Arararararararararara....where to start???
Intro!
Shina dark, as the description says, is about a guy called satan, living on an island called Shina Dark, gets a package call of boat loads of women and fair maidens from across the lands as sacrifices. Funnily ironic, he is the opposite of his rumors that were started. I'll get into better detail later.
-STORY-
Rather, there is a nice story that goes along with this manga. How the whole "Satan-is-going-to-kill-you-all-if-you-don't-give-him-all-your-fair-maidens-&-princesses" was proven wrong actually went well and the concept of an island of despair turning into an island of prosperity because of Satan just wanting peace was also a good concept. But the story doesn't fully focus on him. It also focuses on former princesses and the several maiden citizens that live on the island. All of them have a back story. Well, the important ones at least. Each of those main characters had either a tragic past or the reason they are there. It has a "problem of the day" formula or "character spotlight" for each chapter. Some times a mix of both. The comedy is suttle, but nothing to complain about. There are ecchi scenes in the first 13 chapters of the manga, but then it just mellows out a bit later.
Overall, it's a fine story. It has a good balance and does not overdose on its ecchi contents.
-ART-
The art style is, how to say, stands alone in its own shining light. Rather than that, it is very great! It has a good design for its characters and monsters, also a nice consistence with no sudden changes to its style. It has a natural feel and has a nice use of screen tones. It does have little problems but those are just clouds in the sky if you know what I mean. It's pretty much something I can't really comment on that much since I have no problem with it. Well, I would say that it lacks much luscious backgrounds and areas, but that's not really a big deal. You'll indeed enjoy this manga if you like ecchi art, beautiful girls and sometimes barren landscapes.
-CHARACTER-
I have to say, I like these characters. If you must know, the main two princesses that the story focuses have a sort of opposite composite type of character. Like one is very suttle, calm, shy, your near-typical-but-not princess and then your battle front-lines princess that is all for justice or such. Their personalities are pretty separate, sometimes don't complement each other but it's a good set up.
Now lets look at the other three protagonists. Satan and his comrades. All I will say is that they indeed complement each others personality. Jokes can be easily made with them around and are rather there for good mellowing out on bringing in the bad but funny news. They are characters that you really have to see to know.
-ENJOYMENT-
I have so far enjoyed this manga and have waited so long just to see the chapters. Of course, I haven't grown tired so I really like this series. I really have nothing to say here.
-OVERALL-
A well made, story that can mellow out between its ecchi, comedy and drama content. Though, not really the best, since it could work out if you like either even if one or two of the three contents that are weak, then the third might catch you. All it needs is just world turning events and some of the sort. It's a nice manga, but needs more substance to its story. If you don't like its ecchi content, believe me, I don't think you'll like the rest. But give it a try when your time is open after reading all those other manga.
