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wren_in_black 's review for:
Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 1
by CLAMP
I'm fairly certain I read this back in 2004 or shortly after the English translation came out. It's the first shojo manga I ever read.
It's very fast paced, and at only 3 volumes long, the story and action is PACKED in. It's perfect for light, fun reading though. To get everything possible out of the short page count, you'll have to look closely at absolutely every panel. The emotion and character building is there, but it's sometimes subtle, in the eyes, placement of the feet, or tiny words outside of speech bubbles. I love the style though. I feel like this could be read more than once with something new to discover in subsequent readings.
Magic Knight Rayearth tells the story of three girls summoned to Cephiro to save that strange, new world from the evil priest Zagato. There's an allegory to the story, but it isn't completely revealed in the first installment. Essentially a person's will is the strongest force in determining what they can do and the effect they can have on others and on the world around them. Peace and harmony were maintained throughout Cephiro through the power of the princess Emeraude's prayers. Now that she's been imprisoned and her power (possibly her will) is depleted, it's up to the three she has summoned from another world to become the legendary magic knights who can save Cephiro. In order to do so, these three junior high students will have to grow up quickly. Only if they're successful in saving Cephiro can they have a hope of returning home.
The manga acknowledges its own plot and its similarities to a video game, which makes it easier to suspend belief and go along for the ride. All three main characters are funny and engaging but do manage to have unique personality traits even in such a compact story.
If you're looking for a quick (three volume) manga, this is a great one. It's an excellent entry point into the genre and perfect for my classroom library because I can purchase it all at once. When I am limited on both funds and shelf space, like this story, I have to cram in as much as possible.
Try this one out. You'll be glad you did.
It's very fast paced, and at only 3 volumes long, the story and action is PACKED in. It's perfect for light, fun reading though. To get everything possible out of the short page count, you'll have to look closely at absolutely every panel. The emotion and character building is there, but it's sometimes subtle, in the eyes, placement of the feet, or tiny words outside of speech bubbles. I love the style though. I feel like this could be read more than once with something new to discover in subsequent readings.
Magic Knight Rayearth tells the story of three girls summoned to Cephiro to save that strange, new world from the evil priest Zagato. There's an allegory to the story, but it isn't completely revealed in the first installment. Essentially a person's will is the strongest force in determining what they can do and the effect they can have on others and on the world around them. Peace and harmony were maintained throughout Cephiro through the power of the princess Emeraude's prayers. Now that she's been imprisoned and her power (possibly her will) is depleted, it's up to the three she has summoned from another world to become the legendary magic knights who can save Cephiro. In order to do so, these three junior high students will have to grow up quickly. Only if they're successful in saving Cephiro can they have a hope of returning home.
The manga acknowledges its own plot and its similarities to a video game, which makes it easier to suspend belief and go along for the ride. All three main characters are funny and engaging but do manage to have unique personality traits even in such a compact story.
If you're looking for a quick (three volume) manga, this is a great one. It's an excellent entry point into the genre and perfect for my classroom library because I can purchase it all at once. When I am limited on both funds and shelf space, like this story, I have to cram in as much as possible.
Try this one out. You'll be glad you did.