Orient

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I didn't watch, and probably won't watch, the anime, so I'm writing this as a manga only fan.

Most reviewers have already noted that Orient does not start off strong. Its no-brain 'shounen-ness' is so overpowering in the first few arcs, and the world-building also took a while to kick in and actually start making sense. Was very tempted to drop it at first, but now I'm glad I stuck with it! Things start getting more interesting at around chapter 40, I'd say.

Ootaka Shinobu's art is also fantastic, as per usual. The fight scenes are flashy, and I prefer less-flashy-more-strategic fights, but her art skills are ... undeniable. Her characters are also interesting, both in design and in personality (even Musashi grows on you eventually). Especially the 'villains...' I'm up to date with the manga and we still know very little about them, and you'll be left wanting to know more after every update. Hopefully this convinces at least someone to stick through with the manga, it's worthwhile I promise!

An interesting fantasy adventure about our main character Musashi as he travels Hi no Moto with his best friend and brother-like figure Kojiro. After a life threatening encounter, they make a vow to each other to become the greatest band of bushi to exist. It's a fun story with an interesting world of mystery and excitement that the author is able to depict early on.

The character work in this story was for the most part well done which is always good to see in a shonen series. The characters are relatively likable, and you want to root for them throughout the story. Even a couple ... of the antagonists have a level of charisma that makes them likable as well. The depiction of trauma that many of these characters endure is also presented well. The characters labor over complicated feelings of loneliness, belonging, and purpose, which leads to them feeling like more complex characters. This only gets thoroughly explored in the main cast, but it's still a welcome development. However, there is a flatness that you feel from many of the characters that aren't Musashi and Kojiro. It's an unfortunate disappointment that contributes to the overall story in a negative way.

The art is also wonderful throughout the story. From the unique style of the swords characters use to the way their powers are depicted, also the way Shinobu Ohtaka depicts light and the brilliance of their powers is very detailed and pleasing to look at.

The story tends to be the weak point of this series for me. It's a simplistic premise, which isn't bad at all. A world of demons and the bands of bushi work tirelessly to slay them and free their people. The mystery behind how their world came to be is interesting along with the powers used to combat the Black Demon God. However, the power ups that happen for the protagonists feel, at times, unearned. Additionally, the explanations surrounding the history of Hi no Kuni and its leaders didn't feel very impactful for the overall story. It's a strange dynamic that there are many good storytelling elements of this series, but none of the payoffs, reveals, and twists in the story felt truly impactful. Possibly because the proper buildup to those moments wasn't given.

Overall, it was a solid ambitious series that I think did a lot of things well, but not great. Hoping for another Ohtaka masterpiece in the future!

I first bought this manga simply for the cool cover, and was very dissapointed by the story as someone who doesnt enjoy "Generic Shounen" I did not enjoy this, the only reason i got 4 whole volumes is becuase of volume 4's cover. this story fails in its story basically.

Story - 1: Story is indeed generic and boring and as a "manga connesiur" it is something ive read enough Simply get with friend with superpowers and kill bad guys there was nothing special to killing demons. Though i did enjoy the politics and relations of the demon things and some foolish people who were trying ... to appease them that was the only intresting thing main characters not so much.

Art - 8: Arts pretty good, Volume covers are good. The art show the many enemys well um not bad slightly above average art, Thats all i got to say.

Characters - 6: Characters were fine relationships were one of the only things written well enough character designs were more intresting then their "Character"

I Dont like to hate on manga or any thing someone put their hard work in but this isnt great i dont recomend it.