Dream Saga

(Tokyopop, 2004-2005)
™ and © 1998 Megumi Tachikawa
Graphic novel, Reads right to left, B&W

Yuuki Wakasa, a supposedly typical fifth-grader, retreats into (what else?) fantasy manga to escape being an unpaid au pair to her simian younger brothers. That’s not merely “helping out”; the text informs readers she’s been in charge of her brothers since they were born.

Ultimately, a magic stone literally falls into her hand, and, after a chat with a girl in a mirror who tells her she’s the “chosen one” destined to save the sun that sustains both their worlds, Yuuki is shunted to another dimension. There, she pacifies the hunk chief of a barbarian hoard through the power of soup and gains the “help” of an annoying talking chicken thing.

As if this weren’t enough pressure, Yuuki keeps shifting back and forth between the fantastic and real, desperately trying to live up to her responsibilities in both. It’s nicely drawn but not new or different enough to appeal to anyone outside its intended audience of put-upon 10-year-olds—although they will probably devour it.

— S.A. Bennett

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