Blue Seal

Red River is one of my most treasured and favorite manga that I have to choose between it and an all-time favorite manga for my top list. I've read it years ago and still reading it from time to time because I was so hooked and is still very much in love with it. It was the reason why I started reading other works of Chie Shinohara sensei and one of them is Ao No Fuuin. As most of the works of Shinohara sensei, this manga was also on the supernatural genre. Of course, there's romance - one of the genres I'malways looking forward with. This has been on my list for quite sometime before i really had the time to finish reading it. I am really not fond of writing a review but i can't help to make one for Ao no Fuuin. Story 7/10 I'm giving it a 'good' score. Though it has similarity to some manga I've read (like the human-demon thingy) but I like the way it was constructed and developed. I can't say that the plot was original but the story itself was well-written and well-utilized by Shinohara sensei, typical of her usual genre. Art 8/10 The art for me is 'very good'. Usual of Shinohara sensei's art work. well-defined, very clean, and likable. Character 5/10 This is were the tables were turned for me. I am sorry but much as I wanted to void this of my personal preference, I really didn't like the character of Soko. Her character was not that strong and a bit naive to the point of being annoying, she wanted to do the 'best' for everyone but was easily manipulated and ended doing the 'worst' for everyone. The other characters were developed just fine and they have their reasons for behaving that way. but Soko.. argh! It was a bit annoying because she was the heroine and the story was supposed to be revolving around her. In some way or another, she will be the one to make or break the overall development of the manga. Enjoyment 5/10 Some of you probably enjoyed Ao no Fuuin and the manga was on your liking. Be it that way, personally, I was really pissed and annoyed that I started flipping 3-5 pages because I find some scenes annoying, unnecessary and boring. To the point that I was screaming 'idiot' and 'stupid' in my head, blaming myself for still trying to finish it even though I find a lot of scenes irksome and maddening. But being annoyed wasn't the reason to drop it that's why I read it until the end. Overall, I am torn in giving it a score of 4 (bad).. but I'd be basing that score only because I was pissed, and that would be so unfair. The ending was quite fine though and satisfying enough I could say. Though some of those who've probably read this may not agree on my score but this is my own view of Ao no Fuuin. Some might agree with me and some probably wouldn't but I'm giving it an average score of 5.