Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, Vertical Comics, Tsutomu Nihei (story), and Itoe Takemoto (artist) for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.

This world is incredible. There is the canopy, where one village remains at the top of the giant tree, and there is the snow sea, the cold, watery world at the trees roots. When the princess of one of the nations from the snow sea comes up to the canopy on a floater, she meets Kaina. Having lost her whole party to raiders, she tells the people of Kaina's village about the war taking place between the peoples living at the tree's base. Coming up to find a great sage of legend, she is vastly disappointed that this village doesn't harbor what she seeks. Kaina is familiar with the legend as well, and he has a different theory on how to find the sage. Perhaps the two can help each other out?

Both the story and the art style appear to be heavily Miyazaki-influenced. They have a common, yet whimsical feel. I enjoyed the main characters, the world, and the setup. This could be a shorter series and be extremely fulfilling, but I also see the potential for something longer. Maybe even some romance, after the adventure aspect?

This is a fun first volume any fantasy manga seeker will enjoy.

Kaina of the Great Snow Sea 1 by Tsutomu Nihei (story) and Itoe Takemoto (art)
I read this courtesy Net Galley. In this dystopian fantasy, Kaina, who is the youngest of an elderly group of survivors living in a barren snowscape, has to feed his people with the few resources he can find. They believe they are destined for a slow, grueling death, with Kaina doomed to an agonizing solitary existence after the elders’ inevitable death. They believe they are the only people left. It turns out, of course, they are not, when a princess from another country finds her way to them, in search of something that may help her own people live—but their hope of continued survival comes with complications. This story is a promising beginning and I look forward to the next installment.

#KainaoftheGreatSnowSea1 #NetGalley #Kodansha #SnowSea

I enjoy Nihei's stories a lot, I love his darkness and stagnant story telling. Kaina of the Great Snow Sea is an interesting fantasy manga about two worlds, the one below and the one above. Kaina is a young guy living above the canopy, but food is scarce and the people of his village are old except himself. He keeps thinking there needs to be people down below too and there sure is. At the base of the giant tree lives others, but the lack of water is a problem and thus wars. The snow sea makes things difficult. The setting is somewhat like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, but more depressing in many ways. I do like eco-catastrophe series. The people down below need help, but how to get there? I happen to like the fact that Nihei hardly ever explains anything and this is the case now too - I keep wanting to read what happens even if I won't understand it.

The art is good, it works well with the story line and the expressionless faces are great. This is lighter than what Nihei normally does, but it's interesting, since this can go anywhere plot-wise. There are three books now, so the series is relatively new. Let's see where this is going!

"**Kaina of the Great Snow Sea**" by Tsutomu Nihei is a masterful blend of science fiction and fantasy that captivates from the first page. Drawing inspiration from classics like "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" and "Castle in the Sky," this story beautifully intertwines the fate of two distinct worlds. Nihei's storytelling is compelling, and Itoe Takemoto's stunning character designs breathe life into this high-stakes adventure. Kaina's journey from the canopy of the orbital spire trees to the snowy surface below is both heart-wrenching and thrilling. With a well-received anime adaptation, this graphic novel is set to be a classic in its own right. Highly recommended for fans of epic tales and intricate world-building. #KainaoftheGreatSnowSea1 #NetGalley