 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | YEN PRESS | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | YUHKI KAMATANI | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 104 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | OT | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 05/12/2009 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 01/24/2010 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
This is the original manga that launched the fascinating anime series recently released. In our modern age there are two worlds, the one we know, and the hidden world of ninjas. Miharu is an isolated boy who is the epitome of apathy. He gets close to no one and allows no one to get close to him. He has no memories of his youngest years but it is that forgotten event that wiped his memory that will lead the war in the hidden world right to his door. He holds within him the Shinran Banshou. It is a terrible secret art that has its own will and can alter the fabric of reality – it only requires its holder’s desires. However Miharu has none except to be left alone. When he is ambushed by ninjas seeking to gain him and his power for their own purposes, he is suddenly protected by classmates and one of his teachers. Tobari may seem like a hard done by slacker when it comes to teaching, but he is actually a ninja who has vowed to protect Miharu and also has a secret regarding his ties to the teenage boy. Kouichi is a classmate with incredible ninjutsu skills and hides his own secrets regarding the battle for the Shinran Banshou. Raimei appears, a girl from a ninja clan with a samurai’s spirit and sword to match. Together they will try to protect Miharu, that is, if he’ll let them. Miharu’s desire to not get involved is complicated by the awakening of the Shinran Banshou when he is attacked. He and the others around him are afraid of its power, a power that easily overwhelms the boy. He wishes to be rid of it and so must choose to go with the small group to the Fuma clan that might have answers. However when they arrive there, they end up playing witness to the slaughter of almost the entire clan at the hands of two of the most formidable ninjas of the powerful Iga clan. One is as good with a gun as he is with his knife while Yoite has a lethal power that no one can protect against. When his new friends are put into harm’s way, Miharu is horrified and deeply conflicted. His apathy is a choice of self-preservation, not a desire or a lack of caring. He has a gentle heart hidden by his aloof and detached manner and it is at a loss on how to save the people who already have begun to change him just by being near him. Just when Miharu is about to relent and go with the Iga clan and Yoite, surrendering in order to save the others, the leader of the Fuma clan arrives and the battle is just starting! It is a suspenseful and intriguing series. Miharu’s character is especially compelling. His detachment and longing are contrary and heartbreaking. The reason behind it has yet to be revealed and is what creates the mystery to his character and the story so far in this first volume. The art style is exceptionally clean and can easily be seen why it was translated to animation so very well. Those who have seen the anime first will have no trouble recognizing the characters in the manga. It is bloody in its depiction of violence. People are stabbed, impaled, eviscerated, dismembered, some cut completely in half but it keeps the gore to a minimum. The more poignant and quiet scenes of the tale are done with a sensitive eye for capturing the emotions of the characters. The manga also holds bonus features such as a full color cover page, translation notes, comic panels, character profile, and a preview of the next volume.
IN SUMMARY:
Nabari is a compelling ninja story set in modern times. It holds a more human outlook in its focus on an emotionally damaged boy being the key to destruction or salvation. |
