The Age of Crystals, Houseki no kuni in VO, is the first long work of mangaka Haruko Ichikawa. Pre-published in Afternoon magazine from 2013, it was Glénat who, in France, seized this atypical title three years later. While the eleventh volume was released last June, we offer you a return on this seinen mixing fantasy, science fiction and philosophy.
The story
In the distant future, humanity has disappeared from the face of the Earth. New life forms, called gems, have appeared. Twenty-eight in number, these crystals in human form relentlessly fight the Selenians, strange beings coming from the moons, and who seek to remove the crystals to make adornments. But the value of a crystal also depends on its hardness. Phosphophyllite, of fragile constitution, cannot claim to take part in the war. His scant knowledge and casualness also did not allow him to become a doctor or gunsmith. Master Vajra, head of the crystals, despairs of finding him a mission… until a certain day. Phos will now be commissioned to write a natural history. By studying the past to better understand the present and anticipate the future, will the young crystal be the one to put an end to this multi-millennial war?
The Age of Crystals: The Story of Humanity
Behind the behemoths that have been at the top of the bill for several years, it happens that publishers have an eye and find us small nuggets. Few people hear about it, opinions can be divided, but those who have had these works in their hands know that they have just come across a unique artistic object. Such is the case with The Age of Crystals. It's a difficult manga to tackle. The summary at the same time does not look good and intrigues to the highest point. The first pages plunge us directly into the action, and we are a bit like Phos, overwhelmed by events. Phos is the main character but the weakest of all crystals. His personality baffles, his nonchalance annoys, his adolescent selfishness makes him always a little on the margins. At least, that's what it is during the very first part of the work… Because Haruko Ichikawa takes us by surprise and plunges us into a story with multiple layers. History is gradually revealed, while the crystals continue to fight at the risk of their lives. The mangaka gives life to strong and unique characters, from Bort the fighter, to Rutile the doctor and Diamond the star. A complex web is woven between each of the crystals, which we get to know. And Master Vajra (Kongô-sensei in VO) is not to be outdone: his excessive strength, his Shaolin monk airs and his ambiguous statements, as well as the love that binds him to crystals… Everything about him intrigues, and the discoveries of Phos only add to the mysteries, until the latest revelations. The Age of Crystals does not pamper its characters or its readers. By making us live the story through the eyes of Phos, and by subjecting him to multiple transformations that call everything into question, Haruko Ichikawa takes us to task and questions us in depth, even if it sometimes shocks us via striking stagings. The immortal bodies of the crystals are subject to massive destruction, and the brutality of the fighting is matched only by the violence of the truth that is about to erupt. Through philosophical and religious references, The Age of Crystals goes beyond the fantastic anticipation story to offer us a moral fable. This one, embodied by Phos, questions the very foundation of the notion of humanity. Phosphophyllite, both actor and puppet, plunges into a drama that would not have denied the best authors of tragedy.
Fault lines
If The Age of Crystals is a niche manga, it is also because of its graphics. Unique, Haruko Ichikawa's trait has been strengthened since his one-shots Mushi no uta (2009) and 25-ji no vacances (2011), to deploy in his main series. Lively and frank, the drawing of the mangaka asserts itself in a pleasant fluidity and a meticulous staging. The mineral nature of the characters is well rendered through plays of light. While the vaporous side of the Selenians is reflected in the bright whiteness of their ships. The fights are dynamic, as are the expressions of the characters, with a very realistic look. We are surprised to watch for the slightest change on the face of Master Vajra, the melancholy of Cinnabar or the seriousness of Jade. Just as we remain amazed by the beauty of the double pages with the false air of impressionist paintings. Finally, note the quality of the covers proposed by Glénat, which elegantly reflect the light. In addition, the anime adaptation initiated by Orange studios amplifies the graphic particularity of The Age of Crystals. Toshiya Ono, supported by character designer Asako Nishido and director Takahiko Kyôgaku, delivers us in 2017 a UFO in the world of japanimation. Entirely made in 3D CGI, the anime extracts itself from the limitations of 2D to explode in a shimmer of colors. Haruko Ichikawa's work is sublimated through even more dynamic scenes, accompanied by a sound atmosphere composed of specific themes. A hypnotic success, to the measure of the original material. A niche work, The Age of Crystals is nevertheless an indispensable manga for readers looking for a demanding story. The story told by Phos slowly grows in strength and eventually explodes through the prism of an all-out and uncompromising war. Who will emerge victorious? It's up to you to find out! If you want to read an excerpt or get the volumes already released, here is the link! https://www.glenat.com/seinen/lere-des-cristaux-tome-01-9782344011713
