Learn how Medusa came into this world and the man that loved her!
Creative Staff
Art: Mahiro Satou
Original Story: Jin (Shizen No Teki-P)
Character Design: Sidu, Wannyanpuu-
Translation/Adaptation: Kevin Gifford
What They Say
THIS IS THE STORY OF A CERTAIN MONSTER THAT LEARNS TO LOVE-AND HOPE.
A mysterious girl appears before Hibiya as he chases after the vanished Hiyori. To solve the mystery of the other world, the girl tells him the story of the very first protagonist…the tale of Azami begins here!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Seto has befriended the granddaughter of Medusa, but can he really help her to escape her trapped world deep in the forest?
To learn about the original Medusa, the story awkwardly switches to an encounter between Hibiya and Ayano. Ayano explains her power of Favoring Eyes, which not only allow her to see the past of a character but to also feel how that character felt. This is where the storytelling comes off wonderfully as the reader learns how Medusa suddenly became aware of herself and the world. Initially confusing, Medusa slowly becomes aware of her sudden birth into a cave and learns about the things around her.
But it doesn’t take long before humans enter the cave and attack her. It is a jarring experience as it makes no sense to Medusa why other creatures would attack her in such an unprovoked manner. Luckily, a group of snakes come to her rescue and explain how humans hate and fear them. From that day on, Medusa has little success interacting with humans and decides to spend the rest of her life hidden in the forest.
One day, while she is contemplating the need for a human house to keep her safe and protected from the elements, a man stumbles into the forest meadow that Medusa calls home. The man is bandaged up, but smiling as he asks her if she needs help with anything. Without a lot of thought, Medusa demands the man build her a house. He smiles and agrees, oddly enough.
Both the man and Medusa have their own past problems and baggage, but this begins a three-year effort to complete a human-style home for Medusa. But why would the man offer to do this, and for three years no less? And why would Ayano be relating this story to Hibiya?
In Summary
This is easily my favorite volume of the whole series thus far. While I have complained about the storytelling method of jumping around from character to character without a single protagonist to propel the story, the author got it right with this volume. While I greatly enjoyed learning how Medusa eventually came to think differently about humans and the interaction between her and the man that opened his heart to her, the beginning of the story is where it shined. The author actually begins the story of Medusa at the time she pops into being. It is a wonderful examination of Medusa’s first thoughts about her surroundings and eventual learning about the cave she was “born” into, humans, and snakes. It is also touching to see her go full circle from fearing and hating humans, to loving a man and their child. Great stuff.
Content Grade: B-
Art Grade: B
Packaging Grade: A
Text/Translation Grade: A-
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: October 25th, 2016
MSRP: $13.00
