Kagamigami

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*This review was originally posted for Sakuran and has subsequently been merged into Kagamigami*

Yet another oneshot released in the hopes of getting serialized, but ultimately failed. Usually I can determine why something wasn't serialized, and I can at least understand that reasoning even if I don't agree. This time I'm baffled. I've read another of Iwashiro Toshiaki's oneshots that didn't get serialized, and I easily determined why. This time I just can't understand it.

The plot, while not necessarily unique, was intriguing. I was interested in learning more, and was very attentive the whole way through because of that. Iwashiro was obviously hoping this would be ... serialized, as the ending raises more questions than answers. This is a pretty normal tactic for oneshots, it's just too bad that those answers won't be delivered.

There are only two characters in this oneshot. The main character and the mysterious alien known as Sakuran. The main character is far from unique, but his attitude is endearing, and as we learn about his past a little, I couldn't help but feel sympathetic for him. Sakuran doesn't have a lot of depth, but quite obviously if there had been a serialization then the mysteries surrounding this character would have served as character development as the manga progressed.

The art is the only thing that doesn't suffer from this incomplete work. Iwashiro's artwork is hit or miss for me, and this oneshot was a "hit". Very crisp, interesting character designs (especially Sakuran), and some very nice depictions of sakura petals.

If you read my whole review, you may have noticed that I said things were obviously heading somewhere IF this had been serialized. That "IF" is what brought the score for this down to a 7, because, sadly, thats all this oneshot can amount to by itself. One big "IF". Worth a read if you enjoyed Iwashiro's other works, as he is in top form here. Even if you've never read anything by Iwashiro there is value to be found here. Just be prepared to be disappointed when you realize the questions this oneshot raises will never be answered.

If you came here after reading Psyren, turn back and just read that again.
If you didn't come here from Psyren, go read that instead.

Now I'm not saying that Kagamigami is bad, it's definitely not, but it ultimately falls short of what I think it should've been able to achieve, especially based on the author and the concept. In a nutshell, I think that Kagamigami has an excellent premise and setting that wasn't given the care and attention it needed to be something really great.

For a quick tldr, this manga is primarily about finding and stopping a terrorist group, with a secondary plotline about the power ... struggle between a cast of major families, all of this taking place in a world where youkai (spirits, demons, etc.) are real and we have the loose of equivalent of shamans (think Shaman King) doing battle with them.

For the first 20 or so chapters, the terrorist plot line is the main focus and it's done very well. The pacing is good and the mystery unfolds at a solid pace. Character introductions are handled pretty well and the main characters have a fairly strong dynamic. 8/10

The next 10 or so chapters brings the major families into play and we get some nice insight into the underlying structure of the world. This is also good. 8/10

Then you realise there's only 10 chapters left and it's all downhill from here. I won't say how it goes downhill (and in fairness it's not a terrible ending) but I cannot pretend that it didn't. The ending was rushed, mediocrely explained and ultimately didn't make good use of where the story could have gone. 5/10

Kagamigami could've been a strong 8 to weak 9. All the pieces were there, the direction of the manga was on track and I know the author has the skill to take us there. So I'm disappointed that it ended up being as mediocre as it did at the end, and I'm sad that the great manga it could've been simply doesn't exist.

If you're a fan of Psyren, or Shaman King, or just the shonen battle genre in general then I would still recommend Kagamigami. I would just ask that you keep your expectations in check and just enjoy ride.

Or just go read Psyren.

Talk about a series with little potential.This from the creator of Psyren which while had an interesting dynamic ,hadnt gotten close to its true potential.

Kagamigami suffers a much worse situation with it trying to reach new levels of rip-off of other series and nothing unique to standard.

From the plot based on shikigamis like Bleach
Female Character POV like Lucy from Fairy Tail
The Wolf transformation looking exactly like Inuyasha

Even the globe soul henchmens give me reminders of the Minions from Despicable Me which isnt even an anime or manga

At this moment it has the least amount of positive working towards it so far compared to ... Psyren .And I doubt it would move any further at this rate