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天使禁猟区 [Tenshi Kinryōku] #4
Angel Sanctuary, Vol. 4
Setsuna Mudo is a mixed-up high school student who had gotten up on the wrong side of God. He is the reincarnation of an angel who has rebelled against heaven. Now the Angels want him dead, the demons want him to lead the revolution, and he just wants a clue to how the world works.
Sara, Setsuna's beloved sister, is dead, and Tokyo is a moment away from being utterly destroyed—and this chapter of Setsuna's life is just beginning. Meanwhile, the worst angel in the nine spheres is about to make a power grab and take control of heaven!
Sara, Setsuna's beloved sister, is dead, and Tokyo is a moment away from being utterly destroyed—and this chapter of Setsuna's life is just beginning. Meanwhile, the worst angel in the nine spheres is about to make a power grab and take control of heaven!
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
8 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Kaori Yuki
203 books677 followersKaori Yuki (由貴香織里) is a Japanese manga artist.
She debuted in 1987 with Natsufuku no Erii (Jap: 夏服のエリー) on the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha.
She is best known for her gothic manga works, such as the Earl Cain series (Jap: 伯爵カイン, Hakushaku Cain) and Angel Sanctuary (Jap: 天使禁猟区, Tenshi Kinryōku)
Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo manga anthologies, Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume. In 2010, Kaori Yuki was one of many manga artists whose work would appear in the new shōjo manga anthology Aria by the publisher Kodansha on July 28, 2010.
Her doujinshi-ka name is MoonClock.
She debuted in 1987 with Natsufuku no Erii (Jap: 夏服のエリー) on the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha.
She is best known for her gothic manga works, such as the Earl Cain series (Jap: 伯爵カイン, Hakushaku Cain) and Angel Sanctuary (Jap: 天使禁猟区, Tenshi Kinryōku)
Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo manga anthologies, Bessatsu Hana to Yume and Hana to Yume. In 2010, Kaori Yuki was one of many manga artists whose work would appear in the new shōjo manga anthology Aria by the publisher Kodansha on July 28, 2010.
Her doujinshi-ka name is MoonClock.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 23, 2016
This might be my favorite volume so far. I'm loving the drawings more and more and the story just keeps getting darker and more twisted. This manga manages to be ironic, sarcastic, creepy and angsty at the same time. We got to meet also new characters in this one and we finally know more about Kato (who might be my new baby). Yeps, I'm so happy I finally decided to keep reading this manga after such a long time. And I think this was the volume at which I stopped reading years ago, so I think it'll be all new from now on. YAY
July 8, 2018
I only gave this three stars because the story is starting to get a little convoluted and rather confusing to me. I would have to reread slowly to understand all the names of the angels /demons, their hierarchy and all that. I also didn't realize the Forbidden lovers weren't going to have much time together (maybe they will in later volumes) also I'm a bit underwhelmed so far with Sestuna's personality. Usually I like to idolize and go gaga over the male protagonist hahaha. Or maybe I'm too old now so I can't relate with the character lol! But since I bought the whole series I'm committed. On to volume 5 - but not right away. I'll take a little break for now.
February 22, 2015
The actions at the end of the last volume have basically leveled Tokyo and killed countless people, but Setsuna is given a chance to set some of it right - if he can find it in himself to face reality. Adam Kadamon, one of the most powerful beings, stops time and Setsuna has seven days to travel into the underworld and address the heart of the issue. When he gets there, he's met by his guide to the underworld and who should it be but Kato.
Who's Kato? Well, remember how in Volume 2's review I said Alexiel's power started to manifest again out of a place of gentleness? Well, the situation was that Kato, a bully and jerk from school, had been infected by Rosiel and basically taken over. To release Kato from Rosiel's control, Kato had to be killed and cleansed so his soul could move on in some form of peace. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to actually send him to heaven, based on his life in general. Seeing the two of them playing off one another is actually a real highlight of this series, one of the things I remember clearly from my first read-through of this series as it was being released.
Meanwhile, Katan, Rosiel's right-hand man, was all but destroyed along with Tokyo. Rosiel tries to save him by giving him one of the pills that turn people into Rosiel's puppets. He tried desperately to explain how badly he does not want that, but Rosiel's selfishness means he gets his way over Katan's objection. However, things aren't going to plan and Katan is turning into something horrible. It's weirdly sad, because I know Rosiel's a selfish, horrible person but there's something deeply pitiable about the way he just doesn't seem to understand what he's done and how badly he hurt someone who really was loyal to him.
Who's Kato? Well, remember how in Volume 2's review I said Alexiel's power started to manifest again out of a place of gentleness? Well, the situation was that Kato, a bully and jerk from school, had been infected by Rosiel and basically taken over. To release Kato from Rosiel's control, Kato had to be killed and cleansed so his soul could move on in some form of peace. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to actually send him to heaven, based on his life in general. Seeing the two of them playing off one another is actually a real highlight of this series, one of the things I remember clearly from my first read-through of this series as it was being released.
Meanwhile, Katan, Rosiel's right-hand man, was all but destroyed along with Tokyo. Rosiel tries to save him by giving him one of the pills that turn people into Rosiel's puppets. He tried desperately to explain how badly he does not want that, but Rosiel's selfishness means he gets his way over Katan's objection. However, things aren't going to plan and Katan is turning into something horrible. It's weirdly sad, because I know Rosiel's a selfish, horrible person but there's something deeply pitiable about the way he just doesn't seem to understand what he's done and how badly he hurt someone who really was loyal to him.
October 13, 2025
Review for complete series
No matter how hard he tries, Setsuna always manages to run into trouble, and his love for his sister is just one of many things that seem to be going wrong. It is only when two demons appear and make his life an even bigger mess that Setsuna comes to realise all his misfortunes might be linked to the fallen angel Alexiel.
I would definitely consider Angel Sanctuary a great and classic manga. But for all that, I am sure it does not appeal to everyone. In addition to the incestuous relationship between Setsuna and his sister Sara, there are drugs and alcohol, gruesome murders and mutilations, rape, child murder, a twisted view on religion and god, suicide, characters whose minds turn grotesque and obsessive - the list goes on. These are subjects that might be very appealing to some, but also very problematic for others.
I belong to the latter - usually, these subjects would automatically cause me to stay clear from such a book. It is truly a macabre tale, and that's just the way Kaori Yuki's works go. Yet despite my reluctance to give such subjects a try, I can say that whether one likes it or not, there's no denying that this is a brilliantly crafted story with an impressive amount of meaningful characters.
Kaori Yuki's art and stories all suffer and gain from the same thing: the sheer mass of detail. Her art is absolutely gorgeous with all the fine hair and cloth and just all the immense details. But at times, it can make the pages overcrowded and confusing - it certainly takes a longer time to read than your average manga. The story is at times likewise confusing as anything - it can be hard to keep track of which panels come first. But it's the wonderfully interwoven plot that remains a solid point throughout. The smallest details from the first volume can become relevant in the later ones and there is one plot twist after the another. There's never a boring moment as we follow Setsuna unravelling all the intrigues that surround the large cast.
Although I would consider the plot a strong point of this work, it is yet the characters who seem to turn it into something special. I have rarely come across a manga with so many characters who all have diverse and deep personalities. You get to love and hate all of them as even the most villainous ones prove to have something very humane and rather pitiful about them. In the end, one wonders - who was the true villain, if there was one at all? But with all the variety, there's no denying that the majority of them are broken characters. Every one of them seems to be involved in one twisted mess or another.
Luckily, there are great bonds of love, friendship and family that stand strong throughout the story and every now and then offer a well deserved comic relief. Angel Sanctuary is most certainly worth a try for any who enjoy strong character-driven stories that'll leave you with a hard time picking out a favourite character.
April 22, 2018
Kaori Yuki drawing are always so beautiful, but the story is still all over the place.
Things finally start to move but there is too many characters and storylines at the same time for my taste.
Things finally start to move but there is too many characters and storylines at the same time for my taste.
March 24, 2019
Better than the last one, thank god, though the love for Sara is still the driving force... It's icky... I wish Setsuna would wind up with Kira in all honesty. Like, there are some small hints but... yea, anyways, the story is moving on, though the jumps from Setsuna to Roseil can confuse me at points, though it's quickly sorted out. The art is getting better as we go along too. Overall, an ok series, just some ickness from the incest part
April 15, 2019
Don’t really care for Setsuna yet and this volume still had him emotionally dealing with Sara, who I also didn’t like. However, the side characters and the rest of the plot are interesting and showing great promise.
August 8, 2022
This is as far as the Anime OVA goes. So next chapter, and volume, we enter new territory.
Read
October 5, 2022I liked it very much, it would have made more sense if I had read the others beforehand, but it is very nice
August 9, 2023
This was a really good volume I loved that we are now going into the underworld and it is getting darker... love it!
March 14, 2023
Ich glaube so langsam entwickel ich immer und immer mehr Gefallen an Angel Sanctuary von Kaori Yuki. Nach ein paar verwirrenden Neuanläufen um die komplexe Geschichte und die verschiedenen Absichten der Charaktere verstehen zu können, bin ich mit Band vier auf Anhieb sehr gut zurecht gekommen.
Das Kapitel Erde (Assiah) ist beendet und man bekommt mehr Einblicke in die verschiedenen Engelsreiche und auch in den Hades - der den größten Handlungsspielraum abdeckt.
Nach Saras Tod offenbart die Geschichte Setsunas Schicksal: Er ist der Messias. Doch in erster Linie will er alles dafür tun um sie zurück zu holen und begibt sich damit auf eine gefährliche Reise durch den Hades. Sie ist durch die Liebe zu ihrem Bruder so verflucht, dass der Todeswächter des Höllentores sie als Opfer mit großer Freude entgegen nimmt.
Setsuna bekommt einen Schutzgeist zur Seite gestellt, den man schon kennt. Es ist kein geringerer als Kato - Kira's bester Freund und Drogendealer - der Setsuna natürlich promt für seinen Tod verantwortlich macht. Es ist eine sehr lustige und unterhaltsame Mischung, denn erst wird rumgebrüllt und dann nur lapidar mit den Schultern gezuckt. Setsuna und Kato liefern sich Mittelfingerschlachten und sarkastische Bemerkungen, was wirklich witzig zu lesen war. Yuki erschafft für diese Szenen Bilder, die einfach nur klasse waren. Peppig, feurig, sehr unterhaltsam und lustig. Für mich das beste an diesem Band und Kato hat nach Kurai das Zeug für mich zum Lieblingscharakter.
Setsuna selbst kommt in diesem Band auch ein wenig mehr aus sich raus. Wenn man bedenkt, was er eigentlich gerade durch macht, ist es ganz angenehm ihn so herausfordernd und mutig zu erleben. Auch wenn sein Mut gleichzeitig auch Dummheit bedeutet.
Auch zu Rosiel kann ich als Leser nun eine bessere Verbindung herstellen. Er ist eigentlich der mächtigste Engel im Himmel und lässt das Sevothtarte auch deutlich spüren. Der hingegen macht seine eigenen Pläne und insgesamt ist dieser Teil der Geschichte düster und fesselnd.
Mich konnte Band vier sehr überzeugen. Ich kam mühelos in die Handlung rein und verstehe die Charaktere immer mehr. Ihre Absichten werden deutlicher und das merkt man.
Auch die Zeichnungen scheinen sich zu verbessern. Setsuna strahlt irgendwie einen anderen Charme aus, was mir gut gefällt. Vielleicht wird er auch reifer und passt sich mehr der Geschichte an?
Es bleibt abzuwarten, was noch alles geschieht. Und ich werde nun mit noch mehr Freude weiterlesen.
Das Kapitel Erde (Assiah) ist beendet und man bekommt mehr Einblicke in die verschiedenen Engelsreiche und auch in den Hades - der den größten Handlungsspielraum abdeckt.
Nach Saras Tod offenbart die Geschichte Setsunas Schicksal: Er ist der Messias. Doch in erster Linie will er alles dafür tun um sie zurück zu holen und begibt sich damit auf eine gefährliche Reise durch den Hades. Sie ist durch die Liebe zu ihrem Bruder so verflucht, dass der Todeswächter des Höllentores sie als Opfer mit großer Freude entgegen nimmt.
Setsuna bekommt einen Schutzgeist zur Seite gestellt, den man schon kennt. Es ist kein geringerer als Kato - Kira's bester Freund und Drogendealer - der Setsuna natürlich promt für seinen Tod verantwortlich macht. Es ist eine sehr lustige und unterhaltsame Mischung, denn erst wird rumgebrüllt und dann nur lapidar mit den Schultern gezuckt. Setsuna und Kato liefern sich Mittelfingerschlachten und sarkastische Bemerkungen, was wirklich witzig zu lesen war. Yuki erschafft für diese Szenen Bilder, die einfach nur klasse waren. Peppig, feurig, sehr unterhaltsam und lustig. Für mich das beste an diesem Band und Kato hat nach Kurai das Zeug für mich zum Lieblingscharakter.
Setsuna selbst kommt in diesem Band auch ein wenig mehr aus sich raus. Wenn man bedenkt, was er eigentlich gerade durch macht, ist es ganz angenehm ihn so herausfordernd und mutig zu erleben. Auch wenn sein Mut gleichzeitig auch Dummheit bedeutet.
Auch zu Rosiel kann ich als Leser nun eine bessere Verbindung herstellen. Er ist eigentlich der mächtigste Engel im Himmel und lässt das Sevothtarte auch deutlich spüren. Der hingegen macht seine eigenen Pläne und insgesamt ist dieser Teil der Geschichte düster und fesselnd.
Mich konnte Band vier sehr überzeugen. Ich kam mühelos in die Handlung rein und verstehe die Charaktere immer mehr. Ihre Absichten werden deutlicher und das merkt man.
Auch die Zeichnungen scheinen sich zu verbessern. Setsuna strahlt irgendwie einen anderen Charme aus, was mir gut gefällt. Vielleicht wird er auch reifer und passt sich mehr der Geschichte an?
Es bleibt abzuwarten, was noch alles geschieht. Und ich werde nun mit noch mehr Freude weiterlesen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2022
Edit: for auto correct mistakes and warning
Warning ⚠️
Torture (mostly off screen),bloody scenes, swearing and suggestive themes.
This manga is rated 16+ for a reason.
Re-read:
November 13th,2022
Originally read 2018
I enjoyed reading this volume for the most part partly because this volume is the introduction to the early sections of the Genhenna arc and the other reason being because of the power struggle between Sevothtarte (Sevy) and Rosiel being incredibly written (for a shojo manga anyway)
However I disliked that Setsuna acted very uncharacteristic once he enters the Afterlife to find Sara.
Setsuna was bullied and easily tricked by Katou and he nearly killed by two ghouls.
He had quickly forgotten his promises to Adam Kadamon and his friends to sacrifice himself for what he thought was Sara's spirit.
Some of the panel background art was blurry or lazily drawn to the point I could hardly make out what I was seeing.
I could continue to discuss his ridiculous uncharacteristic behavior but I don't want to spoil the entire volume.
The rest of the volume was great but these sections of the story was very annoying to read.
Warning ⚠️
Torture (mostly off screen),bloody scenes, swearing and suggestive themes.
This manga is rated 16+ for a reason.
Re-read:
November 13th,2022
Originally read 2018
I enjoyed reading this volume for the most part partly because this volume is the introduction to the early sections of the Genhenna arc and the other reason being because of the power struggle between Sevothtarte (Sevy) and Rosiel being incredibly written (for a shojo manga anyway)
However I disliked that Setsuna acted very uncharacteristic once he enters the Afterlife to find Sara.
Setsuna was bullied and easily tricked by Katou and he nearly killed by two ghouls.
He had quickly forgotten his promises to Adam Kadamon and his friends to sacrifice himself for what he thought was Sara's spirit.
Some of the panel background art was blurry or lazily drawn to the point I could hardly make out what I was seeing.
I could continue to discuss his ridiculous uncharacteristic behavior but I don't want to spoil the entire volume.
The rest of the volume was great but these sections of the story was very annoying to read.
May 9, 2015
*sigh*
So the last volume of Angel Sanctuary had some potential - I found myself wanting to read this volume given the rather dramatic ending to the previous volume... unfortunately...well.
I think the issue is that I just do not care about any of the characters in this so when it comes to the journey to hell to rescue Sara - I am finding I don't care if he succeeds or not. The devil people are, I think, more interesting here but even they don't make me want to read on. The turmoil in heaven - eh, who really cares? Bringing back the bully who was killed in the earlier book? Again, who really cares?
I know there must have been a reason for me to like these books so much when I was younger, and possibly if I had bought the whole series when I had money to burn I would be able to read a few more volumes and be like "THIS was why I kept reading and why you SHOULD read these books" as it is however this is the last book I own in this series and at the moment I don't see myself buying any more of them...
So the last volume of Angel Sanctuary had some potential - I found myself wanting to read this volume given the rather dramatic ending to the previous volume... unfortunately...well.
I think the issue is that I just do not care about any of the characters in this so when it comes to the journey to hell to rescue Sara - I am finding I don't care if he succeeds or not. The devil people are, I think, more interesting here but even they don't make me want to read on. The turmoil in heaven - eh, who really cares? Bringing back the bully who was killed in the earlier book? Again, who really cares?
I know there must have been a reason for me to like these books so much when I was younger, and possibly if I had bought the whole series when I had money to burn I would be able to read a few more volumes and be like "THIS was why I kept reading and why you SHOULD read these books" as it is however this is the last book I own in this series and at the moment I don't see myself buying any more of them...
January 9, 2015
Y es a partir de aquí donde la historia literalmente, me atrapo. Después de todo me gustan mucho la mitología angelical, la doble moralidad y si viene acompañado de un toque dantesco... ¿Como podría negarme? Y es en este tomo donde vemos de nueva cuenta a Yue Kato, si ese mismo que fue asesinado por Alexiel pero ahora en el papel de Virgilio que guía a Setsuna a través del inframundo en busca del alma de su amada, claro que las cosas no podrían ser tan fáciles como parecen. Mientras tanto en el cielo el Primer Ministro Sevothtarte gobierna el cielo con mano dura y la llegada de Rociel solo complica mas las cosas.
Rating 4.0
Rating 4.0
October 17, 2008
Dear Ms Kaori Yuki: PLEASE NEVER STOP WITH THE CRACK AND THE GORGEOUS ARTWORK. THE WORLD WOULD PROBABLY IMPLODE IF YOU DID. That said: I love the art in this. I love Rosiel and his attachment to his subordinate, I love pretty much everything that happens in hell, and I love people trying to be cunning and scheme their way past Rosiel and having it fail miserably. I really should remember to read the rest!
(Reaction shot first posted: http://community.livejournal.com/book...)
(Reaction shot first posted: http://community.livejournal.com/book...)
July 18, 2014
Sara's murder has awakened Alexiel inside of Setsuna, but before she can fully awaken and destroy /everything/ Kira calls out to him and brings him back to his senses.
And then, Adam Kadamon (God's most perfect creation ever) appears and tells Setsuna that he must kill Kira to end his suffering forever!
Setsuna refuses and makes a vow to steal Sara's soul back from Hades. Adam Kadamon is moved by Setsuna's plight and makes a decision to help him on his conquest, however, Setsuna has only seven days to bring Sara back with him... or he will remain in Hades for all eternity.
And then, Adam Kadamon (God's most perfect creation ever) appears and tells Setsuna that he must kill Kira to end his suffering forever!
Setsuna refuses and makes a vow to steal Sara's soul back from Hades. Adam Kadamon is moved by Setsuna's plight and makes a decision to help him on his conquest, however, Setsuna has only seven days to bring Sara back with him... or he will remain in Hades for all eternity.
August 30, 2007
Absolutely stellar. The art is amazing and so is the storyline. It's totally original. The manga is MUCH better than the time-crammed anime version.
WARNING: it's not for the faint of heart. It features lots of blood and a twinge of incest.
WARNING: it's not for the faint of heart. It features lots of blood and a twinge of incest.
June 1, 2015
I adore this entire series. Kaori Yuki is a masterful storyteller and a talented artist.
January 9, 2014
One of my favorite volumes of the series. The art is just so amazing and the storyline keeps getting better.
April 11, 2014
Stupendo *w* molto più bello dei due precedenti ♥
June 13, 2015
La ida a los infiernos, el regreso del muerto y la preparación del escenario en el cielo
February 26, 2016
Good as usual. The storyline has taken a traditional heroics legend turn that I quite like....if only incest wasn't the main problem..... :(
April 6, 2016
Ida al infierno ~ la introducción a la real historia.
August 25, 2020
Es ist alles so verworren. Musste die ersten drei nochmal lesen, weil ich die ganzen Charaktere immer durcheinander gebracht habe.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews