, the authoress seems to be dabbling in a few genres; action, adventure, sci-fi, etc. And, at least for me, it's hard to find a plot as intricate as this one without straying from the 'shounen' ... genre.. There are a ton of little things in the first half of the story that seem unconnected and pointless, but they all come together (and are still in the process of coming together as we speak). The new developments are something I did NOT see coming at all, and I honestly cannot say what will happen next.

Which brings me to my next point- the authoress is scary-good at leaving us on cliffhangers in her arc chapters. (It is for this reason why I get so very angry at the side stories) She has a tendency to leave a little thing at the end of or in the middle of a chapter (she skips point of views quite frequently) that leaves you unable to stop reading until she unveils the resolution.
One complaint though- there are a lot of side stories, and sometimes it interrupts the flow of the story in ways you don't want it to. Though this is more a personal gripe than anything else.



Art:


Frankly, the art in the beginning sucks. A lot.

Okay, that's an exaggeration; but it wasn't really all that great. Looking back from chapter 92 to chapter 1, it's like a whole new artist. This, of course, has to do with the great amount of time that has actually ed since it began, as well as the hiatus between chapters 89 or 90 and the current two, when the author took a break with HK to focus on Maria+Holic. (Blasphemy, I know!)

ANYWAYS, long story short, if you hang in there, you get used to it, and eventually you come to appreciate the art (as well as Rahzel's fabulous outfits).

... That's right.

THE MAIN CHARACTER CHANGES CLOTHING.

... FREQUENTLY.

Chew on that.



Characters:


To be honest, I have a weak spot for dry humor, and this manga has it in spades. I don't find myself tiring of the jokes, because they're not the typical gag jokes that most mangas utilize these days. Also, the characters themselves are pretty unique- for the most part, they are each distiguishable from each other- from Sera's insane father complex to Branowen's robot fetish, each character is likeable in their own way. After all, if I still find my second favorite character to be who he is even after he does what he does to the main character in the 68th or so chapter, that have to mean something.

This is not to say that I like ALL of the characters- some of them are annoying in that they hog up screentime, and others are just kind of background-ish to me. But when the authoress goes all out for a character, you can really feel it.

ALSO! One big point- there is quite a lot of character development, but for the most part that character development is centered around the main cast: Rahzel, Baroqueheat (where the hell did she get that name?), Second&Alzeidsx2, Serateed, Kiara, and Branowen. That's not to say the other characters are ignored- it's just that they get less development. Which isn't necessarily bad; there's no need to bog down the reader with unnecessary information, after all.



Enjoyment:


I really enjoyed reading this manga (if it hasn't been obvious up to this point). The only thing I would be cautious of is that it can get quite a bit wordy at times. And also, the cast grows to be quite sizeable, and sometimes you wish the author wouldn't be so even in sharing the screentime. And those GODDAMN sidestories (plus, the school arc... I mean, wow was it important but it seemed anachronistic to the rest of the story).



Overall:


Read it. Despite my gripes, I think this is a wonderful manga- a real 'diamond in the rough.' I only wish that there were more manga like this out there. And that the anime adaption hadn't screwed up so magnificently.

[Because, seriously. I read the manga and I still could not tell you the plot of the anime.]
[And just LOOK at the rating differences!]

Just give it till the Angel Text arc- if you truly do not like it after that point, then I suppose you won't ever.


~cas-karas :3

Most of us associate the genre ‘josei’ with either some sort of slice-of-life story, major character development, or those harlequin stories. Hatenkou Yuugi is the perfect example of a manga that completely disregards the above three stereotypes, and instead, creates it’s own respective place as a josei (and yes, it is a josei).

Though first few volumes lead you to believe it’s a very sloppy/ugly example of a episodic josei, it’s just the foundation for an even greater story. This is a manga where you have to read the entire thing before you understand it. The faint connections between Rahzel, Alzeid, and Baroqueheat run much deeper ... than they really appear to be. Could fate have brought the three together? Or even scarier than that: could this fate could be planned, or predetermined? If that’s true, then who is really pulling the strings? And for what reason? The gears of time are steadily moving to an uncertain future.

From the first few pages of the manga, we’re introduced to a very animated girl, Rahzel, who was just kicked out of her house. Seemingly normal, right? Soon after, she meets an aloof, albino man on a quest for revenge, and a strong casanova who just likes to fool around. The characters are superb, all with a very interesting non-static personality. And just like us, the characters actually change their clothes, something I find so refreshing. And most of them aren’t really that forgettable; I mean, who can forget Rahzel’s ‘macho-fetish?' They all have their dark backstories/agendas, including the most unexpected of characters. Not to mention the way everyone interacts with one another is believable. How many mangas show you friends comforting each other, or reassuring each other? Not many, especially nowadays. Something I think is necessary to point out: this manga is mostly friendship, so if you think two guys with one girl on a journey may entail a lot of romance, you’d completely wrong.

The setting is a very interesting trope: “days of a future past”. Though it appears to be a ruined, medieval Europe (especially through how Rahzel dresses sometimes), their technology is just about on par with modern day society. Rahzel’s hammerspace bag could be an example, seeing as no one really brings it up as weird, or unnatural. The narration flows nicely, and the pacing never misses a beat. The backgrounds are very pretty and detailed, but it doesn’t really enhance the overall reading experience. It does prove to be, however, a tool to know where characters are situated. Which isn’t entirely bad since most joseis/shoujos completely ignore this.

I’d like to call it a much lighter version of Pandora Hearts or Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles (especially because of the clones). You have to make theories as to who is who, and try to find the answer to what I’d like to call the ultimate mystery. It definitely contains some mind-boggling insanity later on, something you wouldn't ever expect just by reading the first volume. The overall atmosphere is a comedy, but the dark secrets lying in the subplot are unsettling, making you feel a little nervous and insecure... almost as if you’re being watched by something (or someone). And yes, I must say this: the art and plot does improve, so bear with it for a little while to get to the good stuff.

In fact, this manga is so good, it should be the testament towards all the prejudices of joseis. Which then brings me to the final rating: a 9.0 /10.0. And as I’ve said, you need to read it all before you truly understand it.

★★★★★★★★★☆
RECOMMENDED.

Honestly, I believe this deserves a ten in everything.

The manga is excellently developed, plot focused and the insecurities and interpersonal relationships of all the characters is executed in a simply beautiful manner.

If you're put off by the art--mind you that the picture here is from one of the earlier volumes. This manga has been going on for years and Minari Endoh's style has changed and developed to something incredibly unique.

Her humor is gold. There's dark comedy, slapstick, puns and everything else you can think of. The plot is full of twists and the characters are all incredibly human... even if they're not ... exactly human.

Must of the narration (in the serious parts) is filled with things that we would never be able to it to ourselves that the characters are struggling to it to themselves.

The twists are unexpected and it leaves you truly pondering all your questions with no idea of what to expect.

This manga is a gem and a masterpiece. You just have to read it to find out.