Yatagarasu Series
Volume 8:
The Raven's Reminiscence
Author: Abe Chisato
Commentary Yoshida Daisuke
In the current landscape of Japanese literature, there is a palpable excitement surrounding the Yatagarasu series, with many readers expressing an eager anticipation for its unfolding narrative. The journey began with Abe Chisato’s debut novel, Ravens Shouldn’t Wear Kimono, which was released in hardcover in June 2012. At just twenty years of age, Abe Chisato became the youngest recipient of the prestigious Matsumoto Seichō Prize for her debut work. Part one of the series is complete in six volumes.
The narrative now progresses to part two of the series. The Raven’s Paradise begins this part of the series. The novel was published in September 2020. The most recent installment, The Raven’s Reminiscence, is now available in paperback. It is the second volume of part two of the series.
For those who might be delving into the Yatagarasu series for the first time, this commentary serves as an entry point. This novel can certainly stand on its own, but it is advisable to approach it after reading the earlier volumes for a richer experience. As of early February 2024, the series is comprised of nine main volumes and two volumes of short stories, all taking place in a vast, interconnected world.
Readers already invested in the series will recognize its unique qualities. The Yatagarasu series is a Japanese fantasy novel series set in the mysterious realm of Yamauchi, a magical otherworld characterized by steep mountains and its unique inhabitants, the Yatagarasu. The narrative expresses a profound reverence for nature and creates an imaginative exploration of things unseen. The series draws from a myriad of genres. With a deep grounding in Japanese mythology and Heian culture, Abe Chisato masterfully constructs a compelling otherworld that has parallels with the real world.
While reading The Raven’s Reminiscence, one cannot help but appreciate the intricate layers of the story that build upon seven previous books. The Yatagarasu series is not a collection of unrelated tales, but a profound literary journey.
The ruler of the Yatagarasu is the true Golden Raven. Ravens Shouldn’t Wear Kimono was about the bride selection process of Nazukihiko, the true Golden Raven. The second volume, The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, is a political mystery tale in which events from the same period as the previous volume are told from a different viewpoint. The third volume, The Golden Raven, introduces the Kuisaru—natural enemies of the Yatagarasu. The fourth volume, The Raven of the Empty Coffin, is a school story about a military academy. The fifth volume, Princess Tamayori, is about the mystery of the creation of Yamauchi itself. The sixth volume, The Raven’s Flourishing, is the final book of part one of the series. It reads as a war chronicle as the Yatagarasu finally defeat the Kuisaru in battle.
It’s rare to find a series where the atmosphere and writing style change so drastically from one volume to the next. Each volume depicts a moment when a character’s façade or the world’s wallpaper is peeled away. Each time, perceptions of previous events change completely. The volumes are enjoyable as standalone stories, but reading them in order provides a different kind of enjoyment. The end of part one of the series was a satisfying conclusion, but there were plenty of loose ends left open to explore.
Part two of the Yatagarasu series sets a different, grimmer tone than the first part. The Raven’s Paradise jumps decades into the future and features a protagonist who enters Yamauchi from the human world. The “there and back again” structure is a quintessential pathway in the realm of fantasy. This accessibility is particularly striking for newcomers, who may engage with the series at this particular volume without feeling lost.
Simultaneously, by embracing what can be described as an amateur’s-eye view, the text challenges returning readers to reassess the seemingly self-evident values unique to Yamauchi. These values, often taken for granted, are revealed in their peculiarity to a newcomer, prompting a deeper reflection on the intricacies of Yamauchi’s world. Familiar scenery shifts into the unfamiliar as the story unfolds.
The present installment, The Raven’s Reminiscence, serves as a bridge between books six and seven of the series, illuminating the events of the lost years between them. In an engaging author interview featured in the fan book of the Yatagarasu series (published in April 2023), it was noted that the initial plan for part two was to begin with this volume.
The merits of beginning part two with The Raven’s Paradise are self-evident. It introduces questions that we desire answers to. Who is the new young emperor? What happened to Nazukihiko? Why has Yukiya changed so much? The mysteries introduced in The Raven’s Paradise provide compelling reasons to keep turning pages.
The Raven’s Reminiscence answers many of the questions and solves most of the mysteries that The Raven’s Paradise introduced, rather than being a simple narrative of past events. Yukiya steps into the role of a detective in a murder mystery. Readers are invited to witness the drama as it unfolds, cultivating a sense of audience involvement and anticipation.
Every page of the series is steeped in mystery, but the story doesn’t often adhere to common mystery tropes. There aren’t red herrings, only different ways of interpreting the same information. The author skillfully navigates a wealth of knowledge, selectively revealing elements in a calculated sequence. This deliberate manipulation of information primes readers to be surprised, usually pleasantly so.
In this volume, there are pivotal moments where established beliefs about characters crumble, evoking a profound sense of horror that resonates throughout the narrative. The jarring transition from the softer, kinder first part of the story into the brutal murder of the second creates a layered and enthralling experience.
What I liked most in this volume is how it shifts the reader’s perspective compared to the first part of the series. Yamauchi is portrayed as the quasi-divine demesne of the mountain god, with the Yatagarasu existing in human form to serve the god. For the Yatagarasu, this service is a means to an end—the survival of their race. Having faced numerous crises, the characters in part one raced against time to avert the downfall of Yamauchi. Readers well-versed in the events of part one will be familiar with this history.
Yet not everyone learns from history. The fingerprints of regret and contemplative reflections are all over the tale. Characters ask themselves, “How could I have foreseen this?” Yet the clues are there in the past events of the story. Nothing that happens is entirely unpredictable, but things that could have never happened in part one happen in this novel.
The much-anticipated part two, volume four of the series, titled The Raven’s Full Moon, will be published on February 2, 2024. In an exciting development, the series will also be adapted into an anime premiering on NHK in April 2024. In addition, a manga adaptation by the talented manga artist Natsumi Matsuzaki is currently being serialized and has garnered significant acclaim.
In my earlier remarks, I suggested that this volume can be enjoyed independently. However, I suspect that once you delve into its pages, you will find yourself wishing to explore the preceding volumes. The enticement of the next installment will doubtless be irresistible. If you foresee yourself reading through this captivating series in its entirety, why not begin with part one, volume one?
Yoshida Daisuke
Translator's Note
Yoshida Daisuke is an animation director, known for his work on Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, and I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, among others.
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