The Witch and the Beast is a dark and captivating manga series that delves into the complex relationship between a powerful witch and a seemingly feral beast. Written and illustrated by Kousuke Satake, the story takes place in a medieval-inspired world where witches are feared and hunted. The main protagonist, Sorath, is a powerful witch with a tragic past. As the sole survivor of her clan, she lives a solitary life, constantly on the run from those who wish to exploit her power. However, her world is turned upside down when she encounters a mysterious beast named Kuro, who seems to be immune to her magic. One of the strongest aspects of The Witch and the Beast is its exploration of themes such as revenge, redemption, and the duality of human nature.
One of the strongest aspects of The Witch and the Beast is its exploration of themes such as revenge, redemption, and the duality of human nature. Sorath, driven by her desire for vengeance, struggles with her own inner darkness and the consequences of her actions. Kuro, on the other hand, is a creature torn between his animalistic instincts and a desire to protect Sorath.
The Witch and the Beast Vol 1 Review
A dark-fantasy manga tinged with elements of horror, Kousuke Satake’s The Witch and the Beast intrigued me, in large part due to it’s beautiful and atmospheric-looking cover art. Satake’s detailed artwork didn’t disappoint and it’s just as lovely inside the book as on the cover, but I found the story to be a bit lacking.
Synopsis:
Guideau and Ashaf make for quite the unusual pair. Guideau is an attractive-looking, but crass and angry, young woman and Ashaf is a refined and gentlemanly man who carries a coffin strapped to his back wherever they go. The two are on the hunt for witches, tasked by The Order of Magical Resonance with putting a stop to their wicked ways and bringing them in, but Guideau also has personal reasons for joining Ashaf on his search for these dangerous witches. A witch has put a curse on Guideau and finding them is the only hope Guideau has of having it removed. There’s just one problem: Guideau doesn’t remember anything about the witch, not even what she looks like!
Their search isn’t going well.
Review:
I’ll start with the positives. As I mentioned in my intro, the art in The Witch and the Beast is stunning and the detailed style fits very well with the gothic feel of the story. I also found Ashaf and Guideau’s catty interactions to be frequently funny. These are people working together due to circumstances and, while Ashaf seems amused by Guideau, they are not friends and they take every opportunity to mess with and snipe at each other.
It kind of looks like he might, indeed, be the boss of you, Guideau!
On the other hand, I wasn’t really gripped by the story and I think this was largely because I couldn’t get that invested in the characters. Guideau is very one-note; they’re rash, violent and consumed by rage. They want to track down the witch that cursed them and that’s all that they care about, they’re only working with The Order as a means to further this end and aren’t interested in helping anyone if it isn’t potentially related to tracking down their witch. Guideau is so selfish and unlikeable that I didn’t feel at all moved by they’re plight, even when it’s revealed what the witch’s curse actually is.
Ashaf doesn’t fare much better, as we learn so little about him that he winds up feeling boring. I guess you could say that he’s mysterious, but I personally found that this didn’t work in his favour and that he wound up being too enigmatic to be compelling.
This volume of The Witch and The Beast ends with a lot of questions left unanswered, such as: why did a witch put a curse on Guideau in the first place and why can’t Guideau seem to remember anything about her? It’s possible that the story might pick up as these mysteries are explored further, but I don’t think that I’ll be continuing on with the series. That said, there are enough good things here that I think this manga could be appealing to fans of dark fantasy and horror stories. It just wasn’t for me.
But man, this art is gorgeous!
Final Score: 6 out of 10
What did you think of this manga? If anyone has read further ahead in the series, let me know if you think it’s worth sticking it out a little longer.
For more information on this series, visit Kodansha Comics’ website.
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The cover art would suggest a dark, elegant looking series, but what you get inside is far different. Satake's linework is much more rugged. There's a touch of elegance to the character designs, but the effect is spoiled by their dead-looking eyes. They do redeem themselves a bit when it comes to the fights, though. Satake is really good at drawing effects: smoke, magic, flower petals, and other such things. He's also good at using perspective and speedlines to create the illusion of perspective and dynamic action.
The artwork in this manga is both beautiful and haunting, perfectly capturing the dark and melancholic atmosphere of the story. Satake's attention to detail brings the world to life, immersing readers in a world of magic and mystery. The panel layouts and action sequences are also expertly done, adding to the overall intensity and suspense of the story. Despite its dark themes and complex characters, The Witch and the Beast also offers moments of hope and redemption. As the story progresses, Sorath and Kuro find solace in each other's company, forming an unlikely bond that transcends their differences. This exploration of the power of friendship and love amidst dark circumstances adds depth to the narrative. In conclusion, The Witch and the Beast is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy manga. With its compelling storyline, intricate artwork, and complex characters, it offers a unique and captivating reading experience. It's a tale of darkness and redemption, of the complexities of human nature, and ultimately, the power of love and friendship..
Reviews for "A Gripping Storyline: Why 'The Witch and the Beast' Keeps Readers Hooked"
1. Emma Black - 2 stars
"The Witch and the Beast was a disappointing read for me. The story started off with promise, but it quickly fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Additionally, the plot was convoluted and poorly executed, leaving me confused and uninterested. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it."
2. Ryan Johnson - 3 stars
"While I didn't hate The Witch and the Beast, I definitely didn't love it either. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow parts dragging on and the action-packed scenes feeling rushed. The world-building lacked detail, leaving me wanting more information about the magical elements. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved. This book had potential, but it failed to live up to it."
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
"I was highly disappointed with The Witch and the Beast. The characters were completely unlikable, with their actions and motivations appearing forced and unrealistic. The dialogue was flat and lacked emotion, making it hard to feel invested in the story. The pacing was erratic, jumping from one scene to the next without proper development. Overall, this book failed to capture my attention, and I would not recommend it to others."
4. Alex Harris - 1 star
"The Witch and the Beast was a complete waste of time for me. The writing was clumsy and filled with unnecessary purple prose. The story went in so many directions that it became difficult to follow, and the plot twists felt contrived. The world-building was lackluster, and the details were inconsistent. This book was a huge letdown, and I regret wasting my time on it."
5. Lily Simmons - 2 stars
"I had high hopes for The Witch and the Beast, but unfortunately, it let me down. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked any depth or growth throughout the story. The romantic subplot felt forced and predictable. The pacing was slow and uneven, making it hard to maintain my interest. While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell flat. Overall, this book was a disappointment, and I wouldn't recommend it to others."