蒼の封印 10

蒼の封印 [Ao no Fuuin] #10

by Chie Shinohara, 篠原千絵

西家の隠れ屋で“白虎”の能力を手に入れた彬。しかし、鬼を一瞬にして殺せるその能力 は蒼子をも苦しめる。蒼子に気をとられているうちに高雄と緋子を取り逃がしてしまう彬。 緋子は自分の力を知るために、高雄の反対を振り切って南の隠れ屋へ。一方東京へ戻ろう とする蒼子は、鬼の子供におびきよせられ再び高雄と対峙する。鬼門の聖地・東家の隠れ屋へ案内すると言ってくる高雄。申し出に応じた蒼子が連れていかれたのは、富士山のふもと、青木ケ原樹海だった。そこで、あどけない鬼の赤ん坊や身篭った女たちを見た蒼子は、人間と鬼、どちらが優先するのか混乱してしまう。だが、隠れ屋を見つけた彬たちがせまってきて…!?

Genres: Manga, Japanese Literature, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, Shojo

Paperback

First published September 26, 1994

About the author

Chie Shinohara (篠原千絵) is an award winning Japanese manga artist best-known for Red River, known in Japan as Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story. She has twice received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo, in 1987 for Yami no Purple Eye and in 2001 for Red River.

Aside from her comics work, she has also written several prose novels. She has published the six volume Big Draw Daughter Hatsu light novel series, as well as five gaiden (or side-story) novels related to her Red River series. All of these were illustrated by Shinohara herself.

Works

Akatsuki no Lion - 2003
Ao no Fūin (Blue Seal) - 1992–94
Houmonsha wa Mayonaka ni (Midnight Visitor) - 1984
Kioku no Ashiato (Footprint of Memories) - 2005
Kiri no Mori Hotel - 2007
Kootta Natsu no Hi (Frozen Summer Day) - 1995
Mizu ni Sumu Hana (Romance of Darkness) - 2004
Mokugekisha ni Sayounara (Farewell to the Eyewitness) - 1985
Nanika ga yami de mite iru (Something Watching in the Dark) - 1986
Ryouko no Shinreijikenbo (A Record of Ryoko's Psychic Events) - 1988–91
Sanninme ga Kieta (A Third Person Disappeared) - 1992
Soshite Gokai no Suzu ga naru (Then Five Bells Rang) - 1994
Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story (Red River) - 1995–2002
Tokidamari no Hime - 2008-09
Touboukyuukou (Runaway Express)
Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage (Moon Shadow on a Dark Sea) - 1986–91
Yami no Purple Eye (Purple Eye of Darkness) - 1984–87
Yume no Shizuku, Kin no Torikago - 2010-present

Reviews

[Rintea W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh dear, I’m so tired of Soko’s indecisiveness. Because of her hesitation and lack of resolve, things have escalated all the way to this volume. Like, does she even understand what sealing the Blue Refuge means? She’s known for ages! She’s had a goal for so long! Doesn’t she want to become human? But the moment someone persuades her, she wavers again. Back and forth, back and forth—make up your mind already! Just become a Souryu if that’s what you want; at least that would’ve been clear from the first book. I feel exhausted on behalf of Akira and Takao—those two have been steadfast from the very beginning. Everyone else knows what they want, but she’s the only one still wavering. It’s honestly frustrating.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. This one is by far the most action-heavy as the series gets surprisingly war-crimey as we see that the Kimon’s refuge has Oni baby growing in it. This only further makes Soko struggle to take her own side as she can’t agree with Takao but Akira’s wants and aims conflict with her morals. It’s a strong dilemma as well. The action ramps up as we get our penultimate battle between the Saionji and Kimon and it’s as bloody and tragic as you can imagine. They spend a good chunk of time putting Takao in a new light which didn’t work for me mostly because of just how little time he has on page after it’s revealed and we don’t get his side. It’s clear that they are moving towards some sort of peaceful resolution as long as Soko can figure it out.

[Felix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is Sokko dumb? Why did she suddenly change so much?