Aki Irie will make her English debut tomorrow as Ran and the Gray World will be available in print and in digital format. But what about this title makes it an interesting read? Well, the editor for it, Amy Yu (Yona of the Dawn, The Water Dragon’s Bride, Arata, The Legend) shared 5 things you should know about this manga before it comes out:
TheOASG: In one sentence, how would you describe what Aki Irie’s Ran and The Gray World is all about?
Amy Yu: Ran and The Gray World is a coming-of-age story about Ran Uruma, a young sorceress navigating relationships in the human world while discovering the depth of her magical powers.
What exactly are the challenges Ran faces when she ventures into the outside world?
I think Ran faces the same challenges that everyone faces growing up—trying to figure out their place in their world while learning about love and loss. There’s an added challenge for her in that she has magical powers and needs to learn some boundaries where that’s concerned. After all, transforming into a grown woman when she’s really a kid leads to all kinds of confusion, both for people who don’t know her secret as well as for herself in how she responds to others’ attention. There’s a reason her brother Jin forbids her from transforming into an adult, but she does it anyway because it makes her feel free.
I also think Ran’s number one challenge is loneliness. She misses her mother (who’s away from home protecting everyone with her sorceress powers), and she wants to grow up quick and escape the confines of being a kid. She wants to make friends and feel connected to others. However, the reality is that Ran IS a kid, and she needs to learn about dangers just like everyone else—through real-time experience. There aren’t any shortcuts.
Was there anything that surprised you the most as you’ve been working on the series? Be it the art, a character, etc.?
I was surprised by how much I loved the Uruma family as a whole. Ran’s parents Zen and Shizuka are so fun and charming! I like Jin as well—he may be a bit strict and harsh, but you can tell he loves his family very much. The Uruma family dynamic makes me smile.
What turned out to be the biggest challenge in working on this series?
It’s been a real pleasure working on this series on all fronts, so the only thing I can think of is just my usual anxiety of hoping that this series finds its audience and fans. My hope is that if you read Ran and the Gray World, you’ll love it as much as I do.
Finally, what should readers expect when they check out Ran and The Gray World?
Be prepared to fall in love with the gorgeous art! Take your time enjoying the charming characters and all the fun details in this magical world!