Umi no Misaki

[MilesMortim]

The Dragon god religion shown on the island seems to be a slight variant of Shinto, adapted to the island's history and folk traditions. That means the Dragon god is considered kami, which is not necessarily a 'god' by the Western definition and is closer to being a kind of spirit or guardian entity. The Japanese emperors prior to WWII were considered to be kami, as the Imperial line was descended from Amaterasu (the primary, head-honcho, "origin-of-us-all" goddess of Japanese/Shinto myth/legend), and were regarded as such, even if they did not wield all that much power at times in the history of the nation.

Umi no Misaki is more of 'romance shonen' (Aoi Yori Aoshi, Crest/Banner of the Stars, Oh My Goddess!, etc.) manga in which the concentration is on the characters with some fan service thrown in, rather than the 'action shonen' manga (Naruto, Bleach, Gundam, Ranma 1/2, TTGL) which concentrate on testosterone-fueled fights (ala DBZ). There is also the sub-type of 'romance shonen' which degenerates into ecchi manga (Girls Saurus, Omamori Himari, to-LOVE-ru, Kanokon), while the 'action shonen' often have some romance and drama thrown in for flavoring and plot devices to be used for fights. At least, that's one take on the concept.

For the writer to change the type of manga that it is, just to make it more 'action shonen' oriented, would destroy the plot and any decent meaning behind the story, IMO.

 

[decibels]

I said take concepts from shonen not MAKE it shonen, sheesh. There would be no conflict if they didn't know he was the Dragon God because then they wouldn't even talk to him.

He'd still be ab ordinary guy, just with supernatural abilities he's learning about. That's something that actually is possible you know.

 

[Steel]

The point is that the dragon god is this vague, undefined thing, and making it the point of the series instead of the interactions the point is stupid. In addition, I'd probably stop reading it because there would be inevitable power inflation (hell, elements are already assigned) and it's a non-fantastical universe.

 

[GreydonCreed]

First, let me start with the standard Dennis Miller disclaimer; This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

The reason I like Umi no Misaki is because it is not the typical harem manga. Granted, I haven't read that many manga, but I did read all of Ranma 1/2 and Ai Yori Aoshi, Kou Fumizuki's previous work. I've also read enough Tenchi Muyo stories to get the gist of them. Even though I enjoyed reading them, I found them (besides the martial arts/space aliens/years long engagements) unrealistic, or at least in how the characters reacted to each other. Most people would not find themselves in a situation where they would have multiple people pursing them romantically, and if they did, they would not decide that the best way to deal with it is to avoid all of them, especially if they were reciprocated the attraction.

Umi no Misaki is different in that Nagi is not making efforts to try and avoid the Maidens' attraction to him. Granted, he has stopped them when he thinks they are going too far, like when Soyogi joined him in bed in the early part of the series, but that had more to do that he did not really know them in the beginning and was doing the right and honorable thing. *gasp* Nowadays, I don't really think that Nagi would stop one of the girls from getting too close to him; if Nagi had been in his bed in the last chapter, he may have let Soyogi stay the night with him but not have had sex with her.

When was the last time we saw a manga character stop from having sex with other characters for the right reason? In this case, it is because Nagi wants to get to know the girls better, and he doesn't want to hurt the other girls if he picks one. Granted, the Pokemon (gotta get them ALL!) solution hasn't really been presented, but only because it may be what is going to happen at the end of the series.

Nagi's situation is not unlike those kids who are suddenly proclaimed the 256th reincarnation of some Tibetian holy figure; they don't all of a sudden have superpowers or great wisdom, but if they accept that status they have to learn how to use it wisely.

When you think about, Nagi is rather mature for a 17 year old; how many people in his position would have immediately gone to the Pokemon solution, and not in a nice or respectful way?

So while there may be some tribulations ahead (Ai Yori Aoshi did have some of the typical harem hijinks before they got into the troubles that almost broke up Kaoru and Aoi at the end of the series), right now most of the readers are enjoying reading the more normal problems that Nagi, Shizuku, Soyogi, and Karin are having. And say what you will about the pace of the story, their relationships are advancing, which is a lot more than can be said in most harem manga.

For the people that have just started reading this thread and are looking for fanfic on this series, I am reposting with permission Alpha-Zulu's UnM fic snippets here on TFF. However, due to content, they are posted in the Lemons Fanfic section, in the Others thread. I highly recommend them.

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 58 at OneManga, download at Solaris-SVU.

Ch 58 - Soyogi's Gambit

Soyogi gets a little too vocal about her enjoyment when her Ryujin lays his hands on her. ^_^

And shocking no one, Kisaragi-sensei shows she's both a pervert and yet not a total wanton. <_<

The cover of Ch 58:

Enjoy! ^_^

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 58.5 at OneManga, download at Solaris-SVU.

Ch 58.5 - Special #2

Before Nagi arrived, sisters Karin and Rinni get a special winter treat for Christmas, even though they are in the Southern Islands.

And Gari, the scanlator at Solaris-SVU, has come up with a new credit page that has a gravure model version of one of the island maidens. ^_^

Enjoy! :lol:

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 59 at OneManga, download at Solaris-SVU.

Ch 59 - Jealousy...!?

Soyogi thinks she now knows what emotion is causing the feelings inside of her toward Nagi. Or could it be something else? <_<

Enjoy! ^_^

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 60 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 60 - The Heart Is Complex.

Soyogi realizes that her duty to the Dragon God and her feelings do not have to be exclusive of each other.

Enjoy! :lol:

 

[PCHeintz72]

Heh... Somehow... I do not think 'like' is the proper term for her to use.

 

[FinalMax]

Heh... Somehow... I do not think 'like' is the proper term for her to use.

Given Soyogi's self-imposed isolation and her effective disconnect from basic human interaction, "like" will have to do. "Lust" or possibly "love" is probably more accurate, but Soyogi doesn't exactly have that great a grasp on the idea.

 

[PCHeintz72]

Heh...? Somehow...? I do not think 'like' is the proper term for her to use.

Given Soyogi's self-imposed isolation and her effective disconnect from basic human interaction, "like" will have to do. "Lust" or possibly "love" is probably more accurate, but Soyogi doesn't exactly have that great a grasp on the idea.

I know... but one of the things I actually like about her (in point of fact, I like her the most of the 3 maidens) is the fact despite her possibly being the most intellegent or cool and collected in exterior appearance, she always goes to extremes both in planning and in emotions...

It is almost sad and even heartwrenching that she fails to realize the most obvious, despite it being outright stated to her multiple times... be herself, and treat him normally.

This is not a series for those seeking action, or fast character development, but I love the way it has been going.

I really wish they would make this into an anime.

 

[GreydonCreed]

Part of Soyogi's problem is that she was the most socially isolated of the Cape Maidens, even more so than Shizuku, who was supposed to be isolated/venerated/held in awe. While Karin had her little sister and granny close to her, and Shizuku had her secret stash of manga to show how people interact (especially young men and women), Soyogi had nothing to guide her on how to deal with Nagi, which is why she tends to be rather brusque in her interactions with him. And that is not limited to just Nagi; I'm pretty sure that Soyogi did not realize the female classmate that keeps coming over to her house is coming on to her. ^_^

Another problem is that while the Cape Maidens were taught that they were to serve the Dragon God, they did not expect the Ryujin to be a modernized Tokyo teen. They really lucked out that Nagi is such a nice guy.

 

[PCHeintz72]

The trick is... Soyogi's issue is that is it somewhat self imposed by herself... which is somewhat part of both the appeal and the sadness of it all...

I agree about the girl, even Nagi caught on almost instantly.

I also agree on them lucking out, consider the magazine incident alone, or even things like Soyogis two separate attempts to simply jump him while near naked. He has been quite patient and understanding.

He is a nice guy, and not a doormat or 1 dimensional character either...

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 61 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 61 - Promises

Nagi makes a promise in lieu of a gift to Soyogi, and now the other girls want in on it. After all, it is a pinky swear promise and therefore unbreakable. ^_^

Would you mind waking up like this in the morning?

Enjoy! :lol:

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 62 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 62 - Everyone's Dragon God

The Maidens have to learn an important message about being with the Dragon God - sharing.

And for the dirty-minded among us, go and look at pages 15 and 16. :huh:

Enjoy! :lol:

 

[Antimatter]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 62 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 62 - Everyone's Dragon God

The Maidens have to learn an important message about being with the Dragon God - sharing.

And for the dirty-minded among us, go and look at pages 15 and 16. :huh:

Enjoy! :lol:

would check, but i'm at work still =(

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM (after a month - ).


New scanlation for Ch 63 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 63 - Tama and Mike

Three noteworthy things happen in this chapter:

1) we find out that Kisaragi's first name is Tamae - Tama for short.
2) her newly arrived visiting friend Mike is an attractive girl. <_<
3) guess where Mike is going to be staying, since Kisaragi doesn't have room in her hovel at school?

Mike is certainly going to stir the pot, and it may have more to do with what her career is and the baggage that comes with it than the fact that she may start being attracted to the local Dragon God. ^_^

Enjoy! :lol:

 

[ringlhach]

Either way, things are going to be interesting for a while... and I have a feeling that Kisaragi did it completely on purpose. She knows Nagi, after all.

 

[Antimatter]

Either way, things are going to be interesting for a while... and I have a feeling that Kisaragi did it completely on purpose. She knows Nagi, after all.

It's one thing to love with three girls your own age who happen to worship you as a living God.

It's another thing to allow a women you've never seen before to stay with you like that.

I can't see anyone else but her being happy with this situation. I would have offered to help her clean up and such in a hurry, and not taken that sort of burden.

That, or set her up in the maidens room and moved them in with Nagi.

 

[Mechatrill]

Oh wow, just read this series front to back...

I have to say, it has one major difference with most of the other harem manga I've read, a difference that I frankly love: There's little to no slapstick.

The close encounters are not random accidents that leave us with various overreactions that end up contributing to nothing relationship wise, but mature, fully consensual encounters that deepens the relationship on both a physical and emotional level. Compared to other harem manga where the relationships tend toward a shallow and obsessive "love at first sight" attraction, Umi no Misaki builds up relationships as actual relationships, based on interaction, mutual attraction, and exploring the depths of one another.

That's what I love so much about Umi no Misaki. It combines a dedicated romance with a harem setup, all the while not favoring any of the heroines over the others. The ecchi encounters and fan service doesn't distract from the relationship and plot, but add to it. I don't know of any other manga like it, and that makes me like it even more...

 

[GreydonCreed]

I can't see anyone else but her being happy with this situation. I would have offered to help her clean up and such in a hurry, and not taken that sort of burden.

That, or set her up in the maidens room and moved them in with Nagi.

You know, I was kinda thinking the same thing myself - "I can get some boxes to toss the manga and trash in from your room, and loan you an extra futon for your friend. She can then take the ferry and go check into the resort hotel on the big island tomorrow. Anything else I can help your with, sensei?"

Or send her over to Karin's place - "I can ask Karin's granny to let Mike crash at her place for the night, before she goes tomorrow to get a room at the resort hotel on the big island."

But then again, Nagi was under pressure when Kisaragi pulled that stunt on him, so perhaps some slack can be cut. Plus, as a friend pointed out, Japanese are too polite for their own good sometimes. And this results in a more amusing manga for us to read, no? ^_^

 

[GreydonCreed]

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 64 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 64 - Three Maiden Meeting.

The Cape Maidens are not pleased with their Dragon God's new house guest. The good news that Mike-chan doesn't seem to realize how serious people take Nagi-kun's status. The bad news that Mike-chan doesn't seem to realize how serious people take Nagi-kun's status. :huh: Right now Mike seems to think that Nagi being the Ryujin is ceremonial or honorary - I wonder how long it will for Mike to realize the truth. <_<

Kisaragi-sensei pulls a trick out of Ranma Saotome's repertoire when Soyogi storms into her room to... discuss... her inviting Mike to stay in Nagi's home - the infamous *spoiler* 'Cling To The Ceiling and Hope They Don't Look Up' technique. *end spoiler* ^_^

Enjoy!

 

[Mechatrill]

And 65 is up...

The last page... Just, the last page...

Maidens are getting quite bold, although technically, this isn't something all that new...

 

[GreydonCreed]

Even thought I was beaten to the punch by Mechatrill... :huh: ^_^

New Update for UnM.


New scanlation for Ch 65 at OneManga and Solaris-SVU.

Ch 65 - Not A Chance!

No matter how unhappy the girls are about Mike staying at Nagi's house, they are even less pleased with the suggested sleeping arrangements. Therefore, they have suggestions of their own...

It also seems that Soyogi is starting to get over her shyness about physical closeness with the Ryujin. ^_^

I will post some of the missed covers for the tankobons and some shots from this chapter later - it's a little to late to do so now.

Enjoy! :lol:

 

[PCHeintz72]

Grrr...

OneManga removed Umi No Misaki from the site.

In protest... I might reread the whole thing over again on the weekend.