Puss in Boots is the charming and clever feline character from the beloved fairy tale. In one version of the story, Puss uses his wits and resourcefulness to help his owner, a poor miller's son, achieve success and overcome adversity. One of the pivotal moments in the story is when Puss presents his master with a magical bean that will supposedly bring great fortune. The magic bean, given to the miller's son by Puss in Boots, serves as a symbol of hope and opportunity. The bean offers the prospect of transforming the humble son's circumstances into a life of wealth and prosperity. This magical element adds an element of mystery and wonder to the story.
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.
This magical element adds an element of mystery and wonder to the story. Throughout the narrative, Puss in Boots proves himself to be not only a loyal companion but also a cunning strategist. He uses his clever tricks and cunning plans to support his master's quest for fortune and love.
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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The magic bean becomes a tool that Puss utilizes to propel the miller's son into a higher social standing. It acts as a catalyst for the events that unfold in the story. The magic bean signifies the transformative power of imagination and belief in oneself. It encourages the reader to embrace opportunities and be open to unexpected changes in fortune. The magic bean is a reminder that even the most unlikely individuals can achieve success and happiness if given the chance. In conclusion, the magic bean in Puss in Boots represents hope, opportunity, and the transformative power of belief in oneself. It serves as a catalyst for the miller's son's journey towards wealth and prosperity. Just like the magic bean, the story reminds us that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of magic and confidence to change our lives for the better..
Reviews for "Discovering the Origins of Puss in Boots' Magic Bean"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Puss in Boots: Magic Bean". The plot was scattered and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The animation was subpar, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, it felt like a rushed and poorly executed film. I would not recommend it.
2. John - 1 star - "Puss in Boots: Magic Bean" was a complete waste of time. The storyline was predictable and unoriginal, with no surprises or twists. The humor fell flat, and the attempts at creating memorable characters were unsuccessful. The animation was also mediocre, and lacked the attention to detail that you would expect from a modern animated film. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Puss in Boots: Magic Bean", but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me confused and uninvested in the story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to emotionally connect with them. The animation was decent, but nothing outstanding. Overall, it was a forgettable film that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Matthew - 1 star - "Puss in Boots: Magic Bean" was a major letdown. The story felt like a jumble of unrelated ideas, and the pacing was off. The humor was forced and fell flat, with jokes that felt outdated and unoriginal. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked any depth or complexity. The animation was average at best, lacking the visual appeal and attention to detail that is expected from modern animated films. Overall, it was a disappointment and a waste of time.