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Romeo x Juliet #1-2
Romeo x Juliet: Omnibus
For fourteen years, Neo Verona has lived in terror of Lord Montague's iron rule. But in their despair, a light shines forth! Donning the guise of the Crimson Whirlwind, Juliet Capulet has chosen the path of the mercenary, opposing Montague on behalf of the people. When she falls for a noble who seems sympathetic to her cause, Juliet is devastated to learn he is a Montague! Is there any hope for a love that crosses enemy lines?
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
11 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 23, 2012
For anyone who wants to read this book because of the original play by William Shakespeare, let me tell you now that it is nothing like the original story.
I mean, yeah, the names are the same. Romeo, Juliet, Benovlio, Tybalt, Montague, Capulet, etc.
But the whole story, their age, their deaths, their love, it's all different.
And it's a hell of a lot better.
There are freaking flying horses in this version, for crying out loud. How awesome is that? And Juliet is a masked hero and Romeo a romantic sweetheart! This is how the original SHOULD have been written!
William Shakespeare is actually in this, for some weird reason. He's a manga character, and apparently this is the story he got the idea from?
It was bizarre, but in a good way. I loved it, even though it was so sad.
I mean, yeah, the names are the same. Romeo, Juliet, Benovlio, Tybalt, Montague, Capulet, etc.
But the whole story, their age, their deaths, their love, it's all different.
And it's a hell of a lot better.
There are freaking flying horses in this version, for crying out loud. How awesome is that? And Juliet is a masked hero and Romeo a romantic sweetheart! This is how the original SHOULD have been written!
William Shakespeare is actually in this, for some weird reason. He's a manga character, and apparently this is the story he got the idea from?
It was bizarre, but in a good way. I loved it, even though it was so sad.
April 3, 2019
Owl challenge completed - Defense against the dark arts
This book made me realize how much i miss reading manga!
This book made me realize how much i miss reading manga!
September 10, 2019
I'm gonna say. I, the self-proclaimed Shakespeare nerd, extreme lover of the bard, watcher of basically any and all plays and films true to Shakespeare's works, liked Romeo x Juliet more than Romeo and Juliet.
I really did. In fairness, though, I've wasn't exactly on the R and J hype train before reading this.
Romeo x Juliet is insanely adorable. The art style is so sweet and the full color pages in the omnibus are gorgeous. The story is just so much fun. It's cute and funny and true to the spirit of the play while making itself something totally different. (AKA see that fantasy shelf I shelved it on.) More than just Romeo and Juliet characters, there are other nods to the Bard in both character, like Ophelia, and also in scene set up/plot points/character motivations.
There's even a character of William Shakespeare himself. (He has a great mustache btw.)
In Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio and Mercutio are my favorite characters. Benvolio was excellent, very true to his original character in the play. I didn't love their take on Mercutio (Hence 4 stars instead of 5) but he totally worked in context.
I also looove the author and illustrator commentary notes, they were so cute and funny. I'd say for a $2 buy at a con, I got MORE than my money's worth - especially because it's basically in pristine condition! Definitely a keeper and probably a re-reader too.
I really did. In fairness, though, I've wasn't exactly on the R and J hype train before reading this.
Romeo x Juliet is insanely adorable. The art style is so sweet and the full color pages in the omnibus are gorgeous. The story is just so much fun. It's cute and funny and true to the spirit of the play while making itself something totally different. (AKA see that fantasy shelf I shelved it on.) More than just Romeo and Juliet characters, there are other nods to the Bard in both character, like Ophelia, and also in scene set up/plot points/character motivations.
There's even a character of William Shakespeare himself. (He has a great mustache btw.)
In Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio and Mercutio are my favorite characters. Benvolio was excellent, very true to his original character in the play. I didn't love their take on Mercutio (Hence 4 stars instead of 5) but he totally worked in context.
I also looove the author and illustrator commentary notes, they were so cute and funny. I'd say for a $2 buy at a con, I got MORE than my money's worth - especially because it's basically in pristine condition! Definitely a keeper and probably a re-reader too.
July 10, 2025
How sadly disappointing. I watched half of the anime a while back and loved it. I have always wanted to watch the end. I saw this volume at our local library and grabbed it up. Unfortunately, the manga moves at a breakneck speed, lingering on nothing, even the intimate and sweet moments between the two characters. I felt like everything was rushed, and I got none of the sense of adventure and emotional weight of the story. The ending seemed simply thrown together and abruptly wound itself up. I can only imagine how the anime did it.
October 16, 2017
One of my absolute favourites, both the manga and anime. One of the most unique takes on Shakespeare. Absolutely brilliant.
May 14, 2021
Absolutely one of my favourite anime and manga series hands down and I know it's ridiculously bad but I just enjoy it.
July 25, 2013
When Neo-Verona was ruled by the house of Capulet, it was peaceful. But the rival house of Montague destroyed the Capulet family and now fourteen years later, Lord Montague rules Neo-Verona.
What he didn't know is that Juliet Capulet survived and she's the people's greatest hope. And then Juliet meets Romeo, Lord Montague's son. Romeo and Juliet find themselves falling in love. But they're supposed to be enemies. They are not sure what to do, but they just know they want to be together.
The manga is apparently loosely based on the play by William Shakespeare. I haven't read the play yet, but after reading this, I went to my local library and got a copy of Shakespeare's play.
I knew the basic details of Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers from enemies houses. Since I haven't read the play yet I can't comment on that, but I do know that I very much enjoyed this manga. I felt for both Romeo and Juliet. They were in love and had to hide it, they couldn't be together. It was so sad, but the story was very good and I found that I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The artwork was just wonderful.
This was quite an enjoyable read. I'd definitely read it again.
What he didn't know is that Juliet Capulet survived and she's the people's greatest hope. And then Juliet meets Romeo, Lord Montague's son. Romeo and Juliet find themselves falling in love. But they're supposed to be enemies. They are not sure what to do, but they just know they want to be together.
The manga is apparently loosely based on the play by William Shakespeare. I haven't read the play yet, but after reading this, I went to my local library and got a copy of Shakespeare's play.
I knew the basic details of Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers from enemies houses. Since I haven't read the play yet I can't comment on that, but I do know that I very much enjoyed this manga. I felt for both Romeo and Juliet. They were in love and had to hide it, they couldn't be together. It was so sad, but the story was very good and I found that I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The artwork was just wonderful.
This was quite an enjoyable read. I'd definitely read it again.
June 1, 2017
This was nice manga to read after Otakon. XD
The art is very nice, esp the colored pages, and I think this is the first time I've actually liked a Romeo and Juliet adaptation (it doesn't hurt that they REALLY deviate from the original play).
I was particularly taken with Juliet, who is kind of like a mix of Zorro, Joan of Arc, and well, a teenaged girl. XD It was very charming. Romeo was also cast more in the romantic lead role, which was kind of refreshing, I have to say. Good choice.
I really want to go see the anime this is based on now. I get the feeling there's more in it, as there were parts that seemed a little... truncated. Then again, this is manga, they do that.
The art is very nice, esp the colored pages, and I think this is the first time I've actually liked a Romeo and Juliet adaptation (it doesn't hurt that they REALLY deviate from the original play).
I was particularly taken with Juliet, who is kind of like a mix of Zorro, Joan of Arc, and well, a teenaged girl. XD It was very charming. Romeo was also cast more in the romantic lead role, which was kind of refreshing, I have to say. Good choice.
I really want to go see the anime this is based on now. I get the feeling there's more in it, as there were parts that seemed a little... truncated. Then again, this is manga, they do that.
May 31, 2011
The artwork is great, but the storyline foundered for me. I didn't mind that it played VERY fast and loose with the Romeo and Juliet storyline... but didn't like the Escalus storyline. It wasn't integrated from the beginning. Felt like it was thrown in at the end to make the ending tragic... :(
March 1, 2024
This was a cute take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and it was fascinating to see how the Japanese culture adapted the play. I studied this for a grad class, so it’s not something I’d usually pick up on my own, but I’m grateful to have been exposed to it.
March 1, 2015
This is a wonderful retelling of the classical Romeo and Juliet saga. The drawings were beautiful and I loved the artful storyline.
September 22, 2020
Ah, the age old question: Which came first, the manga or the anime? Honestly, I could probably answer it with a shallow search, but I know which one I prefer. I was worried, seeing as I remember the anime characters lacking expression, looking very grainy with beady eyes. But my fears were quickly tarnished after watching the emotions play out among the panels. This isn't exactly a retelling, but rather a reimagining. We're no longer in fair Verona. Nope, this is Neo Verona. And if the OG play couldn't give reason for Capulet and Montague's bad blood, this certainly can: Lord Montague rules Neo Verona with an iron fist, and has successfully wiped out the Capulet bloodline. Or so he thinks... Enter Juliet, the sole survivor of the Capulet massacre who fights injustice with a Robin Hood flair. And of course when her other half Romeo shows up, her principles are thrown into chaos.
Pros
-Deeper/more meaningful conflict
*I honestly never figured out why Capulets and Montagues hated each other in Shakespeare's play. But juxtaposing Lord Montague as a greedy killer duke next to the calm, kind Capulets makes for more substantial motivation. It also gives Juliet extra qualms about loving the enemy because although it wasn't his fault, she must feel sick somewhere deep down knowing how close her husband is genetically to her family's murderer.
-Romeo is a cinnamon roll
*Romance novel term meaning the person is gentle, sensitive, and endures emotional turmoil. I mean, he fought for his principles/wife and all, but we all know he'd much rather be showering his wife or mother with irises.
-Their meeting
*Straight out of Cinderella! Juliet is fleeing the Montague banquet, only to stumble down the stairs, into Romeo's arms. He's smitten of course, but instead of granting his request for her name, Juliet readjusts her mask and high tails it home, leaving Romeo confused and alone.
-Gentle references
*We get a condensed balcony scene (complete with the "be some other name" bit"), a wedding, and the return of several key players: Tybalt-a long lost Capulet cousin, Mercutio, a Montague who instead of being Romeo's friend, will do anything to become the next duke, and Escalus, who I actually had to Google (turns out, it's a ref. to the Prince Escalus who punished the Capulets and Montagues for their opening street duel. Yeah, here, Escalus still plays a huge role... as a tree... Umm... not all the references are diamonds. More on that later).
-Juliet's no damsel in distress
*She can sling a sword like no other and is quite nimble when jumping from roof to roof. I only counted two times throughout the whole manga where Romeo stepped in to save her, and the first time, she was in her male masquerade. But she's not so tough to be immune to wedding day jitters. I would've loved a Friar Laurence stand in, but Romeo placing his handmade flower crown on her head was *chef's kiss*.
-The ending
*Maybe Boarding School Juliet will give me a happy ending, but we all know when it comes to R&J's fate, it will be bittersweet. Romeo and Juliet's shared goal is creating a world where their people can be safe and they can be together. The only way this will happen is if they become the great Escalus tree. So they cry those happy tears, realizing that they can achieve both goals. Real talk, I kind of enjoyed watching them escape from the city into the countryside, setting up house/getting married. You know, exactly what they should've done in the OG play instead of shacking up for one night of marital bliss right under Capulet's nose.
Cons
-Romeo and Juliet are the only fleshed out characters
*Seeing as this is an action heavy R&J reimaging, I can get why we only get close to the leads. But I didn't feel connected to anyone else and actually found it hard to tell Tybalt and Romeo apart.
-Odd Refs.
*Some were just... weird name drops. Hermione is meant to be Romeo's political/in name only bride, and her name comes from the Shakespeare play, The Winter's Tale. There, she was the Queen of Sicily. Why not just have her be Rosaline, Romeo's first crush? Also, Juliet's alias is Odin, and the only thing I could find was this was the stand-in name for Othello in the modern film adaptation of said play, O. Escalus makes a bit of sense, seeing as the tree dictates Verona's well-being just like Prince Escalus attempts to keep the peace in the play. But then we have William Shakespeare himself... nicknamed Willy (why not just Will?). He's kind of just... you know, around, writing, assisting in a cutaway rescue... just too fan ficky for my taste.
-The tree kind of came out of nowhere
*Was it interesting? Sure... but I'd rather just have them govern the city themselves without the whole becoming a tree prophecy.
This has been on my TBR for far too long. And I can cross it off my list of manga I need to buy, as well. Perfect for those seeking Shakespeare variations with a twist.
Pros
-Deeper/more meaningful conflict
*I honestly never figured out why Capulets and Montagues hated each other in Shakespeare's play. But juxtaposing Lord Montague as a greedy killer duke next to the calm, kind Capulets makes for more substantial motivation. It also gives Juliet extra qualms about loving the enemy because although it wasn't his fault, she must feel sick somewhere deep down knowing how close her husband is genetically to her family's murderer.
-Romeo is a cinnamon roll
*Romance novel term meaning the person is gentle, sensitive, and endures emotional turmoil. I mean, he fought for his principles/wife and all, but we all know he'd much rather be showering his wife or mother with irises.
-Their meeting
*Straight out of Cinderella! Juliet is fleeing the Montague banquet, only to stumble down the stairs, into Romeo's arms. He's smitten of course, but instead of granting his request for her name, Juliet readjusts her mask and high tails it home, leaving Romeo confused and alone.
-Gentle references
*We get a condensed balcony scene (complete with the "be some other name" bit"), a wedding, and the return of several key players: Tybalt-a long lost Capulet cousin, Mercutio, a Montague who instead of being Romeo's friend, will do anything to become the next duke, and Escalus, who I actually had to Google (turns out, it's a ref. to the Prince Escalus who punished the Capulets and Montagues for their opening street duel. Yeah, here, Escalus still plays a huge role... as a tree... Umm... not all the references are diamonds. More on that later).
-Juliet's no damsel in distress
*She can sling a sword like no other and is quite nimble when jumping from roof to roof. I only counted two times throughout the whole manga where Romeo stepped in to save her, and the first time, she was in her male masquerade. But she's not so tough to be immune to wedding day jitters. I would've loved a Friar Laurence stand in, but Romeo placing his handmade flower crown on her head was *chef's kiss*.
-The ending
*Maybe Boarding School Juliet will give me a happy ending, but we all know when it comes to R&J's fate, it will be bittersweet. Romeo and Juliet's shared goal is creating a world where their people can be safe and they can be together. The only way this will happen is if they become the great Escalus tree. So they cry those happy tears, realizing that they can achieve both goals. Real talk, I kind of enjoyed watching them escape from the city into the countryside, setting up house/getting married. You know, exactly what they should've done in the OG play instead of shacking up for one night of marital bliss right under Capulet's nose.
Cons
-Romeo and Juliet are the only fleshed out characters
*Seeing as this is an action heavy R&J reimaging, I can get why we only get close to the leads. But I didn't feel connected to anyone else and actually found it hard to tell Tybalt and Romeo apart.
-Odd Refs.
*Some were just... weird name drops. Hermione is meant to be Romeo's political/in name only bride, and her name comes from the Shakespeare play, The Winter's Tale. There, she was the Queen of Sicily. Why not just have her be Rosaline, Romeo's first crush? Also, Juliet's alias is Odin, and the only thing I could find was this was the stand-in name for Othello in the modern film adaptation of said play, O. Escalus makes a bit of sense, seeing as the tree dictates Verona's well-being just like Prince Escalus attempts to keep the peace in the play. But then we have William Shakespeare himself... nicknamed Willy (why not just Will?). He's kind of just... you know, around, writing, assisting in a cutaway rescue... just too fan ficky for my taste.
-The tree kind of came out of nowhere
*Was it interesting? Sure... but I'd rather just have them govern the city themselves without the whole becoming a tree prophecy.
This has been on my TBR for far too long. And I can cross it off my list of manga I need to buy, as well. Perfect for those seeking Shakespeare variations with a twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2017
I've always been a fan of William Shakespeare and I remembered when I first saw the anime of the same name. It was because I watched the series that I picked up the manga and boy howdy I wasn't prepared for the emotion the manga brought to the table.
It maximized all the emotion that I felt in the anime by 10 and it just made me tear up at all the right moments. It's a good read for anyone who's looking for a good fantasy version of William Shakespeare's classic play "Romeo and Juliet". Definitely worth reading again.
It maximized all the emotion that I felt in the anime by 10 and it just made me tear up at all the right moments. It's a good read for anyone who's looking for a good fantasy version of William Shakespeare's classic play "Romeo and Juliet". Definitely worth reading again.
May 31, 2022
It has been some years since I watched "RomeoXJuliet" from Gonzo studios. While not as good as Gonzo's "Gankutsuou" which was an adaptation of "The Count of Monte Cristo", RXJ was still pretty good.
I found this manga adaptation of the series at my local bookstore. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. It is much more streamlined and fast paced. At times, it felt like it was skipping but overall, I enjoyed it a lot. It brought back good memories of watching the anime while making me more appreciative of the original work.
I found this manga adaptation of the series at my local bookstore. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. It is much more streamlined and fast paced. At times, it felt like it was skipping but overall, I enjoyed it a lot. It brought back good memories of watching the anime while making me more appreciative of the original work.
August 26, 2020
I love reading Shakespeare's adaptation but this goes all over the place.
There are only the names that comes from Shakespeare, the rest is totally invented. And confusing: it took me almost 50 pages to get my bearings and understand what was going on, more or less. The last part, with the special tree, seems to have been attached to the main story to get more pages done...
The art was just OK.
There are only the names that comes from Shakespeare, the rest is totally invented. And confusing: it took me almost 50 pages to get my bearings and understand what was going on, more or less. The last part, with the special tree, seems to have been attached to the main story to get more pages done...
The art was just OK.
May 24, 2025
A long time ago I watched the Romeo x Juliet anime and bawled my eyes out with a good friend. Because of this memory, I was super excited for reading the manga. Unfortunately I don’t think the complexities of the story really hold up in the manga format. I still think it’s a really interesting take on Romeo and Juliet and I think it’s beautiful art, but much of the plot felt extremely underdeveloped to me.
September 20, 2025
This was a wonderful book! I’ve always been a fan of the Romeo and Juliet story, but there was always one thing I wished we’d gotten more, and that was the interactions between Romeo and Juliet. This book fixes the problem wonderfully! I loved the sci-fi aspects of it and the way it was fast paced. This is definitely going to be a re-read for me. 5 stars, definitely recommend especially for anyone who want a more exciting version of the classic tale!
February 9, 2019
I watched the anime at first. The story is similar to the one written by Shakespear. Difference is the background of the main characters have been re-written and swapped. I enjoyed the different plot as it involves some mystical fantasy and also delivers a good romantic vibe. But I loved the artwork of the anime more. Hence the 4 star. But apart from that I don't regret buying this manga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2020
This was pretty much a watered-down version of the anime. I'm pretty biased because I loved the anime in my teenage years and this only reminded me of how good the anime was and how I would rather be watching it than reading it. But it served as a good reminder- a little refresh. It is still one of my favorite adaptations of Romeo and Juliet.
February 25, 2025
I don't know what I just read. It was absurd and nonsensical and had a terrible ending, but it was strangely entertaining. I was confused the entire time and I understand why it was priced at fifty cents at a second hand store, but I don't regret the time I spent reading this.
February 22, 2018
I loved this book! So much! You can read my full review here: https://scrutinizingmasochists.blogsp...
December 23, 2019
It was a really good take on the original play.
February 21, 2022
I was definitely invested in the characters. I loves the take on Romeo Juliet from this Mangas perspective and the art was just beautiful.
June 18, 2022
I mean the anime is a much fuller experience of this story and is my preferred version.
But this retelling of Romeo and Juliet is literally the best to exist and no one can tell me otherwise.
This manga is essentially a condensed version of the anime, but it was cool to see the story in this art style. It took some getting used to but after awhile I found myself appreciating a great many of the panels.
All in all, I will never get over this story, and now I find myself needing to re-watch the anime.
But this retelling of Romeo and Juliet is literally the best to exist and no one can tell me otherwise.
This manga is essentially a condensed version of the anime, but it was cool to see the story in this art style. It took some getting used to but after awhile I found myself appreciating a great many of the panels.
All in all, I will never get over this story, and now I find myself needing to re-watch the anime.
April 9, 2017
Interesting narrative spin on Romeo and Juliet. I like how it fills in the backstory. I still struggle with the manga format, but that is my problem.
June 23, 2017
I liked this manga. I have not seen the anime that it's based on so I can only speak for the book. I liked this whole idea of this and the most of the additional creative choices made to ensure a unique tale. I thought the ending went a bit off the rails and that perhaps there were too many ideas for one story to flesh out. Some of the "sound effects" really blocked the artwork and I wasn't a fan of that at all. But overall it was enjoyable.
March 6, 2013
Reasons I like RxJ:
---Compare to the anime, I really, really, really LOVE the art. I absolutely love how COM design the characters and the background and I love the manga art for Romeo and Juliet better than the anime. I was really jealous how they were drawn because how flawless it looks. It convince the readers (me) to believe that this is what Romeo and Juliet would have been imagine by William Shakespeare himself. (If you didn't know, I judge but the looks XD opps) Futhermore, it made the characters more natural in the story and has this sense of unique even though it's Shakespeare's story.
---The plot was still the same as the anime. (Note: the anime was made first before
the manga. That's why I talked about the anime first :) ) I like that they haven't tried to mess around or switch anything that made the manga different from the anime. Yeah, there was minor twist that wasn't exactly in the anime, but it didn't dramatically change the outcome of the whole story.
Reasons I Didn't like RxJ:
---The MAJOR downfall I had with this manga compare to the anime was how fast it was when I turn the pages. It wasn't really satisfying how quick the plot ended and that it only 2 volumes. (SERIOUSLY, 2 volumes.) I wish they could have expand it because if I hadn't watch the anime first then the manga, I wouldn't understand the plot at all. You wouldn't know that it they in a falling land or Juliet would actually had to die to save the land or actually know that the tree was dying in the first place.
---Also, I did enjoy the fighting scenes, but there was mutiple confusions that I couldn't understand. In my opinion, I feel like when they drew the fighting scenes you can't tell the difference between which sword was which when they clash or when they tried a close up, it was lines and awkward angles. It took me a while to figure out what was going on by squinting and reread those pages.
To be fair, I gave it 3 STARS out of 5. I really did enjoy the art and the story, but it was too fast for my taste and I was wishing for more details so it would make readers enjoy and understand this new and unique story of Romeo and Juliet.
read my blog for the original review and a review of the anime: RomeoXJuliet - http://philosopherdoma.weebly.com/tim...
---Compare to the anime, I really, really, really LOVE the art. I absolutely love how COM design the characters and the background and I love the manga art for Romeo and Juliet better than the anime. I was really jealous how they were drawn because how flawless it looks. It convince the readers (me) to believe that this is what Romeo and Juliet would have been imagine by William Shakespeare himself. (If you didn't know, I judge but the looks XD opps) Futhermore, it made the characters more natural in the story and has this sense of unique even though it's Shakespeare's story.
---The plot was still the same as the anime. (Note: the anime was made first before
the manga. That's why I talked about the anime first :) ) I like that they haven't tried to mess around or switch anything that made the manga different from the anime. Yeah, there was minor twist that wasn't exactly in the anime, but it didn't dramatically change the outcome of the whole story.
Reasons I Didn't like RxJ:
---The MAJOR downfall I had with this manga compare to the anime was how fast it was when I turn the pages. It wasn't really satisfying how quick the plot ended and that it only 2 volumes. (SERIOUSLY, 2 volumes.) I wish they could have expand it because if I hadn't watch the anime first then the manga, I wouldn't understand the plot at all. You wouldn't know that it they in a falling land or Juliet would actually had to die to save the land or actually know that the tree was dying in the first place.
---Also, I did enjoy the fighting scenes, but there was mutiple confusions that I couldn't understand. In my opinion, I feel like when they drew the fighting scenes you can't tell the difference between which sword was which when they clash or when they tried a close up, it was lines and awkward angles. It took me a while to figure out what was going on by squinting and reread those pages.
To be fair, I gave it 3 STARS out of 5. I really did enjoy the art and the story, but it was too fast for my taste and I was wishing for more details so it would make readers enjoy and understand this new and unique story of Romeo and Juliet.
read my blog for the original review and a review of the anime: RomeoXJuliet - http://philosopherdoma.weebly.com/tim...
September 19, 2015
In the mildly fantastical world of Neo-Verona, Romeo's evil father killed all of the ruling Capulet family, except for baby Juliet. Years later, Juliet has been raised as Odin, a boy in a theatrical company that includes William Shakespeare. She has also become a master swordsman, and assuming the secret identity of the Red Whirlwind, defends the populace from the evil nobles--and then one of them, Romeo, rescues her when a fight goes against her. It doesn't take long for Romeo to realize that Odin is actually a young woman, and they fall in love. Juliet, however, is just turning 16, the time at which she learns her true identity and her true destiny--as the last Capulet, she must rescue Neo-Verona from the evil Duke Montague. Adventure ensues, mixed with a mystical elemental power that might tip the scales.
This is a traditional manga, read back to front, right to left. Everyone is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, of course, and the action is often impossible to follow--well, at least for me. I just had no idea what I was looking at during the action scenes, and I've read quite a bit of manga. I also found the plot disjointed; either that or I totally missed transitions. I just felt as if I were floundering in the plot way too often, and had to just give up and hope I picked up on it as I went along. I mostly did, though I thought the mystical element was out of place--it should have been there from the start to make sense (maybe it was and I missed it). I also couldn't tell the characters apart, but I often have that problem with graphic novels--maybe that explains why I'm so bad with names! But despite all that I did enjoy this take on the classic, and I think manga readers will enjoy it even if they're not familiar with the original. It has a lot of typical manga elements both plotwise and graphics-wise (lots of swirling cloaks). There is some violence and swearing, so probably okay for 7th grade up.
This is a traditional manga, read back to front, right to left. Everyone is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, of course, and the action is often impossible to follow--well, at least for me. I just had no idea what I was looking at during the action scenes, and I've read quite a bit of manga. I also found the plot disjointed; either that or I totally missed transitions. I just felt as if I were floundering in the plot way too often, and had to just give up and hope I picked up on it as I went along. I mostly did, though I thought the mystical element was out of place--it should have been there from the start to make sense (maybe it was and I missed it). I also couldn't tell the characters apart, but I often have that problem with graphic novels--maybe that explains why I'm so bad with names! But despite all that I did enjoy this take on the classic, and I think manga readers will enjoy it even if they're not familiar with the original. It has a lot of typical manga elements both plotwise and graphics-wise (lots of swirling cloaks). There is some violence and swearing, so probably okay for 7th grade up.
November 24, 2015
I never understood Romeo and Juliet, so when I saw this, I was like: "Yeah, why not? Let's read it." I thought it was going to be like Romeo and Juliet, but little did I know that the story wasn't like Romeo and Juliet. Sure, we got our fair share of Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet, and Lord Montague,(I only know a few of the characters that were originally in Romeo and Juliet.) but we also got our fair share of flying horses, romance, magical trees, and sword fights! (Correct me if I'm wrong. I tried to finish this book as soon as possible to make a review for it.) However, the book would have been better if it were less fast-paced and didn't throw a bunch of events in your face in such a short amount of time. Plus, maybe if the book had explained a little bit more about the setting, events, and characters, the book would have been better. Also, I didn't know that this was an anime, so I think I'll try to find it to see how different it was from this book, plus, maybe I can get a better explanation of the characters, setting, and events to make up for the rushed parts of the book. Lastly, this was a pretty cool take on Romeo and Juliet, so if you like Romeo and Juliet to be told differently, this may be the book for you.
January 10, 2014
Quality of Writing:
Dialogue: 10
Pace: 8 It was a bit too fast for me but that wasn't really COM's fault cause it's just a quick 9 chapter version of the anime.
Ease of Reading: 10
Enjoyability: 10 You can soar right through this book but then have to pick it right up again.
Plot:
Beginning: 10
End: 10
Development: 10
Insightfulness: 10 Such a good twist on Romeo and Juliet.
Completeness: 10
Over all Plot: 10
Characters:
Personalities: 10 Love all the characters in this.
Depth: 9 It could have gone more into the back grounds of some of the characters.
Development: 9 The development of Juliet was especially good. Love how she grows during the story.
Enjoyabiltiy: 10
Insightfulness: 9
Worth Reading Again? Definitely, I've already read it three times and will gladly read it many more.
Dialogue: 10
Pace: 8 It was a bit too fast for me but that wasn't really COM's fault cause it's just a quick 9 chapter version of the anime.
Ease of Reading: 10
Enjoyability: 10 You can soar right through this book but then have to pick it right up again.
Plot:
Beginning: 10
End: 10
Development: 10
Insightfulness: 10 Such a good twist on Romeo and Juliet.
Completeness: 10
Over all Plot: 10
Characters:
Personalities: 10 Love all the characters in this.
Depth: 9 It could have gone more into the back grounds of some of the characters.
Development: 9 The development of Juliet was especially good. Love how she grows during the story.
Enjoyabiltiy: 10
Insightfulness: 9
Worth Reading Again? Definitely, I've already read it three times and will gladly read it many more.
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