A beautiful debut perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, featuring environmental themes akin to Princess Mononoke and a whimsical atmospheric setting like Kiki's Delivery Service. The creator earns the Studio Ghibli comparison through the expansive landscapes and detailed linework, and the story itself has a similar rambling flow that emphasizes the emotional journey of the main characters. I look forward to reading future volumes. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley, Abrams ComicArts, and Kana for this arc!

4/5 stars

This was a little tragic, a little hopeful, and I can tell it will be quite beautiful. Unfortunately the quality of the art in this was very low and was actually had to tell what was happening sometimes, but the story was intriguing enough I was able to power through. I'm really interested in reading this again once it is published so I can get the full scope of the story and art together. It was predictable, but that's ok. I'm looking forward to reading more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams ComicArts for the ARC.

The art is really gorgeous here, the comparisons to Ghibli and Witch Hat Atelier are very apt. The story is a basic hero's journey, where the loss of her mentor/guardian and her home sends Pili on a quest to find this Eden where wildlife thrives. Every stop on her journey thus far sparks a strong desire for more in those around her, for both good and bad reasons. I'm interested in where it goes from here.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7064517472

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/6c4fb3ef-8fd9-4aed-bb55-d397f1e0bd69?redirect=true

Check out this review of Eden of Witches Volume 1 (Volume 1) on Fable. https://fable.co/review/376a996a-193e-413b-ade5-9fba4d3be70a/share

Eden of Witches Volume 1 had a very interesting set up. After human's abuse of the world's natural resources animals and plants gave up on the world making it a forsaken place except in the places where witches lived. Witches, or women and men with knowledge about plants and animals were hunted and thought to cause problems

The story focuses on a young witch name Pili and her guardian. Pili sets out on an adventure with her guardian plant-wolf creature called Oak. She gets to explore the world outside her sanctuary. But despite getting to learn about the world traveling long distances begins to take its toll and she injures her ankle.

A boy named Bowei takes her in and takes care of her while she heals, he's intrigued by her and her knowledge. However the village he lies in is suspicious of an unfamiliar young lady. They quickly figure out she is a witch. She doesn't really try and hide it and helps with plants. She is being hunted and the villagers are ready to turn her over.

Will she escape? Find out in the first volume of Eden of Witches. It's a similar story to something like Nausicaä, Witch Hat Atelier, or the Moth Keeper.

The plot and step up are interesting however I don't like the way it is followed through. The villain is a little too simple and predictable and I found it hard to related with Pili. Some of that could be the art which I wasn't a huge fan of. It wasn't that it was bad. It was just that it was similistic and not my style.

I'd give the book three stars mostly based on the fact that the art wasn't my taste and the plot tended a little simple for me.

Nice artwork but the plot did nothing for me. I don't see myself continuing this series. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Eden of Witches, Vol. 1 by Yumeji is a visually stunning and imaginative start to a series that will enchant fans of Princess Mononoke and Witch Hat Atelier. The lush illustrations breathe life into the world, contrasting the beauty of nature with the stark barrenness left by humanity's recklessness. Yumeji's attention to detail makes every page a delight to explore.

Pili, the young witch-apprentice, is a charming protagonist with a big heart and a lot to learn. Her bond with her wolf familiar, Oak, adds warmth and depth to her journey, and their interactions are a highlight. The story introduces thought-provoking themes of humanity's strained relationship with nature and the courage required to protect what remains.

While some characters and conflicts feel lightly sketched, this volume lays a promising foundation for deeper storytelling in future installments. The heartfelt moments and magical atmosphere make this an engaging and worthwhile read. Eden of Witches is a tale that brims with potential and will leave readers eager to see how Pili grows into her role as a protector of nature.

Eden of Witches boasts a gorgeous art style reminiscent of Witch Hat Atelier, with intricate details that bring the world to life. The magic system, though still a bit mysterious to me, is captivating, especially watching magical seeds bloom into massive creatures.

I also love the theme of the story. The world is bleak, with humans having ravaged the land, leaving only witches able to live in harmony with the remaining plants. This setting has strong echoes of Studio Ghibli films, which adds a layer of charm and nostalgia.

Overall, this is a quick and engaging read with an intriguing magic system. As the first volume in the series, it's largely introductory, but I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this manga! I also had my 23 year old read it, to get her opinion as well, because she has read so many over the years. We both loved it, and my Daughter plans to by a copy and is looking forward to book 2. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book.

I did not dislike this volume, but the story unfortunately did not leave me with the compelling urge to continue reading.
If there is a opportunity, I will give the second volume a chance.

Thanks anyway to Netgalley and Abrams ComicsArt for the trust.

Great Manga! Imagine that the person you love the most and who has raised you is getting increasingly sick and you cannot help them. Would you venture out into the unknown world to try and help them? That is what Pili does and along the way she discovers that the world is not exactly what it appears to be and there are dangers lurking everywhere. Who can she trust and can she fulfill Toura's finally wish to go the Eden and finally be safe.

Pili is a young witch who grew up hearing the tales of Eden, a haven for witches. However, she is not like the other witches; she struggles to communicate with plants and has difficulty growing them. Pili is also the apprentice of Toura, the witch who raised her. Unfortunately, Toura's health is deteriorating, and when Pili seeks help from the town, she is tricked. Now, Pili must find Eden to secure a safe place to live and to carry on Toura's dreams.
After quite some time away from the world of manga, I was thrilled to dive into this particular book. The story captivated me so completely that I found myself unable to stop reading until I had turned the final page in a single, exhilarating sitting. Pili emerged as a deeply compassionate character, radiating kindness and an unwavering concern for the well-being of those around her. Her warmth made the narrative all the more engaging. I couldn't help but feel a desire for more moments with Toura, whose presence evoked sweet and comforting grandmotherly vibes, adding a layer of affection to the story. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this manga to anyone in search of a heartwarming experience that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Happy Publication Day & Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚

3.5/5

This was an interesting, bleak premise. Humans have (shocker) ruined the earth and only witches live in harmony with plants - all humans live in basically rocky deserts. We start off with Pili and get mentor Toura in their hidden home away from the rest of civilization.

The magic system is still a bit unknown other than these special magical seeds that can grow into huge, powerful animals with plants wrapped around them.

My e-ARC copy didn’t have very high quality artwork, which was a bit disappointing because this is a manga and the artwork is extremely important to telling the story, but I’m sure the final copy will be more polished.

The villain was scary and brutal and I didn’t expect this to be as dark as it was, but it makes sense considering f the world these characters are living in!

I’m interested to see where this story goes, so I would definitely check out the next volume, especially since this first volume had a lot of introductory stuff they had to get out of the way. Overall, this was a quick, interesting read that reminded me a bit of Princess Mononoke meets Witch Hat Atelier. 😊

Aside from the really cool plant wolf, I did not get Ghibli-esque from this. I didn't like the main character much at all. I hope there will be growth for her in future installments.

Pili is an orphan who was saved and raised by a witch. They live outside the city and Pili knows no other life. The world is in poverty and the land is barren, save where witches who can coax plants from the ground. When Pili leaves her home looking for help, she quickly finds out that witches are feared and hated and brings trouble back to her home. She then has to leave, with a promise to her guardian to look for Eden and stay safe. In a style very much like Studio Ghibli, it is an adventurous tale with more volumes to come.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

this was an interesting first volume revolving around a world without flora and fauna due to cruelty of humans. however, only witches are granted the ability to speak to wildlife and nature, as they respect what is not necessarily human.

when apprentice witch pili is betrayed by humans after searching for a cure to heal her elderly witch mentor, she goes on a quest to find eden and live among other witches.

i'm excited for the next installment!

If you adore Eastern mythology and magical plants, this graphic novel has your name all over it. This was a great opener for this series. I wish the main character was just a bit more fleshed out, but otherwise, this was a gorgeous read. The art style and writing had me flipping quickly through each page. I ordered this book for our graphic novel section and expect it to check out!

Thank you NetGalley and Abrams ComicArts for the digital ARC of “Eden of Witches: Vol. 1”! This was an intriguing start to a story of magic and balance with nature. Pili was likable protagonist and I enjoyed the design of the wolf familiar Oak. The first volume sets up the world, a main antagonist for Pili, and a new friend. I would recommend this book to young manga readers who are interested in magical worlds with strong connections to nature.

I appreciated the concept and world-building in this book. We follow Pili, a young witch, who is searching for Eden with her nature spirit/plant/wolf Oak. In this world plants and vegetation are dying and only witches can save it. Oak believes that humans are not to be trusted, while Pili is definitely more open to exploring the potential. Their journey exposes them to themes of both dark and light, from a witch burning to friendship with a young boy. The art and magic system are incredibly detailed and vivid and the pacing overall was quite fast and action packed. I enjoyed this read and the introduction to this world. One complaint actually has to do with the text, at times I was really struggling to read some of the text, but perhaps that can be traced back to this being an ARC, let's hope so. Overall this story was a whimsical blend of fantasy and dystopian themes and I look forward to reading more in the series.

The world has become a barren wasteland in which plants only grow at the behest of witches who can hear nature's song. Pili is a young witch apprentice watches her master get murdered in front of her and inexplicably wakes up a wolf/nature spirit named Oak. Together they must try to find Eden before the forces of the king find them.

Eden of Witches was an intriguing first volume. The art was vivid and detailed and the magic system is fascinating. Fans of Princess Mononoke, Shuna's Journey, Ancient Magus Bride would probably find this right up their alley. For a first volume, the pacing seems a bit off and the villain waaay overdone. I'm still looking forward to volume two.

Thought this book was absolutely amazing and the artwork is just stunning. It reminds me a little of The Girl From the Other Side, can’t wait to read the next volume!