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Houseki no Kuni tells a strange story standing somewhere between fantasy and sci-fi, good and bad, strange and yet addicting. It is something with the overall feeling of intertwining sorrow, nostalgia, anger and hope that makes this manga enjoyable, rather than the plot and the characters.

Phos, our main character, is like the ugly duckling of the Gem Kingdom - energetic, nice and loving, but still weak and clumsy, among a nation of fighters. And the plot is straightforward - about the growing of Phos in a strange desert-like world. I would say that the manga indeed lacks something in the development of the ... characters - it is somehow missing, too slow or too sudden, which could be a plus in some cases and it does not affect how lovable Phos is, but nevertheless it somehow makes the story static.

The Art is fine, but it does look a lot like shoujo (the long limps somehow remind me of CLAMP art, I wonder why), although I would say this manga has nothing to do with the genre. It does fit seinen more and I would say the contrast between the art of the Gems and the devoid of life world is refreshing. The plot is also fine, but could be too slow or predictable from time to time, taking into consideration that most of what I've read so far was..let's say fighting.

Even though I said all of this, I would recommend this manga and I do hope they would make at least an OVA out of it. It has its bad sides, but it's enjoyable and indeed refreshing, more like your Sunday afternoon reading, than anything else. I find it addicting and I would continue to follow it, despite its downsides and I hope helped you consider reading it. It's worth for the feeling. :)

This is not just any random shoujo you might like and it's not the next vampire love story that you would read before going to bed. This is a piece of art that shows the twisted side of love and life. It's the story that would make you reconsider your believes of the vampires.
First of all, its concept is quite unique, not perfect, but yet very enjoyable and touching. The development of the story is good enough for a psychological manga (slow enough), but some parts could have been worked out a little bit more. The storyline follows the life Dimitri, who was turned into ... a vampire, and Agnieszka - his beloved one. Both of them get involved into a bloody tragedy with no end. Furthermore Dimitri has to deal with the "breeding" problem of the vampire race in the future and his own feelings for the beautiful Agnieska, in order to make the right choice. But choosing one of them isn't easy...
The Art - it depends if you like different styles. I do not recommend this manga to those who are fans of the standard shoujo, because here, the art is more of an outline of the story - it is dark and sunk into the vain beauty of immortality.
Kuro Bara Alice has, more or less, remarkable characters. One has to see for himself, otherwise I might spoil the surprise :)
Overall - (8) - I would recommend this manga to those who seek something different, a little bit strange, a little bit dark. I don't think of the story as a horror, not if you aren't afraid of spiders, but more of a dark fantasy. But...see for yourself - it's not a manga for everyone :)

So “Ga-rei” is a story about spirits; ghosts; beasts; beautiful and strong girls and a funny and somewhat too high-and-mighty, perverted main character.
The art is innovative, the story is interesting, though it has some well known ideas presented in a new, amusing way.The fight chapters are not too long or boring. It has a little light love story too.
I especially liked the ideas of “the little cute girl and her pet - the big bad beast connected to her soul” and the main character’s thoughts (exactly what any person in the situation would think )… Although I gave it just 8 for story, ... the manga is funny and interesting ^^