Last autumn I took a look at Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei (転生王女と天才令嬢の魔法革命) manga. I found it to be fine, but much too shouty for my taste. Then I followed that up with the Light Novel, The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, Volume 1 in April of this year. That was altogether better as the screaming took up much less space on the page, forewent the utterly pointless service and gave Euphyllia some personality. That said, what it added to the story, it took away from the art.

Now I am revisiting the manga in English. Out from Yen Press as The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, Volume 1, I find I appreciate the art even more and both the service and the shouting even less. 

Princess Anisphia has memories of a life before her current one – memories of scientific wonders. But in this world, where magic is the defining power, Anisphia has none. Nonetheless, her obsession with using magic has lead her to be seen as an eccentric inventor. Euphyllia’s world has come crashing down upon her, when she is unjustly accused of bullying another girl, causing the Prince to end his engagement with her. Bereft of a purpose, now that she cannot be Queen, Euphyllia acquiesces when Anisphia asks for her to become her assistant.  She insists it’s professional, but Anis is pretty open about being into women, and thinking Euphie is cute, so the groundwork is laid out for a decent Yuri story.

Knowing the remainder of the story in the first LN, I am much more motivated to read the next volume of the manga. I honestly *want* to like Anisphia and Euphyllia and for them to be happy together. But boy is there a lot of shouting in this manga. And, Alcard’s break-up was so…vulgar, I can’t imagine that it’s not really addressed at all, except in asides. BUT, the art. Harutsugu Nadaka’s art is up to the task the story gives – this time I have no complaints about the sword Anisphia gives to Euphyllia…in fact, I’m looking forward to seeing her use it.

So, while, the story in the light novel made the LN worth reading, it’s the art here that makes this a perfectly fine read, if people shouting a lot doesn’t bother you and gobsmackingly gross service. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7 The art is better than the LN by a lot, the sword was an 8
Story – 6 A rocky start
Characters – 8 Annisphia carries the lot of them in this volume
Service – 7 Absolutely grotesque. What the fuck is wrong with people?
Yuri – 1 Clearly we are going to head there

Overall – It was hard to like initially, with all the screaming, but the end pulled it up to a 6.

Knowing what I know, I’m probably in for the long haul on this series, but the manga has a super creepy service problem. We’ll see if it or the good stuff wins.

Thanks to Yen Press for the review copy and to the entire Yen Press team for their fine work on this volume.