Manga Review: Aria of the Beech Forest

Let me get this out of the way first; I started out enjoying this series a lot, but... only three volumes???

Are you kidding me??

Again?

I feel like I keep falling for fantastic series, with lovable characters, great art, cool - unique premise, that barely make it off the launch pad. I'd love to have a chat with the editors of some of these manga to find out why a series I loved so much didn't make it to even five volumes. The author's brimming with creativity, how're you just going to end this here??????

By the end of the third volume, I was really irritated that I'd invested myself emotionally in another series only for it to end without a satisfying final arc or any big revelations or character development. The only one with a half-decent revelation was Gwyn, but even there, it felt really rushed.

I guess this is a very disappointing way to recommend a series, but I do recommend reading it if you get a chance; but, maybe it's not a book you'll want to invest yourself in, since sadly it didn't end up running very long.

The art was very charming. The characters were fun and original. The premise itself is funky and different. The setting!! - you think you're in for a fantasy, but NO! Rural Ireland, present day. There's even legally distinct trip(s) to McDonald's!! I love it!

But, the ending left me with the biggest question of: Will Aria ever actually do magic??? I don't need McDonald's, I need ANSWERS!

I rate this series a 6.5/10. Great potential, but ultimately it rushed into a less than satisfying ending. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing what the author does next!! (Follow them on Twitter @yu_gi_ri_)

This feels to me like their Eniale & Dewiela. 

That series was also only three volumes, but DAMN, where they packed with potential in terms of artistic presentation, unique ideas, and character. Ultimately, didn't really end up going very far either... but, the author then went on to begin serializing Witch Hat Atelier the next year... so, definitely excited to see what Yugiri Aika's next original work will be.