 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | DAISUKE IGARASHI | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 320 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | OT | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 07/21/2009 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 07/22/2009 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | SCOTT CAMPBELL |
The sea has a story to tell – one you’ve never heard before. Children of the Sea tells this story artfully, and purposefully, with a great deal of worth showing through each page. The story revolves around Ruka, the female lead of the story. When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. After being suspended from her handball team, Ruka becomes caught up in the boys' world, which seems to ease her feelings of loneliness. Ruka's dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the ocean’s fish. This gentle tale of oceanic adventure reveals itself slowly, building upon the inherent mystery of the sea, as the kids become involved in the worldwide mystery of disappearing fish. Igarashi creates characters that are interesting on multiple levels and relatable for both young and adult readers. The art style is simplistic and almost delicate, but it's fitting for the overall feel of the story. There is a lot of very nicely done water-colors in the paintings for the front and back covers, as well as in the book itself at different parts. The art is on that higher level of artistic quality, in a more classical sense than a lot of manga with “mad-ill” visuals that don’t amount to much else but a quick pulpy read. Children of the Sea is a “special” book that is sure to become a classic in the minds of many readers as the story continues to grow with further volumes, and reveals the secrets it wants to tell. The story is of a finely balanced pace, but begs you to take things slow and take in everything it has to offer – much like a summer day where you just sit and look at the world, Children of the Sea can be a relaxing experience in reading that goes so far as to remind us that there are many simple things in life worth taking the time to appreciate, and not take for granted. Fans of Mushi-shi and other “nature based” manga/anime will love Children of the Sea – don’t miss out on this book! The author and artist, Igarashi, is an award-winning manga artist whose work is much in the mood of the world renowned Miyazaki, and this nature centered tale shows why in many ways as it moves through itself one page at a time.
IN SUMMARY:
Children of the Sea is a special piece of work and shows huge amounts of potential in relation to its future as a manga classic. This series has a delicate formula that works for it and tells a great story – both visuals and plot are well worth diving into! |
