“The Mysterious Snow Maiden”
Creative Staff
Story: Kentaro Yabuki
Art: Kentaro Yabuki
Translation: Satsuki Yamashita
Lettering: Mark McMurray
What They Say:
Japan may be brimming with mysterious monsters called ayakashi, but they have a special exorcist ninja force to counter the threat! Young exorcist ninja Matsuri spends his days fighting ayakashi to protect his childhood friend Suzu. But when an ayakashi cat named Shirogane shows up, things get turned upside down! Legendary mangaka Kentaro Yabuki returns to Shonen Jump with this new fantasy series full of ayakashi and romance!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Matsuri is informed that there’s a foreign ayakashi named Rochka who’s looking to defeat Suzu and become the King of Ayakashi. Well, I guess he better be on guard! At school, a lot of weird things happen to Suzu. Her doughnut turns to ice. She slips on the frozen ground outside. Although, she did get a nice handful of Matsuri’s assets when she fell. Basically, Suzu is attacked by ice the entire day. This is Rochka’s handy work. Matsuri catches a glimpse of her numerous times throughout the day but is unable to capture her. She’s a slippery one alright! Matsuri and Suzu learn from Garaku that Rochka is a snow spirit from Russia. Yup, she’s a Russin ayakashi. Garaku warns them that she’s only playing childish pranks on them now. If she gets serious, he’s not sure that Matsuri can handle her alone.
Garaku offers to guard Suzu. Matsuri refuses. It’s HIS job to protect her! Suzu is extremely happy to hear that. Elsewhere, Rochka is having fun ice skating. She’s determined to give Suzu a hard time. She also mentions her friend’s dream. Hmm, what could that be about? Anyway, Matsuri has a plan. He doesn’t say it aloud because he doesn’t know if Rochka is watching them. Instead, he texts Suzu the plan. Later that day, Suzu goes home as planned. She goes into her room and starts dressing. Out of nowhere, she gets a text from Matsuri telling her that she’s taking too much clothes off. Wait, what!? How does he know that!? It’s because he’s in the room with her. I don’t see him though. Apparently, Matsuri has been following Suzu the whole time while hiding himself using the invisible cloak. This is all part of the plan to ambush Rochka. By the way, Suzu has no problem if Matsuri sees her naked. There’s no avoiding his exorcist ninja duty! I think Suzu may be enjoying this.
In Summary:
Rochka is ice cold. Get it? Because she’s a snow spirit. I know, that was a terrible joke. I’m not sorry though. Anywho, I do think it’s interesting that a foreign ayakashi is after Suzu’s crown. But why though? I feel it has something to do with this “friend” of hers that she mentioned. Who is this friend? I guess we’ll find out in due time. On a closing note, Suzu is having way too much fun with Matsuri’s plan. So shameless, haha.
Content Grade: B-
Art Grade: A
Age Rating: T
Released By: Shonen Jump/VIZ Media
Released Date: March 14th, 2021
