The characters started to get a little better developed in the second volume, although the relationship between Aya and Toya is still contrived and bizarre. I think I figured out why I don't like Aya, too--she reminds me of a friend from high school who flipped out all the time and was a totally self-centered man-user.

The story is starting to make slightly more sense. Apparently Ceres doesn't get it that the dude who stole her feather robe a long time ago is... well, dead. Or I guess he was reincarnated as Aya's twin brother and hasn't shown himself yet. And there is a weird corporation owned by the Mikage family that has something to do with harnessing the celestial maidens' power... possibly through interbreeding with them?

The whole strange-being-embedded-in-a-woman's-genetics thing totally reminds me of Parasite Eve. Or maybe like something half-way between Libba Bray and Stephenie Meyer--so bad that you just can't look away. I think Yuu Watase was snorting something when she wrote this. ( )

Another interesting volume in the series. There's a lot than the anime adaptation just outright cut out, and that makes the anime more jarring. It's still not the most interesting plot like this, but it makes more sense than the anime does, though I can sort of understand why they cut out Aya rooting for the teacher making out with the high school student.

I actually like Aki the most of the cast, though I'm obviously very sympathetic to Aya. She's going through so many terrible things and it's no wonder she's kind of a mess. I mean how many 16-year-olds would be just fine after watching their father get shot to death by their family and then narrowly escaping getting murdered by her own mother, among all the other various terrible things happening to her? It's kudos to her that she's as stable as she is at times, and as strong-willed as she can be.

Aki, on the other hand, wants to support her, and he cares for her greatly. He's struggling, too, but willing to fight for it. His relationship with Toya is interesting: at times soft and at times challenging. He and Aya are both drawn to Toya in different ways, and while Toya wants to protect both of them, he's very much on Aya's side.

Toya's also interesting in the sense that you get a version of the TV show "Dollhouse" many years before that was ever a thing. And it's nice to have a version of the concept that doesn't have Joss Whedon's pawprints over it.

Mrs. Q is hilarious. The pacing of this series is kind of a mess, and her randomness is rather charming. I also appreciate Viz doing its best to explain the pop culture references, because I truly am out of my depth. And I appreciate Watase-sensei being an absolute troll in using Mrs. Q's presence. It's great.

All in all, in many ways this is a better volume than volume 1, but it's still not the most interesting series, largely because the pacing just makes it difficult to focus on any plot with seriousness. The complexity of the world-building is at least interesting, and the cast grows more interesting. ( )

In volume 2, shoujo manga tropes give way to some pretty unnecessary seinen ones. Nevertheless, the romance is very cute and the characters are memorable. In volume 1 the reader only really gets a sense of who and what Ceres is through her rage, but in volume 2 we start to see her as a real person with a conscience. It's a far-fetched story, but it's compelling. ( )

1. Horror comic books, strips, etc. 2.Comic books, strips, etc.--Japan.

"This volume contains the Ceres, celestial legend, installments from Part 2, issue 1 through Part 2, issue 6 in their entirety"-- T.p. verso
First published by Shogakukan, Inc. in Japan as Ayashi no Ceres
Rated T+ for older teens
This book reads from right to left
Annotation: When sixteen-year old Aya Mikage is in danger she transforms into Ceres, an angry and powerful celestial maiden, who wants only to destroy the Mikage family who seized her long ago. Only Yuhi, the brother-in-law of her landlady can stop Ceres. Yuhi is also the family cook and a martial artist, but it’s not his culinary or fighting skills that can stop the vengeful Ceres; it’s his kiss. One good kiss on the lips and Ceres releases possession of Aya. Unfortunately, Aya can’t stand Yuhi, and so he’s usually rewarded with a slap for being too affectionate when Aya comes back to herself. ( )