ANNARASUMANARA

What's with the strange title, you ask? Well, it's the title of the manhwa which I just finished reading. It's Korean (obviously, since I referred to it as manhwa), and it's the most thought-provoking thing I've read in a loooong time. I'm used to drowning myself in comics where the protagonist becomes all-powerful, demonstrating his abilities through millions of sword fights or w/e. Therefore Annarasumanara was something entirely new to me.

The plot speaks of a mysterious magician who asks people whether they believe in magic. Ai, a girl living in poverty, juggles the fantasy which the magician creates for her and the harsh reality that is her life. Now at this point you're probably thinking "GAAAAAAAAAAAY" and I don't blame you, this doesn't sound like teenager reading material. Despite this, the themes present in the manhwa is just so beautifully sophisticated, and so very relevant to what I face in my life right now.

I guess I can't say much without spoiling the story for you. Though most of you won't be bothered, for those of you who can spare a night to read, please do. There are few things in the world which can cause my heart to wrench (I am in no way insinuating that I am cold-blooded), but this is one of them.

And because I know you're a lazy-ass, here's the link.
[Annarasumanara]
 Read, goddammit.