The Girl From the Other Side (Full Series)
Synopsis
The Girl From the Other Side by Nagabe is a fantasy twelve-part manga series. We are introduced to a cheerful little girl named Shiva, who was orphaned as a baby. She is rescued by Teacher, a dark and lonely soul with a kind heart. In this world, there are human "insiders" and transformed "outsiders," who are vilified by the rulers of the kingdom. The afflicted, turned outsiders can spread their curse with a simple touch. In this whimsical series, a tale of adventure and survival unfolds, all centered around the special bond between two unlikely companions. The dynamic and contrasts between the two main characters illustrates how love can transcend blood relation, as well as the difference between corruption and innocence. The accompanying art style is characterized by gothic black and white illustrations with distinctly whimsical and storybook qualities.
Review
This series is a very approachable option for readers new to manga genre. The story is mostly portrayed through a series of short vignettes, which show the loving, ever-growing, and at times turbulent friendship between the two protagonists. It's cozy, dark, and very evocative of epic fantasy. I think this series has a lot to say about xenophobia, cycles of dehumanization and violence, and the systems of corruption that govern us. By making Teacher out to be so compassionate--much more than the humans who hunt him down throughout the story--Nagabe poses the pertinent question of what it really means to be human. At first, the audience is mostly left in the dark about the true context behind the story, but it is strategically and incrementally revealed for a powerful, slow-burn effect.