Comics / Manga

7thGarden: Volume 2 manga review

By Leroy Douresseaux
October 22, 2016 - 19:44

7thGarden Volume 2 cover image

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

It is the Age of A.N. (Annu Nuntius), year 78.  In Exive, one of the seven great continents, in the Holy Braith Kingdom, specifically in the village of Karna, there is a young man.  His name is Awyn Gardener, and he protects his beautiful mistress, Mariphiel “Marie” Fiacre.  Awyn lovingly tends the beautiful gardens on her estate, but he is about to discover that there is a demon in the garden.  Vyrde wants to kill six angels and to dominate the world – with Awyn's help

As 7th Garden, Vol. 2 (Chapters 5 to 8) opens, Vyrde and Awyn, puffed up with the power she has given him, barely survive their battle against the powerful angel, Vul.  Later, Awyn learns a little important information from a boy named Iola, who has a surprising connection to Vyrde.  Next, demon and gardener head to Irreign, the country south of Braith.  It is embroiled in regicide, and the duo are about to get caught in the struggles of a young princess.

THE LOWDOWN:  The 7th Garden manga is a dark fantasy shonen manga fulled with beautifully-drawn art.  It is in the vein of shonen fantasy series, Rosario+Vampire, which also has moments of shojo drama.

I find 7th Garden Volume 2 to be more enjoyable than the first volume.  For one thing, much of the narrative is about conflict a.k.a. battle manga, so a little something for the fight fans.  In the chapters herein, creator Mitsu Izumi is also clearer about the combatants and antagonists, including on what Vyrde wants.  This makes the story a bit more solid, and because Vyrde puts the first notch on her belt, this series now seems to be going somewhere.  I still see the possibilities of 7th Garden, but I don't know when this series will hit its stride.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of shonen dark/action fantasy will want to try 7th Garden.

B+

Rating: B+ /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12