Ceres: Celestial Legend, Vol. 1: Aya [Paperback]

Yuu Watase (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2002

Aya and her twin brother Aki thought they were going to a celebration of their sixteenth birthday at their grandfather's home, but the funeral-like atmosphere tips them off that something's not right. Their "birthday present" turns out to be a mummified hand--the power of which forces an awakening within Aya, and painful wounds all over Aki's body! Grandfather Mikage announces that Aki will be heir to the Mikage fortune, and Aya must die! But Aya has allies in the athletic cook and martial artist Yûhi, and the attractive, mysterious Tôya. But can even two handsome and resourceful guys save Aya when it's her own power that's out of control?

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A manga artist for over ten years, Yuu Watase's debut came in 1989 at the age of 18 when her short story Pajama de Ojama (An Intrusion in Pajamas) appeared in the monthly Sh?jo Comic manga anthology. Since then she has written and drawn some 50 volumes worth of different short stories and long-running manga series, including the fantastically popular Fushigi Y?gi, also available in English from VIZ. Her works have provided the basis for two television series, an OVA series, anime soundtrack CDs, and a string of novels. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (March 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569316961
• ISBN-13: 978-1569316962
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,232,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wow! a must read!, April 1, 2002

By 

Heather (united states) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ceres: Celestial Legend, Vol. 1: Aya (Paperback)

Ayashi no Ceres' first volume promises the series to be a hit like Yu Watase's other famous work, Fushigi Yuugi. Ceres has a love triangle in the Fushigi Yuugi style, but the story is much darker. There is more blood and violence, and much less slapstick humor. The main character, Aya, is maturer than Miaka from fushigi yuugi (except she seems to fall hopelessly for one guy immediatly like Miaka did) Basically the plot is about the twins, Aya and Aki, who on their 16th birthday recieve a pretty weird present from their family that awakens strange powers in both of them. Suddenly Aya's family is trying to kill her, and she must run or be killed. Some parts of this manga actually reminded me of scream. ^_^ It's been called a horror, but I'de say it's a dark drama. Don't worry- there is some humor in it! More Mature humor though, so combined with the blood and stuff, I would say just use your own discretion. Overall, this was a great manga so buy it today!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The darker side to legends!!, March 22, 2002

By 

J. Reel "kingtutcats" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ceres: Celestial Legend, Vol. 1: Aya (Paperback)

This series, being from the same creator of Fushigi Yugi is just as well written and illustrated. The story of a girl named Aya, who is forced to run for her life from her family on her 16th birthday, because she has become a "celestial being", what is a celestial being? Supposedly some sort of angel. In this volume it isn't too detailed on why her family would want to kill her because of the fact that she is a "heavenly maiden", I'm sure that will come later in the story. Of course there is a love story, Aya who is saved by a mysterious stranger named Touya, ends up falling for him. Of course there is so much more in this volume. Aya has a twin brother, who is supposed to be the reincarnated lover of the celestial angel that she has been reincarnated as. Weird?, yes!, but still very good, I can't wait to find out the true story of the Celestial maiden, and I can't wait to see the love blossom between Aya and Touya. If your a big fan of Fushigi Yugi, you have to get this!! Of course it's not as lighthearted, but still a fantastic series, if your new to this author's work, do yourself a favor. Be a little adventurous and get yourself this book. Trust me, you won't be dissapointed!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Summary & Review, July 29, 2003

By 

Sniima - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ceres: Celestial Legend, Vol. 1: Aya (Paperback)

This series begins the day before twins Aya and Aki Mikage's sixteenth birthday. Aya goes to an acclaimed fortune teller, only to get a seemingly ridiculous message. "In your future, Aya Mikage, you will be ruled by the star of darkness. I see blood, anger, devastation and sorrow...the destruction of all balance in the world. On the day the sixteenth star and moon align, your desiny will overtake you. Whether light or darkness triumphs is up to the great power of life you have within you."

However, that is only the beginning of the strangeness. When Aya recover's a woman's purse from a fleeing theif, she falls twenty feet from an overpass into a road. She doesn't just fall, though-she floats. Dazed, Aya stands in the street as a car rushes towards her. Enter Toya. He knocks Aya out of the car's path, saving her life. When her friends reach her, Toya disappears into the crowd.

Aya and Aki make plans with their friends to go out for karaoke for their birthday, but when the twins reach home, they are told by their parents that they have to go to their grandfather's house instead.

When they arrive at Grandfather's the next day, Aya and Aki are surprised to find all of their relatives sitting at a long table, dressed in black. Toya appears and puts a box down in front of them. Aya is surprisingly nervous, feeling her heart beat faster. Aki opens the box. Within it is a sort of shriveled up hand. The sight of it causes Aya to change for the first of what will be many times-into Ceres, a Heavenly Maiden. The mummified hand explodes. Breathing hard, Aya returns to her normal self. Confused, she turns to Aki. But something is happening to him, as well. Cuts appear all over his body and he slumps forward, unconscious and bleeding, onto the table.

Aya begs her relatives for help, but no one moves. Grandfather assures her that Aki will not die. No. She must die.

Ayashi no Ceres, known in English as Ceres: Celestial Legend is a dark, suspenseful manga, full of interesting storylines. Aya tries to conquer the celestial blood that runs through her veins, as Aki tries to recover and figure out what is going on. Suzumi-who shares a special bond with Aya-and Yuhi, Suzumi's brother in law, try to keep Aya safe from her kin. Toya is trying to find himself while forced to serve the Mikages, whose only desire is to see Aya dead and harness Aki's innate power.

One becomes easily addicted to this wonderful series. Not only does one want to know once and for all what exactly is going on, but one becomes endeared to the characters and wants to stay with them. It isn't all horror and drama. There is comic relief and romance thrown into the mix, as well. The art is beautifully drawn and all of the characters are, well, attractive. Shojo readers will love this for the relationship between the ditzy, confused Aya and mysterious Toya, or the comedic one between Aya and Yuhi. Others will simply enjoy the mystery, drama, and horror that is the framework of the story. It is my personal belief that nearly anyone would enjoy this series, and I highly recommend it.