Scanlation of the Month June'07 (Shoujo): Selected Pandemonium

[Floating_Sakura]

Title: Selected Pandemonium (Hyakkiyakou Shou)
Author: Ichiko Ima
Serialized: Nemuki
Scanlator: ETC (formerly HnG)
Written by: anitra

I adore Ichiko Ima. Her visual style is powerful on every level, from grotesque monsters to comedic cartoonery, from lush backgrounds to expressive human figures and faces, from youth to aged, and from panelling to action; her characters are multifaceted and distinctive; the moods widely varied (solemn to comedic, awkward to casual, blissful to tragic, suspenseful to relaxed), exquisitely balanced in each story; the storytelling is beautifully crafted, attracting the reader's attention and emotion, and it does not waver from beginning to end, leaving nothing to be desired.

Selected Pandemonium is the tale of Ritsu's adventures after the death of his grandfather, nicknamed "Kagyuu", who had been a summoner of demons. Ritsu, already possessing the ability to sense supernatural beings, finds himself Heir to his grandfather's demon protector, Blue Storm, who had already been masquerading as Ritsu's father for some years. Though anxious to have an ordinary life in spite of his family background, Ritsu finds that Kagyuu's Heir cannot avoid the supernatural entanglements resulting from his (Kagyuu's) meddling.

The chapters are relatively long and well-fleshed-out; each tells of an encounter with one supernatural creature or another. (I feel like I just wrote a review like this -- anybody else care for Mushishi?) In one story, Ritsu goes to a house in the neighborhood -- a house that turns out to be well-infested with supernatural vermin -- to retrieve some books that had been borrowed from his grandfather, and then can't seem to find his way home. In another, he accompanies his cousin, Tsukasa, to a remote village, where she has been recruited to dance in a "pillar ceremony" meant to cleanse evil spirits -- which Ritsu, with his extra sense, suspects really exist. With each encounter, Ritsu's understanding of the spirit world and how to manipulate it increase, as well as his insight into his grandfather's extraordinary life and surprisingly ordinary character.

Selected Pandemonium is a pure, otherworldly fantasy -- and yet somehow doesn't come off as over-dramatic or romanticized. Blue Storm is Ritsu's friend (perhaps) and protector, he is silly and cute, brave and knowledgeable, not to mention gluttonous, but he's also a demon -- powerful, ruthless, dangerous, unconcerned with human life. Ritsu himself is a teenager (though it's not a typical "school adventure" -- in fact, we never actually see him at school): he is sent on unpleasant errands by his mother; disgusted by the nasty little monsters that keep crowding his life; and frightened of the dangerous creatures that keep cropping up; he wants to help where he can, but is not really willing to be a hero.

What else is there to say about this? It's delightful; it's eerie; it's funny; it's grotesque; it's beautiful; it's Ichiko Ima. If her style appeals to you, you can also find Suna no Ue no Rakuen, a collection of short stories translated by Storm in Heaven, and Adult's Problems, translated by Fifay.