Wow. This has to be one of my Top 3 fantasy mangas of all time. It's actually incredible how underrated this manga is. Even with only 29 chapters this story already presented me with extremely likeable characters, GREAT art, fantastic worldbuilding and extremely engaging story. Each of those I will discuss. Spoilers ahead.
First the art. The only part of it I think is not perfect like everything else. But even then it's like 9.4 to me. I think I only bring it down a bit because of two things. First being the chibi faces Bard sometimes has along with other characters, they show up a
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bit too frequently to me. Also the Princess's design was a bit too generic for my taste. But those are only 2 small nitpicks I have. Other than that the art is great. It's not Berserk level of quality of course, but it does it's job at giving some fantastic backgrounds and very good character designs. I love the way the action is drawn, the details are plentiful and I love the way people look in this manga because of this real feel to it with the way people dress and even when there are some more outlandish designs like Gordon's sword they never feel too out of place. All around 9.4/10
And as we talk about Gordon I think I should move on to another point here. The characters. And my God. I am VERY satisfied with them. I think the best example of it is Gordon who by all means could come off as another noble snob or as annoying manchild, but this manga makes him an extremely likeable character who is competent when he wants to be. Many characters in this manga are very likeable. Not many of them come off as needlessly evil or two faced and I'm glad because I notice so many stories trying to shove needlessly selfish and dickish characters and I'm tired of it (and I'm glad that for once priests are not hidden evil) and I like that this manga is not having that many of them, it's a breath of fresh air. And I think it goes without saying that Bard is an amazing character. The way he is presented with his mission, his passions, skills and desires make him incredibly engaging protagonist who feels real, who feels genuine. I love the way he interacts with many characters, how he is not perfect and is actually feeling weak because of his old age which makes his accomplishments feel that much more badass and earned. And his passion for food is really something to behold. Also Julchaga is great with his exploits. The cast of characters in this manga is STRONG. Even with some one off characters like the Lizard man. 10/10 easily.
And then there is Worldbuilding which I also LOVE in this series. The way the author is able to tell so much about different cultures and people through the way they make their food is amazing. I love how many different ways everyone has to make something. How distinct all of it feels. And the world itself (which at the start does have some AOT vibes not gonna lie) still feels very unique. I love the way the author makes those small mythical stories, like the one with 2 moons. I love the way this author tackles the political stuff in the first arc. I really like how well he establishes different abhuman cultures. All of it feels natural and I love it. This is a RICH world and the author only needed 29 chapters to already make it very clear. That takes talent. 10/10 again.
And then there is the story which is also very engaging. The first 14 chapters are one extremely good story that tells a very intriguing political story. The way each plot point is handled feels very good and I really like how almost no one here is a complete dumbass. I really like the final resolution of these first 14 chapters, the way it is really somber despite Bard's triumph. And even though it may be controversial how Princess died here, I feel like it was a good choice. It really hammers home the real feel of this story. Some people can just die one day and their dreams and stories can be left unfinished. And the letter of the Princess to Bard being something so simple and inconsequential in grand scheme of things really makes this feel all the more powerful and real. There was no great secret nor any "I truly love you" stuff, just a woman wishing good luck for her friend, being happy for him and reminiscing about their life. It's not something important to the story, but something important to the characters.
But that doesn't mean that the story after those 14 chapters is bad. NO. In fact some of my favorite ones are the latter ones. Chapter 23 is as perfect as one off story can get. With a tragic and very powerful resolution which reveals how bleak this world can be, but also helps us to get a deeper dive into the characters like Gordon with how he was reminded of his sisters children. It's powerful. And the chapters 19 and 20 offer a very interesting look into the life of a knight, how Bard explains it again, feels real and genuine with no sugar coating and his own experience really shows how much he had to go through to be where he is now.
I would say this story REALLY reminds me of a certain comic called "Hedge Knight" written by George R.R. Martin as a part of Songs of Ice and Fire series. The way this story presents knighthood and knightly virtues while also rarely leaving realms of reality really remind me of that great comic. If any of you haven't read it yet I HIGHLY recommend it. It's a great story. And the fact that Bard Loen reminds me of it so much makes it already a 10/10 for me.
I know this whole things sounds like I'm fanboying over this manga and that is most likely true. But I can't help it. This manga is very special to me. It's one of my favorite fantasy mangas of all time and I'm SO glad that I read it. Makes going through tons of garbage to find hidden gems such as this. This manga is 10/10 for me. I'm biased and I don't care. Now if only those translations came out AT A FASTER FUCKING PACE it would be great.
May 18, 2022
Henkyou no Roukishi Bard Roehn
(Manga)
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Wow. This has to be one of my Top 3 fantasy mangas of all time. It's actually incredible how underrated this manga is. Even with only 29 chapters this story already presented me with extremely likeable characters, GREAT art, fantastic worldbuilding and extremely engaging story. Each of those I will discuss. Spoilers ahead.
First the art. The only part of it I think is not perfect like everything else. But even then it's like 9.4 to me. I think I only bring it down a bit because of two things. First being the chibi faces Bard sometimes has along with other characters, they show up a ... |
