The Magic Tree Boafman is a mythical creature that is said to inhabit the depths of the enchanted forest. Legend has it that this extraordinary being is able to grant wishes with a single touch of its branches. It is said to have a majestic appearance, with towering heights that reach far above the canopy of the surrounding trees. The Magic Tree Boafman is believed to possess the power of rejuvenation and healing. It is said that those who are fortunate enough to come across this mystical being can have their ailments cured and their youth restored. The tree's leaves are said to hold incredible medicinal properties, capable of curing even the most severe of diseases.
However, I’d say Dunward didn’t really care about creating a pure lineage of strong vampires. He fights with nothing but his own strength and he agrees to be defeated on similar principles, because he takes pride in being able to defeat those who rely on more than just their strength.
proclaims the blurb but as a fan of both those series, I have to say that The Witch and the Beast lacks one vital aspect that both these supernatural manga possess sympathetic main characters. But Guideau doesn t believe that any witch is capable of doing good; she is the bearer of a witch s curse and is desperately searching for the one who laid the curse on her.
The tree's leaves are said to hold incredible medicinal properties, capable of curing even the most severe of diseases. The tree is also said to possess the ability to bring forth abundant harvests. Farmers and gardeners from nearby villages would often make the journey to seek the assistance of the Magic Tree Boafman in times of drought or when their crops were failing.
Roarbots Review: Kousuke Satake’s ‘The Witch and the Beast,’ Volume 1
As many of you may know, I’ve come to manga and its cousins a bit later in life, so a huge part of my reading is back catalog. Which is 100% awesome and I’ve not only discovered some great series but also great series that are finished, which means I don’t have to wait months on cliffhangers for the next installment. (Looking at you Given. And Perfect World.)
That doesn’t mean, however, that I’m not reading the new stuff as well, and I’ll admit to a little swell of pride when I get in on the ground floor of something I think is going to prove really excellent. Some of these books are digital first, but until someone comes up with a tablet big enough for me to be able to read text and view an entire comic page at the same time (yes, I am an old, I’m fine with it), I’m an analog girl and I’m careful to avoid spoilers, so I’m fresh going into new releases like Kousuke Satake’s The Witch and the Beast from Kodansha (October 27, 2020).
Prepare yourself for something that’s going to be more rave than review, because I really, really liked this book.
The Rundown
Guideau is a very angry young woman with fangs, a rose tattoo on her neck, and feral eyes. Asaf is an extremely polite man who goes almost everywhere with a coffin strapped to his back.
They are a seemingly mismatched pair of witch hunters.
Why are they hunting witches? Well, I’m not going to ruin the story for you, but they each have their reasons – and those reasons are personal enough to justify their intense methods and even Guideau’s lack of regard for innocent bystanders.
And just wait until you see the damage they can do on vacation…
The Review
As you might have surmised from the title, The Witch and the Beast is a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, a story that was one of my favorites as a child but one I found more and more problematic as I grew older, learned about Stockholm Syndrome, and started to wonder why Belle had to get married instead of having her own goddamned library.
So let me tell you how I feel about the beast being, to a very large extent, at the mercy of the beauty in this book…
I love it! The Witch and the Beast is absolutely, positively, no question my new favorite version of this fairy tale. Don’t bother trying to change my mind. It’s not happening.
I love that the women in this story have so much power. They can fight. They wield extremely powerful magic without blinking. They can conjure massive creatures and burn cities. They can save lives or take them.
And while our “heroes” are very certain all witches are evil, the readers – who are privy to the witches’ point of view – aren’t entirely sure the world of men didn’t have it coming. Asaf might be willing to pause and listen, but Guideau isn’t; she’ll maim, tear, and kill other people for what they are without pausing for even a moment to find out who they are, which means she is as morally gray as her targets.
Kousuke has matched this message with the art in their book; there is a lot more shading and many, many more shades and tones of gray in The Witch and the Beast than there are in a typical manga. The lines aren’t as clean and the shapes aren’t as well defined. These are deliberate decisions that create a much more fitting world for these particular characters to inhabit than the usual sharp, clean, duochrome style would.
The only very, extremely slight… complaint is too strong a word… vague whine? I have about Vol. 1 is that there are a few places both between issues and within issues where the story feels disjointed – as though a plot detail were missing or there’s been a time slip during which some important action has happened and the reader hasn’t been made aware. I’m not sure if those spots are meant to build suspense or if they’re translation-related misalignments or continuity slides. As I said, they were significant enough for me to notice but not even close to being problematic enough to kick me out of the narrative so…. minor peeve at most.
If you’re looking for a nice, dark, juicy story to get you through the early evenings, The Witch and the Beast is an excellent choice. I’ve already preordered the rest of the collected volumes, and I can’t wait for them to arrive.
And while our “heroes” are very certain all witches are evil, the readers – who are privy to the witches’ point of view – aren’t entirely sure the world of men didn’t have it coming. Asaf might be willing to pause and listen, but Guideau isn’t; she’ll maim, tear, and kill other people for what they are without pausing for even a moment to find out who they are, which means she is as morally gray as her targets.
It is believed that the tree would grant their request, and the fields would be blessed with bountiful harvests. However, finding the Magic Tree Boafman is no easy task. It is said to possess a magical camouflage that makes it almost invisible to the human eye. Only those with a pure heart and sincere intentions are said to be able to find their way to the tree. It is believed that the tree tests those who seek its assistance, and only those who pass its tests are granted their wishes. Legends and tales of the Magic Tree Boafman have been passed down through generations, filling the hearts and minds of many with hope and wonder. The tree represents a symbol of hope, healing, and the power of nature. It reminds us of the extraordinary magic that can be found in the world if we are open to it. Many adventurers and explorers have set out on a quest to find the Magic Tree Boafman, hoping to experience its enchantment firsthand. Some claim to have succeeded, returning with tales of their encounters and the miracles they witnessed. Others, however, have never been seen or heard from again, leaving behind only stories and legends. Whether the Magic Tree Boafman truly exists or not remains a mystery. But the belief in its existence continues to inspire awe and wonder, bringing a touch of magic to the hearts and minds of those who hear its tale. The Magic Tree Boafman stands as a reminder of the extraordinary possibilities that lie beyond the realms of our imagination, waiting to be discovered..
Reviews for "Exploring the different species of the Magic Tree Boafman and their unique properties"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Magic Tree Boafman" after hearing so many great reviews, but I was left disappointed. The storyline was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard for me to fully grasp and enjoy the plot. Additionally, the characters felt flat and lacking in depth, leaving me uninvested in their journey. Overall, "Magic Tree Boafman" failed to captivate me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1/5 - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "Magic Tree Boafman". The writing style was choppy and inconsistent, making it hard to follow along with the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the constant grammatical errors were distracting. Furthermore, the world-building was poorly executed and left me with more questions than answers. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging fantasy novel.
3. Jessica - 2/5 - "Magic Tree Boafman" had so much potential, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and it took a long time for anything significant to happen. The lack of action and suspense made it difficult to stay engaged in the book. Additionally, the writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. I was ultimately unimpressed with "Magic Tree Boafman" and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.
4. David - 2/5 - I was initially drawn to "Magic Tree Boafman" by the intriguing cover and synopsis, but the actual book didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and didn't flow smoothly, making it hard for me to stay invested in the story. The characters were also underdeveloped, and their motivations were unclear. Overall, "Magic Tree Boafman" left me feeling unsatisfied and I wouldn't recommend it to others.