About the Mangaka

Iwahara Yūji is better known for the manga King of Thorns, and also for Chikyu Misaki. He also helped with character designs in the Darker than Black anime.

About the Manga

This three volume series is loosely based on a series of games, the first of which was called Koudelka, and the series as a whole went on to be called the Shadow Hearts series. While it uses the games a premise, the manga is a separate entity in it’s own right, and no knowledge of the games is required or expected, to enjoy this series.

This falls just short of the mature rating I would guess, and would probably be released as a Older Teen 16+ title, due to its violent content.

Iwahara’s art isn’t shown at it’s best in this series, however for once bad art is actually a bonus. Set in Wales and London, the contrasts between the two setting is mind blowing. The Wales locations are vast and airy, with lush scenery drawn exceptionally well. The London settings however are darker, dank, and have an unwholesome atmosphere. The perfect feel for the setting and story.

While the story isn’t his own creation, Iwahara-sensei takes the material he’s give and creates a story that has all the elements of greatness. Mystery upon mystery, secrets within secrets, lost princesses, betrayal, friendship and love.

While at times the overly dark settings can be a bit overboard and make it hard to follow what exactly is going on, the story makes up for this.

In the final volume however there are some stunning moments in the art, one of the crowning moments however has to be in the final chapter when Joshua’s mother is set free and her spirit/soul (whatever you want to call it) goes on to wherever it is departed souls go.

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Having read both of Iwahara’s other titles, I felt this series was some of his better. King of Thorns could never really pull of the darker aspects as well as Koudelka has done it, as for the other one, I found it weak.

Koudelka follows, well, Koudelka >.< and Joshua as they try to escape from the men chasing Koudelka, and then try and unravel the mystery of the women who are going missing in London. However there are other mysteries to be solved as well, such as Koudelka missing memories, and just who is Joshua??

However this does have the same problem that all series of this type have, it’s too damned short. Three volumes was barely enough to get the story out. However it feels a bit cramped, four volumes would have been better and allowed the story a bit of breathing room. There are times I felt that to much was happening, and yet at others, not enough.

This is one series I would love to see get the Yen Press treatment!!

Does it make it onto the Essential Read List…..It does, but only just.