Kurohime: love and redemption
I visited OneManga on a whim, chanced upon Kurohime, and read it also on a whim. It’s been a month or so since I have been as engrossed as I have in any medium. The start of the manga wasn’t too impressive; in fact, both the art and the starting premise somewhat remind me of Claymore: a life of a child was rescued by a powerful and older lady, and this impresses upon him so much that he attempts to follow the path of justice’s warrior. Raki somewhat ended up like this.
Kurohime and her different forms
In his quest (after ten years) he finally discovers the woman who he has pledged love, devotion, and his life to. She has, however, changed: as punishment for trying to battle the gods, she is cursed to live without the memory of what happened ten years ago, and without love as well. It is only when she will discover true love by herself that she will become the powerful magician of ten years ago. Without this love, however, she will forever remain an adult in a child’s body.
Her name is Kurohime, and there is much reason to dislike her. Her attitude is that of the basest form of utilitarianism: she tries to manipulate people until they serve their purpose, and then she throws them out. One would often wonder why Zero (the male protagonist) accompanies a bitch like her and still remains to serve her with compassion, love and sacrifice. But he does, and such was Kurohime’s impression upon him ten years ago that he decides to live in righteousness and justice.
Having said that, the manga is indeed shounen. Unlike shounen, however, quite a lot has already happened within just the 19 chapters available scanlated. I won’t spoil what happens, but the plot reminds me of Gurren Lagann, with the nobility of people, the transforming power of love, and the enemies becoming progressively harder and harder. It’s not Monster or written by Naoki Urasawa, but it has a surprising amount of depth for a shounen series. It’s also extremely entertaining, with a fair share of well-structured women. 
P.S. I will be gone for a few days: I will participate being immersed among the marginalized of society. I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it there. I’ll see you then. 
November 28th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Hmm, interesting, sounds like a manga I should check out.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Thanks for the heads up on this series. I have read up to chapter 20 and really enjoyed it. However, I wonder how far they are going to take this. Since this involves battling gods will it all end up Gurren Lagann-esque by having the characters throwing galaxies at each other?
November 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
It’s also extremely entertaining, with a fair share of well-structured women.
you had me at, “on a whim” XD
this looks nice, gonna set it on the experience wishlist ^^
November 30th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Bocom:
It is quite interesting. I hope you’ll like it even more.
RedMaigo:
I don’t hope for the battles to occur to that extent, but it can be expected that the scope will significantly become larger and larger.
RyanA:
Thanks!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Woman trapped in a girl’s body? Until she finds love? I’m sure a lolicon will turn up and cure her of that, but then he’d dump her for growing up…
That said, interesting plotline that I would be interested in following.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
This is really good stuff, and it gets more complex, but somewhere around vol 10 or 11 it suddenly takes a twist and a lot of the history from 10 yrs ago gets explained. Oh well, there’s also a flashback to zero’s childhood. I’ve read up to vol 14 and it was really really good.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
ANIKI? WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!? YOU’RE FEMALE NOW! D:
November 30th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Simon, USE YOUR DRILL! YOUR DRILL WILL SAVE ME FROM THIS LITTLE GIRL’S BODY!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Kaminahime:
Did you ever read Kurohime?
klabz:
I’ve heard. That’s why I like it a lot.
Jacob:
It is an interesting plotline, yes.
December 21st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Claymore’s too bloody.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
lol I did the same thing I was just looking at updates on onemanga and saw kurohime, at that time I dimly remember seeing a preview on a shonen jump volume and decided to see what kurohime would be like who knew I am now an addict and I love the kurohime story line. I remember crying when I saw zero die XD
March 1st, 2009 at 7:44 am
This is definitely one of my favorite manga. The art is beautiful; the storyline is developed but gives you a sense of simplicity and innocence. It really comes off as a great, impressionable manga.