Inariya Fusanosuke sensei weaves a tale of love and war that is multilayered and poignant. Her characters are memorable; from the young cadets idol worshipping the officers to the single appearance of the battle wounded swordsmith, to the main characters of Taki and Claus, each one is fully realised. The emotions fairly leap from the page; the cold, calculating single minded fury during battle, the gut wrenching fear of loss, the desperation of a lonely love, and the confused resolution of a man trying to retain his desires and perform his duties are all wonderfully presented. This is no mean feat, as Taki in particular is a complicated character. During the intimate scenes with Claus, we see his desperate anger, seemingly refusing to yield given what his words are, but contradicted by his own actions. It is no wonder Claus is conflicted and driven nearly mad as it is like being offered a banquet and discovering the food is half cooked and stone cold.
Not that Claus is a simple person to understand either. Just why was he and his sister taken to Taki's land as children and told they are bound to the noble house there? And why does no one else, Taki included, seem to know about it? Is Claus truly a traitor to his homeland, or is he playing both sides? These are tantalising questions that are posed as events unfold, holding key parts of the plotlines yet to unfurl. Answers that possibly no one should know, least of all the Maiden Rose. Or would knowing these answers present the key to happiness?
The art is unabashedly and refreshingly original. Claus and the older officers are manly men, showing their ancestry clearly. Claus is a square jawed strapping blonde man, while Taki and his countrymen clearly show their Oriental heritage with their narrow jaws, almond shaped eyes, and high cheekbones. It makes a strong departure from most other titles in the genre who typically have features that could be from almost anywhere. It adds a dimension of realism and immediacy to the scenes that unfold, and clearly drawing the battle lines as they appear, with the Us VS Them visually punctuated. It also serves to underscore Claus' alienation as the foreign knight struggling to maintain his personal identity while being gazed upon with suspicion due to his origins despite his obvious undying personal sense of devotion.
Nor is just the character art praiseworthy in design. The battle scenes are well executed, with a sense of violence and immediacy. The scenes within Taki's tank are particularly well done, showcasing the vintage equipment in wonderful detail. The fluid lines show the rapid movements of Taki as he turns his head to utter his commands and those who rush to obey his utterances, as well as the violence of Claus' movements as he assaults his lover. The pictures seem to move in themselves, drawing the eye naturally along as the story unfolds frame by frame.
The first volume plunges us headlong into the melee, assaulting the senses with a barrage of action and emotion. Thankfully the translation from the original Japanese is very smooth, maintaining the delicate nuances without which the central plot point of the pathos of the relationship with the seemingly un co-operative Taki actually being in conflicted complicity, and Klaus' attempt to have Taki face himself and acknowledge the truth of their relationship in private at least, would be completely lost. Likewise the lack of annoying censoring in a title aimed at adults is quite welcome. If you blush or offend easily, be warned: the sex scenes are shown in full detail, with anatomy and bodily fluids on full display. With the well thought out plot, fully fleshed out characters, beautifully rendered art, and faithful presentation to the English speaking market, Maiden Rose promises to be a series that will keep the reader returning to see how the war, between two countries, as well as two men's hearts and their sense of dutiful obligations, fares.
***I would like to thank Digital Manga Publishing for my review copy. ***
