| | |  | NARUTO | Home » » » Black Bird, Vol. 1 | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | R to L (Japanese Style). There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. All that changes one day when Misao is attacked by a demon. Her childhood friend Kyo suddenly returns to save her and tend to her cuts--with his tongue! It turns out Misao is the bride of prophecy, whose blood gives power to the demon clan who claims her. But most demons want to keep her power for themselves--by eating her! Now Misao is just trying to stay alive...and decide if she likes it when Kyo licks her wounds. | | | Features: | |
• ISBN13: 9781421527642
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Kanoko Sakurakoji | | Paperback:
| 194 pages | | Publisher:
| VIZ Media LLC | | Publication Date:
| August 04, 2009 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 1421527642 | | Product Length:
| 7.5 inches | | Product Width:
| 5.04 inches | | Product Height:
| 0.67 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.42 pounds | | Package Length:
| 7.4 inches | | Package Width:
| 4.96 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.79 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 24 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 24 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 Pretty But ShallowAug 04, 2009
By Hakajin
"Ecclectic Student"
I had rather high expectations for Kanoko Sakurakoji's "Black Bird". I'd already read the manga-ka's other work published in English, "Backstage Prince", in the pages of "Shojo Beat" magazine, and I thought it was pretty good. The preview for "Black Bird" in "Shojo Beat" made it seem a little cliche, but I still looked forward to the manga. After all, it won the 2009 Kodansha Manga Award for best shojo, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the industry.
But I ended up being disappointed with "Black Bird". There's really not a lot to it. The story is shallow, to begin with. It's got many cliche elements- the girl with special powers assailed by demons, the sexy demon who shows up to protect her (who's also the heroine's childhood friend and first love), and of course, a love triangle. These things can all be entertaining if done right, but that's not the case here. The story is kind of episodic and mostly consists of Kyo saving Misao from various demons. I'm a feminist, but I don't have a problem with the hero rescuing the heroine sometimes. A girl has a right to fantasize, after all. But when it's the focus of the whole plot, it gets old. But fantasizing seems to be what this manga is about. There's no sex in it as of yet, but there are definitely some risque scenes. Kyo is able to heal Misao's wounds by licking them, and this happens about once per chapter. It gets a little naughtier each time, too. I've heard it called a "bodice ripper", and that's definitely appropriate.
The characters were ok. I got a little tired of Misao's angsting, though. I can understand her being put off by Kyo's rather forward advances, but you think she would at least be a little grateful for him protecting her. Instead, she says she doesn't want him to protect her, that she wants to be a normal girl with a normal boyfriend (strange how these shojo heroines always seem to be upset by the fact that they have a hot, considerate guy madly in love with them). Misao's obviously got feelings for Kyo, but she won't admit it to herself. Then she goes around all gloomy because she thinks that he's only interested in her for what she can do for him. Which would be a legitimate concern, I guess, but it's been done a thousand times in shojo. Kyo, dark and mysterious, is protective of Misao, but also very forward with her. All in all, neither of them are too complex, but they fit this kind of story well.
I will say that "Black Bird" has beautiful artwork. It's simple but detailed, and the characters look great. Kyo's especially good-looking, and especially when his black wings show. But in this case, beauty is only skin deep, and it takes more than pretty artwork to hold my attention. I realize that this manga is mostly about being racy, but there still needs to be more of a plot. I'd be willing to give "Black Bird" another shot, though. The story has to get better if it won the Kodansha Manga Award, right? I guess we'll find out in time.
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 I can't wait for VOLUME 2!Aug 16, 2009
By Big Boss Reader
"Big Boss Reader"
I bought this manga, not having very high expectations because I was just looking for new material to buy, but I'm super glad I picked this one up. For me, it takes romance to a higher plateau and is slightly more mature than some of the other mangas I have read. The romance element is killer. I also love the protagonists. Many female protagonists are intensely annoying with their incessant squeals, incessant overacting, and the like, but I like this character a lot. The male interest is also great. I love also the dialogue. Instead of a "You need me, and I want you to know it," the male protagonist drops a "You need me, and I need to teach your body that." HAVE MERCY! Something as subtle as that has a great effect. I look forward to seeing what craziness will develop with the demon infestation troubling the female protagonist's life. I can't wait for volume 2!
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
An Enchanting Love StoryAug 14, 2009
By Allie Yacina
Some might say that the tale of Black Bird is cliche and old; a girl needing her hero to save her from outlandish perdiciments. But I found myself unable to put it down! Kanoko Sakurakoji made this tale work by adding a few different elements and twists. The main character, high school student Misao Harada, is able to see demons that are invisible to others around her. This cruel fate happens every century to an unlucky human. When she turns sixteen, she is targeted by relentless demons who either want her blood for a long life, her flesh for eternal youth, or to be her betrothed. Yes, thats right. If a demon claims her as his bride, then that demon's clan will prosper.
This interesting plot got me hooked from the start. To thicken this plot, Kyo appears after ten years of absence, to protect Misao. Kyo, a Tengu demon with black wings, was Misao's childhood friend, whom she has very little memory of. Unaware that Kyo was a demon, she has been secretly waiting for him to return. Kyo boldly asks Misao to marry him, in exchange for protection. But now knowing the truth, she rejects Kyo because he is a demon himself. But he doesn't quit his quest for her affection. Misao knows that Kyo doesn't really love her. He only wants her hand in marraige for the wellfair of his clan. But is there really love behind Kyo's determination?
This ravishing story will leave you wanting more! Not to mention the beautiful art. Sakurakoji's illustraitions catch your eye right from the store shelf. This book is funny, sexy, and imaginative. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Black Bird Takes OffOct 23, 2010
By J Astin
Black Bird is a manga which follows the story of a girl, Misao Harada, who can see and is constantly bothered by spirits and is in love with a boy she can hardly remember. On her sixteenth birthday, she is approached by one of the school's hottest boys, but instead of a date, she gets an attempt on her life and the knowledge that she is irresistible to demons. Also appearing is Kyo, her old childhood friend that she loved for so long. The only problem? He's a demon too, and he wants to make her his bride. Misao is torn between her memories and his current attractiveness and the worry that he's only after her because a marriage to her would ensure success for his clan. Other demons and spirits won't leave her alone, so no matter if she wants him to or not, Kyo watches out for her, fighting for her and healing her wounds with his tongue. Also featured are Taro, the young servant of Kyo's, and Kuzunoha, a rival fox demon.
The dynamics between the characters is interesting, with Misao having to decide how much to trust Kyo, and if she is willing to let him protect her, even if the alternative is death. Kyo is bold, perverted, and possessive, but it's hard to doubt his sincerity.
The art style of the manga goes heavy on the giant eyes, tears, and blushes, and is fairly typical, though possibly a mite prettier.
Overall, the manga is worth a read, though it is heavier on angst than your typical shojo manga. There are funny bits, mostly focusing on Kyo's pervertedness, but it's definitely about the relationship between Kyo and Misao, or the lack thereof. Still, the series could use a bit of maturing, which will hopefully come in the next installment.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Light Reading with Pervy HumorAug 22, 2010
By A. H. Canty
Black Bird is about a girl named Misao Harada who is gifted with the ability to see supernatural creatures (demons, spirits, and the like). She's spent most of her life trying to get by while being constantly harassed by these spirits until, one day, a childhood friend (Kyo) returns and saves her from a demon. It turns out that Misao is the "bride of prophecy." Any demon that drinks (a lot of) her blood lives longer, those that devour her get eternal youth, and if a demon marries her, his clan will prosper. Apparently, demons have commitment issues since most of them decide they'd rather just kill her and eat her. Luckily for Misao, Kyo is a tengu and happens to be set on taking Misao as his (sometimes reluctant) bride.
Like many shojo series, Black Bird is filled with high school drama, angsty love, and some slapstick humor. It's set apart by the introduction of Japanese monsters such as tengu and kitsune in addition to quite a bit of blood. The main character is often attacked by demons and her wounds are healed by having Kyo lick and suck them. It's been a few years since I've read manga so I was a little surprised by the pervy levels that that aspect was taken to. It's rated T+ (for older teens) and I have to agree with it. Younger readers may not get the quirky humor (at one point Misao laments that a guy who hit on her was possessed by an aborted fetus) and there are plenty of sexual references (in volume two, Kyo's "little tengu" is referenced twice). In addition, the relationship between Misao and Kyo is questionable in that daddy-knows-best/why-don't-you-succumb-to-my-will-you-silly-girl sort of way.
Everything said, Black Bird is fun, quirky reading.
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