Manga Recommendation : TALES OF THE KINGDOM | nakamura asumiko

• Where you can read: buy on Amazon or Yen Press
• Genre: drama
• Release Date: 2022
• Currently 5 available volumes and on going

OVERVIEW:

TALES OF THE KINGDOM is an anthology that focuses on different characters and their tale with each volume, but set in one kingdom. The first one follows twin brothers who were separated at birth and unaware of each other’s existence. One is raised in the sun as a royal son while the other is shut in the darkness of a prison. One day they discover each other and switch places. What will happen then? The second tale follows a heroical king who places a foreigner in a place of power within his kingdom, but who is this mysterious aide?

WHY I LIKE IT:

I first picked this up for the art – it’s delicate, refined to a stylized level, and with a definite feminine touch – but I quickly got sucked into the stories. These tales take place in a fictional kingdom with its own cultures and peoples and the storytelling has such a tone to it – soft fantasy, whimsical… light? It’s all I can come up with. Haha.

These stories offers more mature themes and circumstances, so definitely not for kids. I like that they’re not totally sad or totally happy stories which feel more reflective of what real living is like. I won’t deny that after reading a volume I have a weight on my chest, but that’s when I know it was good stuff, haha. All characters have a part to play with a story to their background which allows readers to connect or be able to relate to them.

If you want something more serious and more intricate than your every day manga/anime drama, then you’ll definitely enjoy TALES OF THE KINGDOM.