.png)
Fans of shorter stories can rejoice, as the Josei single volume "Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom" was recently published on the US market. The series, created by mangaka Nao Iwamoto, was published in Japan from October 2014 to April 2016 in the magazine "Flowers" by Shogakukan. The chapters were combined in a single tankôbon volume.
An anime adaptation of Madhouse premiered in Japan in January 2023 and was shown at several international film festivals.
An anime adaptation of Madhouse premiered in Japan in January 2023 and was shown at several international film festivals. However, there is no international release on disk yet.
How was "Gold Kingdom And Water Kingdom"
The basic idea of the manga is based on the familiar narrative patterns of lovers and warring kingdoms. Mangaka Iwamoto introduces the story by presenting a short treatise on the old rift between the neighboring A and B kingdoms, which eventually led to war due to an unresolved dog poop issue.
The solution seems obvious when a god decrees that the A kingdom bequeaths its most beautiful woman to the B kingdom to marry her to the wisest man in the land, and vice versa. Princess Sarah is confused, however, when a puppy arrives on this fateful day, while the unemployed engineer in the B Kingdom, Naranbayar, receives a kitten. However, both decide to remain silent to avoid another war. And as fate would have it, the two end up meeting by chance...
"Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom" tells the story of lovers whose paths cross by fate. Sarah is a princess of the trade-rich Kingdom A with marvelous inventions. Naranbayar is the son of the resource-rich but war-torn Kingdom B. As they thwart their leaders' plans, a budding romance develops between them as they work together to prevent another war. The stage is thus set for a classic historical romance.
However, "Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom" does not take itself too seriously. Iwamoto defies readers' expectations by not giving her kingdoms glamorous names, but simply calling them "A" and "B". It is also striking that there seems to be more to almost every character when you look behind the facade. Leopoldine, Sarah's sister, is ridiculed by some, but at the same time she harbours a desire to modernize the kingdom of A. Her handsome concubine Saladin is a fugitive with a keen political sense who is underestimated by everyone but operates skillfully in the background.
Sarah, the 93rd of 100 princesses, shows a remarkably down-to-earth side in contrast to her elegant sisters. Naranbayar, the son of a librarian with the extraordinary gift of speech, also clearly stands out from the usual expectations. In the condensed narrative style of the short story, we still gain enough insight into their characters to like them and root for them. The natural development between the two main characters and the maturing of their relationship add a refreshing touch to the story. Sarah's kind-hearted and thoughtful nature allows her to immediately form a deep connection with Naranbayar despite their different socio-economic backgrounds. Their sincere, unselfish desire for each other's welfare is heartening and draws readers into their captivating romance.
Iwamoto's illustrations impressively support the tone of the story and manage to aptly capture the differences between the kingdoms. The vast, forest-lined landscapes but war-torn villages of Kingdom B stand in stark contrast to the richness of bright colors in the golden desert lands of Kingdom A. Although both kingdoms speak the same language, the background characters and environments hint at the cultural differences between the two countries. The variety of character designs is also interesting; Saladin is portrayed as a classic Bishonen figure, while the bodyguard Lailala has barely detailed features. Overall, Iwamoto's line is characterized by a delicate quality.
Despite the story's charm, it unfortunately loses a little depth due to its brevity. The plot focuses mainly on one central problem, while other aspects take a back seat. Still, I found the resolution of Sarah and Naranbayar's story very satisfying, but some readers may be frustrated that it doesn't go deeper into the political conflict.
Seven Seas publishes the volume in a large format and prints a few color pages at the beginning.
Conclusion
"Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom" is a charming single volume that is thoroughly satisfying. Iwamoto's drawings are simple but appealing and manage to emphasize the differences between the countries. The story is characterized by a positive tone, making it suitable for younger readers, and even if one sometimes misses the final depth in the plot, which progresses quickly, the volume leaves a positive message.
Gold Kingdom & Water Kingdom GN
€17,99
Once upon a time, two countries who shared a border wouldn't stop squabbling over petty issues. Their spats eventually escalated into war... over an incident involving dog poop. Finally, the gods declared that both nations had to call a truce.… read more
