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When a magician's pupil smiles. #1
When a Magician's Pupil Smiles (Volume 1)
Ouka Namae, a magician’s pupil, is incapable of feeling emotion. That is...he’s almost incapable. One circumstance in particular does bring his feelings to the surface, but the result of such an occasion is unimaginably sinister...Ouka’s complete story of deadly affection unfolds in this new deluxe omnibus!
656 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2014
18 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Chisaki Kanai
16 books3 followersName (in native language): 金井千咲貴
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 4, 2021
4.5 stars
June 13, 2021
The first half was okay but the second half was a bit dragging. Almost didn't finish it. though by the end I wanted more and there's nothing :(
April 25, 2021
It was nothing like what I expected and honestly I didn’t really like it? There was like something going on in the middle and the art is nice but it was not for me and I totally lost the thread of it by the end. I wouldn’t have read this if I had known what it was about 🙄
January 9, 2022
The art for this was beautiful, the characters were well-rounded with intriguing backstories, but the story felt incomplete. There were giant chunks left unexplained, and the premise was confusing at first. You befriend someone and then HAVE to kill them to make yourself feel sadness...but why? How does this tie into the destruction of the world? More explanation required please.
ALSO this omnibus version was wayyyy more than 200 pages. It is almost triple that. The description is plain wrong on that front.
ALSO this omnibus version was wayyyy more than 200 pages. It is almost triple that. The description is plain wrong on that front.
July 31, 2022
good shock factor, but the ending was a little underwhelming. great art though and i really loved the spirits and their different designs
July 13, 2021
When I finished this omnibus last night, I had a set of strong feelings, but was worried that I might have missed or misinterpreted something. So this morning, before writing this, I poked through some of the other reviews.
It appears I did not miss something. Which is disappointing.
When a Magician's Pupil Smiles has a really powerful start. The premise is great, adding an air of mystery and tension to the first section, where our titular magician's apprentice meets his new neighbor and slowly befriends the bubbly girl. The pacing is great, the characters are rounded enough that I found myself anxious about every page turn. When we meet new people, mostly I like them -- as characters, if not people. The world building is solid, presenting a reality where things are complicated and dangerous and heartless. I veritably ran through the first maybe two-thirds of this book.
But then we got to the final third, and unfortunately, it didn't stick the landing.
To be fair, it doesn't feel like any of the choices that were made at the end were wrong, per se. I think I kind of understand, and I think I kind of like them. But it was like the series needed another 2-4 chapters, to give itself time to really dig into WHY These things were happening and what led to them.
Overall, I don't regret purchasing and reading this story. The work done in the first half and a bit is, as I said, really engaging, and will probably stick with me for a while. I just wish we'd gotten a stronger ending. And I'll probably have to check out more by this author someday.
It appears I did not miss something. Which is disappointing.
When a Magician's Pupil Smiles has a really powerful start. The premise is great, adding an air of mystery and tension to the first section, where our titular magician's apprentice meets his new neighbor and slowly befriends the bubbly girl. The pacing is great, the characters are rounded enough that I found myself anxious about every page turn. When we meet new people, mostly I like them -- as characters, if not people. The world building is solid, presenting a reality where things are complicated and dangerous and heartless. I veritably ran through the first maybe two-thirds of this book.
But then we got to the final third, and unfortunately, it didn't stick the landing.
To be fair, it doesn't feel like any of the choices that were made at the end were wrong, per se. I think I kind of understand, and I think I kind of like them. But it was like the series needed another 2-4 chapters, to give itself time to really dig into WHY These things were happening and what led to them.
Overall, I don't regret purchasing and reading this story. The work done in the first half and a bit is, as I said, really engaging, and will probably stick with me for a while. I just wish we'd gotten a stronger ending. And I'll probably have to check out more by this author someday.
October 30, 2015
Starts off slow, and gradually picks up.
This manga might not hook you at first, in fact the description had me doubting whether to get it or not. The Proverb, "Don't judge a book by its cover", fits this manga perfectly. It starts off strong, very strange too strong in fact, and I just wanted the first chapter to end. Then as it progresses we see just how dark and twisted the protagonist, and his acquaintances really are. All of this is filled by some very light detailed illustrations, and the one major point this author is very good at is the eyes. All the characters have different eyes and they tell a lot about each character.
This manga might not hook you at first, in fact the description had me doubting whether to get it or not. The Proverb, "Don't judge a book by its cover", fits this manga perfectly. It starts off strong, very strange too strong in fact, and I just wanted the first chapter to end. Then as it progresses we see just how dark and twisted the protagonist, and his acquaintances really are. All of this is filled by some very light detailed illustrations, and the one major point this author is very good at is the eyes. All the characters have different eyes and they tell a lot about each character.
December 26, 2019
4.9 this manga is so twisted and sad and fucked up, but that ending was so stupid (i’ve spent two hours crying, i want to eat cornbread)
February 17, 2022
Initial Thoughts
The cover of this manga really intrigued me, I saw it by chance scrolling on rightstuf. Coincidentally, the next few days I kept seeing people post about it on Instagram! So I’m sitting here to myself thinking, this is a sign to buy this manga! Or maybe I’m just an impulse buyer 😅
I knew I’d love it deep down though, the ominous cover, the description that leaves you wanting to know more, didn’t need much more convincing. All that being said, I’m sooo happy I bought this manga y’all! It’s such a heart-griping tale, I read this after finishing the first Orange Omnibus. I’m clearly a masochist when it comes to painful manga.
As I’m reading….
Right away I’m speechless with how mesmerizing all this color prints in the beginning are, I wasn’t expecting so many but it really helped bring the panels as I was reading to life. Now as I’m reading, I dislike the sensei right away, I don’t like how abusive with the discipline and rules, he seems very toxic. Miss Akari, the new neighbor though, has instantly stolen my heart, I love her kindheartedness and energy.
I’m a chapter or so in and….what the hell?? I knew going in that our MC had no emotions so he’d be “off”, but I wasn’t expecting a murderous psychopath! I see why his sensei was beating his ass and making so many rules now haha. This is definitely way darker than I originally thought, I LOVE IT! Especially how we’re introduced to Ritsu, his backstory is so tragic, I admire him for the decision he made, even if it meant sealing his fate, he decided enough was enough.
Later on in the story
The characters seem to be introduced separately and then they flow together as the story progresses, I really like this style of writing, as it gives us a chance to learn about everyone separately. Ritsu and Namae, our MC, eventually cross paths and Ritsu takes it upon himself to make his last act of heroism making Namae smile. As things progress, a young girl named Shou, the one who originally gave Ritsu the idea to be a hero by helping people, comes in possession of Ritsu’s glasses, it’s then that she learns some devastating news, and her luck turns sour.
Shou, finds herself making a deal with Namae’s sensei after some stuff goes down, Shou has become my new replacement for Akari 😅. She’s got spunk! I’m rooting for her
Final Thoughts
I surprisingly finished this One Shot in a day! It was very deep, and touched me personally. I’ve always been an over emotional person, I always felt bad about my strong emotions. Reading about someone who lacks emotions, and his struggle to feel, really made me appreciate things more. This manga was so well written, I felt what the characters felt, I started off hating Namae and his sensei, still not a fan of sensei 😅. But as I read on , and on, I felt so bad for Namae, he grew on me. I wish there were more to this story, especially the way it ended, I was left wanting more, curious about what happens next in this story.
The cover of this manga really intrigued me, I saw it by chance scrolling on rightstuf. Coincidentally, the next few days I kept seeing people post about it on Instagram! So I’m sitting here to myself thinking, this is a sign to buy this manga! Or maybe I’m just an impulse buyer 😅
I knew I’d love it deep down though, the ominous cover, the description that leaves you wanting to know more, didn’t need much more convincing. All that being said, I’m sooo happy I bought this manga y’all! It’s such a heart-griping tale, I read this after finishing the first Orange Omnibus. I’m clearly a masochist when it comes to painful manga.
As I’m reading….
Right away I’m speechless with how mesmerizing all this color prints in the beginning are, I wasn’t expecting so many but it really helped bring the panels as I was reading to life. Now as I’m reading, I dislike the sensei right away, I don’t like how abusive with the discipline and rules, he seems very toxic. Miss Akari, the new neighbor though, has instantly stolen my heart, I love her kindheartedness and energy.
I’m a chapter or so in and….what the hell?? I knew going in that our MC had no emotions so he’d be “off”, but I wasn’t expecting a murderous psychopath! I see why his sensei was beating his ass and making so many rules now haha. This is definitely way darker than I originally thought, I LOVE IT! Especially how we’re introduced to Ritsu, his backstory is so tragic, I admire him for the decision he made, even if it meant sealing his fate, he decided enough was enough.
Later on in the story
The characters seem to be introduced separately and then they flow together as the story progresses, I really like this style of writing, as it gives us a chance to learn about everyone separately. Ritsu and Namae, our MC, eventually cross paths and Ritsu takes it upon himself to make his last act of heroism making Namae smile. As things progress, a young girl named Shou, the one who originally gave Ritsu the idea to be a hero by helping people, comes in possession of Ritsu’s glasses, it’s then that she learns some devastating news, and her luck turns sour.
Shou, finds herself making a deal with Namae’s sensei after some stuff goes down, Shou has become my new replacement for Akari 😅. She’s got spunk! I’m rooting for her
Final Thoughts
I surprisingly finished this One Shot in a day! It was very deep, and touched me personally. I’ve always been an over emotional person, I always felt bad about my strong emotions. Reading about someone who lacks emotions, and his struggle to feel, really made me appreciate things more. This manga was so well written, I felt what the characters felt, I started off hating Namae and his sensei, still not a fan of sensei 😅. But as I read on , and on, I felt so bad for Namae, he grew on me. I wish there were more to this story, especially the way it ended, I was left wanting more, curious about what happens next in this story.
July 12, 2021
I feel like there are two parts in this manga. The first half, which is really good with the world building and character introduction. The secret about Ouka is interesting to and the conclusion to his story is rather satisfying. That is until the end where everything falls flat. The ending is kind of anticlimactic and I want more. You are left with more questions and some unsolved questions. There is one comment in the manga about what happens if Ouka gets his feelings back but it never realizes. That annoys the h out of me because the end just happens and you never get to find out what a actually happens. Maybe the point is to give the reader some room for interpretation but I feel like that happening would be the perfect end, not the one that is now.
So, in short, the first half is splendid. The other half drags out and then abruptly ends with a ton load of questions asked or never answered.
So, in short, the first half is splendid. The other half drags out and then abruptly ends with a ton load of questions asked or never answered.
June 21, 2021
Rating: 3.5
I’m going to need a second to compile my thoughts on this one. Because on one hand, the main plot was mostly resolved, and I was satisfied enough with it. But on the other hand, there are too many loose ends, and I feel like I’m closing this book with more questions than answers.
I’m going to need a second to compile my thoughts on this one. Because on one hand, the main plot was mostly resolved, and I was satisfied enough with it. But on the other hand, there are too many loose ends, and I feel like I’m closing this book with more questions than answers.
December 31, 2022
Wow, I really need to start reading the summaries of books that I pick up at the store…. I thought this was gonna be a cutesy story about what happens when a magician smiles. Cute art plus the title equals that reasoning. Instead, I read a story about a yandere. <- that genre is not something that I usually go for, but I really enjoyed reading this manga. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
July 1, 2021
The first half was great, I loved the world building and the drama and how everything came together for our leads.
The second half? It felt like the story just crumbled and it was super unfulfilling when I finished.
The second half? It felt like the story just crumbled and it was super unfulfilling when I finished.
August 25, 2023
Interesting premise. Interesting enough that I finished the whole book. But I couldn't help but feel I lacked a connection to the characters. When they hurt/in pain/in crying, I didn't really feel anything.
November 11, 2021
Hermoso libro que me hizo recordar a un buen amigo que tenia que espero que el pueda volver a sentir otra ves algún tipo de sentimiento bueno
March 14, 2022
started off a bit slow, but it definitely picked up later on! BEAUTIFUL art style - i really want to see this animated, oh my gosh
August 6, 2022
Very good
January 14, 2023
A beautifully drawn masterpiece that makes you think with every page. Highly recommended :)
February 17, 2023
Good book. Lots of tears.
July 10, 2023
I don't know how to feel about this book honestly. It's so fucked up, but I really liked the romance (?) if that's how you'd put it.
October 28, 2023
Good art, the story not my style thought. The story is so confusing.
January 28, 2024
4.5 because what the fuck
July 30, 2024
NECESITO LOS OTROS DOS VOLÚMENES
Read
January 15, 2025This is just emotional torture, I obviously ended up crying.
August 23, 2025
Honestly, the plot is stupid and the characters seem stupid, too. The world building is also kind of awful so far but to be fair, it’s only volume 1. I’ll probably finish the next two volumes but only because I own them.
March 6, 2022
This compilation was…not that great.
The art is beautiful, don’t get me wrong. It looked nice. But the story makes very little sense and the plot was kind of not good. Like it takes a huge turn out of nowhere and not for the better. The story overall is rather sinister, which is fine, but the execution of the plot was just not it.
The beginning is fine with the exposition, then it gets bad and you stop caring. Then by the very end you want more information about what happened and you get ✨nothing✨
Crap for explanation, and no continuation. The pacing was just so bad. And at this point if there was a continuation I wouldn’t read it because I’d be wasting my time.
The art is beautiful, don’t get me wrong. It looked nice. But the story makes very little sense and the plot was kind of not good. Like it takes a huge turn out of nowhere and not for the better. The story overall is rather sinister, which is fine, but the execution of the plot was just not it.
The beginning is fine with the exposition, then it gets bad and you stop caring. Then by the very end you want more information about what happened and you get ✨nothing✨
Crap for explanation, and no continuation. The pacing was just so bad. And at this point if there was a continuation I wouldn’t read it because I’d be wasting my time.
May 31, 2021
I don’t know what I expected going into this manga, but it wasn’t what I got. This is a unique concept and I’m curious but also a little concerned to see what happens in the next volume.
Also, I’ve known Ritsu for several minutes and he already won over my heart.
Also, I’ve known Ritsu for several minutes and he already won over my heart.
April 25, 2020
3.5 stars.
June 25, 2020
2.5 out of 5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews