The end of September is almost here, which means it’s once again time for Experiments in Manga’s monthly giveaway. This month everyone participating has the opportunity to enter for a chance to win the first volume in Mizuho Kusanagi’s manga series Yona of the Dawn as published in English by Viz Media. And as always, the giveaway is open worldwide!
I generally appreciate a good epic fantasy, but I seem to particularly enjoy those with compelling female leads. Some of the Japanese novels, manga, and anime that I love the most fall into this category, such as Nahoko Uehashi’s Moribito, Fuyumi Ono’s The Twelve Kingdoms, and Yumi Tamura’s Basara to name just a few. One of the most recent manga of this type to be released in English is Mizuho Kusanagi’s Yona of the Dawn which, like Basara, is even more specifically a shoujo fantasy epic. And so, it’s probably not too surprising that I’m looking forward to reading the manga series, and there’s an anime adaptation to watch, too!
So, you may be wondering, how can you win Yona of the Dawn, Volume 1?
1) In the comments below, tell me a little about one of your favorite shoujo fantasy manga with a great female lead. (Haven’t read one? Simply mention that instead.)
2) If you’re on Twitter, you can earn a bonus entry by tweeting, or retweeting, about the contest. Make sure to include a link to this post and @PhoenixTerran (that’s me).
That’s all there is to it. Those participating can earn up to two entries for the giveaway and have one week to submit comments. Comments can be sent directly to phoenixterran(at)gmail(dot)com if you have trouble using the comment form or if you would prefer. I will then post those comments here in your name. The winner of the giveaway will be randomly selected and announced on October 5, 2016. Good luck!
VERY IMPORTANT: Include some way that I can contact you. This can be an e-mail address in the comment form, a link to your website, Twitter username, or whatever. If I can’t figure out how to get a hold of you and you win, I’ll just draw another name.
Contest Winner Announced–Manga Giveaway: Yona of the Dawn Giveaway Winner
From Far Away is one of my personal favorites, I love the lead girl so much! She really is a girl of average skill and intelligence, but having a positive attitude without being annoying really does somehow make her special. She is in no way a badass fighter, like I’m used to with Sarasa or Youko, but she’s still awesome.
Honestly, I think I haven’t read a manga in that genre yet that’s why I would love to win this giveaway. I was wondering how the story flows in this genre. I’ve been an Otaku since I don’t know when. And I would love to have a manga since I don’t have any. I think that’s all I could say. Thanks.
Red River by Chie Shinohara is one of my personal favorites. Yuri starts out as such a naive, but stubborn teenager and then blossoms into a really strong leader. I love history and especially adore ancient Egypt and the Middle East.
I’d love to read more of Shinohara’s works in English, but most of her great titles are over a decade or 2 decades old and will probably never get an English release. -_-
I really like shirayuki from Akagami no shirayuki home, she’s really strong willed and works hard to earn her place besides the one she loves.
Oh! And also another fave of mine is of course Sakura from card captor samurai, an icon of fantasy/magical shojo manga 😊@nanapo_94
All three girls from Magic Knight Rayearth, but especially Hikaru, stand out to me. I liked that Hikaru ended up driven not by something abstract like “justice” or “love” but the desire to act in a way she wouldn’t regret.
Mine’s Kamisama Kiss, Nanami was a breath of fresh air from previous shojo fantasy mangas that I’ve read. She’s adorable in her relationship with Tomoe too ^_^
Ive watched the anime for Akatsuki no Yona and was hooked right away, all the charas including (Yona – her character development is amazing) are absolutely lovely!
I haven’t really read a fantasy shoujo yet. The closest I can think of is The Ancient Magus Bride, which I think is closer to josei. It’s a great manga with lovely art and an atmosphere that just sucks you in. Highly recommended, and for those reading it, the recently released OVA is great!
Retweeted @inter4ever_7
funny… it’s easier to think of fav fantasy shoujo with terrible female leads (coughFushigiYuugicough)
but there’s damn plenty of great ones!! Such as CLAMP’s take on Neverending Story as an RPG: aka Magic Knight Rayearth
tweet tweet: https://twitter.com/persoconchii/status/781269027645710336
I’m really tempted to put Yona despite not even reading it yet just because I loved the anime so much, but I’ll go with The Story of Saiunkoku. I don’t remember if it has any actual fantasy elements, but it’s a high fantasy reverse-harem about a women who is determined to be her country’s first female civil servant, and no one’s going to stop her from achieving her goals. What’s not to love about trail-blazing women
retweeted here: twitter.com/watoonya/status/781138359053721600
I actually only started reading manga a few years ago and haven’t reached this genre yet so I haven’t read anything from this genre but it’s on my long manga tbr list.
Twitter retweet: https://twitter.com/PhoenixTerran/status/781138359053721600
I’m in love with shoujo fantasy. Some of my favorites are Fuyumi Ono’s The Twelve Kingdoms, Chie Shinohara’s Red River, Mizuho Kusanagi’s Yona of the Dawn and a few more. The heroines in these series are strong and this is how I like it. I totally dislike the ‘damsel in distress’ type.
The Twelve Kingdoms is a great story with great characters. How I would have loved to read it till the end but sadly only a few volumes were licensed.
Years ago, I’d have added Fushigi Yuugi as one of my favorites but I grew out of it and don’t find it as interesting as I used to back in the day. @RenKyoko
Alice 19th by Yuu Watase. It’s rare to see a manga heroine whose greatest issue is getting over genuine shyness and self-doubt. Her whole story is about literally learning the power of words and communication. Alice spends her whole life thinking she’s not the strong one until it turns out that she is, moreso than she ever imagined. The manga also explores the relationship between sisters in a way that I rarely see in any media. The combination of love and rivalry is interesting and refreshing.
I haven’t read any (licensed) shoujo fantasy in a while. Please Save My Earth and From Far Away are both old favourites, with protagonists that fit the everygirl shoujo archetype while still being likeable. Joou no Hana is probably the most recent unlicensed title I’ve been following, which is by the same artist as Seiho Boys’ High School. The lead strikes a great balance between relatability and wish fulfilment, with much of the plot pivotinh on her ability to strategize both politically and in battle. I’d *love* to see more of this genre licensed, especially shoujo fantasy set in unique worlds.
I’m afraid that I haven’t read any manga of this genre. However, I’m always willing to try new manga.
Does Fruits Basket count as a fantasy? Kinda, right? what with transforming members of the Chinese Zodiac and all. I love Tohru, who initially comes across as too sweet to be realistic, but as we get further into the story, we learn that she has her own issues that she struggles with. It makes her character that much more powerful when we learn that she’s not as perfect as she appears, but yet holds it together. I also like airhead Kobato from CLAMP’s Kobato because she’s just adorable. And of course Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura. So many good heroines out there!
Not an expert of the shoujo genre, i only watched some mahou shoujo anime, like CCS or Sailor Moon. However i’m a big fan of the fantasy genre, so even if it’s a shoujo, i think it would be fine :)
Retwitted @MauroPellencin
Hmm… Most of the time, the female leads start out as weak until they finally come to terms with their situation and begin to fight for what’s right. Or to save themselves, haha. I liked Sailor Moon protag most of all. Usagi’s development as a character is what kept me interested throughout the story. She went from being a dimwitted bratty cry baby to the savior of the world and she matured a lot as well. Though to be honest, I try not to label characters by whose strong and try to just see them as who they are as characters. They’re especially better if they’re relatable, in my opinion. Like an audience surrogate, so that the reader can imagine what it’s like to be in their shoes. And by that, they aren’t required to be strong characters.
Posted @Homolily
https://mobile.twitter.com/homolilly/status/782081832032632832
Here is was trying to remember the shoujo fantasies I know. I only thought of romances slice of life but remembered that I loved Reimei no Arcana. The heroine Nakaba in the manga was strong and wise. She made a good military leader that could properly run a kingdom. She is a very likable person that her citizens would love her.
Nothing in my mind (-.-“) but with all these ideas, surely i am going to try out some. Thanks for the tips!
Mine is Nanami chan from Kamisama Hajimemashita. And although it isn’t a fantasy manga/anime series My all-time favorite character is Sunako chan from Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge :D
Chiming in late, but with all the (deserved hate) for Fushigi Yuugi’s protagonist, I do have to put in a little love for the prequel, Genbu Kaiden. Takiko is a complicated and even initially unlikable heroine who matures greatly during the series.
(Don’t enter me in the giveaway, since I’ve already purchased Yona)