Alice 19th

    (Viz, 2003-2004)
™ and © Yu Watase
Reads right to left; graphic novel; b&w

Except for the girl and the rabbit, the only Wonderland to be found here is a world in which another Alice is so afraid to hurt anyone she’s emotionally paralyzed. Ignored by her parents and overshadowed by her more popular sister (whose boyfriend Alice secretly covets), she’s barely even there.

That’s the case until the rabbit spirit girl (?) Nyozeka helps her learn the magic of the Lotis Words—not to save Earth from doom, but to work out her personal problems. Throughout Volume One, Nyozeka acts mostly as a Greek chorus whose constant refrain “use your words” refers not so much to the magic kind as those of the everyday variety. The subtext here seems to be “speak and you’ll be heard,” as Alice’s problems, mystical and otherwise, vaporize when she has the courage to say how she feels. (Is honest communication a rarity in Japan?) By the creator of Fushigi Yugi, this is just as beautiful and heartfelt.

— S.A. Bennett
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#1

October, 2003
Cover Price: $9.95
1 copy available for $9.99 		Yu WataseYu Watase
#2

December, 2003
Cover Price: $9.95
1 copy available for $9.99 		Yu WataseYu Watase
#7

October, 2004
Cover Price: $9.95
1 copy available for $9.00 		Yu WataseYu Watase