Ningyo Series

人魚の森

Ningyo no Mori

According to legend, consuming the flesh of a mermaid grants immortality, but the truth is far darker—eating it can lead to death or a monstrous mutation. Yuta, an immortal young man, travels across Japan hoping to end his eternal existence, a curse he has carried for over five hundred years after eating mermaid flesh. His search brings him to a hidden village of mermaids living underground. These mermaids preserve their youth and longevity by capturing young human women, forcing them to eat mermaid flesh, and then devouring them in turn. Mana, their newest capture, is about to be served as their next meal. Yuta helps her flee, and together they set out on a journey to pursue an ordinary life.

Adapted to anime

Mermaid Forest

Mermaid's Scar

Mermaid Forest

Mermaid Forest Specials

Background

Ningyo Series began publication in Shounen Sunday Zoukan and later moved to Weekly Shounen Sunday. It was published sporadically during its serialization. The original Japanese release was two wideband volumes and was incomplete; the second was complete in three small size volumes. The first two story arcs were serialized in English in the 1993 March issue of VIZ Media's Animerica—Anime & Manga Monthly magazine. The remaining stories were subsequently published in comic book format by VIZ Select Comics, with four issues to each part titled Mermaid Forest, Mermaid's Dream, Mermaid's Promise, Mermaid's Scar, Mermaid's Gaze and Mermaid's Mask, published from 1993 to 1995. The series was additionally printed in standard tankoubon format by VIZ Graphic Novels in three volumes titled Mermaid Forest, Mermaid's Scar, and Mermaid's Gaze, from December 6, 1994, to March 8, 1997. VIZ Media republished the title in four volumes as Mermaid Saga from July 14, 2004, to December 22, 2004, in the original right-to-left order. A two-volume collector's edition was later released. The series was also published in Argentina as Cuentos de Sirenas by LARP Editores from November 2008 to April 2009.

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