Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a powerful witch named Eliza. Eliza was known for her dark magic and feared by many. However, deep down, she was lonely and wished to find a companion who would understand and accept her. In the same village, there lived a beast named Sam. Sam was misunderstood by the villagers who considered him a threat due to his appearance. He was covered in thick fur and had sharp fangs, making him look fierce.
In The Witch and the Beast we follow Guideau and Ashaf. The former is a feral girl with long fangs, the eyes of a beast, and a penchant for rushing in with her fists regardless of her opponent’s strength. And the latter is a soft-spoken man with delicate features and a coffin strapped to his back. This ominous pair appears one day in a town that’s in thrall to a witch who has convinced the townsfolk she’s their hero. But Ashaf and Guideau know better. Members of The Order, an organization that keeps magic users in line. What’s more, Guideau has a score to settle as she tries to find the witch who cursed her.
Violence, magic, and gorgeous characters are three things that are beyond certain to get me excited about picking up a manga and three things The Witch and the Beast has plenty of. Produced by mangaka Kousuke Satake and localized in English by Kodansha Comics , The Witch and the Beast is marketed as one part Full Metal Alchemist and one part Cowboy Bebop.
He was covered in thick fur and had sharp fangs, making him look fierce. Despite his intimidating appearance, Sam had a kind heart and longed for someone to see past his exterior. One fateful day, Eliza and Sam crossed paths in the nearby forest.
REVIEW: ‘The Witch and the Beast,’ Volume 1
Violence, magic, and gorgeous characters are three things that are beyond certain to get me excited about picking up a manga and three things The Witch and the Beast has plenty of. Produced by mangaka Kousuke Satake and localized in English by Kodansha Comics , The Witch and the Beast is marketed as one part Full Metal Alchemist and one part Cowboy Bebop. With that combination, it would be an understatement to say that my expectations were high. The manga focuses on powerful women, a battle of good and evil, vengeance, and of course a world of magic that doesn’t shy away from darkness.
In The Witch and the Beast we follow Guideau and Ashaf. The former is a feral girl with long fangs, the eyes of a beast, and a penchant for rushing in with her fists regardless of her opponent’s strength. And the latter is a soft-spoken man with delicate features and a coffin strapped to his back. This ominous pair appears one day in a town that’s in thrall to a witch who has convinced the townsfolk she’s their hero. But Ashaf and Guideau know better. Members of The Order, an organization that keeps magic users in line. What’s more, Guideau has a score to settle as she tries to find the witch who cursed her.
The Witch and the Beast Volume 1 is magically dark and violent. From the opening, the irreverence and aggression we see from Guideau is exciting. She cusses, she fights, and her anger is palpable. On the other hand, Ashaf is a calming and logical force that cares deeply for his partner’s wellbeing. Their dynamic is one we’ve seen before, yet the twist of what’s in the coffin makes it unique.
While Satake’s story is phenomenal, it’s their artwork that is breathtaking. Balancing pulpy noir and fantastical aesthetics, Satake’s debut manga is a masterclass in showcasing dynamic movement and adding layers of magic to single panels. From breathtaking splash pages to dark sequences of powers awakening, every single inch of the page is utilized. Additionally, Satake illustrates gruesome moments in such a way that the grotesque looks gorgeous. Showcasing dismemberment and blood splatters pushed against grand displays of power with rose petals and birds, it all sings.
That being said, the twists offered in just one volume work to keep the reader engaged by subverting most fantasy tropes and building out the world. Truthfully, every time I had questions about how magic or The Order worked, Satake offered up explanations that focused on world-building without feeling like pure exposition.
Overall, I can’t recommend The Witch and the Beast Volume 1 enough. Kousuke Satake’s work with both story and art is phenomenal. As a debut, it’s dark, violent, and so very gorgeous and ultimately lives up to the promise of Full Metal Alchemist mixed with Cowboy Bebop.
The Witch and the Beast Volume 1 is available now wherever books are sold.
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Eliza, intrigued by Sam's presence, decided to approach him cautiously. Sam, initially wary, could sense Eliza's loneliness and decided to give her a chance. As they began to talk, Eliza discovered that Sam had a gentle soul and a love for nature. Sam, on the other hand, learned about Eliza's magical abilities and her longing for companionship. Despite their differences, they realized that they understood each other on a deeper level. Over time, Eliza and Sam spent more time together, exploring the forest and sharing their stories. Eliza used her magic to create beautiful illusions, while Sam showed her the hidden beauty of the natural world. They found solace in each other's company, creating a bond that went beyond appearances. As their friendship blossomed, Eliza and Sam faced constant opposition from the villagers who feared and misunderstood them. But they remained resilient, standing up for each other, and proving that true friendship knows no boundaries. The villagers gradually began to see past their prejudices and witnessed the genuine connection between Eliza and Sam. They realized that appearances could be deceiving and understood the importance of acceptance and understanding. Eliza and Sam's friendship became an inspiration for the village, teaching them the value of looking beyond stereotypes and embracing differences. The bond between the witch and the beast became a symbol of unity and taught everyone that true friendship depends on what lies within the heart. Together, Eliza and Sam showed the power of love, compassion, and acceptance, leaving a lasting impact on the village. And from that day forward, they were known as the witch and the beast who read inline, an enduring tale of friendship that would be told for generations to come..
Reviews for "The Witch's Brew: Unlocking the Magic of Inline Reading with the Beast"
1. Amy - 2/5
I found "The witch and the beast read inline" to be quite disappointing. The writing felt disjointed and the characters were hard to connect with. The plot seemed promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. There were also several grammatical errors throughout the book which made it difficult to read. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this novel.
2. Mark - 1/5
I regretfully picked up "The witch and the beast read inline" based on the intriguing synopsis, but it fell far short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow and the story lacked any real depth. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, and I struggled to care about what happened to them. The writing style was also uninspired and dull, making it a chore to get through. I would not recommend this book to others.
3. Sarah - 3/5
While "The witch and the beast read inline" had its moments, overall, I found it to be a mediocre read. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell flat. The world-building felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to fully immerse myself in the story. The main characters lacked depth and I found it hard to connect with them emotionally. Additionally, the plot had several predictable twists, which made the story feel unoriginal. I didn't hate this book, but it certainly didn't leave a lasting impression on me either.
4. John - 2/5
"The witch and the beast read inline" was not what I expected. The premise showed great potential, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The writing was stilted and lacked fluidity, making it difficult to engage with the story. The characters were also poorly developed and their actions often felt forced or inconsistent. I also found the pacing to be quite off, with some sections dragging on for far too long. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and would not recommend this book.