Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji

Title: Black Bird
Mangaka: Kanoko Sakurakoji
Age Group: Older Teens
Series is: Ongoing with 8 volumes
Volume(s) Reviewing: 1
My Rating: 4.5/5

Ever since she was young, Misao Harada could see supernatural spirits. They caused nothing but trouble. Because of her "sight", she was bullied as a child by her classmates. The only other person who understood her was an older boy. He could see the spirits too. But then he moved far away and Misao never heard from him again. He was her first love.

Now in high school, Misao hopes for a better life. She hides the fact that she can see yokai (demons) so she can blend in. One day she comes home to meet a new and beautiful neighbour, Kyo, who just moved in next door. She realizes out that he is her first love!

She unexpectedly gets attacked by a demon and Kyo comes to rescue her! And to find out that he is a demon too!? He is there...to make her his bride?

Every one hundred years, there is a special human who is born. Demons who drink her blood will live longer; if they eat her flesh, they will have eternal youth; and if she is made into their bride, their clan will then prosper.

With her old crush wanting to sleep with her, demons chasing after her, and nowhere to run, what will Misao do??

When I first saw the cover of this manga, I was already judging. After reading so many mangas in one's life time, you can pretty much figure out if you are going to like the series or not just by looking at the art. This one, I was not so sure on. I was thinking I would give it a 3/5 or 4/5 rating. But I just love it when any novel or manga takes me by surprise.

Using a simple plot like this, the mangaka can always make it more interesting or more boring. Sakurakoji made it quite interesting.

I have to say, her characters' designs do not stand out at first. I'm staring at Kyo, wondering which other character he looks like. I know one that has the same appearance but with so many series read, I can't my place my finger on it. And Misao is quite plain and cute, like every other female manga protagonist out there. But Sakurakoji knows how to give her characters their own defining personalities and background, making them much more memorable. Misao seems like a weak character if you first glance at her. But throughout the manga I always found her to be strong, even though her actions does not show it. Kyo is quite a perv and he makes things, ah, much more interesting. Their relationship is like an on-and-off switch.

I really look forward to the second volume of Black Bird. I want to know if Misao ever becomes Kyo's bride or any other demon's for that matter. The first volume left off leaving the reader with so many questions. Not questions of confusion, but questions of curiosity. Hopefully it will not go downhill from the first volume.

Black Bird is a delightful read and I think shojo fans will take a great liking to it like I did.

Review copy provided by Viz.