Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts

Shoujo isn’t exactly my favourite genre. Still, once in a while I give it a try, and once in a whole there is a title that surprises. Sacrificial Princess is one of those. What’s interesting is that usually when a shoujo manga is good, it’s because it’s closer to other demographics and is shoujo more on a technicality. In this case though, it’s really a pure shoujo manga, simply with actually good writing. And by that I don’t mean that the author added sex and violence to make it appear more mature (I’m looking at you Nana). No, the characters and the themes are the mainstrengths of this story. Sacrificial Princess has a non-toxic romantic couple, something that is unfortunately quite rare around these parts. What’s even more unexpected, in the good way, is the positive portrayal of feminine and masculine traits of the couple, which complements each other as the pair bring each other up, rather than the usual forced drama clashes of man’s vs woman’s view. Indeed, here we have both soft feminine approach to problem solving and strong masculine approach working in tandem in a beautiful painting of a power couple relationship. This all work even better within the framework of the story of court politics and fantasy discrimination. This is not just a nice way to spice up the story into something beyond just an ordinal romance, but also a great opportunity to explore the side characters and give them as much character development as possible. In fact, one of the main themes of the story is how people can change, and it lead to some actually touching moments exploring love and sense of belonging. Story-wise I also appreciate that it doesn’t leave plot elements unsolved. This is a story-driven manga and it both aims and achieves tying up plot threads both main and side. Art-wise I have no complaints, the character design is fitting and the arstyle can portray both serious action moments and cute wholesome moments. Overall this is a great read that I believe can interest most readers of all demographics.

This manga is a simple yet delightful fantasy shoujo that will be enjoyed by both fans of shoujo manga and fans of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. Although it does not attempt anything new within the genre and occasionally dives into classic shoujo tropes, it is still a fun read. Story: 7/10 If you are looking for a revolutionary fantasy manga that tries to do new things, then I would not recommend this; however, the story is still fun and engaging. The setting is fantastical and immersive, and the characters all have their own charms. I personally would have gone in a slightly differentdirection with the ending, and the romance wasn't quite what I was wanting, but overall, I enjoyed the story. Art: 8/10 The art in this series is light and airy, which fits the content of the story well and is pleasing to look at. Characters: 6.5/10 The characters are all charming, but quite a few of them don't have the depth that I've come to expect from shoujo series. In addition, there are very few instances of growth that are specific to a single character. However, I still did get attached to some of the characters. Overall Enjoyment: 7/10 While not the most interesting or entertaining fantasy shoujo I've read, I still enjoyed this manga, and would recommend it to enjoyers of fantasy shoujo and romance shoujo alike.

Niehime to Kemono no Ou is honestly one of the best-written shoujo manga I’ve ever read. Normally, shoujo stories tend to focus on a single female lead surrounded by several handsome guys, with lots of drama and relationship tension — sometimes even to the point of being a bit cringe. I’m not usually that into this kind of thing, but this series is an exception. What makes it stand out is how it tackles themes of racial conflict between humans and beastfolk, with a touch of political intrigue as well. It feels somewhat similar to Beastars in the way it explores the divide between different species,though Niehime to Kemono no Ou is much lighter in tone. The main heroine, Sariphi, was originally meant to be a human sacrifice, but the Beast King spares her life and makes her his queen. From there, she faces the immense challenge of earning the respect and acceptance of the beastfolk as a human queen — something far from easy. The romance is beautifully handled too — heartfelt, sincere, and not overly melodramatic. Overall, this is a shoujo series that even people who aren’t usually into shoujo can easily enjoy.

Well, a rehash of the original Beauty and the Beast, but it differs enough to be distinct. Usually I don't really like stories where the the main character is a Mary Sue, however in this case the execution was really good, so it hit me right in the feels. Hence, the whole story is kinda idealistic, and naive, but sometimes it is good to fantasize about a better world. If you want to escape from the reality, than this one is for you. This is a romance at the core, so the characters are one of the most important aspect, and they are excellent. Despite mostof them are somewhat "moral-compass" types, they are all complex and likeable with motivation, flaws and distinct personalities. Also, I'm appreciate the fact that even the "evil" characters were not typical "being evil for the sake of being evil" . They had complexity, and from their perspective their motivations was understandable, and that what makes an antagonist interesting. The story itself is good for a romance, but quite predictable. Especially, if you know the original work. So if you want a never seen before storyline with unique spins, than look elsewhere. This manga shines in other aspects. Although, the visuals are nothing spectacular, it has a unique charm to it. Especially the character designs. I really liked it. All in all a good read. So definietly recommended.