Once upon a time, in a dark and mysterious land, there lived a witch named Guideao and a fearsome beast. The witch was known throughout the kingdom for her powerful magic and enchanting spells. She possessed an aura of darkness and was feared by many. The beast, on the other hand, was a creature from ancient times, with immense strength and a ferocious appetite. Guideao and the beast had an unusual bond. Despite their differences, they understood each other in a way that no one else could comprehend.
Synopsis:
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. 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.
Despite their differences, they understood each other in a way that no one else could comprehend. The witch had the power to communicate with animals, and the beast was no exception. They formed a unique alliance, relying on each other for survival and protection in this harsh and unforgiving world.
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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Guideau is a petite young woman with fair skin and long, straight blonde hair with bangs. She has thick, black lashes and yellow eyes with vertical silted pupils. Guidaeu also has 3 piercings on each ear, and has long fangs. She is dressed quite stylishly and changes outfits quite frequently, as seen in various volume covers. In For example, in the cover for Volume 1, she is seen wearing a long black dress and black high heels, accompanied by red roses decorating her hair next to her ear.
Together, Guideao and the beast embarked on countless adventures, using their combined strengths to overcome obstacles and defeat evil. They would often venture into the deep forest, searching for rare ingredients and ancient artifacts that could enhance the witch's powers. With the beast by her side, Guideao felt invincible. However, not everyone saw the witch and the beast's partnership in a positive light. Many villagers were afraid of their presence, believing that their dark magic and brute force could bring chaos and destruction. They believed that the witch should be banished from the kingdom, along with the beast. Guideao, however, had a kind heart, and she used her magic for good. She would often use her powers to help the villagers and cure their ailments. But despite her efforts, the people feared her, and the rumor spread that she was using her magic for selfish purposes. One day, a powerful sorcerer came to the kingdom, claiming to be the savior who would rid the land of the witch and the beast. The sorcerer challenged Guideao, hoping to prove his superiority and win the trust of the people. But Guideao and the beast were not easily defeated. In a fierce battle, the witch and the beast fought against the sorcerer, using their combined strength and magic to overpower their opponent. The sorcerer's dark spells were no match for the power of their unity. In the end, the sorcerer was defeated, and the villagers witnessed firsthand the true nature of Guideao and the beast's alliance. The villagers, realizing their mistake, apologized for their misconceptions and saw the true value of the witch and the beast's presence in the kingdom. From that day forward, Guideao and the beast were hailed as heroes, revered for their bravery and unwavering bond. The kingdom thrived under their protection, and they were forever remembered as legends. Guideao and the beast continued their adventures, using their powers to bring peace and harmony to the land. They proved that appearances could be deceiving and that true strength lies in unity and friendship. The witch and the beast would forever be remembered as a remarkable duo, teaching the world the power of acceptance and understanding..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets: The Witch and the Beast Guideao"
1. Samantha - 2 stars: I personally found "The witch and the beast guideao" to be quite underwhelming. The plot was flimsy and predictable, leaving me feeling unsatisfied by the end. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style felt clunky and awkward, which hindered my overall reading experience. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Thomas - 1 star: "The witch and the beast guideao" was a complete waste of my time. The story was confusing and convoluted, making it hard for me to follow along. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, leaving me cringing at several points throughout the book. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed, unsatisfying plot twists. I found no enjoyment in reading this book and would strongly advise against picking it up.
3. Emily - 2 stars: I had high expectations for "The witch and the beast guideao" but was ultimately let down. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real complexity, which made it difficult for me to invest in their journeys. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many aspects of the story feeling shallow and underdeveloped. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and choppy, making it hard for me to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.