Comics / Manga

Yurara: Volume 1

By Leroy Douresseaux
May 15, 2007 - 06:40

Yurara Tsukinowa is a quiet high school girl who sees dead people.  Actually, she can see spirits and sense their emotions, which makes her something of an empathic psychic.  She hides her secrets from her classmates at Tokyo Municipal Sanko High School, but there are two new arrivals who have their eyes on her.  Dark-haired Mei Tendo and blond poster boy Yako Hoshino also see ghosts, but whereas Yurara is sympathetic with the spirits, Mei and Yako use their spiritual powers to ward off vengeful spirits.  It should be added that they think of practically all spirits as vengeful.

While Yurara is trying to help the spirits move into the light and find (hopefully) eternal peace, Mei generates fire that burns demonic spirits, and Yako spouts cleansing water, which he can also form into a spirit-blocking water wall.  The shy Yurara has a difficult time accepting the boys into her life, although they seem determined to interject themselves into her affairs, especially Mei, who seemingly wants to have an affair with Yurara.  There is, however, a wildcard in this scenario.  Yurara has a guardian spirit – a tall, dark-haired girl with rock star sex appeal and killer looks.  It’s as if Yurara’s body disappears whenever her guardian shows up.  She’ll need her guardian because the spirits are coming fast and furious, and so are Mei’s advances.

Yurara, Vol. 1, is the latest in VIZ Media’s “Shojo Beat” manga line.  Created by Chika Shiomi, Yurara bears more than a striking resemblance to the CBS television series, “Ghost Whisperer.”  Yurara Tsukinowa, like Ghost Whisperer’s female lead, Melinda Gordon, is a quiet young woman – an introvert with an extrovert’s habits when it comes to helping the dearly departed move on.  Mei and Yako are also like the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, from The CW TV series, “Supernatural, but with a gentler, Hardy Boys spin.

Shiomi is a master at figure drawing, showing skill at cartooning heads, hands, and movement as if she’s been doing this for decades.  She mixes high school romances with the icy dread that a well executed ghost story can evoke in the reader.  This is supernatural romance, but the supernatural doesn’t necessarily take a backseat to the romance.  Any female readers or shojo fans who were into “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel,” or currently dig shows like “Ghost Whisperer,” “Medium,” or “Supernatural” will more than likely enjoy Yurara.  Take it from a guy who can’t wait for Vol. 2.

Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the images.  The Comic Shop Locator phone number is 1-888-COMIC BOOK.

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12