Today, we offer you to talk about manga and we chose to talk about Dark Grimoire by Haru SAKURANA, released by the publisher Kana. The plot addresses the field of magic and focuses more precisely on a school through the eyes of two diametrically opposed characters but linked by a mysterious forbidden grimoire!
This review contains spoilers.To be read at your own risk.
Dark Grimoire
Original title: グリモワールの庭 – Grimoire no Niwa
Alternate title: Dark Grimoire – Garden of Grimoire
Mangaka: Haru SAKURANA
Gender: Daily – Fantastic
Type: Shonen
French publisher: Kana
Japanese publisher: Kodansha
Release date: April 20, 2018
Number of volumes published: 1 (France) & 4 (Japan)
Status: Ongoing
Price : 7,45 €
Synopsis :
Atli is a student in a school of witchcraft. One day he stumbles upon a mysterious grimoire containing spells of "forbidden magic". During a school trip, his friend/enemy Leon is killed in front of his eyes by a mysterious creature! Atli manages to resurrect him with the help of his new knowledge. But what fate awaits Atli and Leon who now share an unspeakable secret? And who put in Atli's hands such a grimoire with extraordinary and dangerous powers?
Spring: Kana
Sorcerer in spite of himself
Dark Grimoire is a manga with the look of Harry Potter indeed, we follow the story of two protagonists who do not get along very well. The first, Atli is the son of a rich family of merchants who do not wish to take up the family torch, so here he is in this school. Leon, the second character, is the former heir of a ruined noble family. He resents Atli because his parents would have stolen all his belongings. The story focuses on two classmates who are enemies but especially on the event that will upset their daily lives…
Atli later discovers a book containing formulas from forbidden magic, he looks for a way to destroy it but it proves impossible. However, an opportunity arises during a practical magic exam where the latter then thinks he can finally get rid of the grimoire. Alas, fate does not seem to be of this opinion and an unfortunate accident occurs also involving this dear Leon. The young man is then forced to resort to forbidden magic after Leon's cruel and inexplicable death. And that's how the trouble begins for both characters!
A terrible secret
It is quite simple to recognize at first glance Leon and Atli since their physical appearances differ. Leon is blond while Atli is brown, one has long hair and the other shorter. In short, you will quickly be comfortable with the two heroes of this manga. Their chara-design remains classic but still pleasant with an attention to detail in clothes, hairstyle and facial expressions very neat. However, the line remains unoriginal and specific to the fantastic style, which is a slight pity.
The main plot is interesting and we discover a mysterious universe with the secret hovering over the forbidden magic whose outcome we would like to know. A whole world is set up in this first volume with a pace neither too slow nor too short and we witness the beginning of a relationship that will change little by little between our two apprentice magicians. We discover humor despite a serious plot whose famous secret already seems to titillate other characters. The duo is endearing, we get to know them through the various feelings we glimpse.
Uncertain future
Haru SAKURANA has been practicing her profession since 2010, some will find her name familiar since she is the author of Boy's Love : Sensei no Koi Nikki, Piano Danshi and Idol Ryou no Yokujou Rule (not available in France). When we take a closer look at the relationship of Leon and Atli, it reminds us of this register. Will we have a hint of romance between our two boys? In any case, for this first publication here, the manga turns out to be a work for a wide audience unlike the previous ones. After reading this first volume, it comes out an air of déjà vu partly because of the theme of the school of magic.
The plot however takes a well-thought-out turn towards the end of the volume when we expected to simply have a pitch around our duo. The script and the drawing do not shine by their originality, it lacks depth and goes a little in circles. Overall, the story is not bad but does not stand out from other titles available on the market. The manga remains pleasant, however, hoping that the next volume will be more dynamic and full of twists!
The manga Dark Grimoire touches the realm of fantasy through the story of a forbidden and repressed magic that two apprentices will experience at their expense.
You can read an excerpt and discover this title at the publisher Kana.
