Beautiful art, esp. the watercolor, and I'm intrigued by the possibilities the first book opens up. ( )

”Ruka: When you see something special...
...Do you think it changes something inside of you?

Jim: Seeing something is the same thing as receiving a signal.
For example, when you use a remote control, it sends signals to the tv.
Sometimes seeing something can change your channel.
You may see things differently than before...
...or feel things differently...”

The theatrical release of Children of the Sea had to be postponed due to the pandemic. I am really looking forward to whenever it will be able to release now, it looks stunning. One of the things that really stuck out to me about the trailers is the distinguished hand drawn style. This made me curious about the manga and how similar the art would be between the two. So since this is a perfect time to catch up on the manga before seeing the movie, I gave it a try. I will definitely be reading the rest of the volumes!

In Children of the Sea, summer has just begun when Ruka is kicked off the handball team for repeated offenses. Now she ends up having to spend the summer at the aquarium where her dad works. When she meets two boys around her age that are staying at the aquarium, she becomes involved in a mystery that is effecting oceans worldwide. Whatever is going on, Ruka may have become involved a lot sooner than she thinks. When she was little, she saw a ghost in the aquarium tank but no one would believe her. Now, there is reason to believe and not only that, but to quickly find out what’s going on before more sea creatures disappear or die...which may just include the two boys who were raised for the first years of their lives by dugongs in the ocean.

The story is really interesting so far— there are so many mysteries! It seems like Ruka gets along much better with these two boys from the ocean than her peers at school, and maybe there’s a reason behind this that could help the trio figure out what’s happening. I also think the 3 testimonies of people who have encountered these brothers from the sea is neat. The art is really unique and evocative and I love the sketchy style in some parts. In particular, I love the way the eyes and the underwater panels are done. There are definitely moments that feel quite ethereal and otherworldly. All in all, I give this one ★ ★ ★ ★☆ 4/5 stars and I can’t wait to continue the series! ( )

Graphic novel/series. Stunning artwork, tells the story of two children who were raised by manatees, who are more at home in the water than on land, and the amazing, mysterious (terrible?) thing that is happening to them and other sea life. ( )

Lovely drawings of the sea and sea creatures. An adventurous young girl investigates the disappearance of sea creatures with the help of two mysterious boys raised in the sea. ( )

Beautiful illustrations fill this manga. The story is a little bit strange but it could become really interesting. I definitely plan on giving the next volume a try. ( )