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In The Great Snake's Bride Miyo, a unhappy young woman from a mountain village, is chosen as a sacrificial offering to become the bride of the majestic snake god Daija. Initially, she is filled with fear that the giant, talking snake will devour her entirely. However, when she is taken into the care of the god, something remarkable happens: He doesn't treat her as a meal but rather as a loving wife. Instead of consuming her, the god surprises her by treating her with respect and affection. Over time, a strange but deep connection develops between Miyo and the snake god.
"The Great Snake's Bride" may not appeal to a broad audience because unlike most stories of this nature, the snake god doesn't transform into a handsome man; he remains a huge snake. It's not surprising that at the beginning of this forced relationship, Miyo's only thought is to escape.
It may sound like a dark story, but Daija is quite a gentleman, kinder and more generous than many of the people Miyo has encountered in her life. He warmly welcomes Miyo and thanks her for becoming his wife. It quickly becomes clear that he is willing to protect her from the dangers of the forest and doesn't hesitate to confront a bear when it comes to Miyo. However, Daija also exhibits animal instincts, such as consuming his prey whole like a snake, and he desires intimacy with Miyo.
His first approach in this direction is surprising and unwelcome for Miyo, and it's clear that she is afraid. Eventually, Daija realizes this and backs off before anything intimate happens, but personally, I found this scene to be a bit unsettling. A large panel depicting Daija's fantasies felt too lascivious in the overall context, tarnishing the otherwise positive impression of the book for me.
However, Fushiashikumo successfully delivers a harmonious story that revolves around themes of acceptance, growth, and love that transcends physical appearance. The aforementioned scene is well reflected upon in the later parts of the book. While the plot of the first volume may be dark at times, there are also moments of lightness. Miyo quickly makes a friend in a talking tanuki, who, like Daija, seems to be a god-like being, and he provides cheerful moments. Although he initially doesn't consider himself her friend and is unfamiliar with the concept of friendship, their meetings become a regular part of her life.
The artwork follows the traditional manga style, featuring hand-drawn and shaded elements, with the use of screentone. The style is both intricate and rugged, fitting perfectly with the overall atmosphere and the natural, historical setting of the manga. The drawings bring to life the mood of the mysterious forest and encounters with divine beings. The scenery comes alive as readers immerse themselves in this fascinating world and follow Miyo and Daija's story with anticipation.
Seven Seas publishes the title in a paperback format with cover embellishments. The table of contents is also colored, though there is no color illustration. The U.S. publisher rates the title as 17+.
In conclusion, "The Great Snake's Bride" offers an intriguing story of acceptance and love that goes beyond appearances. The first volume strikes a balance between serious and light tones, as we witness Miyo slowly discovering that Daija is much more than a monster.
However, it's worth noting that the title is aimed at an older audience and includes some erotic elements that may not be to everyone's taste. Despite some negative aspects in the first volume, I am curious to see where the story goes and will at least read the second volume in the series.
The Great Snake's Bride Vol. 1
€10,49
€13,99
In this critically acclaimed and sensual fairy tale, can a woman sacrificed to a snake god learn to love her non-human husband?For 500 years, a giant snake god has lived in the ancient mountain. Miyo, an unlucky young woman from… read more
