Legend of Zelda in manga format - what could be better? I am referring to the Legend of Zelda Manga Box set, of which I am the proud owner (okay, co-owner - my brother helped pay for half).
This is a series that is put out by Viz and licensed by Nintendo. Akira Himekawa provides the story and art for this 10 volume set of manga, based on the popular video games. And I say based, because the manga are not a strict adaptation of the video games. For the most part, they stick pretty close. The beginning of the story is usually fairly accurate, with a few embellishments that enhance the plot (for example: Link can talk!). After the first dungeon or so less detail is paid as the author focuses on advancing the plot (let’s admit it - frustrating block puzzles are not that entertaining to read about). On occasion, new characters or plot events are added, but the stories mostly portray the original material.
The 10 volume set covers the story of eight Legend of Zelda games (If the internet is to be believed, other manga adaptations have come out for some of the more recent Legend of Zelda games. However, I did not feature them in this review because I have not read them. If you have read them, please let me know what you thought!):
- The Minish Cap*
- A Link to the Past
- Oracle of Seasons
- Oracle of Ages
- Ocarina of Time (2 parts)*
- Majora’s Mask *
- Four Swords (2 parts)
- Phantom Hourglass
The titles marked are games either I or someone close to me (aka my brother) have experience playing. I will comment on these titles specifically, as I have first-hand experience with the original material, and tell you some details you may want to know.
The Minish Cap
The beginning of the manga for The Minish Cap is pretty close to the content displayed in the game. The only differences are that Link isn’t the one who takes the sword to the festival and that he meets Vaati beforehand. In a way, the plot of the story is simplified, but it is also extended. The dungeons are glossed over (sometimes they are almost non-existent), while more focus is placed on character development (oh the wondrous things that happen when you can actually talk!). Also, a few events are edited. For example, Link doesn’t visit the Elemental Sanctuary until the end of the book and Vaati returns to being Ezlos’ apprentice in the end.
Ocarina of Time
This title has been adapted into a 2 volume story. It adds some backstories and character development to the plot that you don’t get in the game. Some of it fits nicely, but a few additions stick out. Also, not every aspect of the story is covered, so there are a few time skips. However, the author gives adequate ‘page time’ to the main events even though some of the later dungeons are abbreviated to a few pages (but let’s be honest: there are a ton of dungeons in this game). I really liked how they integrated Sheik more into the story. Also, there are a couple bonus stories at the end that are enjoyable.
Majora’s Mask
Again, a little bit of backstory was added at the beginning, like how the mask was stolen and some of Link’s activities before traveling to Termina. Because of the vast amounts of dungeons and (especially) side quests in the game, most are shortened, while some (like the later dungeons and minor side-quests) had to be left out. The only side story that really gets focused on is the one with Anju and Kafei. However, the author allows time to tell the stories behind the main three masks.
All in all, this boxed set was a really fun read! I enjoyed re-living the games I had experience with and learning about the ones I was unfamiliar with. While they don’t follow the story-line of the games to a T, they still provide a fair representation of the Zelda franchise. If you like Legend of Zelda, I would definitely recommend reading this series. Look for these titles at your local library, or buy your own copy for repeated enjoyment!
No comments:
Post a Comment