In the small town of Greenwood, there was a witch known to be the meanest in the whole region. She was feared by everyone, not just for her magical abilities, but for her cruel and heartless nature. The townspeople called her "The Meanest Witch in Town." The meanest witch, whose real name was Isabella, had a reputation for causing trouble and wreaking havoc wherever she went. She had a twisted sense of humor and enjoyed playing pranks on innocent people, often leaving them in embarrassing or dangerous situations. Many believed she took pleasure in making others suffer.
On the other hand, I wasn’t really gripped by the story and I think this was largely because I couldn’t get that invested in the characters. Guideau is very one-note; they’re rash, violent and consumed by rage. They want to track down the witch that cursed them and that’s all that they care about, they’re only working with The Order as a means to further this end and aren’t interested in helping anyone if it isn’t potentially related to tracking down their witch. Guideau is so selfish and unlikeable that I didn’t feel at all moved by they’re plight, even when it’s revealed what the witch’s curse actually is.
These are people working together due to circumstances and, while Ashaf seems amused by Guideau, they are not friends and they take every opportunity to mess with and snipe at each other. They want to track down the witch that cursed them and that s all that they care about, they re only working with The Order as a means to further this end and aren t interested in helping anyone if it isn t potentially related to tracking down their witch.
Many believed she took pleasure in making others suffer. Isabella's cruelty knew no bounds. She would curse anyone who crossed her path, turning them into toads or casting spells that caused great misfortune.
The Witch and the Beast Vol 1 Review
A dark-fantasy manga tinged with elements of horror, Kousuke Satake’s The Witch and the Beast intrigued me, in large part due to it’s beautiful and atmospheric-looking cover art. Satake’s detailed artwork didn’t disappoint and it’s just as lovely inside the book as on the cover, but I found the story to be a bit lacking.
Synopsis:
Guideau and Ashaf make for quite the unusual pair. Guideau is an attractive-looking, but crass and angry, young woman and Ashaf is a refined and gentlemanly man who carries a coffin strapped to his back wherever they go. The two are on the hunt for witches, tasked by The Order of Magical Resonance with putting a stop to their wicked ways and bringing them in, but Guideau also has personal reasons for joining Ashaf on his search for these dangerous witches. A witch has put a curse on Guideau and finding them is the only hope Guideau has of having it removed. There’s just one problem: Guideau doesn’t remember anything about the witch, not even what she looks like!
Their search isn’t going well.
Review:
I’ll start with the positives. As I mentioned in my intro, the art in The Witch and the Beast is stunning and the detailed style fits very well with the gothic feel of the story. I also found Ashaf and Guideau’s catty interactions to be frequently funny. These are people working together due to circumstances and, while Ashaf seems amused by Guideau, they are not friends and they take every opportunity to mess with and snipe at each other.
It kind of looks like he might, indeed, be the boss of you, Guideau!
On the other hand, I wasn’t really gripped by the story and I think this was largely because I couldn’t get that invested in the characters. Guideau is very one-note; they’re rash, violent and consumed by rage. They want to track down the witch that cursed them and that’s all that they care about, they’re only working with The Order as a means to further this end and aren’t interested in helping anyone if it isn’t potentially related to tracking down their witch. Guideau is so selfish and unlikeable that I didn’t feel at all moved by they’re plight, even when it’s revealed what the witch’s curse actually is.
Ashaf doesn’t fare much better, as we learn so little about him that he winds up feeling boring. I guess you could say that he’s mysterious, but I personally found that this didn’t work in his favour and that he wound up being too enigmatic to be compelling.
This volume of The Witch and The Beast ends with a lot of questions left unanswered, such as: why did a witch put a curse on Guideau in the first place and why can’t Guideau seem to remember anything about her? It’s possible that the story might pick up as these mysteries are explored further, but I don’t think that I’ll be continuing on with the series. That said, there are enough good things here that I think this manga could be appealing to fans of dark fantasy and horror stories. It just wasn’t for me.
But man, this art is gorgeous!
Final Score: 6 out of 10
What did you think of this manga? If anyone has read further ahead in the series, let me know if you think it’s worth sticking it out a little longer.
For more information on this series, visit Kodansha Comics’ website.
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No one was safe from her wrath, and the townspeople lived in constant fear of falling victim to her wickedness. Despite her malevolent nature, Isabella also had a mysterious side. Some whispered that she had become a witch due to a tragic event in her past, which had left her bitter and vengeful. Others believed that she had made a pact with dark forces, gaining immense power but also consuming her humanity. As time went on, the townspeople grew tired of living in fear and decided to take action. They banded together, forming a group to try and stop the meanest witch once and for all. They gathered their courage and devised a plan to trap Isabella and rid their town of her wickedness. On the night of the full moon, when Isabella was at her most vulnerable, the townspeople executed their plan. They lured her into a trap, using a spell to weaken her powers and bind her. The meanest witch was caught off guard and was unable to escape the townspeople's grasp. With Isabella finally captured, the townspeople debated what to do with her. Some argued for her immediate execution, while others believed in the power of redemption. In the end, they decided to give her a chance to change her ways, hoping that she could find redemption and abandon her cruel nature. Locked in a tower with only her thoughts and regrets, Isabella had plenty of time to reflect on her actions. Slowly, she began to realize the pain she had caused and the darkness that had consumed her. She yearned for forgiveness and a chance to start anew. Over time, Isabella's demeanor changed. She became kinder and gentler, helping others and using her magic for good. The townspeople were skeptical at first but soon realized that the meanest witch had truly transformed. Isabella spent the rest of her days trying to right the wrongs she had committed. She became an advocate for peace and harmony, using her powers to heal and protect those in need. The once meanest witch in town had become an ally and protector of the people. The story of Isabella serves as a reminder that even the meanest of individuals have the capacity for change and redemption. It is a tale of second chances and the power of forgiveness. Isabella's transformation from the meanest witch in town to a beacon of light and hope is a testament to the human capacity for growth and change..
Reviews for "The Meanest Witch in Town: Victim of Circumstances or Pure Evil?"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Meanest Witch in Town" as the title and cover intrigued me. However, the story fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises or twists. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read and wouldn't recommend it.
2. John - 1 star - "Meanest Witch in Town" was a major disappointment. The writing style was dull and lacked creativity. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of unnecessary descriptions and repetitive scenes. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Meanest Witch in Town" to be an underwhelming read. The story felt rushed and lacked proper development. The main character was unlikable and didn't undergo any significant character growth. The relationships between the characters were forced and unrealistic. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Meanest Witch in Town" was a complete letdown. The premise seemed promising, but the execution fell short. The writing was mediocre, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. I couldn't connect with the characters or the story, making it a truly forgettable read. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book.
5. Katie - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Meanest Witch in Town," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The pacing was off, with rushed scenes that left important details unexplored. The world-building was weak and didn't fully immerse me in the magical setting. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a captivating witch-themed read.