Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki HC
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Price: $25.99
Creator(s): Mamoru Hosoda (writer), Yu (artist)
Format: 528 pgs., Black & White, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-3164-0165-4
Age Range: N/A
ICv2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Wolf Children was first released as a feature-length anime, and this thick hardcover edition contains all three parts of the manga adaptation. This deluxe edition may bring in a few new readers who might not otherwise pick up a manga series. The color art on the cover is beautiful and intriguing, showing the two children at two different stages of "wolf-ness."
The story itself is about choices. Wolves supposedly went extinct in Japan, but apparently the last one simply became human, somehow, and married a human wife. His descendants can be human, wolf, or shift between the two. These are not European-style evil werewolves. They're just beings who are part human, part wolf, the degree depending on their own choices and self-definition.
As the story progresses, Ame and Yuki have to make choices about whether to be human or canine. There are good and bad parts to both. Their mother is very supportive and loving. The result is the most loving and "human" werewolf story of all time. The artwork is manga-style, but well-executed. A few color pages spice up the opening, but that might make some readers wish for more color pages.
Overall, the book will be suitable for all but the youngest readers, who might be upset by the mild violence in some scenes and confused by the complex story.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California
ICv2 Stars: 4 (out of 5)
Posted by ICv2 on April 23, 2014 @ 3:41 am CT
MORE MANGA
Adult Sales Sag; 'Dog Man' Kicks Kids' Sales Higher
April 19, 2024
Sales of the Adult Top 20 were down compared to March 2023, but a new Dog Man release helped bump sales up on the Kids' chart.
In 2024
April 19, 2024
Bushiroad will release new [Oshi No Ko] and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure sets for its Weiss Schwarz TCG in 2024.
MORE COMICS
VIZ, Ize Press, Graphix Dominate the Charts
April 19, 2024
New and evergreen titles from VIZ Media, Ize Press, and Graphix take up almost all the slots in the March Top 20s.
Dark Horse to Launch Intergenerational Mystery 'Gilt Frame' in August 2024
April 19, 2024
The intergenerational murder mystery, Gilt Frame, will be published by Dark Horse Comics starting in August 2024.