These are the themes, readers are exposed to most of the time in this manga. And it takes its time to fully absorb us into the world and into the two main contrasting characters.
I was first skeptical. It may burn out its magic halfway through. It may fall into slice of life stereotype.
No.
It showed that it has a lot to offer, whether a rich story and lore, or interesting characters, which can’t really be categorized as villains or heroes. Motives of all characters feel real.
Yet it was chapter 41 that started overall decline of the story. Why do we suddenly need some artificial way of learning about the world? Why to use such a simple plot device, like “there is a secret room which contains solutions to all mysteries” (metaphorically speaking).
Reading further and further, we start to feel like it is not the same story, that something went wrong. And it continues so until the last chapter, which, I dare to say, completely doesn’t fit to the overall storytelling. Not that it is wrong, but it just doesn’t fit with the vibes author tried to induce us at first.
So we have great and unfinished potential here.
The question is:
Is it still worth reading?
Depends on what you want from this manga.
If you are looking for unique experience, dark rural atmosphere and a world with its own philosophy, you may try it.
However, if you want completed story with solid ending and conclusion of the prophecies introduced in the first half, look somewhere else.
Pros:
+ atmosphere
+ world building
+ provides unique experience
Cons:
- unsatisfying ending
- unresolved mysteries
- more lore needed to be uncovered
Double-edged:
+/- slow pace
6/10 (OK)