Dazzle Volume 1 [Paperback]

Minari Endoh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

A young girl named Rahzel is booted out of her house one day by her father with the instructions to see the world. And so her journey begins to seek her place in the world. However, she wont be doing it alone for she befriends a stoic young man named Alzeid seeking revenge for his fathers murder.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up In this engaging manga, Rahzel is a headstrong, magically gifted 14-year-old whose father has kicked her out of the house so that she might travel and grow from adversity. Alzeid is a reserved and mysterious young man bent on avenging his father's death. The two are drawn together when she inadvertently interferes with Alzeid stopping a thief. Despite his reluctance to take on a partner, they are soon fighting criminals, exorcizing ghosts, and protecting the innocent, but, through inexperience, Rahzel frequently reacts in ways that are unwisely arrogant. Unfortunately, the plot falls a little short. Some episodes occur disjointedly and are not illustrated coherently, and occasionally a character appears without preamble and then disappears just as quickly. However, this weakness can be overlooked in light of the skillful way in which the relationship between the main characters is developed. Against his better judgment, isolated Alzeid begins to care for the unruly Rahzel, and while he expresses exasperation at her frequently over-the-top responses to situations, he is genuinely, if reluctantly, affectionate. Despite appearing scantily clad and suggestively posed in many illustrations, Rahzel is a confident and fully self-aware female. Alzeid's character is a little flat, but hints as to his history are intriguing and show great promise for future books. Heather M. Lisowski, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO
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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598160923
• ISBN-13: 978-1598160925
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The tide-over that became a following...", January 21, 2006

By 

M. Watson "Lady Ashura" (TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dazzle Volume 1 (Paperback)

You know what this manga is about (now, anyway) from the Amazon-provided synopsis, so I won't rehash. I will let you know what it doesn't cover. This manga is actually well, though unusually, drawn, the characters all sport Lolita-complex looks for the most part (guys are just cute and street-creepy: yay!), and the charcters sort of evolve over the entire volume as to their age and expressions.

The main protagonists are both sorcerers, though the guy, Alzeid, rarely relies on his powers. Through a lot of enjoyable bickering, he and Rahzel begin a very sweet, yet very messy relationship/partnership that I, against that society-grown better judgement (circa. America- ugh!), find myself rooting for turning truly romantic (by the way, he's 24. She's... 14 -_-").

Anyway, she's actually NOT a ditz, she's VERY strong, and he's the kind of guy that feels better when she's threatening to kill/beat/maime him (*NOT* in a pathetic way. He just knows that she's feeling okay when she's being her usual 'evil-eye-with-a-soft-spot' self). Throughout the volume they have about three strange adventures involving a ghost, a thief, and a kid whose protectors are old army 'buddies' of Alzeid's (he's 24, remember?). Each tell you alittle more about the backgrounds and general mindsets of the characters, individual or together, and you come to realize from picture #1 that any semblance to Yuki of Fruits Baskets fame (i.e. silver hair, a *lot* touch-me-not, and powerful... + watching out for homeless dark-haired girl) are taken up to a much more approachable (ifyoudon'tmindaguninyourface) and rebellious level. Makes it much more worth the money if you want a new slant, believe me, and older guys are incredibly under-rated. ...Just a few reasons: Actual chest definition and real (albeit unlawful) jobs!

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzeling, November 1, 2009

By 

T. Wells "entertainment-needed" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dazzle Volume 1 (Paperback)

It's so nice to see a heroine that can take care of herself. This book isn't some teenage love story either, though its only the first book, I have a feeling this story might actually have depth. You'll love the Manga's odd humor, and even odder outlook on life. Hope you are as entertained as I.

4.0 out of 5 stars A little rough for the first volume, but the start of an awesome series!, June 4, 2009

By 

Mares of Night (Springfield, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dazzle Volume 1 (Paperback)

I have to say this is one of my favorite manga series. It's a lot of fun, I enjoy the humor to it, it's got drama and a touch of romance going on. Adventures, tragedy, character growth and a slow-building, yet complex plot. I highly recommend it!

The only problem is the first volume is a little rough. The mangaka (author) hasn't quite gotten her drawing style for the seires quite figured out in the first volume, so some of the drawings aren't quiet up to scratch - but they really improve as it goes along. I love the gothic/lolita fashion of the main character, and she has a really quirky personality, that seems heartless in the beginning, but then you find out what really runs beneath her surface, which isn't heartless so much as practical, brave, and caring. But she doesn't like to show it, because her past is pretty dark. Most of all she believes in people sticking up for themselves and being self-sufficent, so she tries to make everyone stand on their own two feet and be responsible for themselves.

The first volume doesn't show much of the plotline yet - it's more a character introduction filled with some fun adventures. As the series continues you find out that even the small side characters all have their own story the define their character. And her father kicking her out in the first volume? Let's just say that it's not entirely what it seems like.

A small warning though - don't take this series to be realistic. It's got magic in it, characters that aren't always entirely... human? There are quirky moments that aren't realistic, but provide a lot of humor. But it's the sort of stuff I've come to expect from fantasy shojo manga, so it's not a surprise to me, and in truth I enjoy it quiet a bit.

I would give this a five star rating, except as I said - the first book is a little rougher than the rest of the series. It's still a good book, but don't judge the series purely by the first book. Sometimes for authors it can be a little rough during the first book or two when starting a new series - but that doesn't mean the series aren't great. It just means the author was still finding their stride in the beginning. Dazzle is one of those series. Some of my most favorite series are like that. Skip Beat is my all-time favorite manga so far, and I really didn't like the first book of that series either - I just kept reading out or boredom because my local library had the series and it slowly started growing on me until I just realized I'd read several books of the series and couldn't stop! I'm so addicted to that series. But I really wasn't into it in the beginning. Some series are just like that for me. Dazzle I enjoyed from the get-go, but I just got into it more and more as it's progressed.