|
|
|
|
Japanese Title: Ayashi no Ceres
Number of Volumes: 14
Also Known As: Ayashi no Ceres
Story and Art by: Yu Watase
Characters:
Summary: Aya and Aki (fraternal twins) have both turned 16, and this sister and brother team would like nothing more than to spend that time with their friends. After celebrating the night before at a karaoke place, Aya is nearly killed when she chases after a purse-snatcher. She leaps off of a bridge onto the street below, but somehow lands softly. When she is almost hit by a car, a mysterious stranger saves her. Later, the two are told that they will spend their birthday with their family, and will go to visit their grandfather. When they arrive, the family is very solemn, and the stranger who saved Aya the day before is there. After Aya and Aki are "tested," by use of a mummified hand, Aya is told that she must be killed to save the Mikage family. Why does her family want her dead? What does the mummified hand mean? And what do they mean that Aya is the descendent of a celestial maiden?
Commentary: I think I've heard the fairy tale that this story is based upon. What happened was a bunch of angels were bathing and so they had taken off their celestial robes. A man came along and saw the angels and stole one of the robes. The angel whose robe was stolen was unable to return to heaven, and went looking for the robe. She gives up searching and ends up marrying the man who stole her robe. Later, after having children, she finds her robe and returns to heaven. Of course, it's possible that I only think I've heard it, because I've been reading Ceres like crazy since I stumbled upon it. I read somewhere that people who like Fushigi Yugi would like Ceres, and also that this story has a darker tone to it. Whoever said that was certainly right, on both accounts. It has the art and intrigue of Fushigi Yugi, but it is much more serious. It also has some excellent twists and turns - I really have no idea where the story is going! I think anyone could enjoy Ceres - it says that it's Shojo, but my ex-fiance also enjoys it, and he usually only likes action, Dragonball Z-type stories. Seriously, give Ceres a shot.
Rating: 10/10
Reasons for Rating: Great story, always love art by Yu Watase,
much less predictable than Fushigi Yugi, wonderful characters!
bravenet.com