This review is only for Volume 1, which I’ve received as a digital review copy through Netgalley. (Thank you!). First released in 2019 in Comic Yuri Hime, now translated into english by Kodansha. It’s also getting an anime adaptation! See the trailer at the bottom of this post.
I’m not sure what kinda sexualization or nudity other reviewers on other platforms are talking about. There was no nudity and no sex either. Yes, there’s kissing, but there’s also kissing in kids movies/books (Disney), so i don’t see where the problem is. Sure, they’re a little underage (ehm, Snow White is 14), but it’s not kissing in an intimate way, it’s a form of healing someone (transferring mana). Like mouth-to-mouth CPR. You wouldn’t call CPR sexual either, would you?
If someone were on the verge of death during war, and the only way to save them is by ‘kissing’, would you really call the sexual assault police first??
Okay, the perverted nurse (who’s either a crossdresser or a misgendered mtf) might be a bit unnecessary and I’m not very fond of her – though mostly cause she called Mimi’s dismembered body “disgusting” –, but also nothing new in Mangas.
Perverted teachers are a thing in Japan like it’s a thing in American movies to wear your outdoor shoes at home. Does that mean every author should include it in their work? No, but it’s unfair to rate it 1 star because of something that happens in 80% or more works. (As long as the perverted teachers don’t act on their lust, it also doesn’t really hurt anyone. Although they probably shouldn’t be teachers for underage students.)
The story is quite slow-paced, just like the protagonist, Sheena. Sheena is an orphan living in an orphanage where magic-users are sent to train for the war. What exactly the war is about or what’s going on, isn’t touched upon (yet) because Sheena hates war and killing, and would rather hide than fight. She’s quiet and keeps to herself, always stays low. Using just a little magic tires her out.
That is, until her roommate dies and she gets a new one, who also is a new student: Mimi. Rumored to be the secret, most powerful weapon that the school’s been working on. Sheena is quite surprised that that killing machine is a girl her age, smiling ever so brightly like a cute, innocent child.
But Sheena has seen her before, covered in blood, so takes a bit of a distance from her.
Not for long though, as the next mock battle comes up, and now that Mimi is part of her class, using her usual strategy doesn’t end very well this time.
I’m really curious about the world building and where the story will lead. It’s giving ‘The Irregular at Magic Highschool’ (but set during the war) and ‘The Promised Neverland’ (although I’ve never seen/read this one) vibes so far.
The art is really cute and soft, just like the protagonist. Poor girl just needs some peace. And a home, cause she sees the orphanage as nothing but a school.
I also like the names of the characters: Seiran, Sheena, Ari, Fran, Omi. Not the usual Japanese first names.
Seiran and Ari are a couple, albeit in secret, and I pray nothing happens to them. After Sheena, of course.
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
| Art | 1-5 | 5 |
| Pacing | 1-5 | 5 |
| Characters | 1-5 | 4 |
| Writing Style | 1-5 | 4 |
| Originality | 1-5 | 3 |
Finale Grade
A
Finished reading: 3rd March 2025
~Arden Skye
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Written By: Arden Skye
Favorite game/film/book: doesn’t have one, cause there are too many good ones!
About: generalist, who likes a bit of everything, but especially has a love for magic, queerness and melancholy. When they’re not arting, they’re probably dreaming/reading through another world, or spending time in nature with their dog.
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