The Dragon's Betrothed, Vol. 1

The story begins with author Chiharu Izunome having writer’s block, so he visits his hometown. While waiting for his friend, Tsukasa, Chiharu discovers a passed out and hungry person called Rin. Chiharu feeds the strange Rin while they talk. Rin is waiting for his bride he only saw when he was younger. When Tsukasa picks up Chiharu, he wishes Rin good luck finding his bride. Rin briefly introduces himself and asks for Chiharu’s name. When Chiharu says his name, Rin quickly realizes that is the name of the bride he was promised, like in the old story of the dragon and the farmer’s daughter. In the vehicle, Tsukasa discusses how Chiharu should have a family and increase tourists by making a best-seller book. Chiharu’s old friends, Tsukasa, Yuri, and Kota, all make Chiharu and his dog, Urara, feel welcome as their neighbors. Chiharu pays his respects to his Grandmother Shizue’s shrine. Shizue is the one who raised him, even when she wrote her own best-selling books. When Chiharu and Urara walk near the pond to grab some flowers for Shizue’s shrine, they come across wild boars on the attack. Water Dragon Rin appears to ward them off from his beloved bride. Chiharu passes out from this nightmare, only to discover that it is all real. Rin sits at the table to eat with Tsukasa, Yuri, and Kota until Chiharu pulls him aside and tells him he needs to leave. Rin describes the story of how Shizue promised Chiharu as his bride. Chiharu rejects Rin’s offer to become his dragon bride and live together in the pond near the house. Rin is determined to make Chiharu his bride; he even causes a storm to prevent Chiharu from escaping him. Despite Chiharu’s best attempts at refusing Rin’s love, he slowly begins spending more time with him, teaching Rin what it is like to be a human. I love how Rin transforms his individual body parts into a dragon and the tickle war between Rin and Chiharu. Rin becomes Chiharu’s and Yuri’s student and remembers what Shizue said about Chiharu’s likes and dislikes. Rin uses everything he knows to bring Chiharu and himself closer together. However, Chiharu’s aunt presents a problem when trying to squeeze every yen she can from Chiharu for staying at his grandmother’s place. Also, dark forces are at play that may prevent Rin and Chiharu from being together. This is the first volume written and drawn by Meguru Hinohara I have read. I love the narrative and characters. I can tell Chiharu’s aunt and the dark fox Tenko will be problems in the future. I do love the story. I enjoyed reading it. With all these obstacles, it appears Rin may never win Chiharu’s heart. I hope that’s not the case. Rin has been working so hard at cooking, laundry, and even working at his part-time job. I know many manga authors use overall basic storyline ideas, but I believe this one brings uniqueness to the scenes. Good job overall with the story and art. I can’t wait to read the next volume and see what happens next.