Manga Review: The Water Dragon's Bride, Volume 5, by Rei Toma

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2018

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A modern-day girl gets whisked away to a strange land where she is sacrificed to a water dragon god!

In the blink of an eye, a modern-day girl named Asahi is whisked away from her warm and happy home and stranded in a strange and mysterious world where she meets a water dragon god!

Asahi is in danger because people want to use her to get the water dragon god’s power. She doesn’t want anyone to be hurt because of her, so she goes with the water dragon god and Subaru to pay a visit to the emperor. However, in exchange for his protection, the emperor makes an unexpected demand!

Review:

At the beginning of the volume, Asahi is introduced to the real idea of a romance. She has several men around her, but she's never really considered any of them romantically. But when she accidentally sees several of the villagers in compromising positions, her eyes are opened.

Not that that leads to much, of course. She's just starting to realize what the men around her could be.

Tsukihiko truly is a sweetheart. We see that as he attempts to sacrifice himself to free Asahi, only it doesn't work when Asahi realizes what he's done and won't let him go through with it. It's a really sweet moment, honestly, as Asahi interrupts and stands up to and for Tsukihiko. She has no qualms about interrupting his declaration and not feeling trapped into it, which I appreciated.

And then Asahi goes to the little emperor, who wants her to marry him in exchange for protecting her. This only makes Asahi think about the prospect in general even more. During all of this, Subaru is put on his own mission.

The interactions between Asahi and the Water Dragon God are very subtle and quiet, not usually much talking, only eye-contact and reactions. It's an interesting show of their connection. It's also a contrast to her and Subaru, which are familiar and warm and a little heartbreaking, cause you're not sure if they're leading to good or bad things.

I'm quite infatuated with this series. I want more of these relationships, and I want to know where they're going.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!