An interesting take on the classic Alice in Wonderland, this wasn’t quite what I expected. I understand that the character was supposed to be confused so that created some confusion for the reader as well but it was kinda clunky and I felt like that could’ve been done better.

Her two companion creatures, the rabbit and frog, were cute until one of them starts making perverted remarks which was just unsettling. Other than that, the circumstances of the mysterious boy from another time was absolutely captivating and really snagged me to wanna read the next issue.

Thank you to TokyoPop for providing a copy for review via Netgalley.

This was a cute and comfy lil read! It’s a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, it definitely takes from other childhood stories like Cinderella as well. It’s a nice little palette cleanser, though it’s pretty fast paced.

Thanks to TOKYOPOP for sending an advanced copy to review!

A bit frustrating to have been approved for this ARC only for the book to be archived hours later, leaving me without the ability to download, read, and review. It kind of sucks because I was genuinely looking forward to reading this as well.

This has the potential to be a really good series, but this first volume has so much setup and exposition that by the time you really start to get into it, it's over. I really like the concept fo the Kyoto Forest Alice is transported to, and am intrigued to learn more about her relationship with Ren, and how she'll find her purpose in this new land! As it is, I wish we'd have gotten there just a bit sooner so there could be more actual STORY in this volume. Also major content warnings for abuse, death of a parent.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. I have to admit the cover and title pulled me right in. As someone who is a fan of Alice in Wonderland I would like to think of this as a retelling of some sorts. The pace is quick and the art work is stunning. I really loved how the main character continued to "grow" so much in this first edition. The edition of the white rabbit is a wonderful touch. I do wonder why the frog was added but it sure is cute.

I can't wait to see where this story goes and what Alice is meant to be in this world. Seeing her overcome some hard treatment from the first half of the story was refreshing.

Alice in Kyoto Forest is a retelling of the classic Alice in Wonderland. It’s very loosely based as far as the first volume goes, with the manga leaning more heavily towards Japanese culture, which I find interesting. The first volume gives a glimpse of what Alice went through growing up and how it gave her the courage to move forward with her life independently - but in doing so, she ended up in a world unknown to her.

The manga is beautifully illustrated, especially with its historical Japanese setting. The story is fascinating because there’s a lot of mystery in this volume that has yet to unfold. We are introduced to a different world and mysterious characters. This volume is just an introduction to Alice and her surroundings, and I’m looking forward to what happens next.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tokyopop, for the e-ARC.

Thank you, TokyoPop, for the copy of this manga!

I have read various stories inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and this is the cutest one!

Alice is an orphaned girl at such a very young age. She left Kyoto to live with her aunt and her good-for-nothing uncle. Wanting to escape her misery, she decided to come back to Kyoto, but instead, she felt that she was in a strange world.

I am already hooked on the first page! And as I go deeper into Alice's adventures in Kyoto, I can't help but root for her happiness. I love that the other characters are so positive, especially her companions, Natsume (the rabbit) and Hachisu (the frog). So, just so you know, these companions are dressed cutely and treat Alice with care and affection. Moreover, the illustrations helped a lot in seeing deeply what Alice was feeling.

I am excited to read the second volume as I have lots of curious questions. Right now, I have theories, but I am not really sure if they are right since Alice in Kyoto Forest is unpredictable for me. 

Nonetheless, I really am delighted to have come across this eARC on NetGalley!

I am giving Alice in the Kyoto Forest a 4.4 star rating!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
-Characters: 4/5
-Cover: 5/5
-Story: 4/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: Young Adult
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes

First want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review! This was a cute little play on Alice in Wonderland without actually just becoming a retelling. It was cute and also touching on a really sad subject. I think if you are looking for something that isn't really romance but nothing too adventure-y than this is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and TOKYOPOP for providing the e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This story is about Alice who lived with her aunt's family after the death of her parents. As an orphan, she was treated badly by her uncle and seen as a burden. When she saw an opportunity to escape from the house, she immediately took the chance and went to Kyoto to be a maiko, an apprentice. geisha. However, the surroundings there weren't the same anymore; talking animals, human with tails and no cars. In a way, this story actually makes me think of the movie 'Spirited Away'.

I'd honestly say that this premise is really interesting! With a captivating art style, I am definitely invested in the story. As I read it, I also feel heartwarming vibe and smile a lot because the setting of the story, with peaceful air and friendly strangers. The main character, Alice, is also really adorable! She really loves reading and that is something that I can relate to. I really hope that she will find what she's looking for and be happier after this journey.

Just when I thought it will be all bubbly, suddenly Alice faces a problem due to the rules of living in that world. Not only that, she also realised that her childhood might be an important person there but she have yet to actually confirmed it. I am genuinely curious to see how this will turn out when they meet each other, and will her journey brings any luck in finding her true self or only more misfortunes.

Overall, definitely recommended to fantasy and slice of life manga lovers!

Alice in Kyoto Forest è l'ennesimo retelling della storia di Alice nel paese delle meraviglie. E' ambientata in una Kyoto di un mondo alternativo, dove Alice deve capire cosa davvero desidera fare nella sua vita.
Questa storia pare essere amata tantissimo dai giapponesi perchè ormai l'ho letta e riletta in vari manga, che la riutilizzano in ogni modo e maniera. Sopratutto in storie harem. Per fortuna non è questo il caso.
La protagonista è più un mix tra Alice e Cenerentola alla ricerca del suo obiettivo.
L'inserimento della storia d'amore l'aveva reso ad un certo punto particolarmente interessante. Peccato che non sia stato mostrato molto e che il primo volume si interrompa proprio sul più bello.
I disegni son stupendi. Adoro il chara design della protagonista e come vengono disegnati i volti dei personaggi. E il coniglio bianco è troppo carino!

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Alice in Kyoto Forest is yet another retelling of the story of Alice in Wonderland. It is set in a Kyoto of an alternate world, where Alice must understand what she really wants to do in her life.
This story seems to be loved a lot by the Japanese people because by now I have read and reread it in various mangas, which reuse it in every way and manner. Especially in harem stories. Fortunately, this is not the case.
The protagonist is more of a mix between Alice and Cinderella looking for her goal.
The inclusion of the love story had made it particularly interesting at one point. Too bad that not much has been shown and that the first volume stops right at the most interesting point.
The chara design is gorgeous. I love the chara design of the protagonist and how the faces of the characters are drawn. And the white rabbit is too cute!

Story: The story is cute but it isn't about Maiko and Geisha for more than a few pages. I enjoyed the short while in which we got some inside about first becoming a shikomi who's main tasks are household chores. The story after that got really interesting and took me some time to wrap my head around it. I am from germany so fairy tales are nothing new to me but it has been really long since I read any kind of adaption and it was really interesting to get thrown into this magical world together with Alice and also being as confused as her on what's going on. I really want to know how the kind of childhood love story goes on and am excited to see how the story goes on and what we will learn from the cartographer. I recommend this book either for young readers like middle grade or for people who got into reading through fairy tales in their childhood because I believe they could take some nostalgia from reading this manga.
4/5

Art: The art was cute but relatively simple. Still it was enough to explain the story. It reminded me of many art styles from shoujo manga I read with 13 years old. It has some kind of lolita fashion aesthetic as it fits the Alice in wonderland scene. I hoped for some more beautiful kimono but it's still enjoyable.
3.5/5

Alice in Kyoto Forest
Alice lost both of her parents and went to live with her relatives in Tohoku. However, her life there was not the best as her uncle was not very welcoming and basically told her she should go to the orphanage. The only way she finds some piece is from reading, especially fairy tales. One day she reads about becoming a Maiko and how she can do it at 15 years old, with this thought she makes the call so she can leave and go back to Kyoto. However, once she gets to Kyoto she soon discovers it is not the one she knows of.

Things I likes about it:
There are things that are happening to and around Alice that are explained but also parts that are left us wanting to know more
Alice has a positive attitude even though she has had some hard times
The pacing of the series is moving along nicely and so far hasn’t felt like it is dragging out; plus the story flows nicely
The art is beautiful
It’s sad to see how Alice was treated after moving into her relatives' place. I find this series interesting, it pulls me in wanting to know more of this world and what is in store for Alice. Something I want to know is if the prince remembers Alice or even heard her when she yelled out his name. It feels like more will happen later on with him, as Alice understands this world more and finds what she really wants to do.

I received a copy of this manga through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Quite an interesting and pretty manga, a tribute to Alice in Wonderland! The magical world Alice enters in this manga is not quite the typical Wonderland but it is full of wonders and charming characters. I especially liked the frog and the rabbit and I am also intrigued by the secret of the boy she met in childhood. I would definitely read the future volumes, if I’ll get the chance! 😊😊

This is an adorable Alice in Wonderland retelling, following a girl named Alice who plans on escaping her toxic household by returning to her home city of Kyoto and becoming an apprentice geisha, or maiko. But instead of ending up in the Kyoto she remembers, she crosses over to a fantasy Kyoto and gets caught up in a whirlwind of discovering her place and passions, and maybe even connect with a childhood friend she thought she'd lost!

This manga had a slow start, almost too slow for me. I was really close to putting it down, but then things picked up and of course ended right before they got good!! I loved Alice's journey in Kyoto Forest and her path to discovering who she is and what she wants to do. I definitely wanted to see more of Ren, because now I'm starving until the next volume (which I am DEFINITELY reading). Lovers of cute, soft fantasies will eat this right up.

Alice is an orphan living with her aunt and uncle, and it is not the best environment. She leaves and goes back to Kyoto to become a Geisha, and she learns that it is not the same place that she remembers. It is as if she stepped into another world (very Alice in Wonderland like). Interesting concept and beautiful artwork!

Thank you TOKYOPOP and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Disclaimer: I work for a bookstore, all thoughts and opinions are my own and not affiliated with the store or company.
Thank you to Netgalley and TOKYOPOP for providing me with a digital version of this manga.

This volume has my whole heart. It's not often that the first volume of a series captures my attention this much but I absolutely adored this. Alice in Kyoto forest was whimsical and wholesome while maintaining an element of mystery as you try to figure this world out with Alice. It combined the magic of Alice in Wonderland with the wonders of Kyoto and I cannot give it enough praise. The illustrations only added to the beauties of this volume, adding unique twists to characters we know and love.

I absolutely cannot wait until the release of volume 2 and will be purchasing a copy of volume 1 for my own collection. For anyone looking for a quick fun retelling then this is the one for you.

The art style of this story was really cute. I like that it was an "Alice in Wonderland" retelling that branched out and did something different. There is still a white rabbit and Alice (an orphan) still ends up in a magical world opposite her own, but its not "Wonderland". There are characters that are reminiscent of the original story but don't adhere to them exactly. It's kind of refreshing.

Alice has lived with her Aunt and Uncle most of her childhood after her parents suddenly died. Her Aunt means well but her Uncle isn't very nice and makes it known that she is unwelcome in his house. Alice wants to go back to Kyoto. She wants to go to high school and make her way in the world on her own. And one day, while reading (her greatest love and her greatest escape), she thinks she finds her answer - to become a Geisha.

Thus she finds herself swept up and taken away to "Kyoto". But everything isn't as it seems and Alice feels like she has been dropped into a dream. Until she wakes up as an old lady! What is happening?! It turns out Alice has stumbled into a magical world where money is useless and there are consequences if you aren't true to yourself. So Alice must find her purpose to change herself back or risk staying an old lady forever and being kicked out of her new home.

I liked this one a lot. I will be excited to see where volume 2 leads.

Alice in Kyoto Forest takes on the Alice in Wonderland theme amazingly, with new twists on the theme and a great art style. Join Alice in her quest to find her true purpose in a strange new world. known as "Kyoto Forest" with mythological creatures, no form of currency and strange rules. I recommend this book to people who generally like the them of a protagonist named Alice in a strange new land that so many mangas seem to copy. It truly excels in its field and is a great read.

I'm a big fan of Alice in Wonderland so I was drawn to this manga for that reason, plus the art style looked beautiful. I love that it's a completely different take on the Alice in Wonderland story with a Japanese mythology twist. The art style was beautiful throughout and while I don't understand the plot fully, the story itself it sweet and whimsical. The juxtaposition of the two worlds is reminiscent of the looking glass almost but with a real twist of mythology and I think that sets this story apart from other Alice re-telling's. I'm looking forward to continuing this series and seeing how Alice's story evolves.

This was a nice read. As you can guess from the title, there are some Alice in Wonderland vibes that are more than welcome in my opinion.
Indeed, Alice has a frog and a rabbit to do this adventure with. She thought she was going to learn to be a geisha but instead, arrives in a world where nothing is quite like she remembered. And that’s for sure as she entered a magical realm. I like how you can only stay in this world if you are true to yourself, this is a good message for young readers. Alice is very likeable and I can’t wait to know what happens to her.
I recommend to those who enjoy magic
4/5