Title: Gakuen Alice, Vol. 01
Author: Tachibana Higuchi
First published January 1, 2003
192 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781427803191 (ISBN10: 1427803196)
Rating: 4.24
Overview
In The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt Jr., Lerris is struggling to find his place in the world. His dissatisfied with his mundane life and longs for something more.
In Recluce, a change in circumstances forces Lerris to make a difficult decision: permanent exile or the dangergeld. Lerris chooses the dangergeld, knowing that many who attempt it do not survive.
During his intensive training, Lerris discovers he has a natural talent for magic, a skill that will be essential in the chaotic lands beyond Recluce. However, he must learn to control his powers before embarking on his journey, or risk being consumed by the forces of Chaos.
Join Lerris on his quest for self-discovery and mastery of magic in The Magic of Recluce.
About the Author
Meet Tachibana Higuchi, a Japanese manga artist born on March 16, 1976. Her debut work was published in the 5th issue of Bessatsu Hana to Yume in 1996, called 5 Gatsu no Sakura.
In an interview, she shared how she began her career as a mangaka. After graduating from high school, she submitted a manga story while studying for the entrance examinations for Art University.
Drawing manga and four-panel strip comics for fun, she realized her passion for manga and began to absorb everything she could learn about creating it. She believes her progress in drawing and storytelling techniques was rapid because she was conscious of starting at a later age.
However, during the serialization of her story, she was so busy that she felt her drawings may not have improved much compared to before. As she gained more experience, she focused on how to catch the attention of her readers and incorporate their desires into the story.
Her current ongoing work is Gakuen Alice. For those looking for a French translation, search for “L’académie Alice” on amazon.fr.
Editoral Review
Gakuen Alice, Vol. 01, written by Tachibana Higuchi, is a captivating manga that explores themes of power and control, self-discovery, and friendship.
Published in 2003, this manga has gained a loyal following among fans worldwide, thanks to its engrossing storyline, engaging characters, and immersive world-building. Set in a unique school, the story follows the protagonist, Mikan Sakura, a 10-year-old girl who suffers from separation anxiety.
When her best friend, Hotaru, is sent to a prestigious school for gifted students, Mikan decides to follow her there in the hopes of reuniting with her. However, she soon discovers that the school – Gakuen Alice – is no ordinary school.
Gakuen Alice is a school for children with special abilities known as “Alices.” These Alices range from telekinesis to pyrokinesis, and each child is assigned a ranking based on their abilities. However, behind the faade of this prestigious school lies a twisted web of power and politics, and Mikan finds herself dragged into the middle of it when she discovers that she, too, has an Alice.
Higuchi’s writing is superb, and the pacing is perfect, with each chapter leaving the reader eager to know what will happen next. The world-building is intricate, and the author pays attention to the tiniest details, making the story come alive in the reader’s mind.
The characters in Gakuen Alice are diverse and well-developed, each with their unique quirks and personalities. Mikan, the protagonist, is a relatable character whose struggles with anxiety and loneliness make her easily lovable.
The supporting cast of characters is equally compelling, each with their unique backstory and motivations, making the story feel rich and complex. One of the strengths of Gakuen Alice is its exploration of themes that are relevant even in today’s world, such as power dynamics and social hierarchies.
The story provides a fascinating commentary on the consequences of wielding power, highlighting the dangers of those in power becoming corrupt. One minor flaw in the manga is that some plot points are predictable, and the ending may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied.
However, this does not take away from the overall enjoyment of the manga. Overall, Gakuen Alice, Vol.
01, is an excellent manga that is sure to captivate fans of the genre. It is highly recommended for those who love a good story with compelling characters, immersive world-building, and relevant themes.
I give this manga a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for its outstanding storytelling, well-crafted characters, and rich world-building.
