Kaina of the Great Snow Sea 3 (Comic)
Details Category: Reviews Published: Monday, November 18, 2024 1:46 p.m
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea 3
Text: Tsutomu Nihei
Drawings: Itoe Takemoto
Translation: Christina Rinnerthaler
Manga Cult2024, paperback, 160 pages, EUR 10.00
Review by Christel Scheja
“Kaina of the Great Snow Sea” by Tsutomu Nihei tells the story of a boy who grows up in a small, isolated enclave and now begins to get to know the world between snow and ice together with a stranger.
Together with Liliha, the princess of Atlant, he now descends into the realms that lie beneath the snow and is immediately attacked by enemies who kidnap the girl. But Kaina is determined to save her. Together with her little brother Yaona, he makes his way to the Balugian fortress, who have locked the girl in a cage. Will they be able to get in unseen and free Liliha?
Nothing is known yet about the conflicts that rage under the snow, which makes the story very straightforward and a bit boring at times, as the rescue of the princess only seems to serve to introduce another setting. On the one hand, this may be a tactic to get Kaina into more trouble later, but on the other hand, the plot is not particularly surprising and is played out more or less according to a familiar pattern.
At least you get to see a lot more than small rooms or a snowy desert; the artist has staged the fortress quite nicely, as did the home of Liliha and Yaona later on. However, it remains to be seen whether the plot really gets going after this preliminary banter or whether it remains at this rather tranquil and harmless level. In any case, it would be desirable.
“Kaina of the Great Snow Sea” of course deals with the rescue of the princess in this volume, but the story still doesn’t really get going because the background still doesn’t receive any special attention.
What are your thoughts on how character development is portrayed in this series compared to other manga you’ve read?
Interview with Guests: Julia and Kevin, anime and manga enthusiasts.
Julia: Hi! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today about the review of Kaina of the Great Snow Sea 3. What are your initial thoughts on this installment of the series? Do you feel it lives up to the previous ones or does it disappoint?
Kevin: Well, personally, I think Kaina of the Great Snow Sea 3 is just as engaging as its predecessors. The storyline is still intriguing and the artwork is exceptional as always. Perhaps some may find it a bit predictable, but I believe that’s par for the course with this genre.
Julia: Absolutely! I agree with Kevin. The storytelling may not be groundbreaking, but it definitely delivers on thrilling adventure and captivating visuals. What about you? Do you have any specific criticisms or praises for this volume?
Tom: I liked how they introduced a new setting in this volume and how Kaina continues to grow as a character. However, I felt like there wasn’t much development in terms of the overall plot or the world-building. It would have been nice to see more exploration of the conflicts that underlie the story.
Kevin: I also thought that the new setting was quite intriguing. I especially enjoyed the Balugian fortress and the fights that took place there. I’m interested to see where the story goes from here and what new challenges Kaina will face.
Julia: I completely agree with both of you. The artwork in particular shines in this volume, especially with the depiction of the underground realms beneath the snow. It adds a unique touch to the series that makes it stand out from other fantasy manga. What do you think sets this series apart from others in the same genre?
Tom: I think what really sets this series apart is the art style. Nihei’s distinctive drawing style gives it a very unique look that sets it apart from other fantasy manga. The world-building also seems to be gradually unfolding, which keeps the reader engaged and eager to learn more about the world they’re exploring.
Julia: Definitely. The art is definitely a strong selling point for this
