Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It is said, not unjustifiably, that post-modern Japan has gradually lost touch with its Shinto traditions and spirituality. For Nagi, Takenashi's zealous shrine maiden protagonist, this simply will not do. Nagi is a goddess, a living embodiment of the shinboku (spiritual trees) who sprang from a life-sized effigy carved by an unassuming high school boy named Jin. The story focuses more on Jin's perspective as he struggles with having to live with an immature deity while also studying art and attempting to maintain a normal social life at school. The dynamic between the two characters is at times hilarious and occasionally even heartwarming. The supporting characters include Zange, Nagi's rival and sister, and Tsugumi, Jin's childhood sweetheart and romantic rival for Nagi. It is an entertaining setup that won enough converts to become a popular anime series a few years ago. Much of that success can be attributed to Takenashi's enticing artwork, which consistently portrays characters in an endearing and cute manner without devolving into sheer fan service.While it is clearly aimed at younger girls, any manga fan can get a chuckle out of this engaging work. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
When a young boy named Jin carves the shape of a girl from the branch of a sacred tree that has been uprooted to make way for development, he unexpectedly becomes the guardian of Nagi, a local goddess who made her home in the tree. Despite losing her sacred tree, Nagi resiliently continues her quest to root out "defilements," bug-like creatures that undermine humans and nature, while both exasperating and humiliating Jin, who seems to be the one human who can perceive and destroy these defilements. Along the way, Nagi turns a magic wand into an exorcism device, infiltrates Jin's high school, and discovers a rival sister-god, all while trying to maintain her god status by becoming popular with humans. Verdict The characters are depicted as sweet and almost childlike, complementing the story's gentle themes and conflicts. With its light, madcap humor, slapstick, and mild fanservice, this will appeal to younger teen readers of shonen manga.-Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
