From Far Away Manga Review: The 1991 Isekai Gold Standard
A review of the first seven volumes of Kiyoko Hikawa's 1991-2002 shoujo isekai manga, praising its grounded approach where the heroine must learn the
Kiyoko Hikawa's manga From Far Away, which ran from 1991 to 2002, represents an earlier, more grounded approach to the isekai genre. According to a review on Anime News Network, the story's heroine, Noriko, arrives in a fantasy world with no special powers or prior knowledge of its language.
A Grounded Isekai Protagonist
Noriko spends most of the first seven volumes struggling to learn the local language, achieving only an imperfect grasp. Even after gaining conversational fluency, she still stumbles. This linguistic barrier is presented as a remarkably grounding element of the story, forcing the character to work hard to communicate with the people around her. The world is one of magic and prophecy, but there is no shortcut for basic human interaction.
The Prophecy of The Awakening
The plot revolves around a prophecy concerning "The Awakening," a figure whose arrival is feared because it is foretold to awaken a destructive monster known as The Sky Demon. Noriko is this Awakening. The young man who finds her, Izark, has a personal desire to destroy The Awakening. However, upon meeting the lost and confused Noriko, he cannot bring himself to kill her. As they are repeatedly drawn together, both must decide whether to fight against their supposed fate.
Subverting Fear and Fate
The review notes that a central theme of these volumes is the questioning of prophecy and fear. As Izark and Noriko grow closer, the narrative suggests the Awakening might temper the Sky Demon rather than unleash it. "What if, then, it's the lack of Awakening that will cause The Sky Demon to rampage?" the review posits. The theory that separation could be more destructive than union gains weight as the story progresses, challenging the world's assumptions.
Art and Translation
Hikawa's artwork, described as very much of the early 80s style, contributes to the otherworldly feel with details like elaborate eyelashes and distinctive creature designs. The translation is noted as an older one that occasionally uses dated slang but still reads well. The review's one complaint is that the print version is currently out-of-print.
The review holds up From Far Away as a foundational isekai work. It praises the series for its solid worldbuilding and protagonists who must work to overcome challenges. The reviewer explicitly calls it "the gold standard for isekai that all modern series should be guided by."
