Whoever Steals This Book 1 reminds readers of the beauty of reading. Whether to educate one’s mind or escape into a fantasy world, reading can provide relief—even hope.
Whoever Steals This Book 1 is a fantastical tale akin to a book version of a Hayao Miyazaki film. The story is about a girl, Mifuyu Mikura, who hates books. Yet she winds up on a mysterious adventure, rescuing stolen books from her great-grandfather’s collection. Parts of what happens is confusing. But there is something magical taking place. Whoever Steals This Book 1 has potential even if it does not all land as it explores the broad world of books.
With an original story by Nowaki Fukamidori, art by Kakeru Sora, translated by Emma Schumacker, and lettered by Nicole Roderick, the tale begins with a classmate approaching Mifuyu on the train, asking her to join their book club. That’s when it becomes clear, in the Yen Press manga, how much Mifuyu hates books and reading. There are layers to her reasons. But it’s hard when the entire town is built around books, courtesy of her great-grandfather.
Whoever Steals This Book 1 Opens Up Love of Storytelling
Mifuyu’s past explains how her current enmity toward books came about. It’s not surprising as Mikura Hall’s dimly lit interior looks frightening for a child. Additionally, her grandmother’s protectiveness of books left little room for kindness to her. So, Mifuyu hates books and assumes everyone is trying to get close to her because her family and their collection are famous in the town. As such, dealing with her aunt, who’s so obsessed with books that she forgets basic needs like food, does not endear her to books or her aunt. But her magical journey begins on an errand to feed her aunt.
Even though Mifuyu is a hater, the series showcases how world-altering reading can be. In fact, in this series, books literally change Mifuyu’s town. With the first quest to retrieve a stolen book, the town shifts from ordinary to something out of a creation story. It’s not just Mifuyu. Whoever Steals This Book 1 reminds readers of the beauty of reading. Whether to educate one’s mind or escape into a fantasy world, reading can provide relief—even hope.
A Fascinating Companion on the Journey
Besides Mifuyu, Masahiro is an enigma that holds a lot of potential. She only appears when Mifuyu picks up a note with a curse. Plus, each cursed note is book-specific. But that’s the only time Mifuyu sees her. Still, the only thing readers and Mifuyu know is how Masahiro looks and that, oddly enough, her clothing matches Mifuyu. So does that make her an alter ego or simply someone matching her friend? Their friendship warms the heart, and it’s only the first volume.
Whoever Steals This Book 1 is an enchanted delight. With their adventures retrieving stolen books, there are so many possibilities for a variety of stories for them and readers to experience. They tease the beginning of the following story, which seems like a mysterious, noir whodunit. So, it’s a story that can deliver an excessive variety, depending on the creator. Whoever Steals This Book 1 gives magical, adventurous fun akin to the feeling childhood movies give kids. It opens up a world of possibilities.
