Koge Donbo

Originally posted here at Anime Radius.

It's very surprising to see this kind of series leap from the pen of Koge-Donbo*, a manga-ka better known for oddball fantasy/comedies like Di Gi Charat and Kamichama Karin that aren't terribly serious in nature. But her latest series, Pavane For A Dead Girl, is a darkly-hued fantasy manga that has its moments of humor but is not a humorous manga by any stretch. The very premise itself is out of the norm: Takenomaru, in order to live, must gather the Tears of Maria from women who have become infatuated with him. Despite his task before him, Takenomaru isn't the kind of brooding anti-hero that dominates these kinds of series. He's forgetful and makes mistakes and becomes flustered rather easily. Given his painful back story, it's a wonder he's still around, but then no one would want to read a series about a young man fighting for his own life while being hopelessly down about the whole thing.

Pavane For A Dead Girl is also different by the fact that there is already a major character death by the end of the first volume. Based on the cast of characters, it is looking like Takenomaru is soon going to be surrounded by a harem of young girls - and a harem of potential Marias to boot. There's something eerie about the fact that our main protagonist's goal in life involves sucking the life out of his chosen harem; so far, the series really doesn't portray him in either a positive or negative light for doing so. However, one must feel wary whenever a girl gets close to Takeno, knowing full well her final outcome won't be so cheery, especially if Takenomaru gives her one of his infamous brooches. At least the series doesn't pretend like once these girls release their Tears of Maria, they don't exist anymore; it reminds me of the currently airing anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica in that way; those who are lost are pointedly not forgotten.

As the start of a series, the first volume of Pavane For A Dead Girl packs enough intrigue to make readers interested in the next book. Although the pacing isn't the greatest (a lot of Takenomaru's flashbacks to his childhood are exposition-heavy), the art has a nice gothic feel to it that fits the story's atmosphere and Takenomaru is a fascinating choice for the series' lead. It's not perfect, but it's got me interested in reading what happens next, and that is really the best thing a new series can ask for.
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