Otoyomegatari

It is the 19th century in a tribal town near the Caspian Sea, Central Asia. People lead simple lives along the Silk Road, believing in various customs and traditions as they have for many years. Amir Halgal is a beautiful 20-year-old woman skilled in archery, hunting, and horseback riding. She has come from a faraway village for an arranged marriage to a charming 12-year-old boy by the name of Karluk Eihon.

Due to the large age difference, the relationship between Amir and Karluk is a little awkward initially. However, everyday interactions between the two allow them to develop feelings of love and respect for each other that eventually strengthen their bond. Otoyomegatari follows the daily lives and challenges of Amir and Karluk alongside various other couples across Central Asia, in a beautiful portrayal of the culture and traditions of the brides of the era.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Otoyomegatari won the Intergénérations Prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2012 and the seventh Manga Taishou Award in 2014.

The series has been published in English as A Bride's Story by Yen Press since May 31, 2011. The series has also been published in Italian by J-POP since June 11, 2011; in Polish by Studio JG since June 20, 2013; in Spanish by Norma Editorial since October 31, 2013.

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Characters

Halgal, Amir

Main

Eihon, Karluk

Main

Togonosh, Pariya

Supporting

Halgal, Azel

Supporting

Smith, Henry

Supporting

Talas

Supporting

Eihon, Balkirsh

Supporting

Ali

Supporting

Halgal, Joruk

Supporting

Anis

Supporting

Reviews

Nov 21, 2010

srKuran

Recommended

Preliminary (14/? eps)

The synopsis might be a bit misleading, so ill start telling you that the story is not really only about a relationship between a 20 years old woman with a 12 year old boy, in my opinion, this manga has multiple stories about brides that connect with each other.

I cant really judge the art, but for sure it has rich details and all look so beautiful, not in a common way, its more like.. noble ish, cant really describe it, beyond outstanding, for me thats 10/10.

The characters are other very strong point, they live in the central asia, and are adept of many customs and ...

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Apr 6, 2013

-Hotaru_

Recommended

Preliminary (28/? eps)

There is magic all around us, you may find it in an isolated nomadic town, in a traditional ceremony, in the patterns of an embroidery or in the dancing of the natives.
This manga is all about simplicity conveyed in a subtle, mesmerizing way. It tells the stories of everyday people in Central Asia in the 19th century, focusing primarly on an unusual newlyweds couple and their families. The manga begins with a 20 year old girl that marries a younger groom through an arranged engagement. At first their interaction is a little awkward since there is an 8 year difference in age, but quite soon, ... Amira and Karluk become fond of each other, forming a strong bond. Amira is soon accepted in Karluk's warm-hearted family. The plot of Otoyomegatari is episodic, showing different aspects from different angles of the towns folk way of living.

There are also a few larger story lines, such as the arrival of Amira's nomadic family that want her to marry another for political reasons, as well as Henry Smith's (the foreign guest of Karluk's family) departure and journey back home, and his encounter with a mysterious, beautiful woman (which in my opinion is the most compelling and heart-breaking story until now).

The degree of knowledge and historical accuracy is as impressive as ever, coming from the mangaka of Emma, Kaoru Mori-sensei. Her portrayal of the culture, the tradition and cuisine is remarkable. The dedication she puts in every detail, such as a complex turkic embroidery, that is passed from generation to generation, in order to accumulate more knowledge of the patterns and make it in your own style. As well as the depiction of a carving master at work, producing real wonders from wood, passing down his wisdom to an interested kid. All those little gems do not drag the story, but enhances its beauty.
Story: 9

Simple things such as a woman singing in a field, the threads of a woman's hair caught by mistake, a gentle hand removing the tangled hair, the making of an embroidery, covering someone up with a blanket or the carving of wood, they are all gestures of kindness and affection towards nature, towards art or the person you love. They are gracefully portrayed by the skillful hands of the mangaka. They all seem like verses from a poem taking lives of their own in sensei's drawings.
Art: 9

In my opinion, the character of Amira is one of the most vibrant, charismatic female characters in recent years. Her mesmerizing, strong-willed personality left a powerful impression on me. Amira may seem the perfect wife, she is talented at embroidery and cooking, she is also caring and loving, but at times out of concern for Karluk she worries too much. Uncommon for women in that period of time, she is independent and self-sufficient, showing talent for hunting, as well as understanding the equilibrium in nature, feeling at home among the wildlife, and connecting with it on a deeper level.

Karluk's character is very mature for his age, showing an adult's wisdom and determination, as well as courage when Amira is taken back by her family. There is also the intriguing character of Henry Smith, who is a traveler and researcher of distant cultures. He is often the comic relief in this manga, but at times he shows another side of himself, a more serious, melancholic side, which makes him more mysterious. His story after his departure showed that he is a profound person. There are also charming supporting characters, such as Pariya, who has a tsundere personlity, which is also the cause of her not finding suitors, since in that period they were very important for becoming a respectable woman in the society. Her reactions are also a comic relief, especially her outspokenness and her embarrassment that follows soon after, which are lovely.
Characters: 10

I highly enjoyed this manga, and after reading it for almost 2 years I still can't get enough. It is my type of manga, so I recommend to those who like slice of life and historical mangas, for the action-loving readers it may not be for you, but the quality of the writing may just fascinate you enough not to let the manga out of your hand.
Enjoyment: 10

Overall: 10

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Feb 21, 2025

WifeyLifey

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (12/? eps)

This manga at a glance seems to cover the Caspian Sea area in the 19th century but beware readers this manga is full of many historical inaccuracies! If you don't care about historical revisionism and are looking for a wholesome manga that's inspired by Central Asian themes then I recommend it. However bear in mind there are two stories instead of the one described in the description of this manga! So prepare for a lot of skimming if you're looking only for Amir's and Karluk's blossoming love for each other.

If you do care about the historical inaccuracies then read the example I typed below ...

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Poll: Otoyomegatari Chapter 110 Discussion PaninaManina - Mar 17, 2024	4 replies	by DeidaraSanji »» Mar 19, 2:49 PM
Poll: Otoyomegatari Chapter 95 Discussion Cynocid - Nov 22, 2020	8 replies	by DeidaraSanji »» Mar 18, 3:10 PM
Poll: Otoyomegatari Chapter 90 Discussion Cynocid - May 30, 2020	2 replies	by DeidaraSanji »» Mar 18, 2:13 PM
Poll: Otoyomegatari Chapter 69 Discussion Stark700 - Mar 14, 2018	14 replies	by Jinx_Araragi »» Mar 17, 2:47 AM
Poll: Otoyomegatari Chapter 2 Discussion Kappaka - May 30, 2010	6 replies	by Jinx_Araragi »» Mar 2, 11:47 AM

Otoyomegatari
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