365 Days of Manga, Day 17: Once Upon a Glashma

ONCE UPON A GLASHMA (Hajimari no Glashma, “Original Glashma”) (はじまりのグラシュマ) • Kumiko Suekane • ADV (2007) • Kadokawa Shoten (Newtype, 2005-2006) • 1 volume • Bishônen Fantasy • 13+ (brief violence, sexual situations)
In the near future, all women have mysteriously vanished, and magical powers–monster summoning, turning invisible, casting spells–are spreading among the male population. Takeshi Gotanda and his earnest young subordinate Norinori Nippori are census takers assigned to keep track of all the wizards…eventually, they discover the reason why the women are gone. The first half of the manga is predictable bishônen hijinks, with cute men getting magically transformed into she-males in maid outfits, and generally reacting pretty well to the absence of half the human race; the more dramatic second half has a big-budget fairytale feel, like the climax of a Disney movie. (The word Glashma is intended to be a combination of “Glass Shoes” and “Magic”.) Although the ending is interesting, the majority of the manga feels thin and gimmicky. The blandly pretty art is from the artist of “Blood+ Adagio” and “Afterschool Charisma”.
* 1/2 (one and a half stars)
Today’s manga winner is Angelica P. of California! Angelica will be receiving five manga from my personal collection. I hope you like them more than I liked “Once Upon a Glashma!”