Midday Moon Volume 1
Author: Yayohi Monzen
Publisher: PRINTEMPS PUBLISHING
Pages: 195
ASIN: B078JBSDH1
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes
In Japan, the significance of the moon plays a huge part in folklore, and from what I have noticed, manga in general; Sailor Moon, Kaguya the moon princess in Naruto, the crescent moon in Bleach, the list may be endless, but it is here in this yaoi manga too. Previously I had read and reviewed some crazy titles, I would have to say this is a more sombre one with some folklore attached to it.
Midday Moon is about Amano, a young man who works at an inn in the middle of nowhere that looks after the Others, immortal people who are there to avoid humans who might not appreciate sharing the world with them. Tsukuyomi, their king comes to visit and Amano has to make sure he is happy with his stay.
Everything goes well at first, but that is before Amano meets him, for as soon as he claps eyes on him, he reminds him of his childhood friend who had gone missing, and it haunts him through this story.
The manga comes with six chapters and a bonus extra. The story explains that the world of men and world of the Others is one where they co-exist, without the humans knowing. Amano and his apprentice are on hand to cater to the whims of whoever passes though their inn, when the King of the Moon, Tsukuyomi-sama arrives, Amano is struck by how much he resembles his former friend. In a brief flashback, Amano is with his childhood friend and we witness the last time he ever sees him as he falls into the sea below, taken by some strange sea creatures.
Amano can't be sure what happened that day, but there is the chance that Tsukuyomi-sama could be the reincarnation of his long lost love!
Midday Moon Vol 1 is yet another period manga with a twist as all the way though the reader will be left wondering whether Tsukuyomi-sama is his former love. It might not be the case at first as Tsukuyomi doesn't seem to recognise Amano, even going so far as to slap Amano across the face for staring at him. There are many clues hinting at along the way, and that is part of the fun of reading the manga. It would be a bit tricky for a man to become a god after death, but it depends what happened to his lover.
The art is very detailed, the backgrounds of the inn are quite good (I didn't expect that!) the characters look a little severe, but the story coupled with the art makes for a more than pleasing experience compared to some yaoi I've read before. This goes that extra mile to engage the reader with a strange and wonderful new story.
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