I really enjoyed adaptation of Frankenstein so I thought "maybe it'll be a smart idea to read Shakespear as well?" In school I found Shakespeare boring. I could not be bothered with it.
This adaptation somehow made it fun.

I enjoyed reading play in manga format. Not only are the visuals pleasant to look at, they also make understanding of wider context much easier.

People who adapted this play payed attention to details. I love when peole who adapt something are also fans of the source materials and add all sorts of cool details. I don't want to elaborate for fear of spoiling the fun for first time readers.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! I was required to read this book in High School, but this Manga edition makes it so much more fun! I actually understand the story now. I totally recommend one million percent! I just reviewed Manga Classics: Macbeth by William Shakespeare. #MacbethMangaclassics #NetGalley

I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the other manga classics I’ve read. I enjoyed the feel of the artwork, but I struggled to interpret the story with this one. Again, I found myself wishing for some endnotes. All in all, I didn’t hate this, but I think it was just okay.

Shakespeare's play Macbeth transformed into a manga. Crystal Chan did a fine job on adapting the play into a manga. The background art was nicely done, but the humans were jarring and distracting from the text and narrative flow. A decent read, if you want a version of Shakespeare in the manga format.

Macbeth is a decorated war hero, fighting in wars for the king of Scotland, Duncan. After one such battle, three witches appear to Macbeth and his friend Banquo, promising titles and even the crown in Macbeth’s future. Lady Macbeth doesn’t want to leave things up to chance, so she convinces Macbeth to murder Duncan in his sleep as he stays the night in their castle. The king’s sons flee, afraid for their own safety, and Macbeth is made king. He is driven mad by keeping his crown and destroying anyone who could take it away from him, plunging the kingdom into terror. A force led by Macduff, another noblemen, gather strength from other nobles and even the King of England in the hopes of unseating Macbeth.

If you're looking for a very faithful adaptation of the play, this is it. The acts and scenes are included, so it's easy to see where everything lines up with the original play. The Modern English is a fine way for students to get into the story who may be struggling with the Shakespearean text. However, there are a few times when the adaptation text is a little clunky. Michael Barltrop, the modern English adaptor, says in the End Notes that he was trying to keep the colorful language of Shakespeare, but there are some times when the figurative language doesn't sound natural in its translated form, or being true to the original language results in strange sentences.

Other than some of these moments, this volume is a great way for students to experience the play in a different medium. The beautiful illustrations make this reading closer to seeing the play performed, which is really how Shakespeare is intended to be consumed. Reading a static play and with very few stage directions is often very difficult for students, and teachers expend a lot of energy explaining, reenacting, and "translating" for students so they can enjoy the play. It's not impossible, but it definitely is a difficult task, and reading it with these visuals would definitely help.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12

Manga Classics:Macbeth 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. I didn't care for some of the visual elements, but they did suit the text well.

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 ~

The story of Macbeth abounds with witches, murder, political intrigue and war. This classic dramatizes the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power. It explores the resulting turmoil that can threaten a nation.

Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is one of the playwright's famous historical tragedies. First performed in 1606, it is still being performed over 400 years later. The script has been translated into over 100 languages and has been adapted into novels and movies as well. 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 of Elizabethan English is often lost on readers relying on text alone. Because of this, there are plentiful annotated volumes published that help those studying Shakespeare.

The Manga Classics series takes a different approach. By adapting the play into graphic presentation, the acting is replaced by Julien Choy’s excellent drawings. Shakespeare's original text is also clarified by drawings which show the meaning behind the metaphors and Shakespeare becomes accessible to modern readers. The various characters are shown with realistic renderings that portray a lot of their qualities. For instance, Macbeth is quite innocent looking at the beginning, but later shows an evil grin and eventually looks quite vicious. There is little record of the buildings that would have been around in Macbeth’s time, and Choy needed to create a lot of the background to resemble the Scottish castles.

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. “Macbeth” 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.

this was such a nice way to be able to read more diverse books :) i love the little twists on such a classic! i will definitely recommend this!

The story is, as Shakespeare always is, 5 stars. I love the concept of turning Shakespare stories into manga to reach a wider audience, as both a Shakespeare lover and a manga enjoyer. That said, I didn't love this art style, but I definitely preferred it over the other Manga Classics art styles.

<blockquote>Bleed, Bleed, Poor Country.</blockquote>
A tale as old as time, yet it's as modern as a newborn child.
The Lust for Power, and what lengths men would take to achieve it.
Did Shakespeare know he is a genius when he was alive? Did people realize it?
Was his Greatness trampled by the limitations of their time, and young men playing female characters on stage?
What happened there in real life? Was his acting band so good, that people loved them so much, and ended up printing his plays after his death? Because this was not printed in his life, this was printed seven years after his death, in a collection of his entire works, that wasn't even taken from his own version of the plays but from versions that were handed to his actors.

I received this copy in exchange for an honest review, Thanks to the writer and penciler, and thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity.
Reading This in English was so tough for me, Shakespeare has a way with words, he changes them, two words that would mean something, put together they mean something else entirely, and it's combinations you have not seen anywhere else before, i read many many pages, and many many poetry from The Arabian Nights in Archaic English, and it was way more easy to understand than this, That's why i decided what if i read it at the same time with the Arabic translation, and voila, Instead of going back and reading the play, I double knockout them from the list!

<blockquote>Here lay Duncan, his silver skin laced with his golden blood and his gashed stabs, looked like a breach in nature for ruin's wasteful entrance.</blockquote>
Truth be told though, i am not doing anymore Manga Classics from NetGalley, we are forced to read it on an archaic program like adobe digital edition, that doesn't even have a new app for phones, where i find it way more comfortable to read my manga, everything was just so bright on my eyes, it hurt bad, specially before i got my new glasses.

The art was good, but not manga good, not major manga productions good, i think they could have used a ghost penciler who did backgrounds or something, just to make the panels a little busier, most of the time, they weren't, unless there was a metaphor that the writer, tried to convey in the background, which was actually one of the good things about reading this manga, also seeing the characters development and reactions was great, but specially our villain and protagonist Macbeth.

<img src="https://imgur.com/pVsMQcw.jpg"/>
I loved how the penciler, started out making Macbeth look noble and kind and gentle, and after the murder he made him look harsh, with stern face, and stern look in his eyes, verging on the deranged at many points in the play, Even Lady Macbeth it's true she comes out a villainess immediately, which i felt unrealistic as i said in my status updates, she then descended to despair and looked deranged and hollow near the end as well.

Real Macbeth stayed ruling for 17 years till his death, i dug around but really didn't read much about him, i feel this was a lost opportunity of the writer, to make the characters advance in age, because no one really advanced in age here, Macbeth merely was weighed by his ill doings that changed how he looked, Malcom didn't age a day, no one advanced their age at all, it's like the golden age of comics all over again.

Another thing, Take the unrealistic parts out of the play, The Witches, The Witches pretty much are giving Macbeth an excuse to be evil here, he is just following his fate, right? right? But no, Witches are not real, even if i have a witch friend! Macbeth Committed treason, because Macbeth wanted to rule, Not because his wife man shamed him for not grasping his fate, not because Witches told him he will be king, Because he was lusting for power, and he was going to do anything to get it.

Which brings us to another thought, Why? Was England's army busy all that time? and they could only spare 10 thousand men 17 years later? Also what happens to Malcom? we know the heirs of Banquo ended up ruling Scotland and England, how did this come to be?
I have a huge ass book of two parts, about the British empire that i intend to read one day, but i don't think it will go back that far in the country's history.

<img src="https://imgur.com/oacOyBG.jpg"/>
Speaking Of Banquo that scene was just epic, Not his death scene, that looked good too, the panel of him kneeling on the ground, but what i loved so much was his ghost scene!


Even Though Macbeth is one of the shortest tragedies of Shakespeare, it was still pretty awesome, every monologue was just so mind tingling good! even the guard of the gate had a great dialogue, It's every actors dream, imagine to appear in a single scene, as a gate guard, in a play written and directed by Shakespeare, to do a great monologue like that!

<img src="https://imgur.com/YOJcnqr.jpg"/>
<blockquote>Give Sorrow words, the grief that does not speak whispers the over-fraught heart, and bids it break..</blockquote>
Mcduff receiving the news of his wife's death and all his offspring was really strong too, Overall this really had strong moments all over, i loved the intense ones the most, and the great monologues by Shakespeare, The play deserves five stars, and that's the rating i ll give it in the Arabic translation i read, but this manga deserves three, More work in the art is needed for me, this just felt hollow for me most of the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I love the idea of a manga adaptation of a Shakespeare play as it presents a classic in a new way. The illustrations in this story were beautiful and well done. They were drawn in a more stylized manner compared to the “classic” look someone would see in a play or other adaption. There was a lot of imagery on the page, which provided a nice background, especially on pages with more dialogue.

Since this is Shakespeare, it is not fully in modern English, which can be difficult to follow sometimes. If you aren’t as familiar with the story or for any other reason, like I was, I can see how this version would not be as accessible even though there are illustrations to accompany the story. I still love the idea of creating manga versions of these classics as it expands the audience. Overall, this was a great version of the play and I cannot wait to read more from the classics collection.

💀Pub. Date: Oct. 11 2018

💀Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga

💀Plot: Scottish general Macbeth reviews a jarring prophecy that changes history.

💀Review: The Manga Classic Series is a staple in the middle grade / young adult library because it is a fantasy means to introduce students to the classics.

A wonderful adaptation of the classic: Macbeth with wonderful illustrations by Manga Classics. They adapted the story plot in such a way that it is very easy to follow and understand. But the book takes the reader through an emotional rollercoaster which went missing in manga adaption.

Diesen Manga mochte ich sehr viel mehr als Romeo und Julia. Hier hat der Zeichenstil meiner Meinung nach gut gepasst und auch die Geschichte kam gut voran und ich konnte das Ganze in einem Tag lesen. Was für mich leider erst sehr spät deutlich wurde war das Verrückt werden von Macbeth, was ich im Buch durchaus schon früher wahrnehmen konnte als in diesem Manga daher ein kleiner Sterneabzug. Dennoch auch hier wieder toll für alle die sich noch nicht intensiv mit Shakespeares Werken auseinander gesetzt haben, es gibt einen tollen ersten Zugang zu diesem Text durch den man sich sehr gut in viele weitere Richtungen weiterbilden kann.

This was a much easier read than Romeo and Juliet.
I liked the approach the artists took to the art style, it was quite fitting. Sadly, at times, it was hard to distinguish some of the characters, but overall they were well done.
The story itself was captivating as well, I read the book in two sittings.
The witches reminded me of the three sisters in the Disney Villains series, maybe they were partially inspired by Macbeth.
Again, I think these Mangas are a great way to make classic books more accessible and the way Macbeth was done, was a success in that regard, in my opinion.

I think is a very good adaptation and a good introduction to the classics for people who may only read comic.

I love the idea of a manga adaptation of a Shakespeare play as it presents a classic in a new way. As I am very familiar with Macbeth, I was curious to see how this adaptation would turn out. The manga version follows the play where Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches that he will be King of Scotland. The road to the throne leads to murder and paranoia, which was nicely captured in the illustrations. The storyline follows the classic play and utilizes both the written words from the original work and the imagery expressed.

The illustrations in this story were beautiful and well-done. They were drawn in a more stylized manner compared to the “classic” looks someone would see in a play or other adaption. There was a lot of imagery on the page, which provided a nice background, especially on pages with more dialogue. Since this is Shakespeare, it is not fully in modern English, which can be difficult to follow sometimes. If you aren’t as familiar with the story or for any other reason, I can see how this version would not be as accessible even though there are illustrations to accompany the story. I still love the idea of creating manga versions of these classics as it expands the audience. Overall, this was a great version of the play and I cannot wait to read more from the classics collection.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, UDON Entertainment, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to review a copy of this book via NetGalley.

Manga Classics: Macbeth, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's iconic play, not only rekindles my fond memories of growing up with Classical Comics but also reaffirms Shakespeare's timeless brilliance as my ultimate favorite playwright and author. This manga rendition, with its stunning artistry, warrants a solid five-star rating.

As someone who was raised on Classical Comics, this manga adaptation of Macbeth transports me back to my formative years, evoking a wave of nostalgia and reigniting my love for Shakespeare's works. The seamless fusion of classical literature and the vibrant world of manga brings forth a refreshing and engaging way to experience this timeless tragedy.

The true beauty of Manga Classics: Macbeth lies in its remarkable artwork. Each panel is a visual treat, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and an incredible talent for capturing the essence of the characters. The artist's ability to convey emotions through expressive faces and dynamic action sequences is awe-inspiring. The illustrations have a distinctive manga style, which adds a layer of depth and intensity to the narrative, breathing new life into Shakespeare's words.

What sets this adaptation apart is its skillful employment of symbolism and visual metaphors. The artistry transcends the pages, offering an immersive experience that enhances the understanding and interpretation of Macbeth's tale. The symbolic imagery cleverly weaves its way into the story, enriching the narrative and shedding new light on the characters' inner struggles and motivations.

Manga Classics: Macbeth serves as a testament to the enduring relevance and universal appeal of Shakespeare's works. It successfully captures the essence of the original play while infusing it with the vibrancy and creativity of the manga medium. The combination of Shakespeare's masterful storytelling and the artist's exquisite illustrations creates a harmonious blend that is both captivating and visually striking.

For those familiar with Classical Comics and lovers of Shakespeare, this manga adaptation is a must-read. It not only pays homage to our cherished literary memories but also reignites our passion for the timeless works of the Bard. Manga Classics: Macbeth deserves its five-star rating for its ability to seamlessly blend nostalgia, beautiful artwork, and the enduring genius of William Shakespeare into an unforgettable reading experience.

I enjoyed this so much. This is my favorite William Shakespeare play and it was amazing to see it in this form and with original language. I enjoy all the Manga Classics I read and suggests them to people all the time and Macbeth is no different.

Thank you, NetGalley, Julien Choy, and publishers for gifting me a copy of the Manga Classic of Macbeth in return for my honest opinion.

4/5

Some of the commenters need to realize that if you don't like the original text/writing then they should get the modern English version instead. That is the reason they made the two versions! I will admit I find it hard to read and comprehend as well but when you have the illustrations/graphics added it gives you some clarity.

The illustrations were a perfect addition to the text and it made a great improvement, again in my opinion, to the original play. I have never been the biggest Shakespeare, especially since it is what we were assigned to read in School, and who really enjoys any book you had to read for homework? Or at least you won't admit you liked it.

This was a wonderful way to enjoy a classic and reminisce about the good old days of school! I would recommend this version, with a warning that it is old English and might not be everyone's cup of tea.