Again in June 2024, Yen Press introduced that it will launch manga based mostly on the Darkish Souls collection referred to as Darkish Souls: Redemption. I’ll admit I ended up feeling a bit apprehensive after I heard about it, given it’s being written by Julien Blondel, an writer who wasn’t concerned with the video games. Nevertheless, I used to be delighted to see how true to the ideas from the sport this new story feels.
Editor’s Word: There might be some minor spoilers for the primary quantity of the Darkish Souls: Redemption manga under.
The primary moments of Darkish Souls: Redemption are hauntingly acquainted. A tomb. A physique on a slab. The horrors of waking up alone, with no recollections or sense of self, in a crypt. Venturing out to see completely nothing however desolation. In case you didn’t know this concerned an introduction to a manga, it’d sound like the beginning of somebody’s retelling of their private Darkish Souls playthrough. However right here we’re. Ira’s journey begins very similar to our personal, which I believe helps the story since we are able to see ourself in it.
It additionally helps that it’s accompanied by some ominous hints at Darkish Souls: Redemption’s lore. Reasonably than us instantly beginning with Ira, we see Lord Gaalor and his knights rising alarmed on the signal of a flame revealing that “the Scourge” awoke and returned to the land. Seeing as how he and his Gray Cinders group instantly head to Ira to face her, it’s clear to the unfamiliar reader she’s tied to or the reason for it. The truth that it’s also within the title of the dragons makes it extra curious, propelling you ahead for a style of fact.
From there, the pacing is completely good. Very like the Darkish Souls video games, the manga provides us no quarter. We’re instantly thrust into hazard and thriller. From the ghostly canine that appears pleasant to Ira and the previous ally Eudo who was once tied to Gaalor, however pledged to guard her, to the brand new threats she faces from the Gray Cinders, a dragon, and her information of the unknown, it’s completely charming. A part of this is because of Shonen’s artwork completely capturing the ambiance, each with imposing warriors like Eudo and extra unholy menaces like the primary golem threatening Ira and Ar’vrark.
I’d say that the truth that Darkish Souls: Redemption retains us so at nighttime, regularly revealing extra, helps the manga as nicely. My the top, we’re conscious that Ira was an individual of some significance. She did one thing which many contemplate unforgivable. Nevertheless, one closest to her doesn’t see it that method and was so devoted that they swore an oath that may bodily damage them to maintain the key. The place at which the primary quantity finish leads to Ira being posed as a really formidable warrior, even along with her amnesia affecting her, and units the story as much as inform a story like much like those in FromSoftware’s works.
It seems like Darkish Souls: Redemption may have all the weather to assist make sure the manga feels proper when in comparison with the FromSoftware video games. The opening moments mimic those our avatars expertise in Darkish Souls. We begin to see a narrative full of ideas of betrayal, corruption, greed, and naturally malice. There are daunting opponents, in addition to the potential for morally gray selections and plot beats. I’m excited to see what future volumes may carry and the way parts just like the Darksign and Hollowing come up all through, in addition to see the remainder of Ira’s story.
The primary quantity of the Darkish Souls: Redemption manga is out there now by way of Yen Press, and there’s no phrase on a launch window for the second installment but.
