エマ

EMMA

MANGA

STATUS
COMPLETE
VOLUMES
10
RELEASE
February 12, 2008
CHAPTERS
72

DESCRIPTION

Calling upon his former governess, William Jones, gentleman, is startled when his knock is answered by an uncommonly beautiful servant, the soft-spoken Emma. Throughout his visit, William's eyes drift to the maid whenever she enters the room, and he contrives to meet Emma socially as she goes about her errands. But London society is a web of strict codes and divisions. For the son of a wealthy merchant, seeking out a working-class girl is simply not done! William's father plans for his son to marry into the peerage and elevate the Jones family to greater heights, but although William says and does what is expected of him, he longs only for Emma's company...

(Source: Yen Press)

CAST

Emma
William Jones
Dorothea Mölders
Hakim Atawari
Hans
Kelly Stowner
Eleanor Campbell
Monica Mildrake
Arthur Jones
Adèle
Tasha
Ilse Mölders
Collin Jones
Richard Jones
Viscount Campbell
Grace Jones
Erich Mölders

CHAPTERS

RELATED TO EMMA

Cover Art for Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma

ANIME DramaEikoku Koi Monogatari Emma

Cover Art for Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma: Molders-hen

ANIME DramaEikoku Koi Monogatari Emma: Molders-hen

NOVEL RomanceShousetsu Emma

REVIEWS

Krankastel
80/100
The painstaking effort behind the vintage romance of a modern author.
Second Mori Kaoru review, one devoted to her first long form story. Emma is a historical romance set at 19th to 20th century England, mostly during the Victorian era and a little during the Edwardian.

Not unlike other media set back then, Emma portrays class struggles and shifting social dynamics thanks to developments during the Industrial Age. However, it is not “Dickensian” as in delivering scathing social criticisms, but rather takes a neutral perspective and romance always remains the main axis. Class gap obviously plays a major role, and the premise overall is a bit cliché, but the execution works because of character writing, meticulous artwork and Mori’s almost uncanny eye for historical accuracy.

__[1. Elaborating with character writing…]__
The leads’ dynamic drives the narrative, yet the cast runs a wide gamut: English and foreigners, old money and nouveau riche, working class and gentry. Not all are explicitly fleshed out, but everyone behaves faithfully according to their circumstances and their daily lives speak more than words.

And unlike other works with star-crossed lovers, Mori does not always depict upper classes negatively. Quite the contrary, there are many sympathetic people alongside the stuffy, haughty, and antagonistic ones. Other than being realistic, this allows readers to appreciate and empathise with characters across classes.

__[2. On to the artwork…]__
Character designs are smooth to the eye and loaded with rich amounts of details in their hairstyles, clothing, and headwear. One point of criticism though: certain faces look too identical. Occasionally I could not distinguish e.g. some prominent male characters.

Mori’s eye for detail also widely extends to e.g., vehicles, animals, buildings (including interior spaces) and deeply reaches to things one may have overlooked, such as tools, posters, and plants. Artwork is not employed for superficial atmosphere, but to vividly recreate England.

Backgrounds’ quality can be a bit more variable, from slightly functional to meticulously detailed and atmospheric. Otoyomegatari excels more at this department, but nonetheless there are many great panels. At later parts Emma is becoming increasingly “cinematic”, with more creative uses of paneling and better contrasts of key details with blank space than in earlier chapters.

__[3. Concerning historical accuracy…]__
A self-professed Anglophile, Mori did not employ speculative elements but rather relied on deep research and proper steps to ensure accuracy and immerse readers. This is evident not only in familiar Victorian elements, but also in hyper-specific and obscure references, terminology, and characters’ dialogues. I was in awe with many closing notes describing trivia that had totally gone over my head.

There were however a couple of inaccuracies early on, which is why Mori made a most admirable decision; she hired a historical consultant from the 3rd volume on. She was THAT devoted to her work.

__[4. And a concluding note]__
The romance does not follow “anime” tropes at all and whatever fanservice present does not degrade characters or cheapen the plot. There is also no excessive melodrama, and sexuality is much in line with Victorian tendencies for a healthy dose of realism.
Hope you enjoyed my review!
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