Who Needs Plot When You Have Carpets: A Review of Otoyomegatari
By Soham Dey
So you find out about this kind of obscure manga called Otoyomegatari. Maybe a friend tells you, maybe you see it while stalking Top Manga on MAL, maybe you see some panels from it on reddit or Instagram, or maybe you read about it on some anime club’s medium blog. A slice of life manga about nomadic life in Central Asia? Sure, seems interesting enough. You open your good ole’ illegal manga site, not entirely sure what to expect. Then this absolutely gorgeous first panel hits you in the face, and for the next 13 (and counting) volumes, Kaoru Mori sucks you into her world.
Otoyomegatari( tl “A Bride’s Story) is an ongoing manga series drawn and written by Kaoru Mori (known for Emma, pretty popular in Japan, not as much outside of it) which follows the lives of several different ‘brides’ in 19th century Central Asia. The series mainly focuses on Amir, a beautiful woman skilled in archery and horse-riding who comes from a distant village to marry Karluk, a boy eight years younger than her, in an arranged marriage. The manga explores their relationship, the relationships of other such ‘brides’ along the Silk Route, and is just a brilliant showcase of the culture of the region.
For me, Otoyomegatari’s main appeal lies in its worldbuilding and portrayal of Central Asian life. See I’ll be honest, my uneducated self would find placing Uzbekistan on a map difficult, forget knowing about their culture and lifestyle. Basically, I knew nothing about the culture that this manga was going to explore; and I’m sure this applies to most people who pick up this manga. Yet, the slow slice of life pacing of the manga when combined with Mori’s beautiful and painstakingly detailed art breathes life into every village, every town, every city and every person that she draws. Otoyomegatari reads like an extremely well researched documentary done in the style of slice of life. Mori’s historical accuracy and attention to detail is insane. She explores the entire Turkic lifestyle — from their marriages to politics to food and clothing.
I especially love the emphasis she puts on clothing and embroidery. She establishes the importance Turkic embroidery carries in their culture, how it carries on from generation to generation, and actually practices this emphasis through her art! Whether its background tapestries, or character clothing, the attention to detail she puts in embroidery really helps build realism and immerses you into the story.
Although I used the word ‘documentary’, Otoyomegatari is far more personal, warm and comforting than your average documentary. The warmth comes through its absolutely endearing cast of characters and their relationships. Like most great slice of life manga, although the series mainly just chronicles its characters’ everyday lives, in doing so it tells brings out drama and romance between its characters wonderfully.
Okay yes. She’s 20. He’s 12. Yes, Japanese media has a tendency to do creepy stuff with age gaps. But I request you to not club Otoyomegatari in with your typical ecchi comedy. The age gap isn’t used for comedic or perverted purposes — as a manga set in 18th century central Asia, it only adds to the historical realism and it sets up a very interesting relationship to explore and navigate. Mori deals with Amir and Karluk’s relationship with patience and maturity. It’s honestly the most wholesome shit ever. As you read the manga, you live life with them, as they tackle the roles that come with marriage, slowly get to know and understand each other. Their relationship is full of warmth and love that Mori slowly builds up. Watching Karluk try and be mature for his older wife and Amir just doting on him is the cutest thing ever.
The main couple aren’t the only interesting characters however — the side characters all have fascinating stories of their own. There’s Henry Smith, an (obviously) British traveler living with Karluk’s family. Through his eyes and travels we meet many other ‘brides’. Aside from Amir and Karluk’s story, which is recurring throughout the series, my favorite arc was one that showed up in volume 7.
This arc focuses on a homoerotic relationship between two women — a theme I absolutely did not expect from a manga about 19th century Islamic Central Asia. It introduced the practice of ‘Khwahar Khwandagi’, where two women become ‘avowed sisters’ — basically besties for life. I love how Mori subverted her very own premise of ‘bride stories’ by focusing on the relationship of a bride not with her husband but rather with another woman.
Aside from just romance, there is an overarching theme of drama — political drama even, as the manga is set on the brink of an impending Russian invasion. There’s tensions between different nomadic tribes and families, such as Amir’s family (who serve as very well developed antagonists), with which come several action packed chapters. The dramatic arcs and slice of life arcs work very well and in balance.
I recommend this manga to anyone into slice of life, romance and drama and to anyone who would like to learn more about a fascinating culture depicted not too often in popular media, portrayed through absolutely gorgeous art. Otoyomegatari was an extremely educational yet warm and comforting read, that felt like listening to stories about a distant land while wrapped around in a comfy, fluffy quilt. 10/10 please go read.
