I am currently reading Red River by Chie Shinohara, an older release of Viz which has a few volumes that have fallen out of print. The plot involves Yuri, a Japanese school girl, pulled into the past who becomes involved with Mursili II of the ancient Hittite Empire. Sounded like Fushigi Yugi, one of my least favorite manga series. So I avoided Red River for years, but a Viz sale on Right Stuf and the fear that the whole series would go out of print pushed me to finally buy all 28 volumes.
I am on volume 14 and have to say, I was completely wrong in seeing Red River as another Fushugi Yugi. Red River does have the same plot contrivance of a Japanese school girl transported to a new world, but Yuri's modern sensibilities are used to play up the differences between our time and the Bronze Age. The plot focuses on the politics of the Hittite Kingdom and the often murderous schemes of the Queen dowager. Yuri is a compelling heroine and her maturation into a formidable woman is completely believable.
The art is wonderful and Chie Shinohara creates a Hittite Empire that is truly authentic in feel and look. It doesn't hurt that she also is a master at erotic scenes between Yuri and the men that love her. However that same skill makes this a tricky purchase for a public library in anything but the adult collection. Great fun so far!
I am on volume 14 and have to say, I was completely wrong in seeing Red River as another Fushugi Yugi. Red River does have the same plot contrivance of a Japanese school girl transported to a new world, but Yuri's modern sensibilities are used to play up the differences between our time and the Bronze Age. The plot focuses on the politics of the Hittite Kingdom and the often murderous schemes of the Queen dowager. Yuri is a compelling heroine and her maturation into a formidable woman is completely believable.
The art is wonderful and Chie Shinohara creates a Hittite Empire that is truly authentic in feel and look. It doesn't hurt that she also is a master at erotic scenes between Yuri and the men that love her. However that same skill makes this a tricky purchase for a public library in anything but the adult collection. Great fun so far!
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