Rei Tōma

Published: November 26, 2015

Genres: Romance, Shojo, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 192

Female Main Character - Adagio

It’s awful that Adagio is starting to develop an insecure over her natural hair. Although it does make me question, “why does she have pink hair?” It is normal for anime characters to have bright coloured hair, but it isn’t elaborated as to why anime characters from the past have dull hair. I guess it’s to keep the historical characters in their natural state.

It’s strange that Water Dragon separates Adagio from the other humans. Even though he classifies humans as awful or fearful beings, there are other humans who are kind like Adagio. It’s only strange to claim a young girl is different to the other humans since naturally she would be different since she’s only a child. If anyone was in the exact same situation as her, they would want to cry out of sadness too. Especially when her family is out of reach.

Secondary Male Main Character - Subaru

As per usual, Subaru has to compete with a fully grown adult for Adagio’s affection. It seems that both Adagio and Subaru have to suffer since Subaru became sick in this volume. Not only that, but he has to suffer from a mother who is heartless to him. If I were to be in either of the child’s situation, I wouldn’t know what to choose. Because either I would have to experience losing my loving parents or living with a parent who murdered a child. In Subaru’s perspective, Water Dragon has done no good for him except for bringing his friend back to life. It’s saddening to watch him try to protect his friend against an immoral adult.

Primary Male Main Character - Water Dragon

If I’m going to be honest, I’m still unaware if Water Dragon is an actual love interest. As for the time being, I don’t think Water Dragon should be considered as a love interest. Throughout both volumes of this series, he is disconnected from his emotions. He only recently discovered the emotion unpleasant and that only shows he is currently incapable of love and affection.

So far, Water Dragon has only helped Adagio because he believes she “belongs to him” in a sense of being the sacrificed bride. Even if he were to have another reason to help her, it would mostly be out of curiosity. Water Dragon seems to becoming progressively more insane, or perhaps that’s him discovering emotions. Either way, Subaru is still a better love interest for Adagio. Not only does Subaru relate to Adagio through their similar age, but their unfortunate trauma.

Overall

Personally, I think Adagio and Subaru were rushed into their teenage years too early, considering they were only children for such short time. I still believe it is a strange romance manga and the bond between Water Dragon and Adagio is even stranger. They’re not lovers nor friends, they’re close enough to say they’re not strangers yet their bond is almost nonexistent. Water Dragon is mostly observing Adagio like it’s the first time he’s witnessed a baby, while Adagio wants to flee the village and return to her parents. Water Dragon acts like she is different from the other humans, but she’s just as fearful and naturally so.