Arata: The Legend: Volume 3

by Yuu Watase, 190 pages

After witnessing--and being framed for--the attempted assassination of his world's princess, Arata runs to the forest where he hides in a hollow tree...and emerges in the modern world, having somehow switched places (and faces) with a boy named Arata Hinohara. A longtime victim of bullies, Hinohara now finds himself a fugitive from the law in a hierarchical magic-based world he doesn't understand while Arata tries to fit in as an ordinary high school student and faces off with his counterpart's victimizing adversaries. Undetected by their own families, friends, and enemies, the two boys do their best to take up each other's missions and take care of each other's loved ones.

In this volume, Hinohara and his companions are working their way back toward the capital in order to foil the unfolding coup and save the princess's life. To do so, they'll have to travel through the territory of Kannagi, the dangerous young ruler who actually wielded the blade against the princess and then pointed the finger at Arata.

Don't let the pretty art and Watase's history with shojo like Absolute Boyfriend fool you--this is a dramatic action series with lots of deadly magic and swords that don't stay sheathed for long. If the first volume didn't get the hint across, this one certainly will. Owy. I've read five other series by Watase, who's usually known for her strong female leads and for not shying away from depicting realistically edgy physical and emotional drama, and so far this one is ranking up there with Ceres, my favorite of hers. She likes her alternate world-jumping and the notion of shared destiny, but as long as she keeps telling her stories with this much care and skill, I don't mind if I see some familiar themes and devices. My main worry at this point is the imbalance between the two Aratas' stories. Hinohara's carrying most of the burden, and getting most of the page-count, so far, leaving poor Arata to do little more than fret over what's going on at home and take notes in class for Hinohara so he doesn't miss anything. I'm hoping Watase gradually gives Arata's role more substance and attention, but I'm happy to keep reading until she does.