Katie Colson
750 reviews9,252 followers
The artistry is an absolute ✨stunner✨ If you like slo0000w, creeping, gothic, haunting, beautiful, fairytale stories - this is for YOU! However, I'm someone who needs a faster pace and more thrills & chills. There's nothing wrong with this series. It's pretty good and at times creepy. But it didn't wow me in any other way than the illustration. So, at the end of the day, it gets a 3. I found myself unmotivated to continue with the series, which isn't a good sign in manga.
LesbianBarista
153 reviews34 followers
This was absolutely stunning, the art style, the gentle story telling, whatever is going on in the world, it all comes together into one, comforting little read. Most of the time when I read books, the character's voices in my head are at full volume but this story is so soft, so kind, so gorgeous that I heard them all as the soft voices, just above a whisper. It really added to it. It was a little slow, not too much plot happening but that's understandable since this is only the first three volumes. It all requires a lot of setup, I'm sure, so that the story can be eaten like a three course meal afterwards. I adore the "monster" designs and the monsters themselves. I can definitely say I am completely intrigued by this entire story, the lore, the intriguing religion involved. Teacher is such a sweet character and Shiva has me so curious! Definitely need the next one ASAP
- 2023 cover-appreciation fantasy
liv ❁
389 reviews658 followers
A lovely manga that I can see this as a comfort read for me in the future. A little girl is abandoned in “the Outside”, found by one of the Outsiders, who resembles a demon/monster and taken in and cared for. I’m a sucker for the tainted/innocent pairing in a parent/child type relationship and this was no exception. Their relationship is adorable and you can tell that both parties teach the other a lot.
As the plot moves forward it is quite obvious that the system is based on western cultures and modern day christianity which I usually don’t love in a fantasy setting (I find it overplayed and a bit too on the nose, preferring a more unique god system), but I found this choice conveyed the point of the first three volumes well.
The art style is beautiful and dark, which sometimes made it hard to see what was going on in the pictures, but it matched the atmosphere perfectly. I would highly recommend the deluxe version as the cover is exquisite.
- cute fall graphic-novels-and-manga
Stay Fetters
2,322 reviews172 followers
"If you ever meet an outsider, you mustn't touch them. You turn around and you run straight home. Because their touch will curse you." I loved this. Can’t wait to read more. RTC
Kaitlin
184 reviews
The art was really pretty. I loved how creepy the Outsiders looked. Some of the pages were hard to decipher since there is a lot of black, but I still really enjoyed the illustrations. The story was slow yet compelling. I look forward to reading more of the series. The relationship between Shiva and the Outsider “Teacher” was sweet. I loved that “Teacher” has a paternal role, and yet still learns from Shiva.
- graphic-novels
Audet Maxime
79 reviews2 followers
Oozing gothic style and old fairytale atmosphere, this manga is a treat to read. The drawings are simple for the most part, but the attention to detail is impressive and the author can convey the character’s emotions or feelings with even the simplest of changes.
- favorites
twentyventi
170 reviews95 followers
ladies, is it weird to be mildly attracted to a cursed shadow creature who dresses like a gentleman, is a fiercely protective adoptive dad, and has the face of a bird? asking for a friend.
376 reviews39 followers
Absolutely amazing! Love the art style, the characters, the writing, the atmosphere, the plot, everything! It is gruesome and sad, yet also cute and cosy at the same time. I did not expect this to be about a curse/virus turning people into "monsters" with just a simple touch, but I loved that. It portrays the darker and lighter sides of humanity perfectly and focuses a lot on the characters and their ambitions and dreams. Starting off in a rather contained setting, the story has been slowly but surely expanding the world in a natural way and keeps me hoping for more interesting elements in the volumes to come. Can't wait to read the next Omnibus!
- cover-love fantasy favorites
Sherry
850 reviews89 followers
Cozy and sweet with dark mysterious elements. Loved the art and the underlying mystery of what is happening in this imaginative, engaging world. The deluxe edition is stunning and a new prized addition to my library. In fact on my way to the bookstore to grab the last 2 editions of the series. Cannot wait to read the next instalment.
- books-collected-in-2023 cover-buy gift-somebody-loves-me
Urbon Adamsson
1,274 reviews25 followers
Normally, I don't read these kind of stories but the vibe was so dark and weird, and after seeing the reviews, I had to try it. This is the type of book that I just won't risk say anything because it might ruin the experience for new readers. That said, brace your heart. I'm really curious to see where they're going with this in the next volumes but so far, I'm loving it. Even though this is a big book, It's actually a very easy read. The edition itself is just flawless. It's a beautiful book and very light given how thick it is with a hardcover. Even the pages smell nice. Congratulations to Seven Seas for this marvelous edition. Highly recommended.
Aidan Pilgrim
56 reviews16 followers
So pretty! I love the art style so much! Although I will admit it’s a bit difficult to make out what’s in some of the panels due to the art style. Can’t wait to read more!
Tay
139 reviews31 followers
Oh how I loved this story. The art is so beautiful. Though parts are too dark for me to make out and it does hinder me a bit because a huge part of reading mangas for me is the artwork. I actually came across this after watching the feature length anime on Crunchyroll. The storytelling was so beautiful and I loved the soft pastel/watercolour process. It’s also one of the reasons I loved ‘Ranking of Kings’ which is another that has a great story. Heart wrenching. A definite water world warning should be included. The direction of the story is giving, “lasting impression” and I fear the phrase ‘hauntingly beautiful’ will be forever etched in my brain after this. I continue…
Kerrie-Ann ✨ bookishlybesotted
240 reviews14 followers
This deluxe edition is absolutely stunning. I’m holding it right now unable to stop myself from admiring it, the quality is top notch!
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The story is beautifully eerie and wholesome. Shiva is the cutest girl and Teacher has stolen my heart. The art is perfectly moving. I read the first 3 volumes online, and then read this deluxe edition because I honestly love this so much.
Brandee Taeubel
153 reviews9 followers
Check out this review and more on my link text The Girl from the Other Side by Nagabe was a recommendation that popped up on my TikTok. I caught a quick glimpse of the manga’s odd friendship pair consisting of a monster and a little girl, and I was sold. I decided that volume one wasn’t enough, so I read the deluxe edition that spanned the first three volumes. The world has been divided in two. There are humans tucked away safely Inside behind city walls. And there are those on the Outside, monstrous-looking creatures who can curse a person with just a touch. Armed with only this knowledge, we join a story in progress featuring an unlikely pair. Shiva, a little girl, and her companion from the Outside collect food, water, and supplies to support their life beyond the city walls. The companion, whom Shiva calls Teacher, cares for the little girl and tries to provide a life for her on the other side of the wall. However, Shiva is hopeful her aunt will return for her, and Teacher struggles with guilt due to the secrets they keep. Volume one sets the scene, and we get a glimpse of the life Shiva and Teacher have created for themselves on the Outside. It is interesting to see how they spend their days and how they interact with one another, but as soon as the volume comes to a close the story amps up. Volume two hints that not everything may be as it seems, and Teacher is beginning to learn more about the Outside, the creatures, and Shiva. Volume three begins to reveal even more about the conflicted world and shows the horrors carried out by humans that live Inside. Nagabe’s art style is incredible. It sets a dark, foreboding mood and makes use of the black-and-white contrast in striking ways. Shiva is literally the only bright spot in Teacher’s world, drawn in all white and standing out in stark contrast to Teacher’s monstrous facade and the gloom of the forested Outside. The art is complex when it needs to be, but my favorite part of this story is Nagabe’s simplistic panels which capture intense moments with startling clarity. These panels usually feature Teacher, and I love how much emotion is showcased on a creature that relies on only its eyes to express itself. Much like the intense black and white art style, the heartfelt and scary moments are made even more prominent by contrast. Teacher shows such concern for Shiva’s wellbeing, and yet they cannot comfort Shiva as she stumbles or cries without fear of cursing her through their touch. The moments between these two are so pure, and it makes the scary moments even more menacing. They display such care for one another that when others display violence and cruelty it hurts twice as much. The manga is sweet with a dash of horror and it is a delightful combo for the spooky season. The mystery that is unraveling in The Girl From The Other Side has caught my attention, and I can’t wait to read on to discover more. The first three volumes do a fabulous job introducing us to the world and its characters, and the art is so eye-catching that I didn’t want to look away. I can’t wait to see where Nagabe takes this unlikely pair in future editions. Rating: The Girl From The Other Side - 8.0/10
The Quill to Live!
- 2022 graphic-series
Emma
263 reviews
love the vibe
- art-idea-vibe
Karin (book_scent)
363 reviews34 followers
This deluxe edition is absolutely stunning! I loved the art, and the slow and haunting, yet beautiful and wholesome story made this a comforting little read. Can't wait to pick up the next volume!
Laura
58 reviews
I'm so ridiculously invested, heLP.
- fantasy manga own-a-physical-copy
Merry SJ
21 reviews
I love cryptid tea parties
Chancy
11 reviews
imma need the next one asap
Zoë
507 reviews8 followers
The Girl from the Other Side was an atmospheric read, blending precious mundane moments with grimdark and mysterious elements. It was easy to get into the captivating story. The artwork was stunning.
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Estibaliz
2,198 reviews66 followers
Oh boy, I'm not even sure what happened here... maybe one of those 'it's not you, it's me' cases... But the truth is I wasn't able to get engaged with, or emotionally invested on this story, very slow and predictable on its few twists and turns. The idea is quite good and the relationship between Shiva and Teacher, one that by its cuteness should make for a more touching story that what I felt this was. Also, the art felt pretty inconsistent, beautiful at times, but too dark and muddled at others, which can make things confusing. Over all, I'd wish I had picked a format other than the Deluxe edition, with its 500+ pages. Oh well, that's it for me.
Kelsey MacSkimming
116 reviews9 followers
My first ever Manga! I decided to read this to fit a reading prompt of "a genre outside my comfort zone." I had a hard time thinking of what would qualify because even though I definitely have my favorite genres, I usually will still read just about anything - fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, classic, mystery, thriller, romance, contemporary, historical, YA, adult, poetry, etc... But then I was watching a video from one of my favorite book YouTubers, Hannah Azerang and she discussed this series and said, "spooky and gothic vibes mixed with themes of loneliness and isolation and an eerie art style make for the perfect combination in a series I will definitely be continuing." That was enough for me to want to give it a try! I really loved the fantasy setting, the beautiful art, and especially the gorgeous edition that I purchased. The characters are sweet, and the storyline overall is quiet, reflective, and definitely spooky. Teacher is by far my favorite character so far, and I am looking forward to continuing the series to learn more about his origin story and that of the Outsiders. I also liked that even though this was a 500+ page book, it was a super quick read. There are a couple reasons why this wasn't five stars for me. First, being my first Manga experience, I don't feel like I have anything to compare it to. It was really good, but was it five-stars-good? I might have to explore other series to know for sure. Second, the dialogue seemed somewhat odd and unnatural to me. Again, I don't know if this is typical of Manga because I don't have any frame of reference. I don't know if this is what the author intended or if something was lost in translation. But it sometimes just pulled me out of the story thinking about what an odd way they were talking to each other. I have browsed through other Manga series to see if there are others out there that sound interesting to me to continue exploring this type of work, but haven't yet found anything that intrigues me, so I will keep looking. Any recommendations are welcome!
Adam Stone
1,855 reviews27 followers
This is a really sweet story that falls somewhere between a non-Grimm fairy tale and a Miyazaki film. The very basic premise of their being two societies, one a sort of timeless fable world of humans, and the other a forest filled with cursed beings who pass on their affliction through touch, is one of those metaphors for children that is so basic that if a child has read this book, and learns about metaphors in school, they'd likely raise their hand and suggest this book as an example of metaphors without any prompting. One of the cursed creatures from The Outside is raising an Inside girl who was abandoned by the forest, and who is waiting for her auntie to collect her and bring her back Inside. The cursed creature dotes on her and tries to provide the best life he can for her, while researching what happened that led to the Inside/Outside split, and how the curse came to be. The art is beautifully sketchy. It's one of those books that should probably never be colorized, as the black/white dichotomy is important to the Inside/Outisde storyline (but not in an overtly racist way). This is a safe read for a yonger reader who's interested in manga, as it's ... scary but probably not at the level where they'd have nightmares, and it' doesn't contain strong language, anything sexual, or graphic violence (though there is at least one scene with aggressive violence, the black and white art mutes it). If you're looking for a fun, somewhat spooky manga that isn't going to stress you out, this is an easy recommendation.
- manga non-superhero-comics young-adult
Aidan Tryon
1 review
"The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún" is a manga series that has a way of ensnaring your imagination from the very beginning. With its first three volumes, it invites you into a world that is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply mysterious, leaving you hungry for more. Nagabe's artwork is nothing short of breathtaking. The way it captures the stark contrast between the innocence of young Shiva and the enigmatic, shadowy realm of the Outsiders is simply mesmerizing. Each page is a work of art, with details that you can get lost in, and a mood that's as enchanting as it is eerie. But it's not just the visuals that make this manga exceptional; it's the story itself. It's a slow, deliberate exploration of profound themes like loneliness, prejudice, and the extraordinary bonds that can form in the most unlikely of circumstances. The relationship between Shiva and Teacher is the beating heart of the series, and it's a testament to the idea that compassion knows no boundaries. The world Nagabe has created is immersive and unsettling. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, always anticipating the next revelation. There's a constant sense of foreboding, but beneath it all, there's a glimmer of hope that keeps you turning the pages.
- manga
Jessica ❀
373 reviews13 followers
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🖤found family Summary: Overall thoughts:
🖤light vs dark
🖤war between gods
🖤cursed
There is a god of light and a god of dark. The god of light cursed the god of dark. The god of dark then spread his curse to humankind. So now there is the “inside”, where the un-cursed live. And the “outside”, where the “outsiders” or cursed live. There is a little girl caught between both world named Shiva who was abandoned on the outside and taken in by “teacher”, who is an outsider. Shiva is … special, but nobody quite knows why.
This story was so cute, yet meaningful at the same time. The battle between light and dark is a tale as old as time, but yet the creator found a way to make it more intriguing and add their own spin to it. Shiva is adorable, inquisitive, and brave. Teacher is … idk what to make of him fully yet, but I love how he is with Shiva. The art style is so gorgeous, I spent more time just staring at the art than reading the words. I will most definitely be continuing this story.
- manga
Haiiiii its Noiiya!!!
204 reviews2 followers
Everything about this book was amazing. First off the art style is straight up spectacular, reminiscent of Ronald dahls style for James and the giant peach. The artstyle both are cutesy yet eerie, I love it! Secondly this is by far the prettiest book ever, cover is amazing and the detailing is so pretty! Also the inside of the hardcover is so pretty and the drawings all correspond to the story and mini comics in it. Certainly pricey but definitely amazing. Also the story is gold, the author keeps things shrouded in mystery but it leaves you wanting more and more. It seriously is so good! There are so many questions that appear and the story is so investing. Also I love the teacher, his characterization as a guardian is perfect, how protective he is is amazing. I love the morally greyness of him and auntie. This book is amazing and I’d kill to read this again for the first time.
- favorites my-books
Nazish Ahmed (Nazish Reads)
784 reviews38 followers
I rate this 4.5 stars. Last year I read the single edition of vol. 1 to see if I would like it enough to buy and read this edition. These editions are so expensive so I couldn't buy them unless I knew that I'm enjoying the story and will continue reading the series. From that one single volume, I was intrigued by the story and it looked very wholesome, adorable and a little sad. This review will be similar to my review of the single volume with a few differences for vol. 2 and 3. When I read what it was about, it was under the genre gothic fantasy (which immediately got my attention). From the synopsis, I got the feeling that this story will be like a fairy tale and feel similar to the old Gods. I’ve been obsessed with ancient religions and myths since I was a little kid. I don’t know if this story or creatures in here are based on anything or if they are completely from the mangaka’s imagination, I’m loving it so far and while reading it, it felt like a classic fairy tale, the atmosphere also had a slightly creepy feeling to it. The art is so beautiful and I love the clear contrast of black and white in the art. You have the little girl who is an inside (a normal human) and you have the all black teacher who is an outsider (those who are cursed and turned into monsters), yet neither of them are evil, they just care about each other, regardless of what the other looks like. It’s really sad that they can’t touch each other, otherwise she would be cursed as well. Something bad happened to him in the past and you can tell that before she came along, he was really lonely😭 He cares so much about her that he can’t bare to see her sad, he even tried to bake to make her feel better after something terrifying happened to her. I’ve only read 15 chapters so far and I’m already invested and love their father-daughter relationship so much😭😊 I like that the chapters are a good length. They’re 30-40 pages long. I mentioned in my review of Love and Heart vol. 1 that I don’t like really long chapters, to me long chapters are more than 40 pages long. So the chapters in this book are the perfect length. I really like the two main characters. Their relationship is so adorable and a little sad because they can’t touch each other and you see throughout these chapters that Shiva really wants to touch him like hugging and stuff but she can’t because of the curse. It’s always so heartbreaking in stories where the characters can’t even touch each other (usually it’s between characters who fall in love with each other), it’s even more here because she’s a little kid and kids need human contact (or in this case, contact with another being) growing up and being a little kid it just feels more unfair😭 He also has to find ways to comfort her without touching her and when she passes out, he can't even pick her up and put her on the bed😭 I can’t hate the humans in this either despite horrible things the King has told the soldiers to do because it shows how humans react to things we are unfamiliar with or things that we think are evil or will hurt us, especially hundreds of years ago, which is what the setting seems like to me. Also, it’s like those zombie movies. A character's loved one is infected and they have no choice but to kill them, no matter how painful it is but there's really no need to since the ones we've seen seem harmless and sweet. I feel like the humans' way of thinking is similar in this. The difference is that at least this outsider has feelings and doesn’t want to hurt anyone. So we can’t help but side with him and Shiva. This doesn’t mean that I like those humans, I don’t have much of an opinion on them since we only see them for a few pages. I’m just saying that their behaviour is realistic and makes sense. If I read this as a teenager, I would have immediately hated them but now that I’m almost 30, I try not to hate characters and real people so quickly like a kid would. I wonder if there will be a villain. There are definitely antagonists but no villains yet. I had thought that the one Shiva calls teacher was actually her aunt but I was wrong. So now I'm wondering who he really is, what his story and what did the King mean by "child of revelation"?🤔 Overall, I really enjoyed this volume and will definitely get vol. 2 which contains vol. 4-6. I loved the gothic, slightly creepy atmosphere, the feeling that I’m reading a fairy tale (it probably could be considered a fairy tale), the characters and their sweet adorable parent-child relationship. And of course, the beautiful art. I can’t wait to see what will happen next and what the teacher’s past was like. I keep feeling that he might have been someone who knew Shiva or her family or maybe he’s her real father?🤔 I always spoil things for myself by searching the internet for answers but I’m going to try very hard not to this time. I want to experience this story the way it’s meant to be experienced. It's only 11 plus 1 bonus volume long which means 4 deluxe volumes so I don't have long to wait if I don't take too long to read the other books like I usually do (I'm so bad at finishing series). Vol 3 is coming out in April but I'm not sure when the last volume is coming out. I am going to go order vol. 2 right now. This is a good book (or the 3 in 1 deluxe version) to read during the fall season, it feels very Halloween/folk tale/fairy tale like. Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazishreads, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
- books-i-read-in-2023 gothic-novels manga-myster
Claire Teets
79 reviews
a curse from the god of darkness turns one into a dark, deer monster and infects anyone touched. a small girl gets abandoned on the outside of her fortified and heavily patrolled kingdom while sparing her life due to the fact that she was accused of being cursed but was left with a note stating that she supposedly does not have the curse after all and the people are overreacting out of fear. shiva is cared for by a kind cursed man whom she calls teacher and things go seemingly as smoothly as they could until young shiva is spotted by royal troops surveying the nearby forest
Cass
31 reviews
This edition is just beautiful. I love the relationship between the characters and the art gives the story such style. I do wish the story was deeper, but that may happen as I get further into the series.
chris
533 reviews10 followers
woww wow I LOVE this. there's this one little detail, in one of the panels, where he is discreetly holding onto his own tail to keep it away from shiva so they don't accidentally touch, and it's the stuff like that that I can't stop thinking about
- manga