【Anna Komnene】 A Comical Depiction of the Byzantine Princess's Childhood!? The Educational Historical Manga Anna Komnene is Fascinating!

“Anna Komnene,” a historical romance set in medieval Europe, traces the dreams and growth of a princess. The story of Anna, a Byzantine princess who grows up amidst political turmoil at the end of the 11th century, is woven around ambition, scholarship, and family bonds. It vividly portrays the magnificent growth of Anna Komnene, the Byzantine Empire's unparalleled female historian, from her childhood, with breathtaking beauty and comical, understandable fun.

The narrative centers around Princess Anna Komnene, who, despite dreaming of becoming an emperor, is tossed by fate. As her dreams drift further away with the birth of her brother and the death of her fiancé, she finds a new dream with her husband Nikephoros Bryennios, despite being forced into a political marriage. Her inner strength, ambition, and the joy of learning are beautifully depicted.

In the background of the court, conspiracies are constantly swirling, with thrilling developments such as the sudden seclusion of Anna's grandmother, Anna Dalassena, and the pursuit of the truth behind a past assassination attempt on the emperor. The way Anna and her husband Nikephoros each seek the truth invites readers into the depths of the story.

The depiction of Anna awakening to scholarship under the tutelage of her tutor Theodorus Anemas gives a sense of the position of women and the importance of education in society at the time. Additionally, Anna's growth, learning the weight of the emperor's position through the experience of being betrayed by someone she trusted, is moving.

This manga is in vivid full color on every page and remarkably adopts a four-panel format. It presents historical backgrounds and complex conspiracies in an accessible, comical four-panel style, making it enjoyable even for those who are not fond of history. The cuteness of Anna and Nikephoros grabs the reader's heart.

Anna Komnene is a work that can be enjoyed without a deep knowledge of history. Anna's spirited and direct nature contrasts beautifully with Nikephoros's calm and intelligent demeanor. This story is not just a historical manga; it depicts the development of their relationship, conspiracies within the political backdrop of the Byzantine Empire, and a deep love for family and education. The growth of the captivating characters and the various challenges they face showcase the depth of history and the new possibilities of manga in a splendid way.