Black Bird 3
February 6, 2010
Kanoko Sakurakoji – Viz – 2010 – 9+ volumes
Hmm… maybe I can keep going with the “Black” theme tonight. Do I have another new volume of anything that starts or contains that in the title? Let’s see.
Anyway, Black Bird. I like this series way more than I think I should, but again, it just pushes all the right buttons for me. It’s super-dramatic, but from the standpoint of outside forces affecting the couple rather than the couple continuously doubting each other. There seems to be a constant real threat to both Misao and Kyo, though I know this is a shoujo manga and neither are going to really die. More surprising is when someone else does, something that is quite uncharacteristic… normally this type of series is all about making friends of the enemy. And again with my weaknesses. Kyo is a tengu demon, and a kind of ruler among them at that. I just love my demons. I also love stories about demons/Gods who take brides, of which there are surprisingly more than a couple.
I liked that Misao and Kyo grew even closer in this volume. Most of Misao’s doubts about their relationship disappear, and the only thing left is the lingering dread about what will happen when she finally agrees to be Kyo’s bride. I do like that the “marriage” is an inevitability now, and I have that to look forward to. Other types of demons, vying for either Kyo or Misao, are still trying to separate them, though after the display at the end of the volume, it seems like the story may move past that.
The downsides… hm. I would say it’s not terribly ambitious. There are a lot of really great things about it, including all the stuff I mentioned above, but the characters and plot have very little going on outside the broad strokes. If you like the ideas, and you like a cute shoujo romance that’s well-done, than you’ll like this, but there’s not much to draw anyone else in. It’s pretty shallow, but very fun, and I’m finding myself more and more drawn in. One thing it does do well is its atmosphere and the use of its magical beings. I’m still having trouble keeping track of all the primary members of the Tengu team, but it’s not that important. When they fight against magical barriers and fox demons and snake demons and whatnot, it’s all good. Not… super-good, it’s not the best at demons and mythology, but it still effectively sets a mood, and I do like her art.
I think it’s a great series for shoujo fans to pick up, and it’s pretty easy to get into after a couple volumes, but be aware that it doesn’t try to dig at the deeper issues or anything like that.
This was a review copy provided by Viz.
