| The Mystic Archives of Dantalian | |
|---|---|
 Cover of the first volume | |
|
Author |
|
|
Original work |
|
|
Original character design |
|
|
Original run |
Serialized: |
|
Genre |
Mystery, Fantasy, Gothic fiction, Magic, Adventure, Supernatural |
|
Volumes |
5 |
|
Chapters |
|
- For the original publication, see Light novel.
- For the second adaptation, see Anime.
- For the titular library of the franchise, where Phantom Books are sealed, see Dantalian's Bookshelf.
The Mystic Archives of Dantalian (ダンタリアンの書架 Dantalian no Shoka) or Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian is a manga authored by Chako Abeno, based on the light novel of the same name written by Gakuto Mikumo and illustrated by G-Yuusuke. The manga has 5 volumes with 11 story arcs and one epilogue.
It was serialized by Kadokawa Shoten from March 2010 to July 2012 in the Monthly Shōnen Ace (月刊少年エース Gekkan Shōnen Ēsu), a Japanese manga magazine. Its release was first announced in October 2009 in The Sneaker magazine, where the light novel was published. As tankōbon, it was released by the same company between October 2010 and August 2012.[1][2]
Synopsis[]
Hugh Anthony Disward inherited an old mansion and a collection of books from his grandfather Wesley. The will Hugh received states that he should watch Dalian and take over the Dantalian's Bookshelf, house of 900,666 Phantom Books, artifacts which hold the knowledge of demons.
Overview[]
The stories revolve around Phantom Books, books containing forbidden knowledge and that should not exist, which can either bless someone or bring tragedy to the world. The dual protagonists, Hugh and Dalian, are involved in mysteries related to this magical artifacts.
The plot takes place in England after the Great War, a setting which influences panel backgrounds, character designs and atmosphere. The author clearly researched about architecture, fashion and other aspects about post-war Britain to develop the manga. She even used the last pages of the volumes to include information about that period's society.
The manga generally follows its original source, occasionally presenting new content or changing plot details. It has panels showing graphic violence, and it uses an ominous atmosphere overall. In comparison, the anime is more true to the light novel and its violence is hidden. In the manga adaptation, Dalian is slightly more emotive and Wesley is more prominent. Some chapters are dedicated to Rasiel, who is part of the exclusive manga conclusion. Like in the original, the manga has no proper ending to the plot, and some mysteries remain unsolved.
Volumes[]
| Volume 1 | Release date: October 26, 2010 | ||
| Cover | Chapters | ||
 |
Chapter 1 | Book of Soul Exchange | 換魂の書 |
| Chapter 2 | Turn-Up Book | 仕掛け絵本 | |
| Special | Dan-sho Yokoma Manga | ダン害四コマまんが | |
| Volume 2 | Release date: March 26, 2011 | ||
| Cover | Chapters | ||
  |
Chapter 2 | Turn-Up Book (continuation) |
仕掛け絵本 |
| Chapter 3 | Book of Lifetime | 天寿の書 | |
| Chapter 4 | Book of Gap | 間隙の書 | |
| Special | Teacher Dalian’s Dan-sho World Journey | ダリァン先生のダン書世界紀行 | |
| Volume 3 | Release date: July 26, 2011 | ||
| Cover | Chapters | ||
  |
Chapter 4 | Book of Gap (continuation) |
間隙の書 |
| Chapter 5 | The Dictator's Book | 独裁者の書 | |
| Chapter 6 | The Perfumer | 調香師 | |
| Special | Teacher Dalian’s Dan-sho World Journey | ダリァン先生のダン書世界紀行 | |
| Volume 4 | Release date: February 26, 2012 | ||
| Cover | Chapters | ||
  |
Chapter 6 | The Perfumer (continuation) |
調香師 |
| Chapter 7 | The Beautiful Woman's World | 美女の世界 | |
| Chapter 8 | The House-Elf | 屋敷妖精 | |
| Chapter 9 | Book of Wisdom | 叡智の書 | |
| Chapter 10 | Timetable | 時刻表 | |
| Volume 5 | Release date: August 26, 2012 | ||
| Cover | Chapters | ||
  |
Chapter 10 | Timetable (continuation) |
時刻表 |
| Chapter 11 | Book of Wisdom II | 叡智の書II | |
| Special | Epilogue | ェピローグ | |
.jpg){kind=link}
Trivia[]
The cover of the special edition of volume 5.
- A special edition of volume 5 was released with the OVA in August 9, 2012.[1]
- Works by William Shakespeare are seen on the covers and colored pages throughout the manga publication.
- At the beginning of volume 1, there's a colored double page with Dalian and Hugh. Dalian is holding The Tempest, a comedy believed to have been written between 1610 and 1611.[3][4]
- On the colored double page of volume 2, Dalian is holding Measure for Measure, a play believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604.[5][6]
- The cover of volume 2 has titles of some of his comedies, such as All's Well That Ends Well, Measure for Measure and As You Like It.[5]
- The Tempest also appears in the cover of volume 4.[7]
- Dalian is holding The Taming of the Shrew on cover of volume 5, a comedy believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592.[8][9]
- On the colored double page of volume 3, and in the covers of volume 2 and 4, books show the transcription of Dies Irae, a Latin text describing the Last Judgement and dating from at least the thirteenth century.[7][10][11]
- Volumes 1 to 4 end with an illustration of the Elizabeth Tower.[12]
- Every back cover shows a character and a well known United Kingdom location in the background.
- Volume 1: Hugh; Palace of Westminster and the Westminster Bridge.[3]
- Volume 2: Hugh as a child and Kamilla; Windsor Castle.[5]
- Volume 3: Jessica Elphinstone; Cotswolds.[10]
- Volume 4: Fiona Famenias; Calton Hill.[7]
- Volume 5 (special edition): Hugh and Dalian; Tower of London.[8]
- In the winter of 2010-2011, a lottery was held for the readers who bought the first volume of Dalian Days, the first volume of the manga by Chako Abeno or the volumes 1 to 5 of the light novel. The prizes included illustrations by Chako Abeno.[13]
- The author Gakuto Mikumo mentioned the publication of the manga in the afterword of the light novel volume 5.[14]
- He praised Chako Abeno for the high quality of the backgrounds in each panel.[14]
- There's official versions of the manga in Thai, French and German.[15] The Taiwanese version was rated 18+.[16]
- Dalian was featured on the cover of the May 2010 issue of Monthly Shōnen Ace, when the Dantalian's Bookshelf manga debuted.
- A poster showing Hugh and Dalian in winter was part of the October 2011 issue of Monthly Shōnen Ace.[17]
See also[]
References[]
|
| Previous N/A | Manga | Next N/A |
| Franchise | ||||||||
| ||||||||