Niwa is just your average boy. As his crush, Risa, says before she turns his love confession down, he’s “just sooo average” and is “not exactly boyfriend material.” But things are about to change in a big way! On his 14th birthday, a mysterious magic—maybe better understood as a curse—is passed down to him. You see, when Niwa thinks of his romantic crush, he turns into the master thief, Dark! And now, his life is turned upside-down—Dark sets up elaborate heists at night, while during the day, Niwa is just trying to do his best to live a normal school life and not randomly turn into Dark at school, where he might be caught by Dark’s nemesis/Niwa’s classmate—or worse yet, by Risa or her twin sister Riku!

Quick Takes

Twwk: I was really excited to read this opening volume! I haven’t read any of the D.N.Angel manga series, but I have a fondness for the anime—a series that I kind of hated at first, but kept with regardless, and ended up really enjoying. But it’s been a decade or more since I’ve watched it, so I expect that reading the manga will feel fresh for me—and that’s indeed how I felt after volume one!

Laura: It seems there are several people who have a fondness for the anime because when Yen Press announced the manga license, I asked Twitter if I should pick it up since I knew nothing about the story, and I had several comments saying “YES!” Ha! I’m truly glad I listened, because after reading this first volume, I can see why so many people love this story! Definitely grateful on behalf of readers like myself who now have the chance to experience the story for the first time!

Twwk: Well, let’s see if we enjoyed it as much as others have, or if we’re more like our co-writers and friend, Josh, who, let’s just say, isn’t a fan. On with the review!

Throwback Artwork

Twwk: Oh, such lovely, 90s goodness! While there are many manga series these days featuring art that I absolutely love, it is a thrill to read something from the time period where I first picked up manga. Not only that, but the artwork is particularly beautiful in this volume! Yukiru Sugisaki’s characters look very, very late 90s/early 00s in their design (think of a heavy CLAMP influence), but this isn’t repetitive slop; the designs are really pretty. And this edition is incredible! What a marvelous, golden cover, and the other few color illustrations within are gorgeous as well!

Laura: I admittedly am not familiar with, or at least have not read many, late 90s series; and I confess that as a result, I didn’t really know how I would feel about the art? It was so fun, though! I don’t have that nostalgia to match, but I loved the art style a lot; I also second your thoughts about those colored pages! There was one of Daisuke and Dark back-to-back that I couldn’t get enough of because of the emotion and body language expressed on page!

Twwk: I love that point about the expression. The mangaka is really a strong artist—it’s not just “how they look” but what they convey. I was expecting a staid, 90s artstyle but was reminded that these mangaka are truly artists. Lovely stuff!

Of Transformations and Love Quadrangles

Twwk: If Daisuke transforming into a handsome thief on his birthday (to be pursued by a handsome classmate) and suddenly falling into a love triangle between sisters isn’t the most manga storyline you’ve ever heard, it’s pretty close. Admittedly, the plot is thin, and the execution of the storyline is weak; we don’t see many details about the art thefts, and I’m left totally confused about exactly when and how Daisuke turns into Dark. Or more like, which version of Dark he turns into—into the art thief himself or just taking on his appearance. The emphasis in this story, though, is on the feelings conveyed by the artwork and the developing romance, so I’m mostly happy to let the storyline slide into what’s sort of a mess.

Laura: If there was anything I was most surprised when reading this story, it was definitely that messy and complicated love square! Ha! I think when I first started reading, that was the first thing that I felt gave the away “age” of the manga! Speaking of, which team are we: Riku or Risa?? 

Twwk: Oh my gosh, Risa is annoying, but not nearly as annoying as in the anime. I warmed up to her pretty quickly after her initial dismissal of Daisuke. Regardless, I’m Team Riku all the way—she’s kind and responsible. What’s not to love?

Laura: I am so with you! I’m also Team Riku! I felt like I was sort of Team Risa in the beginning, because I thought she was super cute. Ha! But Riku quickly won me over for the same reasons as yours! 

Though considering I’ve been vocal online about not being a fan of love triangles, I’m surprised I felt unbothered by this one and let myself get swept up in Daisuke’s story. The moments of Dark making an appearance were rare, and I don’t know if I should be happy or sad: I adore Daisuke, but I love the shenanigans Dark brings! Ha! 

Twwk: Maybe it’s because it’s a core part of the story instead of just an arc or an excuse to keep things going? Either way, I agree that it’s not as annoying as the trope commonly is!

Laura: I do also agree that I did feel a little confused about Dark, especially when we see two versions of him and I had no idea who was who?

Twwk: 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Turning to the Dark Side

Laura: Speaking more about love triangles and squares, I think the romance somehow pushed the story and made it compelling. Poor Daisuke here is trying to figure out everything with his sudden transformation, and just wants his crush to like him back, but somehow she likes his “alter ego.” If that wasn’t bad enough, Dark’s crush seems to like Daisuke and thinks Dark’s a peeping tom. What a mess! Ha! I’m truly glad that past me never had to worry about “love genes” and a “transformation meter” to keep my feelings in check! Ha!

Twwk: That’s a funny point, but a good one as well, about not having to worry about these very manga complications! It’s a confusing time for young boys and girls of that age, and I think the manga conveys this very well. They feel one way one day, and another the next. How very adolescent! Plus, I kind of dig how the transformations from Daisuke into Dark feel symbolic of that age and the themes of finding who you are and growing up.

Laura: Yes, I agree with you! They really did feel symbolic, and I thought it was interesting how both sort of wanted to “explore” their other self. What I mean is Dark tells Daisuke in the beginning that he might as well let him take over because he (Dark) knows he (Daisuke) wants to be him (Dark). When Dark makes an appearance much later after Risa’s words cause some heartbreak, Dark comes out—but not as his normal self, as he’s “stuck” in Daisuke’s body. He tells Daisuke he’s going to make the most of this moment because he never gets to come out during the day. (Poor Daisuke—Dark really was wrecking havoc! Ha!) 

Twwk: I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention Hiwatari. We would call him “bait” these days, and he’s definitely there in part to express yaoi vibes (as shown by the girls who squee whenever he and Daisuke interact). Apart from that, though, I love how different he is from Daisuke, making a good counterbalance as both a mysterious friend and enemy to Dark.

Laura: I’m really looking forward to seeing more of his character! I enjoyed how different he was from Daisuke too, and how he really isn’t like all the guards carelessly running around during these heists who have no idea what’s happening! Ha! He’s extremely smart!

Final Thoughts

Laura: I often try not to let myself be too influenced online when it comes to new series and recommendations since my budget is already bursting with things I’m interested in, but this is a series I am so thankful I did get influenced on! I’m eagerly looking forward to volume two and hoping for nothing but happiness for Daisuke! I imagine nothing is going to be easy, but I’ll be cheering for him to stand strong!

Twwk: He’s so lovable—and I’m starting to feel similarly about Riku as well. I don’t know if I can continue with a long-running series where I already know much of what happens, but if the releases continue to be as beautiful and lovingly done as this one, I might just keep collecting and reading. Excellent stuff!

D.N.Angel New Edition is published by Yen Press. Volume one releases on November 11th.