Basara, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Yumi Tamura (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (August 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156931974X
• ISBN-13: 978-1569319741
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who is the Real Child of Destiny?, January 18, 2004

By 

Shanshad "shanachie_shadowfax" (Discworld) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Basara, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

In this post-apocalyptic view of the future, Japan is ruled by an oppressive king and his four sons. The people have been reduced back to a medieval-like society, and wait in hope for the child of Destiny to come-the one who will make the desert bloom again and bring about a revolution. When twins are born, the soothsayer announces that "this is the child of destiny". Everyone believes that the boy twin is the chosen one. Sarasa, his twin sister is overshadowed and all but forgotten. She wonders what her own role is to be, whether she is simply the scraps left over. But when tragedy strikes the village, Sarasa is forced into a role she never expected to be hers-and must become a leader to her people.

Basara is Yumi Tamura's 27 volume action-adventure shojo series, following the adventures of Sarasa on her quest. Tam-Tam defines "basara" as "a free but noble spirit who disavows established authority and rejects the restrictions of convention". If, as a graphic novel reader, you're tired of school-uniformed heroines that need rescuing and overly cutesy artistry, this may be for you. While clearly a shojo, or "girl-focused" manga series, Tamura's heroine is a strong and capable young woman facing believable dilemmas, and challenges. Of course, there are plenty of cute men around to keep the romance factor in the story, but there's also plenty of violence and action that keep the story moving forward.

Tam-Tam's gritty saga is well drawn, although she opts for a less highly detailed style that leaves an almost impressionistic feel, and allows the reader to fill in the back ground for themselves. The style is not "pretty" as it may be in some manga, but this meshes with the story themes, which are not pretty either. Admittedly, there are plenty of big eyes and wild hair-so if the reader prefers a more sedate and realistic look, this may not appeal. Like most authentic manga, this book reads right to left. Scattered through the story are little notes called "Tam-Tam time" from the author herself, these allow for a chance to lighten the mood as well see the story from the mind of Tamura herself.

If you like this first volume, good news! There are twenty-six more volumes to come. Also check out Tamura's 2-book manga series, CHICAGO. While not as detailed and epic as BASARA, it still features Tam-Tam's trademark action-adventure style with a strong heroine as the main character.

Happy Reading! Shanshad ^_^

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute excellence, January 25, 2004

By 

Kylara "Kylara" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basara, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Sometime far, far in the future, the land of Japan as we know it is gone. For a young girl named Sarasa, her land is a brutal sun shining over a vast desert, divided into the control of the Emperor and his sons. For Sarasa's land, the tyrant that controls her desert is the Red King, who has been a constant malevolent presence in her simple village.

Sarasa's twin brother, Tatara, has an incredible destiny before him, as he was predicted to be a child of light that would lead their people to revolution. However, Sarasa is ignored in favor of the one who holds the hopes of the people. However, the brilliant and cruel Red King - a teenage boy only a few years older than herself - is well aware of the prophecy, and has Tatara brutally killed. Sarasa thus momentously declares that *she* is Tatara, and that now is the time to rebel against the Red King.

Here, the story begins: Sarasa must unite the people of Japan under the name "Tatara", and rebel against the Emperor and his sons. Her own particular demon is the Red King, the personal cause of her tragedy. At the same time, she is a fifteen year old girl, after all, and she comes to love a handsome and capricious young man named Shuri. Sarasa is, unfortunately, ignorant of the fact that the name of the Red King is Shuri, just as he is ignorant of the fact that the intriguing young woman he loves is the wearer of the robes of Tatara. The emotional seesaw here is enough to shred my heart into small pieces.

The epic (for this is can only be called epic) series begins with the definition of Basara: "a free but noble spirit who disavows established authority and rejects the restrictions of convention." Derived from a word meaning diamond, this series surely is that - a diamond that is unconventional, beautiful, and true. The story runs through 25 volumes, and is finished up with two volumes of side stories that detail character moments and such.

I can't say how wonderful this manga is. In romance, adventure, human emotion, fighting, politics, art, humor - in every category I can think of, it's brilliant. There is something about Basara and its timelessly elegant story, its fresh comedy and painful romance that strikes me every time I read it. Some complain that the art is rough and unusual - and it is, but it's beautiful. Whether it is in SD-form or reminescent of old Japanese paintings and scrolls, it is unsurpassable.

As for plot, it's already intriguing - but the diamond of Basara lies in the characters. Sarasa is passionate, honest, and determined, with a nearly unbreakable will to succeed. And she is normal, as we see in her caring for her loved ones, her love and confusion for Shuri, and the undiluted rage she has against the Red King. The supporting characters are wonderful as well, in a myriad of personalities, goals, and desires.

The cast, the plot, the art, the dialogue, all culminating in a beautiful ending that made me weep: there is no manga series that I can recommend more.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Exciting Epic Manga! A Must Read!, July 20, 2004

By 

Kaikane "Shoujo Addict" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basara, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Basara is NOT your typical Shoujo manga. No..it's not about your magical girl power with a team of other girls as sidekicks. Nor is it about a girl who got trapped into a different world. This manga defies your typical Shoujo.

This Shoujo is a tale about a girl named Sasara who must disguise herself as a boy ( Basara) to lead a revolution, help her people build a new world after her village and her loved ones were killed by the Red King. To give her people hope, Sasara disguised herself as her dead brother, Tatara who was supposed to be the child of destiny. This is how Sasara's journey & adventure began with her people.

Each volume depicts how Sasara develop relationship with people, how she gains the love & respect from her followers. Sasara's passion and determination is so inspiring and unforgettable.

Witness Sasara's struggle, she constantly battles with her emotions and her will to lead. Sasara leads battle after battle, outwit her enemies like a capable general. Yet her heart remains to be a woman's heart that needs to be fulfilled, loved.

In Basara there is the star crossed romance factor between Sasara & The Red King ( Shuri).They remain as lovers not knowing each other's identity, and when that truth is reveald.... in the future they must fight each other for the cause of their people & their ambition.

Basara is a brilliant manga, with unforgettable characters, a beautiful epic story, filled with tragedy, love, battles within the heart & the field. A Must Read!