Dawn of the Arcana volume 2 Manga Review
“The Radius”:
Title: Dawn of the Arcana volume 2
Artist/Author: Rei Toma
Distributor: Viz Media
American release date: Feb. 7, 2012
Format and length: Shojo manga, 192 pages
Publisher/Industry Age Rating: T for Teen
Overall Personal Rating: A-
Similar series or titles to check out: Sakura Hime
Keep your friend close and your enemies even closer.
Synopsis:
Nakaba left her country to become the wife of Prince Caesar. This political marriage was to help foster peace between their homelands. True feelings aren’t necessary but they may still surface only to get in the way of plans. Loki has accompanied Nakaba as her attendant from her own country.
Price Caesar gives Nakaba a gift of fine clothes, but Loki just sees it as a way to decorated her like a doll. When she doesn’t want them, Caesar reacts angrily. Soon enough, he takes her to the town to pick out something herself. Coming upon a wounded bird, a path to her heart seems to open up. She begins to have more positive thoughts toward Caesar and his actions. She is beginning to see things from his view.
In quite a surprise, Rito, a young boy from her homeland, arrives to also serve as an attendant. As the Prince tries to get closer to Nakaba, Rito seems to be getting in the way. The Royalty has underlying plans but what are they and who is involved? A serious incident threatens the lives of Nakaba and Caesar, but with Loki’s intervention, all may still be okay, but is that too part of a plot? Nakaba discovers that she has the ability to see glimpses of the past and future. It is the gift of true sight called the Arcana of Time. Loki warns Nakaba against trusting and becoming to close to Caesar. She finds herself in turmoil as loyalty and emotions come into conflict.
Commentary:
Dawn of Arcana is set in a medieval type period where political marriages would be common enough. With the practical marriage and the resistance to love, the story has a familiarity, even a “Western” feel to it. But this is just the setting, the big star to this series is the hidden intrigue. It is as if everyone has agendas and schemes that are directing their actions. There is a lot of plotting going on, we can’t know what true motives are, except for maybe Nakaba. We get to be privy to her thoughts and right now she is basically a pawn, being very malleable and easily swayed. Even she attempts to hide her true feelings but she isn’t very good at deception. Just what the Prince is really up to and what are Loki’s plans and motives? Everything is not so at it seems. Does Caesar really want Nakaba simply as a real wife that loves him, or is this a political maneuver? Is Loki acting in his own interests of that of his country? Does he want Nakaba as his own or is he just using her as a pawn? And what’s the point of introducing the little boy? The book directly says he will be an important part of fate. There is just so many possibilities and loads of twists. Who knows what is going to happen. This really has a great hook and leaving you wanting answers.
As a shojo, there is plenty of room for romance. I just can’t tell for sure where it is going. Obvious would be between Nakaba and Caesar, but his motives are suspect. Is he a a willing participant in a plot or an unwitting piece in the game, or is there really a threat from his country at all? Nakaba can’t help but find herself being drawn to him, but can she trust him? It also appears as if Caesar and Loki may become rivals for Nakaba. And what about Loki, for a moment I thought he liked Nakaba, but he is so intent on his plans he could easily just be completely evil. There is enough “rescue” embracing to make it all exciting. This is a series that can lead to spirited discussions, I’ve already had one and it was enjoyable to make our best guesses.
The images are strong and engaging. The lines are crisp yet fluid. The pictures rely heavily on tonal qualities, it almost seems as if it was produced in color and then printed in black and white. Good use of light and dark with strong inking. The characters are attractive and cute, along with some great fashion detail and expert facial expressions. The art really contributed to the overall strength of the book.
Overall Grade: A- All of this leads to Intriguing fun. You may find yourself rooting for someone, but loyalties chage as things are revealed. There is a lot of plotting going on and we just got to know what happens next.
“In the Radius” Sakura Hime is another shojo where the young woman has to marry into royalty, with struggles between duty and emotions, homeland and self.
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Categories: Manga D-E, Manga Reviews, The Basement
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