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江戸前エルフ [Edomae Elf] #2
Otaku Elf Vol.2
FROM WARLORDS TO WARGAMES! The elf of Takamimi Shrine is a layabout geek, but once upon a time she was summoned by the great shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu! Ancient history collides with the present when Yord, the elf of the Kansai region's Hiromimi Shrine, takes the stage...and Yord's summoner just so happens to be Tokugawa's great rival, Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Help your elf to a slice of that nice, quiet otaku life with this goofy comedy loaded with Edo-period factoids!
158 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2020
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24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 2, 2022
Not quite sure what to do with their concept of a shut-in elf living as a god in a shrine in modern-day Tokyo, the author veers educational, throwing in lots of little history tidbits about the early Edo period when the elf first came to be deified. There's cute little slice-of-life stuff with the elf and her latest shrine maiden and even a visit from another elf. But there is so much fluff and no substance that I'm not sure how long this series will hold my attention if it can't find a direction or purpose.
December 6, 2022
A lt of reviews complained about the little historical inserts, I though they were nicely balanced though I might feel differently if I had read volume 1. I enjoyed it it wouldn’t go out of my way to continue the series.
July 23, 2021
Shrine life continues for Koito and Elda, which means visits from other elves and some colds and teaching a deity how not to use a smartphone. Also, if you’re ever hassled on the street about knowing Edo-era history, this book might just save your life.
If you are dying to have a history lesson with some cute moments mixed in, this is one book that was designed for you. And possibly ONLY you, if I’m being honest. I don’t remember it being quite so… educational… last time and what starts out as cute gets pretty tiresome.
The relationship between Elda and Koito remains the sweet core of this, with their playful sniping at one another and dealing with Elda’s anxieties and Koito’s attempts at growing up. When we’re focused on that aspect it’s a lot of fun.
Elda learns how to text, which is as cute as it sounds, a little hairstyling goes a long way when you’re wearing a trench coat, and ancient Elvish battles are always fought to a draw, possibly because of the game they’re playing, maybe.
So the book handles the emotional side well, while the otaku part is definitely a little more down the margins. And then the history starts.
At first I was very ‘oh cute, a little history lesson’, but this turns into modus operandi for the entire volume. It’s agonizing hearing about ancient postal systems in giant text bubbles when you’re waiting for the story to get back to the day-to-day.
I’ve genuinely never seen anything that so quickly demolished my interest in what is otherwise a really charming book. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it, but I found these sections actually excruciating to put up with (and I almost had enough credits to double major in history when I graduated, so I shouldn’t be quite so repulsed).
It feels like the story is actively swerving away from what it’s best at. There are better ways to approach this - tie it more to Elda’s experiences with the town or the people, for example, rather than just these anecdotes with period art. The situation with the physician who shows up illustrates a great way to bring the past into the mix.
I don’t know. It’s quite possibly just me and maybe the mood I was in, but even with such gorgeous art during the main story I was incredibly listless waiting for the book to finish.
2.5 stars, and rounded down because while its heart is pure, that purity comes with some serious boredom. With so many books vying for your attention I genuinely don’t know if this is worth it. It’s so good when it’s good and so… ‘I wish I was reading something else’ when it isn’t.
If you are dying to have a history lesson with some cute moments mixed in, this is one book that was designed for you. And possibly ONLY you, if I’m being honest. I don’t remember it being quite so… educational… last time and what starts out as cute gets pretty tiresome.
The relationship between Elda and Koito remains the sweet core of this, with their playful sniping at one another and dealing with Elda’s anxieties and Koito’s attempts at growing up. When we’re focused on that aspect it’s a lot of fun.
Elda learns how to text, which is as cute as it sounds, a little hairstyling goes a long way when you’re wearing a trench coat, and ancient Elvish battles are always fought to a draw, possibly because of the game they’re playing, maybe.
So the book handles the emotional side well, while the otaku part is definitely a little more down the margins. And then the history starts.
At first I was very ‘oh cute, a little history lesson’, but this turns into modus operandi for the entire volume. It’s agonizing hearing about ancient postal systems in giant text bubbles when you’re waiting for the story to get back to the day-to-day.
I’ve genuinely never seen anything that so quickly demolished my interest in what is otherwise a really charming book. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it, but I found these sections actually excruciating to put up with (and I almost had enough credits to double major in history when I graduated, so I shouldn’t be quite so repulsed).
It feels like the story is actively swerving away from what it’s best at. There are better ways to approach this - tie it more to Elda’s experiences with the town or the people, for example, rather than just these anecdotes with period art. The situation with the physician who shows up illustrates a great way to bring the past into the mix.
I don’t know. It’s quite possibly just me and maybe the mood I was in, but even with such gorgeous art during the main story I was incredibly listless waiting for the book to finish.
2.5 stars, and rounded down because while its heart is pure, that purity comes with some serious boredom. With so many books vying for your attention I genuinely don’t know if this is worth it. It’s so good when it’s good and so… ‘I wish I was reading something else’ when it isn’t.
July 11, 2022
It’s a cute little red with nice artwork if you’re looking for a lighthearted read for the summer this might actually do ya I am kind of looking forward to reading the rest.
July 20, 2021
This series continues to be so good!! In this volume, we meet another elf and learn about her long rivalry with Elda. We also see Elda sick, eating (messy) junk food, and discovering smart phones/texting. I loved seeing further development of Koito's relationship with Elda, as well as lots more interesting culture facts about old Japan. Can't wait for volume 3!
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December 26, 2021
I love them
May 27, 2022
Title= ⭐ plot = ⭐⭐⭐.5
April 6, 2023
I like the little Edo history lessons the best.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews