Trailer: Children of the Sea

I've been reading the Children of the Sea online chapters at IKKI, Viz's new online seinen manga anthology, and reviewed the first three chapters here on i ♥ manga. Now, Viz has a gorgeous trailer available that really captures the essence of this mysterious manga set during one lazy summer near the beach. While many manga video trailers do not feature much more than music and a narrator, Viz takes this trailer one step further by adding sounds of the ocean.

After notifying Viz of the initially faulty embed code, I'm happy to finally share this trailer of Children of the Sea. Be sure to check out the online chapters of Children of the Sea before July 21, as they'll be taken down at that time.

Chapter Review: Children of the Sea, chp. 3

Since Children of the Sea is going to print, regardless of its popularity in Viz's online anthology, IKKI, I will discontinue chapter reviews of this series after this post. I do plan to review this series in its print version.

The story: This chapter, "Hitodama," starts with another "testimony of the sea," or a mystery told to Daisuke Igarashi as he did his research for this series, and it really sets the tone. Following the short three-page testimony, there's another peek into Ruka's troubled relationship with her parents and a quiet moment at school in which she realizes just how lonely she is. As if sensing her isolation, Umi appears and they go off together for the arrival of a "hitodama" that he senses.

Reaction: All the sound effects in this chapter give Ruka's world another layer of depth. While reading along, I could "hear" the hollow footsteps in the school's hallway, the chirping of summer insects and the noise of desks being moved. This manga's details truly immerse the reader in the world Igarashi has created.

Deep thoughts: I had to look up the meaning of hitodama, as I wasn't familiar with the term. Evidently, "hitodama are believed in Japanese folklore to be the souls of the newly dead taking form of mysterious fiery apparitions." I'm constantly amazed at the definitive ability of Japanese language for such specific concepts -- while we simply lump hitodama in with ghosts or spirits, the Japanese language has seen fit to provide a word specifically for these apparitions.

Artwork: There's so much loving care and fine points in this manga, especially with the opening, colored pages. Igarashi's illustrations really provide such a great sense of place throughout, whether it's Ruka's classroom, her home or the beach from which she and Umi watch the hitodama.

The verdict: Again, I don't have enough content to make a sound judgment, but Children of the Sea is certainly the best manga I've read online and I know I'll be "clicking in" to watch this mysterious tale unveil itself in the coming weeks, as well as purchasing the print volumes when they're available. Children of the Sea is serialized online by Viz and can be read here.

Chapter Review: Children of the Sea, chp. 2

The story: More of Ruka's world is revealed in this chapter, titled "The Day of Thunder," from her (implied) alcoholic mother to her aquarium-working dad. She's a lonely child at best, a forgotten one at worst. Other characters are introduced, as well, including Sora and Jim, the caretaker of Sora and Umi, who was introduced in the first chapter. It seems that Jim is their legal guardian after having found the two swimming in the Philippine Sea with a group of dugongs, a relative of manatees. According to Wikipedia, "the word 'dugong' derives from the Tagalog term dugong, which was in turn adopted from the Malay duyung, both meaning "lady of the sea."

Reaction: This is another beautifully drawn chapter that really showcases the loneliness of Ruka's childhood. It seems that she's misunderstood by everyone and longs for people who will miss her. I also liked the introduction of Jim, a tattooed scientist who surfs in addition to taking care of Sora and Umi. We also have a momentary peek at Sora and the unexplained and peculiar relationship between Sora and Umi.

Deep thoughts: The story of Sora and Umi being raised by dugongs reminds me of the story of the founders of Rome -- Romulus and Remus, who were raised by wolves. There's an air of mystery behind these two children and I'm interested in seeing if their fate is as "spectacular" as that of the Roman founders.

Artwork: Another beautifully detailed glimpse of the sea and those living on its edges. I loved the flashes of action that Daisuke Igarashi chose to illustrate, as they distill the characters so well -- from surfing with Jim to Ruka leaving for "practice" to Umi swimming in a tank. While they're all very "real," there's a surreal feel to it because of the fleeting moments we're treated to and the underlying meaning we're yet to learn.

The verdict: Again, I haven't read enough of this to form a stronger opinion, but this story is already ranking high in my "most anticipated" list. The artwork is amazing, the storyline intriguing and the characters endearing. Children of the Sea is serialized online by Viz and can be read here.

Chapter Review: Children of the Sea, chp. 1

Earlier this week, Viz launched an online U.S. version of IKKI, a seinen manga anthology. Various series will be made available on the site and successful ones will eventually see print. The first manga they've serialized is Children of the Sea.

The story: This story opens with (presumably) the adult version of Ruka, the main character, relaying her story of the sea to a young boy while they're out sailing. In the opening pages of the first chapter, "Ruka," the reader is treated to a magnificent watercolor rendering of the deep sea. In it, a former deep sea photographer shares his tale of a possible demon sighting while out on assignment.

As the story goes on, the reader meets a much younger and lonelier Ruka, starting her summer vacation. On a whim, she takes the train to Tokyo, looking for the sea. At the end of the chapter, she meets a mysterious young boy named Umi.

Reaction: When I saw the opening pages and their detail (especially the watercolored ones), I was simply blown away. It's fairly obvious the mangaka, Daisuke Igarashi, took extreme care in researching and crafting the world of Children of the Sea.

Deep thoughts: As the reader follows along on Ruka's adventure, you can almost taste the desperation of her youth, her loneliness and the simple despair of a ruined summer. Her character draws the reader's empathy as it's shown more and more what a social misfit she is.

Artwork: While the watercolored pages are stunning in their own right, the real star here is Igarashi's panels. His artwork has a sketchy quality to it, most likely from the liberal use of cross-hatching. Regardless, it imparts a sense of detail that I can only liken to old English-style botanical drawings. The bugs, the flowers and settings are all given such a lifelike, and loving, sense of detail. In so many ways, this is real treat for the eyes.

The verdict: I haven't read enough of this to give it a recommendation, but the mysterious story pulls the reader in easily and the artwork is simply a delight to behold. Unless this series takes a severe turn, I can guarantee I'll continue reading this as long as Viz keeps on putting up chapters. Children of the Sea is serialized online by Viz and can be read here.