Black Bird, Volumes 1-4

August 19, 2010

In my return to visiting the local library, I've been able to start reading several of the newer series being released by Viz Media under its "Shojo Beat" imprint.  Among them is Black Bird , a series written by Kanoko Sakurakoji (author of Backstage Prince) that has been serialized in Betsucomi since January 2007. It is still an on-going series, with eleven volumes released in Japan so far. Viz has released the first five volumes in English, and my library had the first four so my views will be based on those.  The general premise of Black Bird is not new: teengage girl learns that she has special powers that makes her the target of demons.

Misao is a high school girl who is fairly normal, other than having the "sight" enabling her to see and be teased by ghosts and other supernatural beings. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, she learns that she is a very special person for demons: if a demon drinks her blood, it will give them a long life; if it eats her, it will gain eternal youth, and if the demon marries her, his clan will prosper.  Suffice to say, demons begin coming out in force, seeking one of the three options.  Among them is Kyo, her childhood friend and the head of the tengu (crow) demons.  When they were kids, he promised to return and make her his bride, though Misao is initially disappointed as the seemingly crude pervert he's become, and she had completely forgotten that he is demon. Kyo becomes her protector and her seducer, while Misao tries to work out her feelings and figure out if he actually loves her or just wants her to strengthen his clan like everyone else. Once she does reconcile how she feels,  she isn't ready to become a bride immediately, and both worry about what the effect on her will be. Meanwhile every clan is sending their leaders to try to either kill her or rape her to make her their bride, as do Kyo's enemies.

One of the first thing one may notice about this series is that every cover has Misao wearing a white kimono in a suggestive pose with Kyo, who is in black, and blood splattering her clothings and usually his cheek, though it seems to be in a decreasing amount in subsequent volumes. Despite the blood, the covers are hot, and even with the blood, they are certainly representative of this series. Kyo frequently teases and taunts Misao sexually, particularly after she admits that she still loves him, while Misao alternates between being annoyed by his seemingly one-track mind, and craving it. Misao is hurt repeatedly during the first four volumes by various demons seeking to kill and eat her, or torment Kyo.  To heal her wounds, Kyo licks them, which is apparently both painful and erotic for them both.  Misao can also heal any wounds he sustains by kissing him, only upping the heat even more. 

In some ways, it reminds me of Sensual Phrase, with the heat level and the frequent attacks on Misao. The general plot set up also reminds me quite a bit of Mugen Spiral, but Black Bird also has its own uniqueness with its story. While Misao and Kyo are growing eager to wed, both are also considering things often brushed over in similar series: what will happen to Misao when she becomes a demon's bride, what about leaving her family and friends, and can she actually handle being Kyo's wife.  There is one scene where Kyo kills another demon for Misao, which becomes a test for them both as to whether she will be abel to handle such a life. While she cries quite a bit, she also begins gaining her own inner strength as she realizes that she wants to be Kyo's partner and equal in their relationship, not just the girl he is always protecting.  Kyo is also nicely layered, seeming to play the horny demon, while caring a great deal for Misao and, as we soon learn, went through extrodinary lengths to ensure he could be with her. The "bad guys" include some complex characters whose motivations and loyalties are not always clear.

The series artwork is nicely drawn, with the main characters attractive and distinct. Some of the secondary characters are a little less distinctive from one another, but on the whole it does not detract from the work. Viz's release follows its usual quality standards, and I didn't notice any typos or printing issues. Each volume includes some nice notes in the back to explain the series many cultural references, which I always appreciate. I can certainly see why this series is currently a best seller, both in Japan and here, and won its author the 54th Shogakukan Manga Award.  I hope my library gets volume five soon, as I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

Rating: A

viewed 115 times