12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful art + terrific characters = superb manga!, January 23, 2005
The reviews of Crescent Moon all seem a little tepid to me, so I'd like to right that by writing a properly effusive review of this truly superb manga. First of all, Haruko Iida's art is gorgeous and highly reminiscent - but not derivative - of Brian Froud. I can't understand the reviews that state the art is "too cutesy" (it is actually less cutesy than typical shojo manga) or that the characters "sure aren't good-looking" - again, the style is different from usual shojo, but the characters all have features that connect them to their demon selves (such as Misoka the fox spirit, with his long slits for eyes), and many of the characters have a delicate, ethereal beauty that threatens to float off the page and fly into the heavens!
The story, by Takamura Matsuda, is somewhat archetypal, but that's the beauty of it. Mahiru was orphaned very young and ever since has been haunted by recurring dreams and visions. When she's a high school junior, she finally discovers why: she's a descendant of the Lunar Princess and is destined to help the Lunar Race recover the Teardrops of the Moon that were stolen by the humans many years ago. The demons are the good guys! Mahiru must come to terms with her newly-found powers while gaining confidence in herself and learning about her people's past. Meanwhile, the reader comes to know a charming rogue's gallery of characters, such as Nozomu the vampire and Mitsura the tegura (a sort of Japanese ogre with command of the winds). Akira the werewolf is the most endearing werewolf you will ever meet! The demons' names, personalities, and physical characteristics all reflect their demon selves (for instance, Nozomu means "desire that never ends"). The story has depth but isn't confusing, and action is deftly interpolated with touching and humorous moments.
Run, don't walk, to get ahold of the four currently-published volumes of Crescent Moon. You'll be glad you did!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING!, June 14, 2006
This series is spectacular, not only is the artwork amazing, but the storyline and characters are gripping too! And as to the allegations of this being about a girl being groped by her schoolmates, there is absoloutely no sexual content in there AT ALL. Guys don't be put off, there's plenty of humour and action, I'm not a fan of really girly books either but I looooved this. This series really stands apart from the others, it's worth buying even just for the artwork alone. Even if you just buy a cheap used copy to give it a go, this is a definate must. I guarantee you'll be hooked!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better Than Expected, June 2, 2005
I got this book at first because I was semi-interested. In finishing the book I was left wanting more. Though it is confusing as to who is what character at times I still greatly enjoyed the plot and the characters (even if I wasn't exactly sure who they were). After reading it I lent it to a few of my friends, and all that have read it are begging me to get the rest of the series as soon as possible. I highly recomend it to anyone who is looking for a good fantastical manga.
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