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Reviewed by Lisa Anderson There exist beautiful creatures in the world called ‘Alichino’. It is said that they have the power to grant any wish asked by those that find them - but the wish comes at a very high price. There is more to an Alichino than mere beauty; they form a deadly connection between mortal souls, eternal hunger, and ranks of power. Things start with a young girl who is searching for an Alichino. Recently her brother ran across one and since then has been unconscious, slipping closer to death with each passing day. Instead of finding an Alichino, the girl encounters Tsugiri lounging under a tree. Though a beautiful boy, Tsugiri is mortal, though he does have a deep connection to the Alichino. He knows how deadly they truly are. While they can grant wishes, they do so only in exchange for a soul, which they devour to gain power for themselves. Tsugiri’s connection goes beyond simple knowledge; he has a rather special soul, one that no Alichino can resist being drawn to. Such a soul gives him the power to truly destroy an Alichino and it is a power many wish him dead for possessing. On top of that, Tsugiri remembers very little of his past, something that will have to change soon. When his friend Enju is kidnapped by an Alichino named Matsurika, Tsugiri is forced to face his past and confront his enemies. Some must be destroyed, while others understood, all part of a confusing journey he’s just beginning. Alichino is a story that overflows with confusion. From the beginning, many things are explained vaguely, as if the reader should already be familiar with the setting. While it does improve over time, for every question answered, another is there to replace it. Philosophic ideas on good and evil float about, leaving Tsugiri - and the reader by extension - to try and sift through a gray fog, attempting to sort it all out. While vagueness and drama seem staples for gothic fantasy, there comes a point when it becomes more of an annoyance than an interest. Like a plot with too many twists, or a story with too many characters, there is a clear line when enough is enough, and the loose ends need to be drawn back together. Surprisingly, Alichino manages to do just that, despite all the confusion. Just when the vagueness and loose ends start to overwhelm, there is a moment when several questions will be answered, enough to get things moving in a strong direction. Unfortunately, a short time late another batch of questions are discovered, and the process starts all over again. In the middle of such a gray plot, insights on the nature of good and evil are also introduced. It starts at the very beginning, when characters are forced to consider the actual motive behind any decision, along with asking if someone’s deepest wish can come at too high a price. While the story may leave many confused, the artwork could not be clearer. Beautifully details and rich with both gothic and fantasy elements, it is no surprise that the artwork drew many into the Alichino at first. From costume detail to the striking contrast of black and white, it is easy to get caught up in the smooth transition between pages, taking in every detail from panel to panel. As the icing on the cake, two-page spread shots appear now and then, usually of very dramatic moments in the story or elegant profile shots of character interactions. As a whole, Alichino manages both a pretty package and a filling story. However, the nebulous nature of things can make it very hard to follow certain points. This isn’t the type of story you can just sit down and skim lightly. To get the full value of everything, the story must be read and thought about, the insights and questions absorbed and reflected on a bit. If you want something casual and light, Alichino is not your manga. On the other hand, if you want something dark and harsh, something that questions a bit more than it reveals, Alichino is definitely worth pursuing. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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