.png)
Aria of the Beech Forest caught my attention right from its announcement. The cover and description sounded like a series that perfectly matches my weakness for comfort fantasy. The manga is by mangaka Yugiri Aika and has the original title "Buna no Mori no Aria." The series was published between January 24, 2020, and November 24, 2022, and is complete with three volumes. It was serialized in the magazine Asuka.
In the US market, the series is published by Yen Press.
How was Aria of the Beech Forest?
The story is set in Ireland and revolves around Aria, who lives as a witch deep in the beech forest. She was instructed by her grandmother in the art of herbal medicine and plant magic. Aria claims she masters other magic as well, but in this first volume, this is only hinted at without really being shown.
Aria's everyday life is characterized by simple routines: she collects herbs, mixes salves, and brews potions to sell to a merchant named Theodore. He comes once a month and represents her only connection to the outside world. He occasionally brings her news from the city, but Aria always remains reserved about the world beyond the forest. The barrier that her grandmother erected shields her home from the human world and gives her a sense of security. At the same time, it makes Aria aware of how much she is on her own.
The situation changes abruptly when one day Gwyn, a mysterious talking wolf, penetrates through the barrier. His arrival represents a kind of turning point in Aria's life. While she is initially frightened, she soon begins to befriend him. Her conversations with Gwyn awaken in her a curiosity about the world outside the forest that she previously only knew from Theodore's reports. At the same time, a deep connection develops between them that helps Aria overcome her loneliness. His arrival is the turning point of the story: Aria welcomes him, which says a lot about her loneliness. She has remained true to her promise, but after her grandmother's death, she rarely has company. The growing friendship with Gwyn leads her to question her isolation. And while the protective spell is not active, two village children, Alvin and his little sister Colleen, discover Aria's home. Their encounter with Aria shows a new side of the story: Aria is full of fear and joy at the same time and begins to immerse herself in a world completely foreign to her, gradually leaving the security of the forest.
What makes this manga special is the mix of cozy slice-of-life, light fantasy elements, and the Irish setting. Yugiri Aika has clearly done research – not only on traditional Irish dishes like Colcannon but also on aspects of Celtic mythology. Aria's everyday life is simple but depicted in detail. Besides her magic, the manga is also somewhat of a cooking manga, as small recipes can be found between the chapters, enhancing the homey atmosphere.
Visually, the manga impresses with expressive characters and detailed landscapes. Aria, with her red hair and practical clothing, appears both cute and down-to-earth. The dynamic facial expressions and flowing movements of Gwyn contribute to the liveliness of the story. The depiction of plants, medicinal herbs, and the forest landscape is particularly successful and gives the manga a calming atmosphere.
The printed edition from Yen Press in the larger format helps these visual details stand out particularly well.
Is Aria of the Beech Forest worth reading?
Aria of the Beech Forest is a relaxed fantasy manga with a warm-hearted main character, an idyllic setting, and a touch of mystery. Those looking for a calm, atmospheric read that focuses less on action and more on character development and ambiance will find it here.
Despite the occasionally too-long cooking scenes and the restrained magic, a moody story unfolds about friendship, loneliness, and the search for a place in the world. The first volume already poses some puzzles that make you want more. Whether the story can expand on its promising hints in later volumes remains to be seen, but for fans of gentle, cozy fantasy stories, this manga is a real insider tip.
Aria Of The Beech Forest Vol. 1
€16,50
The witch Aria is a little shy. She's good at cooking and knitting. And she's a real whiz at growing herbs. As for what she's bad at? Why, that's magic! One fateful day, the sheltered girl encounters a talking wolf,… read more
