365 Days of Manga, Day 76: Two Flowers for the Dragon

TWO FLOWERS FOR THE DRAGON (Ryû no Hanawazarai, “The Dragon’s Two Flowers”) (龍の花わずらい) • Nari Kusakawa • CMX (2008-ongoing) • Hakusensha (LaLa, 2005-2009) • 7 volumes • Shôjo Fantasy Romance Adventure • 13+ (infrequent violence, infrequent partial nudity)
Shakuya, the heiress of a clan which rules a desert oasis, is engaged to Kuwan, a handsome swordsman 11 years her senior. But when her former fiancée, Lucien, returns from five years in the desert, Shakuya’s feelings for him start to return, reflected by two sets of flower tattoos–one representing Lucien, one representing Kuwan–which magically blossom on her forearms. But Shakuya is no mere princess in need of rescuing–she’s part dragon on her mother’s side, and she can command water and transform into a great flying snakelike creature. Evil magicians, martial artists, and gossipy handmaidens abound in this lush, original pseudo-Asian fantasy. The setting is well fleshed out, and the art abounds with detail, from the lilies on the pools to the heroine’s crocodile-like dragon form to the central image of the flowers growing on Shakuya’s arms. The story is sexy but not pandering; Shakuya’s clothes rip off when she transforms, and the men are hot, or perhaps cute, in Kusakawa’s cartoony way. The most impressive feat, however, is the balance of action, mystery and romance, which keeps the story rolling along as the reader seeks resolution for both the love triangle and the mysteries surrounding the oasis.

Nari Kusakawa is an amazing mangaka. Check her stuff out! On an unrelated note, today’s winner is Jackie S. of Nevada! Congratulations, Jackie!
I love seeing the people who win “365 Days of Manga.” However, it’s not strictly necessary for you to show me your faces when you send me your photographs; I just want to see your love for manga burned into photographic form. You could, for example, show me a picture of your newborn infant sleeping in a crib made of manga, batting its pudgy baby arms at a mobile of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. Or you could send me a photograph of a mysterious shape in the darkness with some manga in the foreground, like a screengrab from “Paranormal Activity” or “The Blair Witch Project.” Or you could just send me a photo of your manga. On that note, we have a photo from one of our previous winners, Jennifer!

Jennifer, if you don’t like Kingdom Hearts, never fear, I’ll send you five much awesomer manga! As for everyone else, I hope you all win!