By
Leroy Douresseaux
May 20, 2013 - 12:16
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| Akaneiro #1 cover image - art by Shu Yan |
“The Path of Cloak and Wolf” Part 1 of 3
Dark Horse Comics is producing a comic book adaptation of the dark fantasy game, Akaneiro: Demon Hunters, a version of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale set in feudal Japan. The comic book adaptation is entitled Akaneiro, and is written by Justin Aclin and drawn by Vasilis Lolos.
Akaneiro #1 opens on Yomi Island, the home of the Ainu people, who were the first to settle Nippon. The island is beset by yokai, who will destroy humanity if too many enter the world. The Red Hunters of the Order of Akane hunt and kill yokai, maintaining a balance, but the Ainu and Red Hunters, at best, only tolerate each other.
Kani is a half-Ainu girl (on her late mother’s side) who lives with her father, a shabby ronin. Her lineage makes her an outcast to the Ainu, but an Ainu ceremony, the Iomante, will change Kani’s life.
THE LOWDOWN: I can’t tell how much Little Red Riding Hood is in Akaneiro, but the influences of feudal Japan-set fiction, as well as Japanese folklore and mythology are clear. Honestly, I did not find Akaneiro interesting at first, but once Kani begins her journey, the story takes a nice, wicked turn. At that turning point, it seems as if the Japanese folklore aspect lessens. Now, Akaneiro has a Sam Raimi-Army of Darkness vibe.
Two things to keep me coming back are, first, artist Vasilis Lolos’ peculiar, but compelling drawing style. The second thing is that the part of the story that begins in the last seven pages is just too good to be left hanging.
POSSIBLE AUDIENCE: Fans of dark fantasy and of yokai comics will want Akaneiro.
Rating: 8 / 10
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