manga: Key to the Kingdom Vol 2-3

[meganbmoore]

Still an enjoyable fantasy shoujo. For a “swords are stupid” young scholar hero, Asta is remarkably charming. I rather like his growing interest in seeking out the losing side’s versions of events from the past, instead of just accepting what the history books say. Though that is becoming more of an overall trend, it seems.

The scene where Badd, after being told he’ll die in 72 days, told Asta that he’d never die if it meant leaving Asta alone made me chortle a bit. Mostly because I can only imagine the reactions that would get if this actually had a fandom. (Of course, Asta would have an apoplexy if it was even suggested to him.)

I have to admit, though, that of the adventuring parties, Letty, Alex and Latona are my favorite. Then again, Letty angsting over her first love only seeing her as a sister might get a bit old if they were the focus. It’s ok, Letty. You’ll probably grow up and marry Asta anyway. You’ve already defended him from muggers in the marketplace.

I’m enjoying the evolving mythology surrounding the dragons. They’re obviously manipulating all the contenders for the thrones (as Badd puts it, it’s like they’ve been set up like pawns on a chessboard) but we don’t know why. Gaius and Ceianus also look exactly like the dragontamer who sacrificed thousands to get a dragon’s heart, and his apprentice. Since Ceianus says that stopping them means that there are no true dragons left, I’m guessing that he and Gaius merged with the humans to stop them. I’m not quite sure what I think of Letty being given the key and obviously set up to do something to influence whether or not Badd dies, but we’ll see how it goes. (She’s also I think 13, which takes a bit of the edge off of her not realizing she’s being manipulated.)

I liked Lady Mialane, the girl who made a bargain with the dungeon witch to kill Bardus, but ended up cursing Asta’s brother (through his own disbelief) instead (but only after falling in love with him, of course) and hope she returns.