Black Bird

This manga is so gripping that whilst it was being updated on Mangahere, I reread the chapters that had already been released and read summaries I found on another blog. Now that it is complete, I can read the manga again, this time fully.

Black Bird is a supernatural manga by Sakurakoji Kanoko that deserves an anime. It follows the story of Harada Misao, a high school student who is able to see things (demons) that no one else can. She hasn't told anyone of this, but when they do things such as trip her over or push her, it makes those around her think she is strange. But one boy she met when she was younger could see them too but went away, promising that one day he would come back for her. She thinks about meeting him, and one day after school she notices that the door leading to her next-door neighbour's home is open. Misao goes to check it out, and sees a beautiful person, making her think it's a woman. The person notices her and says her name, tells her that they are called Usui Kyo and have come back to marry Misao as promised all those years ago.

The main plot doesn't stop there though, for Misao is the Senka, a girl born every 100 years which one of the yukai must take for their own. This is the reason why she's been seeing all these demons. By doing so, they can make her their bride to bring prosperity to the clan, or devour her, the reasons why these demons attack her when they can. Misao soon finds out that Kyo too is one of those demons out to get the Senka. This brings a good change to romance manga in terms of originality where we find where girl meets guy and they eventually fall in love, because when Misao is told of this, she begins to doubt Kyo when he says he loves her, and at times she finds herself in the midst of clan battles in their fight to get the Senka.

Whilst it does have a mature tone to it at times which may put people off, the story is great. All the characters that have a link to Kyo have a backstory which you'll come to know as the manga progresses, and are linked in some way to the story. Each arc means the characters must develop too, which gives plenty of opportunities as to how the arc will end and what the characters do during each arc. But the main focus is on Misao and Kyo, and Sakurakoji makes sure it stays like that.

If you want a more supernatural element to a romance manga, this is the one for you. No page will leave you feeling bored, and at times you may agree/disagree with Kyo or Misao and other characters as they try to protect Misao from the dangers of being the Senka etc. Again it does have a mature tone to it at times, but if you don't mind that, you will enjoy Black Bird.