I have a personal 'grievance' with Romeo & Juliet...

Not about the quality of the story or the writing, but due to the fact that the entire world has romanticized this story so much when it is, at it's core, a tragedy led by two extremely impulsive teenagers that lead to a lot of deaths, including their own.

Anyways, all that aside, this manga adaptation is very well done to capture the essence of the story, and the illustrations are, as usual, very impressive.

The Romeo and Juliet manga doesn't just tell a story; it transports you to another time and place, allowing you to experience the tragic romance in a new and captivating way. Whether you're a long-time fan of the classic play or encountering it for the first time, this adaptation is a must-read. It reminds us that the power of love and the consequences of hatred are as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's era.
With its stunning artwork, faithful adaptation, and emotional depth, it is a delightful and moving addition to the world of Romeo and Juliet adaptations. A must-have for fans of classic literature, manga enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a timeless love story.

A gorgeous illustrated adaption of Romeo and Juliet. I’m sad they lowered the resolution on the pages but the art style is still pretty nevertheless. I haven’t read Romeo and Juliet since 2010/2011 and completely forgot how hard it was to get through. The manga does an excellent job of setting the place and the character design was gorgeous.

I liked this one—I’m really starting to enjoy these Manga Classics! This one contains the original text (minus stage directions). Shakespeare is not impossible to read, but it is challenging. This adaptation used illustrations well to assist the reader in interpreting the text, but I do wish they had also included notes to explain some of the common words and phrases of the time. Once again, I could tell that the artwork was absolutely beautiful, and I was sad that they lowered the resolution for the ARC edition. Overall, this was a solid adaptation—I enjoyed it very much!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions presented here are my own.

This is such a beautiful take on Romeo and Juliet. I think this manga does an amazing job of staying true to the story and language, but brining it a whole new level of enjoyment and life with the gorgeous graphics. I adore these illustrations so much. I especially love this making it more friendly for children and young readers, so my children can read the classics in a way that feels more natural to their interests in reading. Some of the language might be a bit unfamiliar to readers, but my daughter and I enjoy looking up word originations and learning new (or old) language styles haha. This is the only way I want to read the classics from now on!

I always love reading reimagined stories, this was amazing. I love a manga that has vibrant art as well as a great story and this did not disappoint. The design was very eye catching and the cover really sold it for me. I hope many people grabbed this beauty!

Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet is a faithful adaptation of the classic Shakespearean tale, with all of the Bard's words accompanied by the popular black and while manga illustrations. Being a more visual format, the drama and emotion (and yes, the ribald jokes, too) and more easily conveyed and lend greater power to the text.

Being a traditional manga, the book must be read right-left (and from a Western perspective back to front) which takes a little getting used to.

It is a well crafted adaptation, and will be a fabulous introduction to Shakespeare for young readers and manga fans.

~ Many thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers and audiences around the world. This classic tragedy weaves a tale of love, conflict, and fate that has left an indelible mark on Western literature.

At its core, the story is a poignant portrayal of the passionate and impulsive love between two young souls, Romeo and Juliet, who find themselves entangled in a feud between their families, the Capulets and Montagues. Despite the odds stacked against them, they choose love over hatred, defying the longstanding animosity between their kin. Their secret marriage and ultimate sacrifice for their love serve as powerful symbols of the enduring human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love.

Shakespeare's exquisite use of language and poetry adds depth and richness to the narrative, creating memorable characters and moments that resonate with readers of all generations. The play's exploration of themes such as the destructive nature of feuds, the impulsive nature of youth, and the role of fate in human lives continues to be relevant and thought-provoking.

What makes "Romeo and Juliet" truly timeless is its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from the ecstasy of newfound love to the heart-wrenching tragedy of young lives cut short. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of love and the consequences of unchecked hatred.

In summary, "Romeo and Juliet" is a literary masterpiece that stands the test of time, offering readers a profound exploration of love, conflict, and fate. Its enduring relevance, memorable characters, and lyrical language make it a must-read for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and tragedy of human emotions. Shakespeare's timeless work continues to be a source of inspiration and contemplation, reminding us of the enduring power of love in the face of adversity.

I highly recommend this work to individuals who cherish Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, "Romeo and Juliet," and have an affinity for the world of manga. This adaptation serves as a captivating avenue to rekindle the profound emotions evoked by the play, whether one has previously witnessed its theatrical rendition or delved into its written words.

In summary, this rendition is an enjoyable and engaging read that seamlessly blends the allure of Shakespearean drama with the visual charm of manga. It successfully transports the essence of the play into a fresh, contemporary context, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a harmonious fusion of classic literature and artistic expression.

Thank you, UDON Entertainment and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This edition of manga classics was beautifully adapted from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. While I did find some of the conversations overly wordy for a manga it is understandable considering the source material. I would definitely recommend this manga classics to anyone who is interested in reading classics and for those who enjoy some beautiful illustrations.

The story is what I know by heart, but it became richer with the drawings. The characters were sweet and innocent, the dialogues were placed quite nicely. Villains are adequately dark and irritating. Backgrounds and environment are quite rich in details. Not an awkward or out of place sketch. Thank you very much for the ARC dear NetGalley..

I have always loved me a good Romeo and Juliet retelling. For some reason I expected more modern language but I’m the manga was straight from Shakespeare. It kept to the tale we all know and love. It pictures were stunning and give this love story the justice it need. A wonderful manga.

Only reason I gave four stars because sometimes it was hard to understand, but that is the language of the time time. Great overall!

Anyone who has a hard time reading Shakespeare, might find this a very good way to understand him. I wouldn’t rely on it if you are going to take an exam about Romeo and Juliet, but just to read the story.

Beautiful work and great way for kids to see the story in a new light. The illustrations are well drawn and tell the classic tale.

Crystal S. Chan (Adaptor), William Shakespeare (Original Author), Julien Choy (Illustrator)

Shakespeare’s timeless play Romeo and Juliet is a classic romance that endures to this day. This love story about two teenagers who are separated by hatred between their houses is one of the playwright's famous tragedies. But Shakespeare wrote with plentiful metaphor. This presents no problem for theater audiences who can rely on the actors' movements to help emphasize the intended meaning. But the flowering and archaic language is often lost on people readers relying on text alone. By adapting the play into graphic presentation, the acting Replaced by Julien Choy’s excellent drawings. Shakespeare's original text is clarified by the drawings and Shakespeare becomes accessible to modern readers. The fact that the characters were drawn in a typical manga or anime style was slightly disconcerting at first. I didn’t expect Romeo and the young men to all look like bishounen. I soon got used to that and most of the characters are realistic renderings that portray a lot of the character. Choy included a lot of background that accurately resemble historic sites in Verona.

The story has been adapted many times, but this is one of the best that I have seen. I recommend this book to lovers of Shakespear, graphic novels and manga. “Romeo and Juliet” has been taught in high school English classes for decades and would make an excellent additional text to supplement a copy of the play. Manga Classics has also published a Modern English edition of this manga. Although I prefer this edition, some may prefer the other for even easier reading.

I would like to thank Manga Classics and NetGalley for a copy of this book that I received in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I’m not a fan of Romeo & Juliet in general, whether in retelling or the original one but with illustration like this i think it’s easier to process and read. The language while not to my liking and understanding, is wrapped into interesting storytelling by the illustration. Not bad introduction for someone that one to learn or know about this story.

Loved the illustrations!

I honestly have never read this actual book so reading it in illustrated form was very fun. (As much fun as you can have with this book)

Thank you for the digital copy!

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. I’m new to manga, but this was awesome. The artwork is gorgeous. I’m sure it would be even more amazing in a physical copy, especially if it’s in color? I won’t lie, I still don’t understand the language of Shakespeare and have just accepted that I never will. But this was a million times more fun than just trying to sit down and read a play script, I do know that! I’m interested in reading the other manga classics now. Thanks to NetGalley and the author and publisher for the chance to review this!

Excellent symbolism that will lead to really good conversations in class. Beautiful art that fits the style you want in Romeo and Juliet. Stays true to the original and I really liked the bonus stuff added.

4 stars

Great supplemental piece to use while Romeo and Juliet. Incredible artwork that will appeal to all students.