Beautiful art that is simply magical to gaze upon unique enchanting cosy which all would be potential home runs being potential favourite yet there is one major reason why that is simply not the case. Before going into it I will highlight the positives. I really liked these shorter and more focused narratives. Where it doesnt go needlessly long but has a specific theme and story thread it focuses upon. Not too short to build attachment but neither too long to feel it is overstaying its welcome. Its an episodic story a slice of life of Rans life as a 10yearold sorceress but it also focuses on other characters. It might be my favourite aspect of the story the lives characters have outside of the protagonist. It does have an overarching narrative and does touch upon the themes of adulthood in a clever way which is reinforced in the ending and the afterword. The artwork by Aki Irie is simply elegant. She has such a striking art style that you cant help but be enraptured by it. It captures that folklore aesthetic and how its integrated in the real world. The character work in general is quite nice I liked Ran Jin and her parents Sango and others. People who have brief introductions but certainly feel like they belong. Now comes the bad Outarou. This decision is so baffling I really dont understand what the author was thinking concerning this decision. Like I do get the overall goal the theme she explores with such a deplorable character. Yet it doesnt really see this as the only avenue there were much better ways to explore adulthood. The only thing Im glad about is that he doesnt do anything too serious to Ran a kiss is the real extent. Lets just explain how this is wrong on so many levels bro is already a womaniser and treats women like crap. Then a 10yearold who can transform into a busty 16yearold wearing certain magical shoes crashlands in his house and then he makes creepy advances on what he understands is a 16yearold girl. Which is already disgusting but the fact she is 10 years old and as the story goes along Like its actual pedophilia and the worst thing is the manga barely condones it or reprimands his disgusting actions and intention. I truly couldnt care less about this individual and the authors decision to include this character in what could have been a truly great manga is puzzling. On a side note a great comparison is Mushoku Tensei. Yeah people often view that series with some serious bad faith but the problematic and polarising aspect of that series is important as the author doesnt glaze it aside but acknowledges it and explores it. Here the author barely acknowledges it nor is the character used in an interesting way to justify it. At the very least you do have a character who does end up loving her but not because that individual overly sexualizes her. I was so happy What could have been special and was great in many respects has one giant reason why it wont end up like that for me. Do I recommend it? Strangely enough yes if you like the first volume and can push through Outarou I will say continue reading it.