Land of the Blindfolded

This is an amazing manga... one of the most original I've read, really. At first I was dissapointed because they didn't have the rest of it in my library, but when they bought it I was ecstatic-- if you give this a try you might see what I mean, and how it's so wonderful to read. The story is about three people who have unique psychic abilities. There's Kanade, the energetic and helpful main character, who can touch people and see their future (though this only happens at random); Arou, Kanade's newly found boyfriend, who can see the past at any given time without control (whichresults in both dismay and good fortune); and then there’s the somewhat selfish but good-hearted Namiki, a friend of the two (or perhaps more of a rival in love to Arou) who can see the future at will. The main concept of the story is, hence the name, “if there was a land of the blindfolded, would people be able to understand the concept of sight?” It brings forth the theme, for even if they help people with their powers, if people can’t understand, even if the powers for the better they would rebel against them because of it’s difference. Really, just the whole feel of the story is amazing. You really connect with the characters, and are feeling what they are feeling as you read. It’s a shoujo, as in it’s romantic and dramatic, and mostly from a girl’s point of view, but it holds something else too, something that enables it appealing for both genders. The art is very beautiful, and always matches the mood. Serious turning to happy, or the other way around. I love the way the artist draws the character’s faces, such emotion is played in a single scene. And the perspective she uses! Land of the Blindfolded’s art is much better than most manga I’ve read. But the main thing, that stands out in the manga, is most certainly the character development. I loved them all, and always wanted to read more about them. Each character grows as a person, I think, over the course of the series. Their emotions seemed real to me. This happens very seldom for me when reading manga. Usually, even if I like the characters, it appears as if though they are in a different world, not thinking like regular humans. I think, when reading those manga, “no one would ever really do this”. But Land of the Blindfolded is different. Even though it involves supernatural powers, it’s undercurrent of feeling is very realistic. I recommend this manga highly, to anyone who wants a nice romance, a nice drama, or just a nice read.

"We are not Gods, we can only do things to the best of our abilities." I found the context of this manga captivating. Fate, future, destiny, and past. We have all, at one time or another, wanted or wished we knew the future or could change the past. To the naked eye, this might seem like a slice of life manga with some supernatural elements, and in a way it is, but in another it's not. It's about being different and testing the people you call friends. It's about doing good whole heartedly and have people dislike you for it. Everything has it's consequences and even thoughyou might think you want to know or see the end result, at the end pain goes both ways. The Characters are essential, all of them. Change one of them and the manga wouldn't be the same. They are each others yin and yang, they create balance to one another. They are not the complete opposite of one another but they each have their own way of looking at things as human generally do. There really isn't any "evil" characters. I actually think the evil character in this manga is their abilities, or the future and past if you will. It's the one thing they are constantly fighting against either to save others or to save themselves. The main characters have their own arc, to better understand them and how they came to be, broken or not. Kanade is selfless and the way she gives of herself and puts herself in peril is borderline suicidal sometimes. She is an optimist and honestly I think it rather ironic that she is, given her power and the amount of people's lives she sees in danger. Arou seeing the past, seemed at first glance the weakest of the powers but I got proven wrong, repeatedly. And it return he turned out to be the most wounded of all. While it seemed that the manga was going to be about this one couple, Namiki stumbled into their lives. He, like Kanade can see the future but like Arou his blindfold is completely off. He doesn't believe in helping people and stands by and laughs while their futures are unfolding badly. The Art was average, the typical of a shojo anime in the higher mid nighties. You do notice that it gets better, cleaner, as volumes pass. the years didn't pass by in vain for this manga. There isn't anything amazingly beautiful about the art but in rare occasions when the manwah wants us to feel different, you will see each character transform before your eyes and the manga art shifts. I noticed it first with Kanade, she is a beacon of hope for the boys and the way she was drawn kept reminding me of sunlight, and you'll get that impression every time she smiles. The Story, though it centers around three people, one girl and two boys There is no boy and girl drama, not enough to count anyway. The characters know of each others feelings and handle it fine, but it isn't about that. It isn't a love triangle sort of manga, even though it could have certainly go that way if the author wanted to extend her volumes and make it like most other shojo manga out there. The manga doesn't drag on and even though the it seems like it's plot is repetitive with the "who are we helping this week" theme, it isn't. It will give you enough information at a time to make you come back for more while also giving you a glimpse into the emotional and phycological impact it has on the lives of those who are able to see. The only thing that confused me to the point of almost not giving it a 10 were that of events pertaining to Arou that don't get explained and it didn't make much sense to me. Though I could guess if I wanted to and make my own assumption, which I did, if it would have been made apparent it would have been better. Though incredulous at times, I do believe in small amounts of clairvoyance and I don't question their more then perfect "vision" but even I have my limits and I start questioning when particles starts breaking... "There are times when I can't help but think, in the world, there is no such thing as a waste of time."

How can I say this, it's a wonderful story. People may see the Kanade too good, always helping people who will never understand her good. But that's what I like about her, her kindness has moved Arou and Namiki and make them a better person. "Even so... No one can understand what it means to see... There will always be people who will accept you for what you are " People think they're weird, but they all know the three are good people. It kinda make me think about myself a lot. I'm so glad I found this manga. Also for a manga from 1998,the art was beautiful

Where do I begin... this manga is just amazing. Mekankushi no Kuni is unique but at the same time common because we have all thoughts about the what ifs: "what if I could see into the future" or "what if I knew everyone's past." But, this manga is unique in its delivery of these common thoughts into a masterful story that really takes its readers into a whirlwind of conflict, emotions, deep thoughts, and enjoyment. The characters in this manga are complex and have dimension. The characters are flawed and have struggles which gives them depth and makes for a great story. I really enjoyedseeing the balance and interactions among the characters. And the main characters are lovable and endearing. The only qualm that some may have is that this is an older manga, so some may think that this manga is dated. But I assure you, this story is timeless.