Arata: The Legend is a shōnen manga about two teenage boys who are both named Arata. In a mystical world where swords wield elemental powers, Arata is a teenage boy who must take on the role of the next princess. However, a coup and an assassination attempt on the real princess force Arata into hiding. Meanwhile, Arata Hinohara goes about an ordinary high-school life as a bullied high school student where everyone around him, including his friends, eventually betray him. Then one day fate has them switch places without the two knowing and now both Aratas must live out the other's life and ordeals.
Volume 1 sets up the basic structure which Arata: The Legend's narrative will revolve around. Much of the time is spent in the mystical world with only short interludes in modern Japan; this remains consistent after the two Aratas switch places. In addition we see foreshadowing that the switch between both worlds may be permanent as Arata Hinohara gains a special power and is asked by the dying princess to lead the world in her stead. There are also major thematic issues with Hinohara such as lack of trust and constant betrayals.
Overview:
Arata: The Legend is a great shōnen manga. While it does take many of the well worn conventions, it twists them in some new and exciting ways. Here we have two main protagonists with the same first name who both have their own reasons for wanting to leave their world; one because of being bullied and the other because he doesn't want to be forced to be a pretender and become a wanted fugitive. However, when they both get their wish, neither one is all that happy. One thing that is somewhat unusual for manga, especially recently, is that it appears Yuu Watase is not going to have either character return (for good) to their old world. While it's too early to tell, this being volume 1, some key plot points foreshadow this. In contrast, most anime and manga that have dimension hoppers like Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, Escaflowne and MÄR all have the protagonists' journey as a way of returning home (except for Fai in Tsubasa). In contrast Arata: The Legend, like El Hazard, is a story about learning to adapt to the new world and making it their new home. This kind of narrative, one where it is not a journey back, but a story of coming to terms with the new reality and making it home, has in my opinion a greater resonance.
Watase's artwork is quite well done. While many of the scenes don't have much detail, they do get the point across in a clean manner. In addition, there are a few items, like the hiyagami (sword god) Goshintai. There is one aspect of the manga's art I am unclear about when reading this manga though. It is made clear through the narrative that both Aratas are so similar as to be indistinguishable. In the manga they have different hair colors and while reading it, I thought this was more for the reader's benefit to keep them separated because of the clear problems posed with characters with the same name switching roles. However, when I compare the cover art on the front and back, which is colored, their hair color is distinct enough that even a casual glance can tell the difference with the original Arata Hinohara being dark blonde and the other being black. Hair color that different is enough to cause comments by others, even if the rest of them is the same and it definitely makes them distinguishable.
In spite that issue, Watase's writing and artistic ability are still great. She has shown the ability to transition her natural style used in shōjo manga into Arata: The Legend, a shōnen manga, and pull it off in all aspects: artistry, elements of the narrative and fan service aspects like ecchi content and detailed and dynamic battle scenes. This is no small feat as Watase has made a career in shōjo manga based on focusing on her unique bishonen style seen in Fushigi Yugi. Arata: The Legend is a complete 180 and I am defiantly interested in seeing how she deals with broadening her skills and what she might offer to help advance the genre.
Yuu Watase gives Arata: The Legend a broad appeal to both genders. Being a shōnen manga Arata should appeal to young male audience while Watase's background as a shōjo mangaka may also give appeal to female audience who is familiar with her work.
ComicsOnline gives Arata: The Legend volume 1 3.5 out of 5 hiyagami.
