Seimaden #1

A beautiful maiden and a demon king —in the world of manga, these two go together like bacon and eggs. This complex tale follows a girl named Hildegarde and her star-crossed lover from the underworld, Laures. The romance is complicated by Hilda having no idea that she and Laures knew each other in another lifetime. All she knows is that a mysterious guy dressed in black shows up whenever her honor is in need of protection, a frequent occurrence since she's the best dancer in town and admired by many. When Laures appears to rescue her from an overeager fan, Hilda still can't remember their prior bond and starts questioning her own instincts: how can a down-to-earth girl like her fall for a boy in black from the wrong side of the tracks? Meanwhile, Laures's minions are loathe to let him pursue this uptown girl, and they're always trying to make him return to his deadly kingdom. All of these plot twists take place against a bland medieval background that's markedly lacking in supporting characters. You's work is highly regarded among fans, and her classic art style gives the story some mood and character, making the two protagonists striking enough to keep the romance engaging. (July)