“Deep below the earth lies the abode of Lord Hades, the ruthless king of the Underworld. Ruling over the realm of the dead, he swears to never fall in love… Except, well, he kind of just took an arrow to the face courtesy of the primordial god of love, Eros, so…In any case, if someone could please pull this thing out of his head anytime this week, the lord god has places to be and people to see. He'll even make a wish come true, so step right up! Chop-chop! Who will be the lucky duck to claim Hades's prize…?!” (Yen Press)
While artist/writer Ueji Yuho has been active since 2005, with his first series released in 2008, “Lord Hades's Ruthless Marriage,” published over three volumes from 2020 to 2023, is the mangaka's first introduction to the West. Despite Yuho's long career in the industry, the series has limitations, which may result from “Lord Hades's Ruthless Marriage” being his most extended serialized work at three volumes. However, the sharp visual direction and world-building still entertain in abundance.
The story itself is where the content is slightly lacking. There are certain elements that Yuho nails, such as imbuing his characters with personality through dialogue and comedic timing. Moreover, the book feels well-researched on mythology, even when purposely exaggerated. Considering Yuho's work on educational materials for schools, it is unsurprising that the project would reflect that respect for the content.
Check also this interview
However, Yuho's writing approach makes the story rushed and frantic. This allows for loud and defined personalities to come forward, particularly in the Goddesses who come to try to marry Hades, but it does not allow room for nuance. It is a series that doesn't give you pause, and combining this with the busy visual stlyings of Yuho, “Lord Hades's Ruthless Marriage” can overload the senses.
It gives the impression that Ueji Yuho is still developing as a writer, but where the manga excels and overcomes those shortcomings is in the visual direction. Yuho's art is stunning, with each page offering a moment to stop and appreciate the detail in the amount of detail put into each mythological figure and setting. Combine this with skills in visual comedy, and the book stays consistently entertaining despite any disconnect from the more frantic writing style. The series is worth collecting on visuals alone, and it is a book that can be picked up and revisited.
Issues with the writing keep “Lord Hades's Ruthless Marriage” from being a perfect series; it does show a slight degree of inexperience and inability to craft a story that will resonate beyond its flashy and humorous veneer. Still, the surface level is so gloriously polished and tailored to entertain that the series marks a beautiful debut and potential prospect for future greatness in Ueji Yuho's expressive approach. The writing needs to catch up slightly with the visuals to reach excellence, making the author a talent that manga readers should watch.
For those who enjoyed “Eniale & Dewiela,” which made our list of best manga in 2021, consider “Lord Hades's Ruthless Marriage” a must-read, as both resonate the same lively and expressive approach to comedy utilizing powerful and iconic deities.
