Mana
\That’s as much update as I can give you regarding my daily activities. However, I totally could not stop myself from reading manga. In between the writing, the drawing, I was still able to squeeze it in. And right now, I would be doing a review on a Korean Manhwa (Manhwa is the Korean form of comics and cartoons. The artistic style of manhwa bears a distinct likeness to manga, however manhwa characters are typically more realistic - with normal hairstyles, proportionate bodies and a noticeable Asian ethnicity [found definition from google]) entitled Mana by Vin Lee. I have been passing by the title of that comic before but I never actually had the interest to read it until a fortnight ago. I had been reading mostly Japanese manga that I was actually shocked when I realized that Mana was made by a Korean mangaka. No discriminations there, it’s just that I haven’t heard much about Korean manhwa.
Before the manga, let us check the meaning of the word ‘Mana’. According to freedictionary.com, mana is a supernatural force believed to dwell in a person or sacred object. Merriam-Webster defines it as the power of the elemental forces of nature embodied in an object or person. On both definitions, Mana is often associated with the supernatural which is probably why it was chosen as a fitting title for the manga itself. You ask why? That’s because Mana is all about Shi-ohn’s adventures as an exorcist.
Now we go to the summary… Shi-ohn Sunbae is an ordinary high schooler who considers herself a wimp. She can never say no to anyone who asks requests from her, even if she is already being abused. All that was changed when she was tricked by some strangers, Shi-ohn was asked to bow to some table and then asked for money which she just gave without hesitating (a wimp… *sigh*). On her way home, a handsome ghost that goes by the name Mi-Ro (obviously not his real name) followed her saying she just made a contract with him. A few years after, Shi-ohn changed from a simple girl to an extravagant exorcist. She wears designer clothes but has really heavy makeup which makes other people scared of her. Well, plus the fact that she is a shamaness who uses her ability on anyone. This is actually the real beginning of the actual plot. She then meets Professor Joo who later would be someone of importance to her life. I’ll be stopping here so you can find the actual manga and read it (heheh… sorry I’m born evil).
We can now go to the main characters. Please take note that the information I’ll provide for each character are all based on what I have read on the manga. However, if you have any corrections, please contact me and I’ll be glad to change it.
Shi-ohn Sunbae – the manhwa’s lead character, she loves designer clothes but applies heavy make up which of course contradicts. At the beginning, she was a polite and average girl but later on, she had a complete overhaul. She used the power she gained to earn money and is often impolite to anyone. She is most the time seen with a cigarette in her mouth. She had a previous life which is intertwined with the professor and Mi-Ro.
Professor Joo – at least that’s the name I got from the manga, I wasn’t able to get his full name. Moving on, he is Shi-ohn’s neighbor and is also a broadcaster. Aside from that he is also a university professor for Folklore (ha! I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that…). He would often appear out of nowhere when Shi-ohn needs him. Professor Joo is a mysterious person and it seemed that he is somehow connected to both Shi-ohn and Mi-Ro.
Mi-Ro (enigma) - Shi-Ohn’s spirit guide and friend. His real name is Jin-Sang, son of a taxi driver. He was a delinquent when he was alive (hence the look he has). Mi-Ro is his stage name which means enigma. He died during the collapse of a mall while buying a present for his father and lover.
Lee Chuh Yong – Mi-Ro’s previous life. A handsome foreigner called the “the dragon’s son” during his time. He was married to Shi-ohn’s previous life. There are other stipulations as to who he really is but it was not explored in the manhwa.
Jin Joo – She was Shi-ohn’s look alike and Mi-Ro’s lover. It seemed that her soul was acquainted with Shi-ohn’s but it was also not explored much. She was a shoe enthusiast when she was alive. She died of suicide and became a night ghost.
Now that those are out of the way, here goes my verdict…
On the good side, it was quite interesting because of the cultural references and folklore discussed during the story. I wasn’t aware about the interesting folklore in Korea and in a way I felt like I was a bit knowledgeable in the area after reading. I like Shi-ohn’s character, not the typical lead character you read about everyday. The characters are drawn beautifully; I was reminded of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, Sunako and Shi-ohn… quite close… The way each mystery was presented and solved are good. It made me want to know what would happen next. But!! The ending is not nearly as satisfactory as I expected. I felt like it was too abrupt or it was forced to finish. I didn’t know what happened to Mi-Ro or if it just ended that way. I felt pity for Mi-Ro’s character if it was really the end because I never thought that a guy would have that much of hardship in both lives he had lived in. I hope this manhwa would have another season, just to clear things up because I think more questions were formed in my head after knowing the ending. And that is not good, I tell you…
http://www.onemanga.com/Mana/
Before the manga, let us check the meaning of the word ‘Mana’. According to freedictionary.com, mana is a supernatural force believed to dwell in a person or sacred object. Merriam-Webster defines it as the power of the elemental forces of nature embodied in an object or person. On both definitions, Mana is often associated with the supernatural which is probably why it was chosen as a fitting title for the manga itself. You ask why? That’s because Mana is all about Shi-ohn’s adventures as an exorcist.
Now we go to the summary… Shi-ohn Sunbae is an ordinary high schooler who considers herself a wimp. She can never say no to anyone who asks requests from her, even if she is already being abused. All that was changed when she was tricked by some strangers, Shi-ohn was asked to bow to some table and then asked for money which she just gave without hesitating (a wimp… *sigh*). On her way home, a handsome ghost that goes by the name Mi-Ro (obviously not his real name) followed her saying she just made a contract with him. A few years after, Shi-ohn changed from a simple girl to an extravagant exorcist. She wears designer clothes but has really heavy makeup which makes other people scared of her. Well, plus the fact that she is a shamaness who uses her ability on anyone. This is actually the real beginning of the actual plot. She then meets Professor Joo who later would be someone of importance to her life. I’ll be stopping here so you can find the actual manga and read it (heheh… sorry I’m born evil).
We can now go to the main characters. Please take note that the information I’ll provide for each character are all based on what I have read on the manga. However, if you have any corrections, please contact me and I’ll be glad to change it.
Shi-ohn Sunbae – the manhwa’s lead character, she loves designer clothes but applies heavy make up which of course contradicts. At the beginning, she was a polite and average girl but later on, she had a complete overhaul. She used the power she gained to earn money and is often impolite to anyone. She is most the time seen with a cigarette in her mouth. She had a previous life which is intertwined with the professor and Mi-Ro.
Professor Joo – at least that’s the name I got from the manga, I wasn’t able to get his full name. Moving on, he is Shi-ohn’s neighbor and is also a broadcaster. Aside from that he is also a university professor for Folklore (ha! I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that…). He would often appear out of nowhere when Shi-ohn needs him. Professor Joo is a mysterious person and it seemed that he is somehow connected to both Shi-ohn and Mi-Ro.
Mi-Ro (enigma) - Shi-Ohn’s spirit guide and friend. His real name is Jin-Sang, son of a taxi driver. He was a delinquent when he was alive (hence the look he has). Mi-Ro is his stage name which means enigma. He died during the collapse of a mall while buying a present for his father and lover.
Lee Chuh Yong – Mi-Ro’s previous life. A handsome foreigner called the “the dragon’s son” during his time. He was married to Shi-ohn’s previous life. There are other stipulations as to who he really is but it was not explored in the manhwa.
Jin Joo – She was Shi-ohn’s look alike and Mi-Ro’s lover. It seemed that her soul was acquainted with Shi-ohn’s but it was also not explored much. She was a shoe enthusiast when she was alive. She died of suicide and became a night ghost.
Now that those are out of the way, here goes my verdict…
On the good side, it was quite interesting because of the cultural references and folklore discussed during the story. I wasn’t aware about the interesting folklore in Korea and in a way I felt like I was a bit knowledgeable in the area after reading. I like Shi-ohn’s character, not the typical lead character you read about everyday. The characters are drawn beautifully; I was reminded of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, Sunako and Shi-ohn… quite close… The way each mystery was presented and solved are good. It made me want to know what would happen next. But!! The ending is not nearly as satisfactory as I expected. I felt like it was too abrupt or it was forced to finish. I didn’t know what happened to Mi-Ro or if it just ended that way. I felt pity for Mi-Ro’s character if it was really the end because I never thought that a guy would have that much of hardship in both lives he had lived in. I hope this manhwa would have another season, just to clear things up because I think more questions were formed in my head after knowing the ending. And that is not good, I tell you…
http://www.onemanga.com/Mana/
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