Annarasumanara: Do You Believe In Magic?

Unique. Exquisite. Confrontational. These are words that come to mind when describing Annarasumanara. Gripped by its original manner of storytelling, this manhwa (Korean term for comics) delivers an amazing read I just had to talk about. Being just 27 chapters in length, expectations were high because flaws are more damaging in short stories. My "worries" were all in vain though as Annarasumanara not only met, but completely blew my expectations out of the water.

Plot

Yoon Ah-ee is a role model student. Consistently being among the best in her class, you would think she's comfortably sailing through life. Nothing could be further from the truth, which is made obvious in early stages of the story. Her parents are absent for different reasons making her the single breadwinner of the "household" and her sister's guardian. Despite all these setbacks, she's strong-willed and determined to succeed in life. But what is a successful life? Yoon's whole perspective on the subject changes slowly because of the mysterious town magician she meets by chance. What's beautiful about their encounter and further interaction is that they're on opposite sides of society's spectrum, yet passionately connected.

Yoon has a very "unreal" backstory and desperately wants to escape from her situation by maturing. The very foundation of her character is what makes the magician so attractive, kind of like a guilty pleasure. She goes from: "This man is a loser who refuses to grow up." to not only considering the possibility of him being a real magician, but to questioning her entire mission in life as well. Her classmate Na Il-Deung, an absolute top of the food chain elite, is also impacted by the magician as both of them try to find the balance. The balance between the life of an adult and the escapism the world of "magic" offers. Growing up and being responsible without giving up the very essence of your individuality, indifferent to society's narrow-minded views on it.

Art

This is where Annarasumanara truly shines unlike anything I've ever read. The sheer amount of detail in facial expressions. The way the artist uses his drawings to convey messages in conjunction with the dialogue that births a storytelling dream team... I have nothing but respect for the artist. I have literally never seen artwork being used as a storytelling device to this extent up until now. I caught myself spending minutes on single pages, just taking everything in. But it's not just that. The general gloomy atmosphere you get from the visuals fits this manhwa's theme perfectly. At first I thought the input of colors was random. But after a more careful observation, I noticed how colors seem to be applied on two "opposite" elements: appearance (money, belongings etc, what society has us pursuing) vs experience (the physically intangible, your inner joy). One could look surprisingly deep into it, considering it's only 27 chapters long.

Verdict

Annarasumanara is a story that questions its readers. Are you doing what you really want to do? Are you making excuses? Has society scared you into fitting in, suppressing your own desires? Financial security may increase the chances of your happiness, but it doesn't guarantee it. This story highlights that in a confronting way that could spur interesting debates. Personally, I've rarely been impacted this much before. The cold asphalt (strict path of life) vs the field of flowers (true bliss) analogy is just one of the elements that shape up this poetical orchestra. I could go on and on about how Annarasumanara is the full package, but it's better to experience it yourself. It's a pity this will never get the attention it deserves because I honestly think it's a masterpiece. So, dear reader... Are you true to yourself? Do you believe in magic?
Score: 10/10