Emma: Volume 1
© CMX

Mania Grade: A
Story and Art: Kaoru Mori
Publisher: CMX
Rating: Teen + (Suggestive Situations)

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"Emma: Volume One"

I’ll admit; I was skeptical that this title would ever see the light of day on US shores, even after CMX announced the license. I mean, sure, us weird Otaku with English degrees have a fondness for the Victorian era, but it’s not exactly a setting made for fanservice, if you know what I mean. Especially from a manga series renown for its historical accuracy and tidbits of real London life, circa 1885. 

I was first introduced to the world of Emma by the anime series which came out in Japan last year. Woefully short, it really left me wanting more, as the writers chose to end the anime at the end of one chapter in Emma’s life and the start of another, right in the early volumes of the manga series. The anime series has yet to be picked up outside of Japan, which is a curious shame, considering that the manga was picked up by such a large publisher (CMX is the manga division of DC Comics) for such a rather obscure title. By that, I mean that Emma will not be another Naruto, busting manga sales figures on newspaper booklists. It’s too much of a niche title for older, more mature readers. Or Sherlock Holms fanatics. 

And who is Emma? Emma is the plain-faced main character who works as a maid for a retired governess, a kind, but stern woman who picked the orphaned Emma off of the streets and trained her to be the perfect English maid. Let me say this now, if you enjoy your Bronte sisters, your Austen and other romantic novels of the Victorian Age, you’ll love this manga. Guaranteed.  

One day, William Jones pays a visit out of guilt to Kelly Stownar, his former governess, whom he has not seen in years. Once there, he literally bumps into Emma, and the sparks of true love immediately flare, although he is an upper middle class man of leisure, and she is a mere maid. Thus William starts his plan of trying to get closer to Emma, while maintaining the semblance of the division of classes. Then Hakim, William’s friend and an Indian prince, arrives with his entourage of servants, elephants and willowy girls. While allegedly visiting England on a holiday, Hakim meets Emma... and also falls in love with her. In the background, Emma is also being pursued by young men of her own class status, such as the friendly mailman. She rejects them all by letter with perfect English coolness, but never rejects William’s attempts to monopolize her time. Mrs. Stownar encourages their awkward relationship, seeing William’s happiness and actual obliviousness to class and the potential for Emma to have someone to take care of her when Kelly dies. However, William’s family cannot accept the possibility of William marrying below his station at all, for it would draw the entire family down in ranking, where they currently enjoy near noble status. From their perspective, William must marry nobility, for the good of the family. True love has no place in marriage for the Jones family. 

The first volume generally mirrors the early episodes of the anime series, but there are major differences in small, yet significant details, so viewers of the anime will find something familiar, yet quite different. The artwork is rather unique, with rather plain and simplistic faces, yet detailed backgrounds and accessories.    

I was rather surprised to find CMX publishing this book in the right to left format, as I expected it to be slapped with a modified graphic novel format. I must also admire them for saying straight out in the editor’s note in the back that CMX will publish the entire series. I’m already looking forward to the next volume! Emma may not be for the tastes of the fanboy looking for easy fanservice, but it’s a great read for folks who usually shy away from conventional manga.