World Famous Comics: The Lotis Master (Alice 19th, Vol. 1)
The Lotis Master (Alice 19th, Vol. 1)
By: Yu Watase Publisher: VIZ Media LLC Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 192 Publication Date: October 22, 2003 Studio: VIZ Media LLC
Product Description: Alice Seno seems like a normal girl in high school. She's a bit shy, she has a crush on a boy name Kyo, and she has a pretty older sister, Mayura, who is more popular than she is - especially with Kyou. Pretty normal stuff, until one day when, walking down the street, Alice hears strange voices instructing her to save a rabbit from being run over by a car. Alice's brave act almost costs her life, but the handsome Kyo saves her. Meanwhile, it seems the rabbit is no ordinary bunny, but a magical entity with great powers. Before she can figure out what's going on, the rabbit vanishes, only to reappear as a beam of light with a strange message just for Alice.
Good ^ I'll keep it short. It's about a girl who finds a rabbit who gives her (or, kind of helps her find) magical powers, and they rid people's heart with special words... Ok, the series is better than that. It's really good. One of the first manga series I've read, and I was hooked. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Contains some mild violence and language, plus nudity and attempted rape.
Watase at Her Best ^ Yuu Watase is the manga-ka of many popular manga including "Fushigi Yugi" and "Absolute Boyfriend". But I have to say that though "Alice 19th" didn't get as much hype as some of her other series, it's one of the best.
The story follows Alice, a young girl who is in love with her sister's boyfriend, Kyo. She feels overshadowed by her older sister, Mayura, and is too shy to stick up for herself or say what's on her mind. One day, she rescues an odd rabbit. On that same day, she tells her sister that she wishes she would disappear, and surprisingly, her wish comes true. The rabbit, who turns out to be a magical bunny girl named Nyozeka, tells Alice that she is a "Lotis master", and must use the power of the Lotis words to bring her sister back. Using the Lotis words, she can enter the "inner heart" of people and fight the ugliness that dwells inside them.
I enjoyed the story, and I liked the theme of the power of words. It works especially well with Alice's shy character as she learns to express herself and have courage. There are also themes of the darkness that lives inside everyone, and I thought this was realistic and well-done.
The characters are likable and more developed than those in some of Watase's other series. Alice really does grow throughout the manga. Kyo also shows depth as he struggles with his difficult past, and the romance between the two is sweet. I liked the gentle affection between them. It was much deeper than the romance in "Fushigi Yugi" and "Ceres". The characters do brood often, and it can seem a little overly dramatic, but it's the kind of drama that's fun to indulge in. And Frey's character lightens up the mood when it gets too heavy. Frey is well done too, and although he's mostly there for comedic relief, he has his own story. Nyozeka also adds humor, and she guides Alice when she gets confused. Mayura is vengeful, but at times she's conflicted by her desire for revenge and her love for her little sister. Chris is a good character too, but since he enters the story much later, I won't talk about him. The only two characters I felt didn't get enough attention were Billy and Mei Lin.
The art is beautiful. If you haven't read any of Watase's other works, you're in for a treat. There are plenty of hot guys to oggle at, and I think Alice is one of Watase's prettiest heroines. The costumes and scenery are also pretty to look at.
The only problem "Alice 19th" suffers from (aside from the lack of characterization with Billy and Mei Lin) is its length. It's only seven volumes, but I started to feel like things were dragging and got a little frustrated. This is what prevented me from giving it five stars.
If you like shojo, "Alice 19th" is great. Definitely one to look out for.
Wonderful! ^ This series is so great! I think that most 12 year olds who are into manga would like, fall in love with it. I read it three times, and then got halfway through the fourth before it had to go back to the library. This book is about a typical 15 year old girl who has a major crush, and a superior sister. She is confused with her life, and is extremely shy. When she least expects it but needs it most, a fairy gives her a special gift, and her sister dissapears. This book is so great, I highly recommend it for early teens, and for anyone looking for good Manga reference. -Mangafreak
It Makes No Sense-How Can I LOVE Something I Usually HATE? ^ I'm just asking you quick: please don't descriminate because it says kid's review. I'm older and smarter than my age. Okay. I'll say it straight out. I'm your typical-ish girl american teenager, who hates (I wish I could triple-bold that) any sort of Manga or Shojo or whatever kind of book this is. My friend has made me try many, many series and I have hated them all. She almost gave up hope: until she tried Alice 19th. I was bored anyway, so I decided to try it. WHOA.
This first one is very good - not the best in the set, but still very good. Alice is hard to describe. She's not quite shy. She just holds back her feelings, because she doesn't like hurting anybody else's. So, she hides behind her beautiful sister Mayura, and is hardly ever noticed. She likes cell phones and email and all of that, and rarely has long discussions, or emotional ones. The biggest feeling she hides back is her love of Mayura's boyfriend, Kyo. Kyo and Mayura are both in the archery club, and seem to be deep in love, but Alice loves Kyo, too. Being herself, she holds back, which later causes a whole world of trouble. Then, she sees a rabbit just lying in the street. She hears voices, saying, "Who cares? It's just a stupid rabbit," or "I'm not killing myself for some bunny." She runs out to save it, and does-but now the car is coming for her. It just so happens that Kyo is there, and he saves them all. Then, the rabbit turns out to be a magical Girl-Bunny creature, who I think is extremely cute. She tries to tell Alice about her Courage and the Lotis words, words with powers that can save people from the darkness in them all, but Alice doesn't really seem to care. Until she tells her sister Mayura she wants her to dissapear. Why? Because she does. All of the books are about The Lotis Words, the dark, the love she has for Kyo, Alice's unapparent courage, but the main plot is how she and Kyo must team up in order to save Mayura, who they both need in their own way.
I have read all the books of the series, and I'm actually going to buy all seven at some point. While some areas of this book are not so well done, in my humble opinion, this is a piece of work that is original, filled with action, more than a little romance (which, come to think of it, I don't love either), and definitely a very cute bunny. The characters that appear are hilarious, adding some comedy to the serious situation. I love certain quotes in the book-they make me laugh all the time. FINALLY,AND I HOPE YOU READ THIS PART, THESE ARE THE MOST ADDICTIVE BOOKS EVER, EVEN IF YOU HATE THEM. YOU CANNOT STOP READING THEM. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
If you just heard about this somehow, or if you are bored to death, you should find a place to borrow this book or buy it sometime. This is definitely the best (and only) book in whatever category this is I have ever read.
You can really relate to it!!! ^ If you've ever felt outshined by an older/younger sibling, never having the courage to ask your crush out or simply too timid to ever fight back...? Alice 19th is a book for you! alice is a very timid girl and i found an attachment to her ecause of her personality. I know so many pple have this problem as well.
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