By Daisuke Igarashi
Viz Media, 316 pp.
Rating: Older Teen (16+)

The ocean. A continuous body of water encircling the earth, the ocean offers an abundance of life and holds many secrets we as humans may never understand. Such is the idea behind Children of the Sea, a tale of a lonely girl named Ruka. Kicked off the softball team, Ruka is plagued with the possibility of a limitless but purposeless summer. Not only that, but with the strained relationship she has with her mother, Ruka has no choice but the spend her summer days hanging around the aquarium where her father works. Her life, however, is about to forever change when she encounters Umi and Sora, a pair of young boys with more than a penchant for the ocean. Raised by Dugongs (the cuter version of a manatee), Umi and Sora offer the unique adventure and mystery Ruka was looking for in her life. This gift, however, could come at a fatal price…

Children of the Sea offers quite possibly some of the best writing you will find in manga this year. Dare I say the story runs along the lines of what the venerable Rod Serling, creator of the Twilight Zone, would’ve written. Daisuke Igarashi asks the all-important “What If?” questions with the story: What if humans lived in the ocean? How would that affect humanity? How would that change the world’s oceans? Are we destined as humans to explore the unknown or should we stay in the safety that land offers us? The best quality I found about this book is that it really makes you think about the human body, how it can change when exposed to specific elements, and ultimately how our changes affect the world around us.

Another strong element of the book is the characters and their interactions with each other, especially concerning Umi, Sora and Ruka. These three main characters all share something in common, the fact that they are outsiders from the norm. Ruka is not your normal girl. As athletic as she is, her attitude and aggression towards her teammates leave her high and dry for the summer. Consistently throughout the book, people are badmouthing her as she passes them on the street. Umi and Sora are obviously outsiders due to their extreme circumstances, wearing large robes to cover a majority of their skin and having to constantly bathe in water. Sora especially has a frail constitution, spending most of the book in and out of a hospital. All three are young children, and that is shown throughout the book, but they also have a unique sense of maturity that sets them apart not only from other children but most adults.

Alongside the writing, I think the artwork is a real treat. It can be scratchy at times, but it is very detail-oriented. The aquatic wildlife feels like its been taken from my marine science textbook and it’s great to see such quality put into the book. The art also helps the writing push the lost and unsure feeling that the characters produce. I got the same feeling about the art that I did when I reviewed Detroit Metal City: it helps the series to transcend traditional manga stereotypes and really become a world-friendly comic.

In the end, this is a book that you’ll really want to get behind. The story is engrossing and friendly for all ages. I don’t necessarily agree with the Older Teen rating; there isn’t too much adult content present. The art is a sight for sore eyes in the current manga market. The physical book itself will also be a grand addition to any bookshelf, complete with French flaps and a wondrous pastel-colored cover. If you didn’t get it from the review, I really like this book, so please go out and support good manga by purchasing it!

Volume one of Children of the Sea is available now.