The power of words is taken quite literally in Yu Watase’s ALICE 19TH by Viz. They can be used to heal or to harm, particularly the 24 Lotis words and their darker counterparts, the Marams.
Alice Seno is a shy, dutiful teen-ager who sublimates her feelings and desires to those of her family and friends. She’s hesitant to express herself, particularly about her love for fellow student Kyo. So Alice says nothing when her sister, popular and outgoing Mayura, reveals her own feelings for Kyo and acts on them.
In a moment of uncharacteristic courage, Alice saves a rabbit from traffic. As you might expect, the good deed doesn’t go unrewarded or unpunished. The rabbit is Nyozeka, a mystical servant of the Lotis words who trains young people to master them. Alice, it seems, is her new charge. She wants Alice to learn the Lotis words and use them to battle Mana, the darkness that lurks in human hearts.
This becomes fairly critical as Alice’s insecurity and inexperience have terrible consequences for Mayura. Alice, with the help of Nyozeka, Kyo, and Frey, another Lotis trainee, must rescue Mayura from the darkness that threatens to consume her.
It’s a wonderful premise, and it’s perfectly suited to the young cast. The teens’ natural insecurity, emotional intensity, and secretiveness make them particularly susceptible to Mana, and the threats take on a particular resonance since they come from inside. It’s also refreshing that the Lotis masters in training are helping people achieve some measure of inner peace and find strength as opposed to battling for its own sake.
The characters are all crafted nicely. Alice may be shy, but she’s not weak. Kyo’s initial impression as a typical love interest – sensitive, handsome, perfect – becomes much richer as his own inner conflicts are revealed. And Frey, despite being more advanced in his training, is an amusingly goofy lothario. Supporting characters like troublemaking schoolgirl Oishi and Alice and Kyo’s family members, round things out nicely, while furthering story.
Watase’s art is lovely, particularly the shifting inner heart landscapes. The storytelling is always clear, and Watase takes advantage of the fantastical premise to vary panel and page layouts. But the realistic moments, at school or at home, aren’t shorted. They provide contrast and balance. Character design is strong, from innocent Alice to heartthrob Kyo to Nyozeka in her various strangely adorable manifestations.
ALICE 19TH takes a fairly standard structure – young trainees out of their depth eager to do right – and gives it welcome depth. Heartfelt romance, layered emotions, character-based comedy, and the affirming message of healing words combine to make this manga something special.