In the book community, I’ve heard it said before that it’s good to try genres outside of what we usually read because we never know if we might discover a new favorite. This saying was true when I picked up the manga Asadora! The story centers around a young girl named Asa, who everyone forgets. Not just her name, but her too as a person since she has a bunch of other siblings. On one morning, her mother goes into labor and Asa runs to get the local doctor to help with the birth. The thing is, this all takes place during a typhoon coming! In between the typhoon, a strange cry that sounds like an animal, and an unexpected kidnapping (that goes unnoticed), so begins a story like nothing I have read before.

Adventure: Asa’s journey is one big adventure. From the beginning where we see her running and correcting people that her name is Asa, to being kidnapped, to surviving the typhoon and seeing its devastation, to wanting to do all she can to be the most help, this story never lets up once. Asa is a character who I think would be considered a “go getter” but in a softer, child-like way. 

Action: This manga is a different kind of high stakes story compared to most action manga I’ve read before. I feel in most action stories there would be epic fights that create high stakes, but in Asadora! the high stakes are created due to the devastation of the typhoon and an overwhelming need in Asa to help feed the people who are now stranded. Asa meets a man known as “the hero of the skies” and he brings some really exciting action due to his flashbacks and his creativity to help save and provide for as many people as they can.

Romance: For someone who really enjoys reading romance, I am surprised to voice that one of my favorite parts about Asadora! is the lack of a romance. Granted, with how young Asa is, I think there shouldn’t be one, but there definitely isn’t even a hint at a romance here!

Religion: There is a young man who is being strongly pressured and told by his family that he needs to train harder so he can participate in the upcoming Olympics. As Shuta (the young man) is training and feeling pushed beyond his limits, a touch of blood falls from the sky on his forehead. His father claims that it was fate and that he has been chosen by God. His family also claims it was a sign from Heaven that Shuta is going to win gold at the Olympics.

Final Thoughts: While the story may center around a young protagonist, Asadora! is not kid-friendly in how real the devastation is portrayed. There were times that even though not graphic, the art created a sense of heartbreak in me time and time again. It also created strong feelings of pride in Asa and the “hero of the skies” and spurred me to want to take action. What makes this manga unique and why I would recommend is because there is an overarching historic and mystery feel. We see Japan in the past but also the present as the opening pages show (and with a giant kaiju storming Tokyo no less!). This was indeed an unexpected gem for me and cannot wait to dive into more volumes and see if Asa will not only find her family, but what our new duo will do in helping others.

(Note to the reader: There are very rare occurrences of curse words throughout the story.)