A festival or a sacrifice? Why not both?
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Aya Shouoto
Translation/Adaptation: JN Productions
What They Say
Himari Momochi inherits Momochi House, an estate that exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms. Four friends come over to visit Himari, but Aoi can sense that one of them is no longer alive. This spirit is absorbing Momochi House’s power and is quickly transforming into a demon. Will Himari be able to stop its progression and save her friends?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
If nothing else, Demon Prince is a lovely series to look at. All of the artwork is so delicate and dreamy, and Aoi’s smoldering gaze never gets old. (Thanks for the color pages, Viz.) Beyond its looks, the story is finally starting to develop its own voice as Himari slowly learns the trials and tribulations of owning a house at the edge of the spirit world.
First up there’s the matter of finishing the story that began in the last volume. Himari’s new friends are still in danger, and the culprit seemed obvious after the events of the last chapter. We do get tossed a couple of twists in the ghost story, and we’re introduced to an antagonist but not given his motive. It ends with Himari potentially gaining a friend, but whether or not she’s important enough for side character status remains to be seen.
Kasha, the ayakashi who seems to have the hots for Nue (quite literally), causes a great deal of trouble in the short middle chapter of this volume. He easily sets a trap for Aoi and his shikigami, and the gang spends so much time ignoring or dodging Himari’s questions about Kasha they almost act too late. Himari proves herself by being the only one able to see the trap and then extracts her houseguests from it.
However, the majority of this volume involves yet more trust issues between Aoi and Himari. He invites her along during a mysterious ceremony in the ayakashi realm but doesn’t explain to her what it’s all about. He just does the silent, brooding cool guy routine and leaves Himari in a position where she’s almost put in danger for her lack of knowledge. The older ayakashi in charge of the ceremony uses that lack of communication to set up a plot to ensure that he gets his way. The whole ‘I can’t tell you anything because it’ll put you in danger’ game Aoi is playing needs to end. Himari has proved time and again that she can handle herself well enough. Aoi needs to open up to her so that she can save him!
The downside of this volume is that it does feel shorted on the page count, just like the two previous volumes. There’s also a confusing set of typos at the beginning of the very first chapter when they reintroduce the four fellow students of Himari’s. They somehow manage to mix up the names in the ID boxes, which is a strange mistake to make.
In Summary
Houseguests of all sorts provide Himari with ample amounts of trouble. She’s not the helpless girl that Aoi and his shikigami seem to think she is, as she spends more time saving their butts than they do saving her’s in this volume. As lovely as ever, this series really is a looker, but it’s still not doing much to separate itself from the crop of yokai and ayakashi manga on the market. A few typos mar an otherwise nice presentation. However, Aoi and Himari as still likable enough, if a bit flat. I’d like to see the side characters developed more, and I really want to know what Kasha’s deal is.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: B +
Packaging Grade: B +
Text/Translation Grade: B +
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: January 5th, 2016
MSRP: $9.99
