manga: The Key to the Kingdom Vol 1

[meganbmoore]

When the king and crown prince of Landor die, the kingdom, which is apparently locked in an endless war with two other kingdoms (I think this is actually a civil war, and the 3 used to be one) is left only with the second son, Astarion, called Asta, who is only 13. Overshadowed by his perfect older brother, Winslott, Asta is bored and bookish, and has no interest in war or in ruling. Asta actually has decent reasons for this, but is a bit of a brat. He also declares these things publicly.

As a result, he is declared Unfit To Rule, and a Quest is set forth: in two years, whoever finds The Key to the Kingdom, a hidden treasure that will cause whatever kingdom who has it to flourish, will be declared the king. Or queen. The first person to sign up is Letty, Asta’s best friend. This sends Asta into shock. The queen asks Letty if she’ll marry Asta if she wins. The queen thinks ahead. Then there’s Arrogant General and Arrogant Noble. I forgot their names. I’m sure they’ll be important later. Asta sets off too, with only Captain “Badd” Baddorious, Winslott’s womanizing best friend, for protection. Actually, he starts off with a whole retinue, but they made Badd mad and he sent them away.

This all sounds like pretty normal high fantasy, and it is, but it’s pretty fun. There’s also Cannibalistic Mysterious Dragon Men. As in, dragons in human form. Something I have a weakness for despite the sheer absurdity. One likes to hang around and drop obscure phrases and hints in Badd’s ear, and the other likes to hang around him and ask why he’s slumming and they chat about their OMG SECRETS!! They are clearly Up To Something. I am also slightly hardpressed to view them as male. I blame this on Mad Hatter in Angel Sanctuary.
There’s also the fact that Asta’s response to everything is to read a book and find and answer there, even when about to be eaten by a giant monster, and the fact that Badd is now paying penance for years and years of tormenting his best friend’s little brother, and the sheer cuteness of Letty, and the cute collision when she and Asta have scenes together. I feel these things can only be understood and appreciated once one has seen them for oneself.

Comments

[irishninja.livejournal.com]

This sounds like it could be a lot of cliche fantasy fun. I must go look for it now. :D

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

CMX, so may be a bit harder to find on the shelves. Look for the deceptively pink and fluffy shoujo-y cover.

[irishninja.livejournal.com]

*nodnod*

Thanks!!

[estara.livejournal.com]

kethylia just reviewed the first two volumes for ANN, on my f-list two entries below you http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-key-to-the-kingdom/gn-1

I've read the first one and own the second one, but it doesn't totally grab me yet.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

The plot isn't overly interesting yet, but there is the cuteness! And the dragon men! I feel they provide enough incentice to keep going to see how good it gets.

[kakkobean.livejournal.com]

Ooo. Sounds fascinating 8DDD