“Angels and demons aren’t known for getting along, but their shared enthusiasm for designer labels and luxury items has drawn angel Eniale and demon Dewiela into a tempestuous friendship…which has a tendency to dissolve into conflict. With the powers of Heaven and Hell behind them, even a minor fashion disaster can have near-apocalyptic consequences for the people of Earth!” (Yen Press)
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“Eniale & Dewiela” is a difficult series to define in terms of genre, since elements of fantasy, folklore, mythology, horror action and comedy all blend together in chaotic fashion. With a frantic pace and a plethora of characters coming and going, it can be a lot for the reader to take in at once. However, mangaka Kamome Shirahama ties everything together in such an exciting and exhilarating manner that makes the manga one of the best new releases of 2021.
Firstly, the appeal of Shira Hama’s art is divine, with a lush and detailed style that gives every page a style or madness to stop the reader in their tracks. Extending past the stylish and picturesque protagonists are all manner of creatures, all of which are gorgeously detailed. The cast is eccentric in their combination of style and influences, with the two leading ladies exhibiting a fashion conscience fueled by designer and kawaii aesthetics. In addition, the powers of heaven and hell come out in epic scenarios, as they contort the entire Earth in their exploits and tiffs. Simply put, the art is stunning and reason enough to fall in love with the charismatic duo and the world they inhabit.
Yen Press does a great job of presenting the material, releasing it in a slightly larger edition to let the art work shine. Additionally, the lettering by Abigail Blackman helps in keeping the flow of the story easy to follow among the visual chaos. Both elements make the feast for the eyes that is “Eniale & Dewiela” resonate.
The stories, being episodic, carry some lore through to each new tale helping build the epic tale of two opposing forces, or ‘frenemies’. Consequently, the book has a nice build up with the comedic flow, as each adventure makes the protagonists more endearing and their feuds and friendship continually build. Elements of humor blend well into fantasy, horror and action, as Kamome Shirahama effortlessly transitions between other genres to always tie it together with an uproarious comedic sting.
Admittedly, it was hard for me to contain my excitement for this series and focus in on various moments that had me grinning or laughing. The art is beautiful and the narrative is punchy and fast paced. A true manga gem that deserves of a greater fanbase. With the series concluding in the next volume, it is also perfectly sized to grab the full collection.
