by Chika Shiomi
Aurora Publishing, 158 pp.
Rating: 13+

Queen of Ragtonia is, at its best, a generic fantasy story. There are several elements that could help the manga add up to something more, but Shiomi never gives her tale time to play out at a smooth pace. Instead, readers will find a story that creates plot twists and shores them up before there is any time to create a sense of struggle or accomplishment.

The story starts with a girl being knocked off her horse by a demon scorpion, an old man watching from a distance, and a mysterious hero showing up to fend off the monster. After she awakens, the story’s main source of conflict is revealed: a necromancer has threatened the land by taking people’s lives and limbs to further his army and his own power. Victims of the Necromancer are called Ragtonia (for reasons that are not given). Falna (the girl) states that the Necromancer has stolen the use of her legs, while another demon has stolen the use of her left eye. She is in search of a sword called the Igliese (again, no given reason).

The man who rescued Falna shows up a few panels later, killing any sort of mystery that may have existed. His name is Cardus and he is a hulking, journeying warrior who keeps his right eyelid shut (sounds a lot like Guts from Berserk, doesn’t it?). He also happens to have the Igliese. Falna touches the sword, which causes it to awaken. Falna reveals herself to be a Liesian. There is no explanation for what this actually entails. Readers are expected to assume that it grants her some type of magical power. To me, it looks like it should be pronounced like “lesion,” which creates an unflattering image, to say the least. Oh, and she’s also a princess with self-esteem issues. Go figure.

Shiomi’s story had a lot of room for potential: Falna’s handicaps could have created a very compelling journey. Midway through this volume, however, a demon with Falna’s eye seeks her out, and the missing part is returned without any sort of struggle. I found it funny that the princess has both the sword and her eye handed to her without having to truly work for either. Way to reinforce the stereotype. These are both cheap victories, which undercut any chance of the dramatic journey that this manga was setting itself up for.

On the plus side, the dialogue is pretty good, the artwork is pretty and consistent, and the characters are likable. Falna and Cardus are not static, archetypal characters—they both have emotional depth. Their method of travel may not be the most believable (he carries her on his shoulder), but it creates a physical closeness between the characters that will (I’m going out on a limb here) lead to an emotional bond, as well.

Volume one of Queen of Ragtonia is available now as a Borders exclusive. Widespread release is scheduled for August 2009.