Black magic manga refers to a subgenre of manga, which is a popular form of Japanese comic book and graphic novel. Black magic manga typically revolves around themes of dark magic, supernatural abilities, and occult practices. These manga often feature characters who possess extraordinary powers and engage in battles with otherworldly beings or factions. In black magic manga, the storylines often explore the consequences of meddling with forbidden forces and the moral dilemmas faced by characters who become entangled in dark magic. The protagonists of these stories are often conflicted individuals who must navigate through a complex world of magic, all while wrestling with their own internal struggles. One common characteristic of black magic manga is the use of intricate and detailed artwork to depict the supernatural elements of the story.
One common characteristic of black magic manga is the use of intricate and detailed artwork to depict the supernatural elements of the story. The illustrations often showcase elaborate spellcasting scenes, otherworldly creatures, and atmospheric settings that contribute to the overall dark tone of the narrative. Additionally, black magic manga tends to incorporate elements of horror and suspense, creating a sense of fear and unease for the readers.
1990: Black Magic
This is the final of the three series Eclipse (aided by Studio Proteus) published created by of Masamune Shirow. The cover say “seminal first work”, but I think you can interpret “semi” in “seminal” as short for “semi-professio”.
That is, it’s an awkward mess of a book. We start with a two page spread that explains centuries (millennia?) of Venusian life, instead of Shirow’s later “just start with some action” way of starting things off.
So, after that two-page spread that explains everything, we’re dropped into an action scene (yay!) and the soldiers are talking about… magic? and spells? Which, of course, weren’t mentioned at all on the explainer pages.
And we rapidly get an expanded cast of characters that have some sort of relation to each other…
… and we seem to be in for some fun comedy thing in a restaurant (and Shirow gets to do his favourite thing; that feet-in-the-air surprise take). But it’s all abandoned pretty quickly and then…
… we’re on a missile sub and it turns out that this is millions of years in the past and that these Venusians were responsible for terraforming Earth! Yes! Twist ending! And that’s just in the 42 pages it takes to finish the first issue!
So it’s a frustrating read, and the artwork isn’t as exciting as Shirow’s work would later be.
Brian Stelfreeze provides the covers to two of these issues, and… er… it’s kinda like he hasn’t seen a Japanese comic before? The fourth issue claims to have a Stelfreeze cover, too, but it looks so much like Shirow’s artwork that I’m guessing it’s just the normal Eclipse production sloppiness at work.
The next two issues have little to do with the first one. They’re all about some soldiers hunting down some killer robots. What the hell?
I don’t have a clue, either.
I wonder whether some of the problem isn’t in Shirow’s storytelling, but in sloppy translations. It took me a while to figure out that when they were talking alternatively about an “M-77”..
… and an “MA77”, they were describing the same thing: That robot up there.
The humans (I mean, Venusians) prevail!
But it turns out that the robot had boobytrapped the building (for some reason or other), so they all died anyway.
Well, those were two pretty pointless issues about fighting robots, so now what? The fourth issue has slight connection to the first, but it’s mostly about saving a spaceship from not colliding with Saturn.
And then they blow the world up. The end!
I guess what I’m saying is that this is typical early work from a developing artist.
Shirow, as, usual, provides several pages of information about his robots and stuff, which is nice.
Dark Horse has released a collected edition of this stuff.
So what did others think of it?
It’s a challenge just to make some basic sense out of Typhon’s basic motivations — one of the longer plot arcs involves Typhon unleashing a wave of killer robots on the populace of Venus, watching over them just to the point that they make it into civilian territory, and then vanishing without explaining what the hell that was supposed to accomplish. I was starting to think that Shirow was just screwing with the readers at that point, suddenly exposing the series’s “heroine” as the actual enemy; but nope, before long she’s keeping Zeus from killing off the rest of the people on Venus.
I know! But either that guy’s confused or I’m confused. He says that the middle two issues take place on Earth, and this story happened millions of years ago, so I don’t think so? It happened on Venus? I think? Not that I’m going back to check. And he also says that the colony is blown up? It was just a single building in the version I read.
The next two issues have little to do with the first one. They’re all about some soldiers hunting down some killer robots. What the hell?
This genre often delves into the psychological aspects of characters and explores themes such as the consequences of power, the blurred line between good and evil, and the price one must pay for delving into forbidden arts. Popular examples of black magic manga include "Black Butler," "Tokyo Ghoul," and "Blue Exorcist." These manga have gained a significant following both in Japan and internationally, showcasing the enduring popularity of the black magic genre. In summary, black magic manga offers a unique and captivating storytelling experience, combining supernatural elements, intricate artwork, and thought-provoking themes. It continues to be a popular subgenre within the wider realm of manga, attracting readers with its dark and mysterious allure..
Reviews for "Exploring the Forbidden: Black Magic Manga's Darkest Secrets"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Black Magic Manga" to be incredibly disappointing. The storyline was confusing and difficult to follow, making it hard to stay invested in the characters. The art style was also not to my taste, with messy linework and inconsistent character designs. Overall, I didn't enjoy my reading experience with this manga and would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Black Magic Manga" but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The plot seemed promising at first, but the execution was lackluster. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. Additionally, the character development felt shallow and cliche, lacking depth and originality. While the artwork was decent, it wasn't enough to redeem the overall mediocrity of the manga.
3. Jessica - 1.5 stars
I was highly disappointed by "Black Magic Manga". The storyline dragged on and lacked coherence, leaving me frustrated and confused. The characters felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with any of them. The art style was unappealing to me, with unrefined illustrations that lacked detail and precision. Overall, I regret spending my time on this manga and would not recommend it to others.
4. Ryan - 2 stars
"Black Magic Manga" was a letdown for me. The plot had potential but became convoluted and hard to follow as the story progressed. The character motivations and actions felt unrealistic and forced, making it difficult to suspend disbelief. The artwork was satisfactory but didn't leave a lasting impression. Overall, this manga failed to capture my interest and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow manga enthusiasts.