Hybrid Child

by Shungiku Nakamura

by Shungiki Nakamura
The Hybrid Child is an amazing android that can grow if it is lavished with enough love and care from its owner. Neither fully machine nor fully human, the various Hybrid Child models develop strong emotional bonds with their owners. This volume contains several short stories of love, sacrifice and drama: Young Kotaro learns the importance of responsibility when his Hybrid Child's lifespan runs out. The tragic swordsman...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569709025
• ISBN13: 9781569709023
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 16 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 11 and higher

Customer Reviews

Book Shelf /Collection Worthy

One of the absolute best yaoi manga in existence. It is definitely emotional as it spans three different couples that are all intertwined in a very interesting way. I'm not going to spoil but from the first chapter on this manga tells an excellent tale that at points will bring tears to your eyes. I know I cried when I read it.

A lovely book that made me cry

I really liked Hybrid Child. The stories were imagainitive and the art was beautiful. This manga is sweet and sad and humorous and just as good the second time around. I was afraid when I bought this manga that I would end up with yet another man gets boy, takes boy, boy is submissive and learns to love type of story, but I was wrong. The author managed to give the "Hybrid Chld" in each story a strong, distinct personality and a caring nature that was returned by the human counterpart. And the last story was heartbreaking, I cried at the end. And I rarely cry. No hardcore sex...but it wasn't needed.

be still my beating heart....

i have long been a fan of this mangaka, ever since i first read "junjyou romantica," which as of now has 2 volumes published in the states. "hybrid child" is a shorter work, spanning only one volume. despite that, this manga packs a punch that many longer works could only hope to achieve. rather than one main story, this manga contains several separate stories which are entertwined, albeit in a manner that is not immediately obvious. in fact, one could even argue that the actual "main" story is the last in the book, spanning two chapters and is chronologically the earliest of the narratives. "hybrid child" is set during the meiji period, which is marked by long years of trouble and struggle in japan. what's interesting is the author's use of the historical setting and infusing it with a touch of fantasy in the form of the 'hybrid child,' or HC as is it called. these HCs are kinda like organic robots and grows according to the love given by its master and the experiences the HC goes through. there are three couples in this manga, with at least a chapter dedicated to each. these chapters all can stand alone, although as a whole it gives a better and more thorough understanding of the phenomenon that is the HC. although at first glance "hybrid child" may seem like a run of the mill plot-line, nakamura-sensei's writing makes this manga an exceptional and compelling read. she manages to convey a whole range of human emotion in these stories without seeming preachy or blatant. there is a delicacy in the way she molds her characters, which contrasts deeply with her angular artwork. i do enjoy the artwork, which although beautiful may not appeal to everyone. her character designs are atypical in the sense that it is not as round or soft as many yaoi mangas are, thus a bit nonconventional in beauty. i find them pleasing, however. one thing i noticed is that the mangaka tends to illustrate hands larger than normal, which could be a plus or a minus. in general i don't mind it although there are instances where i find it quite distracting. this manga has some bedroom scenes, although of the soft yaoi variety, so nothing explicit here. the time period also evokes a sense of nostalgia, even for those who are not japanese, like myself. i blame it solely on the clothing, which i adore. "hybrid child," unlike many manga of its genre has emotional depth and a layered plot that draws readers in. it is a treatise on the human experience, and brings readers along in the ride as the characters experience all possible situations, the good as well as the bad. what sets this manga a part is the way it treats the darker realities in life, as well as the lighter ones, in a very realistic way. it is a work peppered with charm, humor and bittersweet love that will leave a tear in your eyes.

STUNNING!

This is actually the first yaoi/BL manga that I ever read. My friend got it for me for my birthday, and I have to say, it has remained my favorite BL so far. Now, I don't mind a bit of smut here and there, so I was a little dismayed when I saw the rating on it (Teen) and knew there would be no smex. The pain of the fangirl. HOWEVER it was no disappointment. The art is absolutely stunning. I still count it as the most beautiful art I've seen in ANY manga. The story was fantastic, and I cried at the end. Then a week later I picked it up, read the last story, and cried again. Beautiful, heartbreaking, spectacular. I would reccomend this to anybody who would listen, and even some who won't.

Worth every penny

There's one thing that sets this aside from every other yaoi title i've read. It made me cry. It invoked emotion. Hallelujah! For once I didn't just think' That was nice, now what's for lunch?' when I was done. From the same manga-ka who did `Junjo Romantica' so it's well written. The first story is probably the most stereotypical but would still make a good stand alone manga. The last two have deeper meaning. The art isn't fantastic but add the story and it's a beautiful book and a must have to add to your collection. The plot sounded a little questionably smutty to me but it's nothing like that, i.e. Chobit sex dolls. It's quite moving and tasteful. Some people might be a little disappointed to hear that but like I said, get it, it's worth it