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HELLO.
It's been a very long time (I have no excuses and I'm sure no one is interested) and I've been far more active on Twitter, and I'm late to the game either way, but I just had to announce Wazawa-sensei's newest manga, Adashino Kishokan! Someone's already started translating it, so I'm hoping to direct fellow Mononokean fans over if they're interested!
I made a short Twitter thread but I'll just reiterate my points here (probably faster to read at the link above though):
Adashino Kishokan (Paranormal Inspector Adashino)
Content warning: horror, animal harm
Setting:
Stars a red-haired protagonist named Adashino Abi (last, first name), a 15-year-old paranormal inspector working for the Paranormal Bureau and goes around solving paranormal incidents.
Set in Japan a bit in the past (Late Meiji to Taisho era if I had to guess) where paranormal incidents regularly occur
Being serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine, releasing a chapter every month!
You can buy the digital version of the magazine for about 680JPY on any supporting platform. This one's Am*zon's: https://amazon.co.jp/%E6%9C%88%E5%88%8A%E5%B0%91%E5%B9%B4%E3%82%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AC%E3%83%B3-2024%E5%B9%B48%E6%9C%88%E5%8F%B7-%E9%9B%91%E8%AA%8C-%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-ebook/dp/B0D49KNVP9…
Trivia:
Abi's name (both first and last anyway) also start with "A", just like "Ashiya" and "Abeno."
Japanese title and hashtag for manga is: #/あだしの奇象官
Official Twitter account is: @go_mononokean (rebranded to official author account from Mononokean)
Personal thoughts so far:
I'm so happy to see a new work from Wazawa-sensei!!!
Abi is very cute
Art is beautiful like Mononokean's, looks like a more shonen story with horror (hinted from Mononokean) and I still love their style of Japanese paranormal stuff!
Other stuff regarding Mononokean and this blog if you're interested under the cut:
I'm behind (understatement) on a lot of Mononokean content I promised to translate, put up, etc and Wazawa-sensei out with a new manga has given me some motivation. I don't promise anything fast but I'm hoping to be a little active here again. Thanks to anyone who's stuck around!
hello, is there any that you will do a rough translation/summary for the mononokean fanbook? (just asking, no pressure)
Yes yes, I want to and I plan to, hang in there!
In the meantime for those who can't wait, the fanbook is available digitally on Am*zon (and regular purchase of course in other vendors) who'd like to see for themselves!
Emojis aside, I really am so very sorry it’s taken me so long to get around to responding to messages since the manga ended, I’ve been extremely busy in my personal life so it was kind of all I could do to cope with the manga ending during that time too, haha. As of now even the last volume and fanbook are already out, but I’ll leave a few comments on the messages I’ve been sent as they were. I’m also grouping together messages that are more of readers’ own comments rather than questions for me and responding all at once, so please forgive me if I couldn’t get around to responding individually!
“My heart pains to seeing the end ahahhhhh ashiya and abeno parted waysI really really really hope for something to come next. it kinda feels sad for meabt this ending”
“Honestly I like the ending but I didn’t like how the author left out information about abeno’s background. For instance, what happen to his parents?, where did he come from?, how did he come meeting Ao?,etc. I really wanted to see all of that, including how ashiya told his mom and sister about sakaes death. Other then that, I REALLY LOVE THE PROPOSAL!!! What is with shouen manga/anime with these different type of propsals like, “I’ll skate infinity with you”, “ I will die so you won’t be alone”,etc. Like COME ON!!! I also want to see a adult ashiya and abeno 🙏.”
I feel the same, I love the ending in its own way but I also expected so much more and I wanted to see more of their adventures. So I respect sensei’s decision but that just means it’s a free-for-all in terms of headcanons after!!
“Now that the manga has ended, I really wish the anime hadn't screwed up with the season 2 ending, so we could have gotten a continuation... I really miss animated Fuzzy running around, Ashiya's screaming and Abeno's "Hah?" (´꒳`)♡”
I wonder what they’d do for a season 3 if it ever came to pass. There are a few ways they could go about it like kind of just continuing down the manga, or they could ignore what they animated at the end of s2 and then keep going (Ao no Exorcist style), or I don’t even know, honestly. No matter how dissatisfied I am with how they do anime, I’d still watch it though. :U
“Wow I can't believe it took me so long to realize this! Recently, I noticed that the dynamic between Hanae-Sakae-Aoi-Abeno and the plot revolving around them is very similar to what happens in the manga Switch (Kai-his dad-Hal's dad-Hal). The relationship between Kai and Hal is similar to Hanae and Abeno's. Kai's dad died and this is related to Hal's dad, who has survived thanks to the death of his friend (Kai's dad). Plus Kai manifests what seems to be his dad's personality when he's in danger.”
“So much tears! I really don't want this to end, but I knew it was too good to be true. Though, the way the way the manga ended felt like a new beginning. Hanae made a promise/vow to Itsuki that he will return, no matter how long it takes, so he hopes Itsuki will wait for him. Also, that picture of Sakae and Aoi on the counter makes me hope that Hanae and his family (plus Sakae in heaven) has peace now. I felt like crying more. Thank you for everything and I hope to see you again!”
“Suddenly I see that anon ask about OPs and EDs and partings & separations in a new light... darn. (╯°Д °)╯╧╧”
Fittingly enough, Sensei mentioned in the fanbook that Mononokean has always been a story about meetings and partings too, but still...! More...!!!
“I think this ending is very fitting. Ashiya was never truly part of the youkai world, he was always taking one step in only to step out soon after, and going back and forth between loving youkai and being afraid of them. Ashiya's state of employment has always had a "temporary" feeling to it, including, for example, the fact that he never changed his clothes, and his Mononokean-crest clothes were "borrowed". UItimately, Ashiya didn't seem like he could dedicate his life to youkai, unlike Abeno.
(continuing from my previous ask about "Ashiya not being part of the youkai world") It wasn't only Ashiya's feelings on the matter that kept him away from the world of youkai. Abeno contributed greatly to this, as he constantly tried to keep Ashiya away from the Underworld, from danger, from knowing too much, and from youkai themselves, even though Ashiya was technically his employee. If Abeno had tried, even a little, to pull Ashiya into his world, Ashiya would have responded to him, I'm sure.
(another "Ashiya not being part of the youkai world" ask) The fact Abeno actively blocked Ashiya from his world was the greatest reason why Ashiya didn't feel like he belonged there. But he still felt connected to Abeno, at least. Rather than dedicate his life to youkai, Ashiya seemed like he might dedicate it to Abeno. Yet this feeling was also met with a wall. By the time Abeno realized how precious it was, having someone who saw the same things as him by his side, it was already too late.
(last ask in the series "Ashiya not being part of the youkai world") Ironically, the Mononokean and most other youkai were more open and willing to welcome Ashiya into their world. Still, if and when Ashiya can see youkai again, I hope Abeno will have realized the opportunity he'd wasted. When these two reunite, I hope Abeno won't push Ashiya away again. That's all. I wanted to share these thoughts with you. Please let me know your opinion on the matter. Thank you for reading! :)”
I think you’re right on point with the themes you’ve pointed out and I believe that’s what Sensei was going for too, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s terribly lonely for them to be separated from each other. ___(:3 At least we’re left with a (high) possibility of them getting back together (heh) and even moreso with the fanbook extra content too, so here’s to their continued adventures.
“I am not sure if you are familiar with this anime/manga/light novel series “No. 6” because the end of the Mononokean manga series appears similar to the end of the former in terms of the bond between the two male leads if you get what I mean.”
I know of it and it’s something I’ve always meant to get around to watching, but I have not seen it yet!
“Nooo, I can't believe it's over! 😭 But you know, ever since FNM's ending was announced, I've been looking for something to fill the void this precious story would inevitably leave in my heart, and then someone said "Watch Natsume Yuujinchou, the themes are similar and it's heartwarming". So I started it and, oh boy, I've been screaming at every episode because I'm not used to people openly showing their affection! 😂 So much hugging, hand-holding, head-patting... I'm melting!! (send help pls)”
“Hello Spring! We've reached the end of this wonderful journey, it seems. It's time for a new start. Thank you so much for everything you've done for this fandom, it wouldn't have been the same without you! Seriously, thank you, from the bottom of my heart! 😌 (PS: I forgot to mention, I opened this blog on my old old laptop, with its 1280x720 resolution, and the "ON YOUR OWN, BUT NOT ALONE" strip was right there covering Ashiya's and Abeno's faces, I had such a good laugh! I'm sorry I laughed!!)”
“This ending was really beautiful and yet sad. The promise made me hope but.. it's still so angst that maybe it will take years to hanae be able to see yokais again. I wonder if wazawa-sensei is okay, like, usually when a manga is ending they advertise previously, but the news was so suddenly that made me worry about sensei's health status. I also don't think that the publisher canceled the manga. So, I still don't know if this sudden ending was planned or not.”
Haha when I first made that tumblr theme, I kind of liked the effect that the strip had in covering Ashiya and Abeno’s faces somehow, but it always moves around depending on resolution lol.
In the afterword of the last volume and the fanbook, Sensei touched lightly on their various reasons for ending the manga (which I plan to cover eventually... when I have time...) and while I don’t think we’ll ever know fully, I got the impression that sensei personally seems in good health and even expressed that they would like to make another manga in the future, so as readers and fans we don’t need to worry too much.
“The manga ended well but we are left with unanswered questions : What is Abeno's past ? / Are golden eyes and hair special ? / What about Aoi's face ? / What really happened the day Aoi came back injured ? At this time she wasn't infected but Sakae died trying to save her (something is wrong with the plot) ?! / What about Fuzzy gender and his "human form" ?”
I will just say we got answers to some of those questions in the fanbook, and some we did not. :Y Please hold on for fanbook info!
Hey there. I’ve just read through the last chapter of the Mononokean. What a story. There are still a few questions that left me wondering: (1) What is the origin of the Mononokean itself?, (2) What is the origin of the Influence that flows within specific characters of the story?, (3) If Aoi was able to provide young Ashiya with a part of Sakae’s “Influence,” could it be done again?, & (4) If Ashiya could still see Fuzzy, what do you think this means for his potential abilities?
1. We were told in the first fanbook that the Mononokean was originally a well-loved tea ceremony room, and as we know in the Mononokean universe (also generally a concept in Japanese culture/religion, you can looked up the term “tsukumogami”), things that are used/loved sometimes end up gaining a sentience of their own, and if I remember right that’s how the Mononokean came to be too. (it’s been a while since I’ve reread the first fanbook so if I’m wrong please do correct me). As for any other specifics, we only know that Aoi and Abeno have been the first and second masters respectively, I’m pretty sure.
2. This was answered in the fanbook, which I’d like to summarize eventually! But Influence seems to be a natural power that develops in babies who have been in close contact with yokai before they were born, and golden hair and eyes are also a sign of that.
3. The partial Sakae Influence (lol wording) that Aoi gave to Ashiya as a baby was what Ashiya returned to Aoi to save them. I suppose since they’ve already done it before it’s technically possible, but that’d defeat the whole purpose of what they tried to do already haha.
4. I think it’s as Abeno theorizes, that Ashiya always did have a bit of ability to sense yokai on his own as well!
“I was looking for more FnM content and found out about your fanfictions on Ao3, so I read them all and oh my Lord! They were *so* good!! And I was very surprised and very glad to find out you ship Ashiya x Abeno, I'm especially happy because you ship them in that order, since I was so sure everybody would be shipping them in reverse order! Thank you so much for sharing your works!! (≧▽≦) ♡”
Thank you for your kind comments, I’m always so happy to hear someone loves my fic! I do love writing them even though I haven’t done it for a while and I have so many ideas and WIPs that I’ve still never gotten around to completely, but I swear I will do them someday... While I do think the reverse order is more popular in general, there’s a decent AshiItsu (the Japanese term for the ship haha) fandom thriving on Twitter!
Again thank you so much everyone! Look forward to fanbook info I’d like to get around to posting about soon!
Hello, please help my friend out if you can! I commissioned that really cute art of Ashiya and Abeno in the sample up there a while back and I’ve always enjoyed Joy’s art~ Every single reblog helps too!
We also ALMOST see them HUGGING TOO COME ON ABENO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SUCH A TSUNDERE LIKE THAT also it is so cute when Abeno is like sitting in silence and hiding his face after telling Ashiya he's gonna wait for him, IS THAT A PROPOS-
Despite it just ended like that it was really well done, looking forward what sensei going to do in the future
I STILL HAVE SO MANY THING I WANT TO SCREAM ABOUT but i'm just gonna cry for now, also want to thank you for always updating about this fandom!
Wait sorry I missed that this was a continuation of the last ask, but thank you so much for your thoughts! I’m sure they’re shared by a lot of the fandom and they’re certainly shared by me.
Hiii, the final chapter was really beyond my expectations 😭😭😭 Honestly there's still alot of unanswered questions and I don't want it to end just like that... I love every single of the character especially Ashiya (cinnamon roll 💙) and I've waited 3 years to see Aoi's face patiently but it seems like it's to no avail T_T BTW do you think there's a chance for part 2 of FukigenNaMononokean?? I think it would be a miracle if they decided on that but I'll keep on praying for that to happen (╥﹏╥)
Yeah, there really were a lot of unanswered questions and I’m quite sad about it, but we have the fanbook to look forward to and I’m hoping we’ll get some answers there.
We did get to see presumably Aoi on the back cover of Volume 18, although their face was hidden!
I’ll always wish for more Mononokean right along with everyone else.
We are finally getting a them to REAL HAND HOLDING AFTER THESE MANY CHAPTERS I'M GONNA CRY 😭 Absolutely beautiful... What a great journey (though to be honest we want more), i am really glad i found this manga😭❤️
I’ll also be eternally glad I found this manga, it’s been one of the joys in my life and something to look forward to each month.
YES CONGRATS ON ACTUAL HANDHOLDING and that was definitely a very gentle willing handhold and Ashiya being a total Gentleman.
Fukigen na Mononokean Final Chapter Part 2 Spoilers
;________________________;
Sensei, thank you.
Read raws here.
Read part 1 spoilers here.
Also there are only a few hours (about 5 as of this post) to vote in the character poll, so get your votes and messages in here!
Ashiya says he can’t see the Mononokean, and Abeno says he heard from Okina about not being able to see Yahiko either. He speculates the cause being Ashiya moving Influence to Aoi.
Ashiya slowly says if not for Sakae’s Influence attached to him, he would’ve just been a normal human unable to see yokai, and there’s likely no reversing his situation this time. That’s why, he tells Abeno, he wants Abeno to let him quit being an employee of the Mononokean.
After a moment of silence, Abeno asks if Ashiya can’t even sense the presence of yokai, to which Ashiya nods. Ashiya says that in his condition, he won’t be able to help with work, and now that Abeno’s been able to reunite with Aoi, his role in all of this is also over.
Abeno asks if he’s really sure he’s going to quit, and Ashiya thanks him for everything, saying that he got to meet a lot of yokai, and even Sakae, his father, that it’s all thanks to Abeno and thanks Abeno for making him a Mononokean employee.
Abeno says he understands, and that if he can’t see yokai, there’s no helping it. He tells Ashiya he’s still going to stay in the Underworld for a while, and he’ll come to the Mundane World occasionally if there’s a yokai that needs to be exorcised, but if Ashiya isn’t his employee, there’s no reason to see each other.
Abeno continues that until he’s finished the things he needs to do in the Underworld, he’ll leave Fuzzy with Ashiya and while Ashiya can still see Fuzzy, to stay together.
But Abeno adds that if he’s finished staying in the Underworld and at that time, Ashiya can still see Fuzzy, then that ability is Ashiya’s own power and not Influence, at which Ashiya starts in shock.
“...I’m going to leave the employee position open. And if you’re able to see yokai again, even faintly, I want you to come back.”
Ashiya stares, thinking that even though after paying off his debt, Abeno had told him that being an employee now depended on how well he does his job, Abeno is willing to wait for him. Even though when he just started the job, all he’d done was get in the way and Abeno seemed to treat him like a bother, Abeno values him enough to say he wants Ashiya to come back even without the debt, and even if he can’t see yokai.
He never wanted to be a hindrance to Abeno, who’s always lived his life for yokai, so he thought he’d cut himself loose before making Abeno tell him to quit...
“I promise I’ll come back.”
“Even after graduating high school, even after becoming adults, even if our lives take different paths...“
“Whenever I can see yokai again, I'll swear I’ll go find you, Abeno-san. And when that time comes, please make me your employee again!”
...
...
...
“This is how one year after becoming an employee to pay off a debt, I parted ways with the Mononokean.”
“...But I believe that someday, I’ll be able to see everyone again. As long as yokai exist in this world, even if I can’t see them-”
The end.
I depleted all my screaming last night on Twitter when the chapter came out so I’ll just reiterate what I remember....
aaaa
aaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAaa
ASHIYA THAT WAS A PROPOSAL
YOU PROPOSED
BUT ALSO ASHIYA SPECIFICALLY SAID TO ABENO, PLEASE MAKE ME YOUR EMPLOYEE AGAIN, NOT JUST MONONOKEAN’S EMPLOYEE, ABENO’S EMPLOYEE tears
abeno.... being soft... outright for one of the first times...
honestly there’s a lot to feel and question about the ending and a lot of mysteries we didn’t get around to so I’m admittedly a little dissatisfied with that and I don’t know if it’ll ever get answered (hopefully some kind of afterstory in the fanbook?!?!?)
but!! there’s hope!! and opportunity for the future!!! and that the two of them clearly know they care about each other
;_____________;
thank you sensei.....
sensei also tweeted a last message to the fans which I’ll get around to translating....
Did we wait 90 chapters to see a wholesome hug and instead got a punch? We did, huh? Hahaha...haha...ha... It's okay... I'm not crying or anything... (ಥ‿ಥ)
It’s Abeno’s way of expressing affection!! Like a cat!!!
