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Snow & Ink Volume 1
"Snow & Ink" is the first series by mangaka Miyuki Unohana to receive an official publication. The series has been running since 2022 in Kodansha's Comic Days, where other well-known manga have appeared. These include "The Moon on a Rainy Night" or "Last Gender". Kodansha has been publishing the title in the US market since November 2023.
How was it?
The manga begins with a powerful opening scene: Neneo, his hands tattooed to mark him as a murderer, awaits his execution. The tension is abruptly broken by Freya's decision to purchase him. Her motives are initially unclear. Freya herself was cast out from her privileged world after driving the family business into ruin. This step could be a symbol of her own rebellion against a world that rejected her, or an act of mercy towards another lost soul.
The central dynamic between Freya and Neneo develops rapidly thereafter: Two outsiders, shunned by society, find common refuge in the icy wasteland. But as fast as the plot moves forward, their dynamic has an intense emotional depth. Freya apparently sees more in Neneo than just the brutal murderer the world believes him to be. At the same time, it quickly becomes clear to readers that Neneo's actions are far more complex than initially assumed. The revelation that he killed his fellow villagers out of a kind of mercy adds depth to his character.
The characters are the heart of Snow & Ink. Freya is not a flawless heroine, but a woman marked by her mistakes. Her naive generosity led her to ruin, and the harshness of the consequences has changed her. Her growth throughout the story is subtle but noticeable. Initially, she seems emotionally numbed, but through interaction with Neneo, she gains strength and clarity.
Neneo is a complex figure marked by guilt and self-hatred. His alleged crimes are more an act of desperation than sadism, and his inner conflict makes him a sympathetic, if tragic, figure. His relationship with Freya is both an escape and a chance for redemption.
The plot combines romantic tension, moral explorations, and mysterious hints about the characters' past. The manga's beginning is captivating: The grim atmosphere of the execution scene, Freya's determined rescue, and the departure to the north set the tone for the story.
However, the further course of the plot often feels rushed. The relationship between Freya and Neneo develops at a rapid pace. Within a few chapters, they shift from cool distance to intimate gestures, and by the end of the volume, they confess their love. While their connection is emotionally understandable, slower developments and more intermediate steps would have benefited the story. The narrative flow also suffers from abrupt scene jumps. For example, the transition from an exhausting journey through the snow to a sudden recovery in a warm cabin occurs without adequate transitions, which impairs the coherence of the narrative.
Secondary characters like Freya's ex-fiancé Halvard and her half-sister Anna are introduced but remain underdeveloped. Particularly Anna's role as successor in the family firm could have used more depth and motivation. Halvard's sudden appearance and his opaque intentions contribute to the tension but don't feel fully developed.
Nevertheless, Miyuki Unohana manages to create a captivating atmosphere. The icy backdrop of the north is captured in her drawings, which make the cold and isolation of the environment tangible. The historical details – clothing, architecture, and technology – suggest a timeframe around the early 20th century, which anchors the plot in a realistic framework.
The art also wonderfully brings out the characters' emotions. Particularly Neneo's inner torment and Freya's quiet determination are excellently portrayed through facial expressions and body language. Still, a less rushed pace would have left more room for the visual splendor.
Conclusion
Snow & Ink is a manga with potential that, in my opinion, is still held back by structural weaknesses. The character relationships and emotional dynamics between Freya and Neneo are convincing and touching, but the plot often feels rushed and fragmented. Some themes, like the moral exploration of guilt and forgiveness, are touched upon but not developed deeply enough.
However, for those attracted to a fast-paced romance and a dark, atmospheric narrative, Snow & Ink still offers a worthwhile experience.
Snow & Ink 1
€10,49
€13,99
The manga about a dangerous love between killer and heiress that went viral in Japan! A condemned criminal and a wounded, wealthy daughter are lost somewhere between an unchangeable past and an uncertain future in Snow & Ink, a mysterious… read more
