Once upon a time, in a mysterious enchanted forest, there lived a wicked witch named Morgana. She was known to be the most powerful and feared witch in all the land. Morgana's powers were unparalleled, and she used them to create havoc and spread darkness throughout the forest. Ever since Morgana had arrived in the forest, darkness had descended upon it. The once vibrant and lively forest became desolate and filled with evil creatures. The animals that inhabited the forest were no longer safe, as Morgana would cast spells on them, transforming them into fearful beasts.
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.
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. 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.
The animals that inhabited the forest were no longer safe, as Morgana would cast spells on them, transforming them into fearful beasts. One such beast was a ferocious-looking dragon named Drako. Once a majestic and noble creature, Drako had been transformed into a ruthless monster by Morgana's spell.
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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His fiery breath and razor-sharp claws struck fear into the hearts of all who encountered him. One fateful day, while Morgana was busy brewing a potion, she sensed a powerful presence approaching her lair. It was a mysterious figure wrapped in a cloak, and as they drew closer, Morgana recognized them as a brave knight. The knight's name was Edmund, and he had heard of the evil witch plaguing the forest and vowed to put an end to her reign of darkness. An intense battle ensued between Morgana and Edmund. Morgana used all her dark magic to defend herself, but Edmund's bravery and skill were unmatched. With every strike of his sword, he chipped away at Morgana's powers. Feeling her powers waning, Morgana decided to use her most potent spell - one that would bind the knight and the beast together forever. As Morgana cast her spell, a blinding light filled the room. When the light faded, Edmund and Drako found themselves magically connected. Drako's once fearsome exterior softened into a more gentle and kind appearance, while Edmund gained the ability to communicate with the dragon. Realizing that their fates were now intertwined, Edmund and Drako forged an unlikely alliance. They discovered that together, they could use their combined strengths to defeat Morgana and restore the forest to its former glory. Edmund's bravery and honor balanced out Drako's strength, and Drako's fire and agility complemented Edmund's swordsmanship. With their newfound companionship, Edmund and Drako embarked on a quest to find the ancient "Witch and Beast Guide". Legends spoke of a magical book that held the key to breaking Morgana's curse and restoring peace to the forest. Guided by their determination and the bond they shared, they braved many trials and faced dangerous creatures. After a long and treacherous journey, Edmund and Drako finally found the "Witch and Beast Guide". The book contained powerful spells and enchantments that would unravel Morgana's curse. Using their combined knowledge and strength, they cast a spell that broke Morgana's hold. With Morgana's powers depleted, the forest began to heal. The animals returned to their true forms, and the trees flourished once more. The enchanting sound of birdsong filled the air, and the forest was once again vibrant and full of life. In the end, the witch and the beast had become heroes, their tale immortalized in the forest's folklore. They remained inseparable and continued to protect the forest, ensuring that darkness would never reign again. And so, the witch and the beast lived happily ever after, their bond serving as a reminder that true strength lies in unity and friendship..
Reviews for "The witch and the beast guidexu: a tale of forbidden love"
1. Sarah - 1 star
"The Witch and the Beast Guide" was a huge disappointment for me. The story lacked depth and substance, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. The pacing was slow, and there were many unnecessary dialogue exchanges that did not contribute to the plot. Additionally, the world-building felt underdeveloped, leaving me confused about the setting and its rules. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in continuing the series.
2. Michael - 2 stars
I wanted to like "The Witch and the Beast Guide," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot was confusing and convoluted, with too many subplots and a lack of focus. The main character's motivations were unclear, and their actions often seemed inconsistent. The art style was also not to my taste, with rough lines and muddy colors that made it difficult to appreciate the visuals. While the concept of witches and beasts was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired.
3. Ethan - 2 stars
As a fan of fantasy manga, I was excited to read "The Witch and the Beast Guide." However, I found myself disappointed by the lackluster storytelling and weak characterization. The plot was predictable, and the twists and turns felt forced and unimaginative. The artwork, while decent, did little to enhance the narrative. I simply could not connect with the story or its protagonists, leaving me feeling detached and uninvested. Overall, "The Witch and the Beast Guide" was a forgettable read that failed to leave a lasting impression.