The witch and the beast can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context and perspective. At first glance, the idea of a witch and a beast may conjure up images of darkness, evil, and terror. However, when delving deeper into these characters, their meanings become more nuanced. The witch is often portrayed as a mystical and powerful figure, possessing knowledge of ancient arts and potions. She is associated with the supernatural and the unknown. In some interpretations, the witch represents a source of fear, as she can manipulate and control the forces of nature.
However, I’d say Dunward didn’t really care about creating a pure lineage of strong vampires. He fights with nothing but his own strength and he agrees to be defeated on similar principles, because he takes pride in being able to defeat those who rely on more than just their strength.
proclaims the blurb but as a fan of both those series, I have to say that The Witch and the Beast lacks one vital aspect that both these supernatural manga possess sympathetic main characters. But Guideau doesn t believe that any witch is capable of doing good; she is the bearer of a witch s curse and is desperately searching for the one who laid the curse on her.
In some interpretations, the witch represents a source of fear, as she can manipulate and control the forces of nature. In this sense, the witch embodies the darker aspects of human nature and serves as a cautionary tale. On the other hand, the witch can also be seen as a symbol of empowerment and liberation.
Roarbots Review: Kousuke Satake’s ‘The Witch and the Beast,’ Volume 1
As many of you may know, I’ve come to manga and its cousins a bit later in life, so a huge part of my reading is back catalog. Which is 100% awesome and I’ve not only discovered some great series but also great series that are finished, which means I don’t have to wait months on cliffhangers for the next installment. (Looking at you Given. And Perfect World.)
That doesn’t mean, however, that I’m not reading the new stuff as well, and I’ll admit to a little swell of pride when I get in on the ground floor of something I think is going to prove really excellent. Some of these books are digital first, but until someone comes up with a tablet big enough for me to be able to read text and view an entire comic page at the same time (yes, I am an old, I’m fine with it), I’m an analog girl and I’m careful to avoid spoilers, so I’m fresh going into new releases like Kousuke Satake’s The Witch and the Beast from Kodansha (October 27, 2020).
Prepare yourself for something that’s going to be more rave than review, because I really, really liked this book.
The Rundown
Guideau is a very angry young woman with fangs, a rose tattoo on her neck, and feral eyes. Asaf is an extremely polite man who goes almost everywhere with a coffin strapped to his back.
They are a seemingly mismatched pair of witch hunters.
Why are they hunting witches? Well, I’m not going to ruin the story for you, but they each have their reasons – and those reasons are personal enough to justify their intense methods and even Guideau’s lack of regard for innocent bystanders.
And just wait until you see the damage they can do on vacation…
The Review
As you might have surmised from the title, The Witch and the Beast is a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, a story that was one of my favorites as a child but one I found more and more problematic as I grew older, learned about Stockholm Syndrome, and started to wonder why Belle had to get married instead of having her own goddamned library.
So let me tell you how I feel about the beast being, to a very large extent, at the mercy of the beauty in this book…
I love it! The Witch and the Beast is absolutely, positively, no question my new favorite version of this fairy tale. Don’t bother trying to change my mind. It’s not happening.
I love that the women in this story have so much power. They can fight. They wield extremely powerful magic without blinking. They can conjure massive creatures and burn cities. They can save lives or take them.
And while our “heroes” are very certain all witches are evil, the readers – who are privy to the witches’ point of view – aren’t entirely sure the world of men didn’t have it coming. Asaf might be willing to pause and listen, but Guideau isn’t; she’ll maim, tear, and kill other people for what they are without pausing for even a moment to find out who they are, which means she is as morally gray as her targets.
Kousuke has matched this message with the art in their book; there is a lot more shading and many, many more shades and tones of gray in The Witch and the Beast than there are in a typical manga. The lines aren’t as clean and the shapes aren’t as well defined. These are deliberate decisions that create a much more fitting world for these particular characters to inhabit than the usual sharp, clean, duochrome style would.
The only very, extremely slight… complaint is too strong a word… vague whine? I have about Vol. 1 is that there are a few places both between issues and within issues where the story feels disjointed – as though a plot detail were missing or there’s been a time slip during which some important action has happened and the reader hasn’t been made aware. I’m not sure if those spots are meant to build suspense or if they’re translation-related misalignments or continuity slides. As I said, they were significant enough for me to notice but not even close to being problematic enough to kick me out of the narrative so…. minor peeve at most.
If you’re looking for a nice, dark, juicy story to get you through the early evenings, The Witch and the Beast is an excellent choice. I’ve already preordered the rest of the collected volumes, and I can’t wait for them to arrive.
And while our “heroes” are very certain all witches are evil, the readers – who are privy to the witches’ point of view – aren’t entirely sure the world of men didn’t have it coming. Asaf might be willing to pause and listen, but Guideau isn’t; she’ll maim, tear, and kill other people for what they are without pausing for even a moment to find out who they are, which means she is as morally gray as her targets.
Throughout history, women who were accused of witchcraft often challenged societal norms and patriarchal structures. By embracing the label of a witch, these women were able to reclaim their power and assert their agency. Therefore, the witch can be interpreted as a symbol of resistance and defiance against oppression. Similarly, the beast can also carry multiple meanings. Traditionally, the beast is depicted as a fearsome creature, often associated with violence and danger. It represents the primal instincts of humans and the wildness within. The beast can be seen as a manifestation of our deepest fears and desires, reminding us of our own capacity for darkness. However, the beast can also represent the misunderstood or outcast. In many tales, the beast is transformed into its monstrous form due to a curse or enchantment. This highlights the theme of inner beauty and the importance of looking beyond physical appearances. The beast is a reminder that true beauty lies within, and that it is often the most unexpected individuals who have the most to offer. In conclusion, the interpretation of the witch and the beast can vary depending on the context. While they may initially be associated with negativity and darkness, these characters can also symbolize empowerment, liberation, resistance, and inner beauty. It is important to look beyond stereotypes and explore the deeper meanings behind these figures to gain a richer understanding of their significance..
Reviews for "Hidden Motivations in "The Witch and the Beast": Delving into the Characters' Psyches"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I really struggled to get through "Interpret the witch and the beast". The plot was confusing and the character development was lacking. It felt like the story was all over the place, with no clear direction. The writing style didn't engage me, and I found myself getting bored quickly. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Michael - 2/5 - "Interpret the witch and the beast" had promising elements, but ultimately fell flat for me. The world-building was confusing, and I never felt fully immersed in the fantasy setting. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The pacing was also an issue, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2/5 - As someone who typically enjoys fantasy novels, I was excited to dive into "Interpret the witch and the beast". However, I found myself struggling to follow the convoluted storyline. The author introduced too many subplots and didn't provide enough resolution for them, leaving me feeling unsatisfied by the end. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and the dialogue was often unnatural. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
4. David - 2.5/5 - "Interpret the witch and the beast" had an interesting premise, but I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was off, with slow parts that dragged on and rushed action sequences that left me feeling disconnected from the story. The characters were also underdeveloped, making it difficult to care about their fates. I wanted to like this book, but ultimately, it didn't resonate with me.