Trigger warnings: violence
About the Author: Rei Toma has been drawing since childhood, but only began drawing manga because of her graduation project in design school. After publishing her short story manga, “Help me dentist,” Toma was contacted by a publisher who then paved the way for her debut in the mangaka world. Toma’s works include Dawn of the Arcana, The Water Dragon’s Bride, and Mysterious Honey.
“Whether it’s humans, commoners, sub-people, or royalty, everyone should be allowed to be proud of who they are.“
Dawn of the Arcana is a 13 volume series about two kingdoms always on the brink of war that unite for a time under the marriage of Princess Nakaba of Senan and Prince Caesar of Belquat. But if hair color determines status, why is Nakaba’s red hair the color of commoners; can she be trusted? And that’s not the only thing the princess is keeping secret. She possesses the rare power of the Arcana of time, which allows her to see into the future. There are also half-human, half-animal beings called Ajins, who are tired of their continuous oppression and are causing rebellions throughout the two kingdoms. Battles of every sort rage across this island, between man and beast, commoner and royalty. This series focuses on the devastating consequences of racism, prejudices, and the corruption of those in power.
Rating: 4/5 stars
PRR Writer, Meghan Reinholz