I first came across the anime when I was a kid, randomly browsing on Amazon. At that time, it immediately caught my attention. Years later, during my college days, I decided to read the English translated books of the same series. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed in the slightest.

The show is extremely faithful to the books. It manages to capture the essence and details of the original story, bringing the characters and their adventures to life in a vivid and engaging way. The translation of the books also did a great job in preserving the spirit of the original work, making it accessible to a wider audience.

I continue to love this series with all my heart. It has a special place in my heart and has accompanied me through different stages of my life. Whether it's through the anime or the books, this series always manages to transport me to a magical world full of excitement and wonder.

There’s an abundance of fantasy fiction in the literary world.

Most of it typically features elements such as orcs, elves, and heroic men. The problem is, why would one want to read about a "World of Warcraft" - like scenario when they can actually play the game?

Moreover, some authors seem to be trapped in emulating J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology.

However, Fuyumi Ono presents a completely uncharted world for our imaginations to venture into.

She introduces us to Yoko, a diligent high-school girl who adheres to her parents and peers.

The only issue is that she is having a recurring nightmare that grows more intense with each passing night.

That, and her naturally reddish hair stands out like a sore thumb, much like a Hell’s Angel at a Republican convention, causing her teachers and fellow students at her all-girls school in Japan to gossip.

So when an oddly dressed young man with a mane of golden hair pulls her out of class and tells her she must come with him, she is horrified about what people will think. At least, until the creature attacks.

Before she has a moment to process, she is whisked away to a world of god-kings and demons and left to fend for herself with only a sword and a spirit that has been "attached" to her to assist in fighting off demons.

And if that isn't traumatizing enough, the strange inhabitants of this mystical world seem to have it in for her.

Whereas it could easily fall into the trap of cliché and predictability, "The Twelve Kingdoms" carves out its own unique path, constantly astonishing the reader.

This book is the first of a seven-volume epic, and it focuses on transforming the naive and hapless Yoko, who almost wishes for death, into a strong-willed survivor determined to define her own destiny.

It's truly incredible how quickly the 459 pages fly by.

Exceptional portal story.

I fell in love with the anime and then started tracking down the books. It's not an easy thing at all. This series has truly earned the "classic" status from me. The world building is just amazing, the characters are vivid and charming, and the storylines are beyond wonderful. It's a series that definitely deserves a place in a library of childhood treasures and future best memories.

I think that perhaps the Japanese publishing traditions have a negative impact on modern authors. Translation licenses seem to focus more on copyright protection rather than making the product accessible to readers of other languages, especially English. Series releases are often slow, have high prices, and are incomplete. The lack of digital editions and exposure via Amazon, especially Kindle Unlimited, must be a significant drawback to an author's revenue stream.

Finally, I added this series to my "personal-favorites" bookshelf on Goodreads (Persnickety).

I've now read this book for the second time, and just like the first time, I loved the whole thing!

Yoko is an amazing protagonist. Her character development is truly what makes this book work. In fact, one could say that the book is essentially about her character development.

While it also sets up the later books, its main focus is on following Yoko as she embarks on a long and arduous journey through a foreign world. It's a captivating story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

I'm completely here for this kind of narrative. It's not just about the adventure, but also about the growth and transformation of the main character. Yoko's struggles and triumphs make her a relatable and endearing character, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us in the subsequent books.

This is the best among all the series. I love Yoko. The change she undergoes is spectacular and it is much better than the anime. It is the typical story of a chosen girl who goes to another world. The thing is that there are no handsome bodyguards. In fact, if you are looking for romance here, you won't find it. Yoko is the typical student who doesn't stand out. She is a good girl and gets good grades but she is a bit... "prim and proper" is not the word. It is difficult to insult a character after having read her most intimate thoughts, but she is someone who doesn't want to disappoint anyone and completely cancels herself out. So when she finds herself lying in an unknown world where those she trusts end up betraying her, she hardens and is able to face anything: demons, hunger, thirst, persecutions... and you put yourself in her shoes. And after all that, she changes for the worse... and once she hits rock bottom, she manages to come back up thanks to Rakushun.

I love it when she takes on the role of being in charge in the anime, but I will have to wait until the 4th book to see it.

I truly love this entire series.

The very first book in this series does an outstanding job of introducing us to a world that is inspired by the rich cultural and mythological aspects of both China and Japan.

I have likely read this book three or four times already, and yet, the world and the characters remain just as fascinating as they were the very first time.

The great news is that the author is currently in the process of writing another book in this series.

When it first comes out, it will initially be in Japanese, but we can probably find ways to read it in English.

If there are no official translations, one can always seek something on the internet.

Moreover, if anyone is interested, there is an anime inspired by this series called The Twelve Kingdoms.

Although many things have been changed in the anime, the heart of the story remains the same.

I would highly recommend that people not only read this book but also watch the anime.

Comparing the similarities and differences between the two is not only fun but also exciting, especially if you have a penchant for watching anime.

It offers a unique perspective and allows you to explore the story in different mediums.

So, give it a try and immerse yourself in this wonderful world.

Fue una total coincidencia esta lectura.

I remember reading a discussion on a forum about protagonists who evolved surprisingly during the course of history and Youko stood out among the comments. As a result, I did some research and decided to read the books instead of watching the anime (although many reviews say it's a good adaptation and perhaps a more viable option to assimilate the content of the books and how they are interconnected).

The first book of TTK focuses on Youko, a high school girl who pretends to be what she is not in order to please others. One day, after being tormented for months by a nightmare about some monsters, a strange man appears and tells her that she must go with him if she doesn't want to die. However, Youko's nightmare becomes reality and strange monsters invade her school and attack her. Terrified, Youko escapes with the strange man and is taken to the world of the Twelve Kingdoms against her will. But she has hardly entered this universe when she is separated from the strange man and left adrift in dangerous lands.

From this point on, the story truly begins and it becomes exciting. Youko embarks on a survival journey that leaves her almost devoid of her humanity in the face of the events that lurk around every corner without her knowing the reason. At all times, when something good seems to happen to our protagonist, it is the opposite; a fact that is exasperating because neither Youko nor the reader knows what is happening and there is a moment when the idea of whether something is really happening or not is debated. Dealing with this ebb and flow is practically the first part of the book but there was something in that ebb and flow, like the information provided about the Twelve Kingdoms, that simply motivates one to continue reading because the universe presented is so fascinating, so original. I won't describe it because I want you to really read it.

After the first part of the book, where Youko reaches her most primitive human limit and has become a being that acts on instinct and has forgotten what it means to live; the second part of the book begins with the only true friend the protagonist makes throughout the story: Rakushun. And although the beginning of their relationship is affected by what the abrupt and wild stay in the Twelve Kingdoms has done to Youko, finally there is progress where not only clarity returns for the protagonist but also for the readers. In this arc, the reasons why Youko was taken to the Twelve Kingdoms, who the strange man was, and, most importantly, what Youko's role is within all those intrigues, warring countries, and a society that is both interesting and varied but also has a way of discriminating against its own are开始被解释.

From start to finish, it is evident that the book and everything it entails was carefully planned. As I mentioned, the universe of the Twelve Kingdoms is exquisite and extremely interesting. For example, the way new beings are born in that world: all come from the fulfilled desire to a tree. The end is obviously somewhat inconclusive, which makes one want to turn to the second book BUT the continuation no longer focuses on Youko but on another conflict and well, since I haven't read it, I don't really know how it goes. Even the third book is also a separate story and the fourth book is a union of all the characters, as far as I understand, in a plot that has been developing since the events of this first book and that is related to Youko.

I wasn't satisfied with that ending since there are still many things to be clarified but I totally recommend this reading, it has definitely been one of my best readings of 2018 although it's not like I've been able to read much this year with all the hustle and bustle of university, the Petrobowl, and translations but there we go.

A great book is based on the anime series Twelve Kingdoms (or perhaps the series was based on the book; to be honest, I'm not sure which).

This story centers around a young girl named Yoko. She is a typical Japanese girl who strives hard to blend in with others. One day, a man appears in front of her, accompanied by fantastical beasts. She is then whisked away to a different world by this man named Keiki. Before being taken away, she is informed that it is for her own safety and that of those around her, and that she can always be returned home later. However, upon arriving in this new world, she finds herself alone and persecuted by the locals.

This book chronicles her journey, which is a difficult one filled with mistrust of others. She wanders the land in search of a way home while also learning about this new world and the reason why she was brought there. This book has some differences from the anime (for example, in the anime, two classmates were brought along), but the story is well-written and progresses at a good pace, filled with interesting information. I really liked how different classes of people had unique titles and laws governing them. I truly hope to be able to locate and read the second book in the series.

Yoko Nakajima is a Japanese high school student.

Her most prominent characteristic appears to be her desire to make everyone happy, which makes her as spineless as a wet noodle.

After being suddenly transported to a fantasy country with only the clothes on her back, a sword, and a spirit enabling her to use it, this personality trait will not serve her well.

One of the main reasons I really enjoyed Sea of Shadow was that Yoko demonstrated a significant amount of character development throughout the book.

Her journey teaches her to become both self-reliant and to allow herself to rely on others without simply conforming to what they expect.

The way the author handles Yoko's lack of knowledge about what is happening is quite good, especially when her guide, Keiki, disappears later on.

However, my one criticism of the book is that the ending feels hasty.

Once Yoko figures out the reason she was brought to the Twelve Kingdoms and devises a plan to rescue Keiki from imprisonment, the final few scenes seem rushed, as if the author thought they were not as crucial as Yoko's internal journey.

This somewhat detracts from the overall impact of the story.

Nonetheless, Sea of Shadow is still a captivating read with a well-developed protagonist and an engaging plot.

It offers readers an interesting exploration of self-discovery and growth in a fantastical setting.

I would recommend this book to fans of fantasy and coming-of-age stories.

This statement seems to suggest that while the information presented may sometimes be overwhelming or "info dumpy," there is still some really cool lore to be found.

It could be that the way the information is presented might not be the most engaging or organized, but the content itself is interesting and full of potential.

Perhaps with a little more effort in structuring and presenting the lore, it could become even more captivating.

Nevertheless, the presence of cool lore is always a plus, as it can add depth and richness to a story, game, or any other form of media.

So, even though the info dumpiness might be a bit off-putting at times, it's worth looking beyond that to discover the hidden gems of lore within.

Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow is a captivating book that delves into a world filled with mystery, new beginnings, and prejudice. It follows the journey of a young girl named Yoko, who is initially in Japan, "our world." She is suddenly whisked away to the strange world of the Twelve Kingdoms by a mysterious boy named Keiki.

Yoko finds herself in a perilous situation as she is chased and attacked by strange creatures. Moreover, she faces prejudice because she is a Kaikyaku, a human from our world. However, as time progresses, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and uncovers the truth about her past. Surprisingly, she realizes that she is not even human but Taika, the king or queen of one of the Twelve Kingdoms, born in our world but destined to rule in theirs. All this time, she has been fighting and killing, believing she was trying to get home, when in fact, she was already in the place where she belonged.

I wholeheartedly recommend Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow to anyone who has a penchant for adventure and can follow complex story lines. This book may be complicated and lengthy, but it is undoubtedly one of the best I have ever read. (Ms. Shah said this book counted as 2 books)

I was truly astonished by the extent to which I relished this book.

It is an outstanding fantasy work that holds great appeal for those who have a penchant for Chinese and/or Japanese mythology.

The female lead is a captivating character, adding depth and charm to the story.

The book also features some vivid and graphic battle scenes, yet they are not overly excessive, striking a perfect balance.

The leisurely pace of the narrative allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the rich and detailed world that the author has created.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and mythology, offering a unique and engaging reading experience.