Series: The Girl from the Other Side, #1
Translator: Adrienne Beck
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Pub. Date: 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Shoujo Manga
Pages: 180
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
The cover of The Girl From the Other Side, Vol. 1 by Nagabe struck me as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and the two characters on the cover looked sweet. It’s actually a sweet story about a monster who is raising a little girl who was abandoned for fear of her spreading the monstrous curse. This manga is well worth the read.
The artwork was the first thing that drew me in. The art is dark and sharp. I like that it matches the tone and setting, but it’s sometimes hard to tell what is happening.
Shiva is a girl who was abandoned in an effort to save her from those who fear she would spread the Outsider curse. She has a sweet disposition and often laughs at everything she observes.
Teacher, the Outsider caring for Shiva, reminds me a lot of Elias in The Ancient Magus’ Bride and a certain brand of Fanfic Severus Snape. He’s so protective of her, and he lies about her aunt to save her feelings. I don’t find him a particularly unique character in this sense, but he works very well for the story.
I like that the manga criticizes the Insider-Outsider mindset, at least as it’s presented right now. It’s not just a curse but also people being irrational and fearful.
The Girl from the Other Side, Vol. 1 is definitely a book for fans of The Ancient Magus’ Bride, and it’s for those who want a sweet story about a girl and a monster.
The cover is quite striking. I like your comment about the art matching the tone – I might have to check this out.
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