Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the cover image for Haridama.

Rating “T” for “Ages 13+”

Hokuyo and Harika are sorcery students at Sekiei Magic Cram School, which marks them as inferior students.  Hokuyo and Harika are “Obsidians,” wizards who must use enchanted swords to cast spells, whereas sorcerers usually only need their hands to manipulate yin and yang.  Other sorcery students make a point of mocking them, but when Hokuyo and Harika gain entry into a high-level sorcery exam, they show everyone just what the so-called inferior students can do.

Manga-ka Atsushi Suzumi’s Haridama: Magic Cram School is not only an entertaining magical action fantasy, but it’s also what can be described as an inspirational story.  Personally, I think it’s wonderful to see a comic book in which people that are considered mentally, skillfully, and genetically inferior disapprove critics and bigots.  After all, it’s not what Hokuyo and Harika were born as that determines their success, but what they achieve through their determination and hard work.

I did notice this:  The male character, Hokuyo, is essentially the lead character.  While he tends to be lazy as a student, it is the female Harika who knows from the beginning that their destiny is in their hands if they fight for it.  Working together, each friend’s strength will make up for each other’s weakness, and they can begin working towards a future on their own terms.

B+