Angelic Runes [Paperback]

While passing through a remote village, the magic user Sowil encounters a horrifying sight: The villagers are preparing to bury two innocent children--a boy named Erudite and girl name Allueh--alive! But when he confronts the villagers, they insist that it is not they but rather these twins who are the horrifying ones; the children are cursed, and every word that issues from their lips strikes terror into the hearts of listeners! Sowil, however, is undeterred and volunteers to take Erudite and Allueh off of their hands. As it turns out, they are oracles; Erudite speaks to angels while Allueh speaks to demons.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that the real mystery at hand is not these children but rather Sowil himself. Neither the divine nor devilish beings that the twins speak to know anything about him or the potent runic magic he wields so skillfully. It is, in fact, otherworldly. So why was he born into this one? It is a question that many are asking, including the deities to whom the twins speak, Sowil's handsome mentor Taurus...and Sowil himself.

Creator Makoto Tateno is a prolific veteran mangaka who has published everything from magical adventures for girls such as King of Cards, homoerotic romance for teens and adults such as Yellow, and manga adaptations of popular Japanese live-action television dramas such as Night Head. In all instances, her work can be easily recognized for its consistent, albeit at times workmanlike, quality of storytelling and beautiful, shoujo manga-style artwork and character designs. Angelic Runes, originally published in Japan by Shodensha in 2007 and released in English adaptation by Digital Manga Publishing, is a strong entry into the high fantasy genre, a series sure to provide enjoyment to die-hard Tateno devotees and manga fans alike.

In her talkback at the end of the first volume, Tateno admits that she is a "lukewarm fan of the fantasy genre." To compensate for her lack of familiarity with all but the most famous of fantasy tales, she draws heavily from mythological and religious tradition--hence all of the angels and demons speaking through Erudite and Allueh. However, as it turns out, this strategy works sublimely, and when combined with the occasional quirky doses of pitch-perfect comic relief, there is a liveliness to this work that many ostensibly more "original" fantasy manga series simply cannot match. Great stories are great stories, and borrowing from them definitely gives Angelic Runes an unearned boost of quality.

As always, Tateno's artwork--and particularly her character designs--are exquisite. The first volume's beguiling full-color cover illustration is just the beginning. Sowil is your generic blond bishounen, and his mentor Taurus is a tall, dark, and handsome hunk who, incidentally, is an alternate universe version of another Tateno series character. For moé fans, the wins are sure to please; their dewy eyes and innocent, deadpan expressions--while delivering odd, off-color, or outright hilarious comments--will send the contingent of cute fans swooning. Fortunately, these characters are more than just a bunch of pretty faces, and the unresolved mysteries surrounding their respective existences will have you coming back for more. Recommended.

-- Casey Brienza

If you would like a brief synopsis of the plot, there is one in the product description. So i'm going to skip that. What i will say is that while you don't get to into the thick of things, there is enough intrigue to make you want the next volume. the stories themselves are episodic, though Sowil's quest to find his father is woven in through out. I really can't wait to find out his secrets! the artwork is superb! (per usual) and the layout is clean and uncluttered. Your really get a feeling for Sowil as a character in just these 4 chapters. i enjoyed it immensely, and i enthusiastically reccommend it to you, if you are a fan of Makoto tateno, or even, fantasy works in general.

The people in a fairly small and isolated village have had more than their share of bad luck, and they just know two young twins must be somehow responsible. After all, their mother died giving birth to them, and all they ever say is creepy nonsense. Confronted about the troubles, they admit they are responsible and that the only way to top it is to bury them alive. The villagers have the eight year old children in the grave, ready to begin shovelling the earth over, when a mysterious stranger appears. Aghast at what he is witnessing, he halts the proceedings. It readily becomes apparent that he is no ordinary person passing by, but a user of magic. And he too, comes to quickly realise that these are no ordinary children. For one speaks the words of an angel, and the other passes the messages of a demon. For what reason is this so, and what does this have to do with the quest for his own father? Machinations beyond human ken are afoot, with these three at the centre of the storm. Are they mere pawns in a game between heaven and hell, or is is something more at work?

I have to admit to rather liking the works of Makoto Tateno, and while her art work here is as superb as ever and her plot idea intriguing, this title still fell rather flat. The twins, Allueh and Erudite not only have rather odd names even for a high fantasy title, but seem to be made of cardboard. Admittedly, their reticence and not saying anything but the utterances of their angel or demon is probably meant to make them seem mysterious, but the lack of any text showing their own private inner thoughts just leaves them completely two dimensional, mere props for what appears to be the main character, the young traveller Sowil. Introduction of further characters tends to be abrupt, as if Tateno is in a hurry to introduce new plot threads and twists. The volume ends without resolving any major questions, merely meandering over a side adventure that gives a hint to the past of the man Sowil seeks.

I felt very frustrated at this, having previously enjoyed Tateno's storytelling prowess in volumes such as Yellow and How to Capture a Martini. Tateno's usual skills sets the bar quite high in expectations, but if I take a step back and re-evaluate it as if it was from a nameless mangaka and from the viewpoint of the target audience (16+), I can see that my disappointment in the perceived shortcomings is perhaps a little harsh. It is perhaps pedestrian compared to her other series, but it IS just getting off the ground, and her angel/demon oracle children are a unique combination. The premise is interesting enough that I will concede that a mere 168 pages is not enough space to thoroughly set the scenario in place as the threads that re appearing seem tangled indeed, and so I shall wait and see with piqued interest how Sowil's quest shapes up. It's shoujo aimed at teens, so despite it being Tateno I guarantee it won't be a less smutty version of Yamane's Crimson Spell, but hey, a fujoshi can't have everything. It does have more depth than the marshmallow loveliness of her Happy Boys, but we'll just have to wait and see if the series tastes as sweet.

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