Mermaid's Scar, Vol. 2

by Rumiko Takahashi

Book Overview

Author/counselor Christine Dorn has thought of everything. Along with the baby basics, Getting to Know You includes colorful illustrations, display areas for mementos, a how-to section on journal... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569310831
• ISBN13: 9781569310830
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: Viz Media
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A macabre tale of immortality's price...

Legend has it that whoever eats the flesh of a mermaid will be granted eternal life and youth. Yuta is one of those who have received this "gift". But is it really a gift? Yuta has been forced to watch his loved ones age and die through the years. For five centuries he has roamed the world searching for a "cure", or for someone like himself. As fate would have it, Yuta chances upon a girl named Mana. She too has been bestowed with immortality like Yuta. Together they travel through Japan longing for a normal life. Soon, they meet others who have also experienced the mermaid's "gift". But as they soon discover, mermaid's flesh affects each person differently. Yuta and Mana are just the more fortunate ones... Rumiko Takahashi's Mermaid Series is really quite a masterpiece. Each chapter presents a different tale and yet everything is tied together by the main characters, Yuta and Mana. It's like a group of short stories unfolding inside one main plot. It's not episodic, as the stories can stand alone. They are, however, greatly enriched by the base storyline about the legendary mermaid flesh. It's really quite an inventive approach, and I really admire Ms. Takahashi's imagination. The overall atmosphere is grim. The tone is serious, as darker facets of human nature are revealed. Everyone wants a piece of the mermaids, and all for various reasons. Greed, vengeance, selfishness... they are the driving forces in the pursuit of the elusive mermaid flesh. Yuta and Mana are plunged into the situation, being immortals on an unending quest for something... even they cannot be sure of what they're truly seeking. The art is simple in style, yet pleasant to look at and effective -- as is always the case with Ms. Takahashi's works. Panel layout is quite conservative if compared to her later works like "Inu-Yasha". The Mermaid Series definitely is a suspenseful page-turner which will leave readers very satisfied. Each volume packs a lot of punch. It's a pity because this is not enjoying as much exposure as "Ranma 1/2", "Urusei Yatsura", and "Maison Ikkoku" are. In some ways, this series is even better than Ms. Takahashi's more popular works.

Why should you buy this? There are many reason...

When I started to read manga's I was always looking for something new. Not the same old "shoot 'em up" or "magical girl" story but something unique. Mermaids Scar is an excellent example. I recived this novel with much delight, and was even more enthralled with the series afterwards. Rumiko Takahashi gives a reader an array of emotions that help to create one of the most emotional and interesting novels to read. It is well worth your money to purchase this book, I guarentee you will not be disapointed!

Before Inu Yasha....

Like the Mermaid books that preceed and follow it, this work is a masterpiece. This is an edgy, disturbing horror story with likable characters and a friendly drawing style. People who started with Inu Yashu should try the Mermaid stories next. (Mermaid Forest is the first of three). They may notice some similarities between the two heroines! Anyone who enjoyed the video should also read the manga, since the story is slightly different, and the second part of this book was never animated. Enjoy!

Mermaids Scar

Well, what can I say? This book is GREAT! Recently I went to Japan Town in San Francisco, and bought this book. After I read it, I was like, omigosh this is so good! so I went back and bought Mermaids Forest too. ANyWAy, This book is about how this evil little boy goes around feeding Mermaids flesh to women, in hopes of making one immortal so he could have someone to take care of him. It's a bit gory, so I don't think this book is good for people who can't stand blood, and killing and such. It also has a tad of nudity thrown in, so younger readers, BEWARE! Personally I think that Mermaids Forest is the best of the two of them. I havn't read Mermaids Gaze yet, but when I get around to it, I'll be sure to review it too. I've recently noticed that there are only three books in the Mermaid series.. so, if Rumiko Takahashi is reading this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE hurry up and write the fourth book! *-*

Much "deeper" than some other manga

I was wary of this series at first because of its dark nature, but that's what so appealing. It does get violent, but the best part about the mermaid's series is its philosophical and psychological angle. For those who haven't read other Rumiko Takahashi works, she has a simple but intense drawing style that draws you in and is easier to follow than some other manga. What's also great is that since this deals with immortality, the stories can range from 500 years ago to present day. It's a very intriguing, deep series that you'll enjoy, no matter which graphic novel you buy.