KAKURIYO: BED AND BREAKFAST FOR SPIRITS (Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi), based on the light novel by Midori Yuma and character designs by Laruha, with art by Waco Ioka. First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.
PLOT:
Aoi loved her late grandfather, but after his passing she's determined to make it on her own (despite her ability to see yokai). One day she is seized by an ogre, and she learns the truth. Many years ago, her grandfather promised his most spiritually-gifted grandchild as collateral for a massive debt, and now the ogre is ready to take Aoi as his bride as payment. Aoi would rather work to pay her debt, but the only place she's able to find work is with a friendly kitsune with a failing tea room.
STORY:
Kakuriyo is a melange of a lot of different trends. There's a hearty helping of Kamisama Kiss, a bit of The Ancient Magus' Bride, and some food manga trends too. Yet it never quite comes together like it should.
I do appreciate that Aoi is a little older and thus a little more strong-willed and independent than similar shojo heroines. Since she's got a bit of a backbone, she's able to hold her own throughout the book. In comparison, the oni (and obvious love interest) is kind of lacking. He's lacking in anything resembling charm, although mercifully he doesn't descend to the sadistic or sociopathic depths of the worst of his ilk. He's just kind of a jerk who isn't used to anyone telling him no.
Knowing my professed fondness for the genre, you'd think I would warm to Kakuriyo once it started focusing on the food. Instead, I remained underwhelmed. Some of that might have been due to the first dish she makes (oh joy, yet another manga telling me how to make omurice), but the bigger problem is the transition between this and the romantic drama is sudden and inelegant. This series has a lot of exposition to cover, between Aoi's family backstory, introducing all the various staff in and around the inn, and explaining the recipe. It doesn't leave much room for atmosphere or character, and that's what a series like this needs to win over readers.
ART:
The characters here are far less over-designed than characters of this ilk tend to be. Mostly they are generically attractive, although Ioka clearly enjoyed drawing all the fancy kimonos and spooky, old-fashioned architecture. I wish that same elegance applied to their panel layouts, which are hopelessly cluttered and tend too often to be little more than a series of talking heads.
RATING:
Aoi alone isn't enough to carry Kakuriyo beyond its derivative origins and the lack of character in the supporting cast. I suspect it gets better as it goes on, but it's not a strong enough beginning to make this a must-read.
This series is published by Viz. This series is ongoing in Japan with 6 volumes available. 5 volumes have been published and are currently in print.
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