I was already a fan of Twisted Wonderland from the mobile game and previous manga series, so it was an absolute treat getting to see all my favorite characters with the introduction of the Octavinelle crew! I also love how each "book"/dorm series has a different protagonist who contrasts with the dorm leader (or antagonist[?])! I am looking forward to continuing this series.

This is another lovely installation in the world of Twisted Tales. I truly am enjoying that each different novel has different a different main student being highlighted. This is very true to the game as each different player would have a main avatar they use in the game. So having so many different avatars really shows how different the world can be while still allowing the main characters in the world to shine. I loved that Yu is able to use his talents to try and save his fellow students from a deal gone wrong.
Thank you to Viz Media and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this graphic novel.

Honestly, I felt rather out of my depth reading this manga. There were several things working against me from the start, the first being that despite this being Volume 1, I am clearly lacking some serious degree of background knowledge about the world to be able to follow all of this in a way that results in the plot making even the slightest amount of sense. The second is that, apparently, this follows a set of manga series, of which this is not the first—I’m guessing this is an area in which a lot of the necessary knowledge to be able to appreciate this story will be found. And the third, something I wasn’t aware of until I started perusing the reviews, is that this is apparently based off a video game series?

So, I entered this story feeling entirely off kilter, not following anything because none of it had the sort of build up necessary for the story to work. And it just got worse and worse the farther in I got. All of this ultimately leads me to feeling that I can’t be certain of an adequate rating for Twisted Wonderland — Book of Octavinelle. It begs the question, would I have rated this higher if I’d read the previous ones first? If I’d played the video game?

I can’t say for certain.

What I can say, however, is that this truly does not work as a standalone and it’s not clear from the outset that it’s a part of a series to anyone who isn’t already super familiar with the source material.

Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga – Book of Octavinelle, Volume 1 offers fans of the franchise an immersive dive into the enigmatic world of Night Raven College. This volume introduces readers to a new protagonist, Yu, who is unexpectedly transported from his mundane life delivering food at his family's restaurant to the magical realm of Twisted Wonderland. Enrolled in the college, Yu quickly becomes entangled in the peculiarities of his fellow students, particularly the Octavinelle house, led by the shrewd Azul Ashengrotto. The narrative unfolds with Yu uncovering the unsettling perfection of his peers' academic performances, setting the stage for a deeper mystery.

The manga's storytelling effectively captures the essence of the original mobile game. The character designs are faithful to the game's aesthetic, and the plot delves into the darker aspects of the Octavinelle house, drawing inspiration from Disney's The Little Mermaid. Azul's character, in particular, is portrayed with a blend of charm and menace, reflecting his complex nature. The inclusion of subtle Disney references, such as the naming of Azul's lounge, adds a layer of depth and nostalgia for fans.

Visually, the manga excels with its detailed artwork that enhances the storytelling. The use of color, especially the dominant purples and blacks on the cover, sets a moody and atmospheric tone that aligns with the narrative's themes. The illustrations are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve to deepen the reader's connection to the characters and the world they inhabit. Overall, Book of Octavinelle, Volume 1 is a compelling addition to the Twisted-Wonderland series, offering both newcomers and long-time fans a rich and engaging experience.

Thank you @NetGalley and @VIZMedia for the ARC. This a great start to a really good series. Takes place in a magical school and a boy named Yu is stuck there not sure how to get home. He has no magic to protect him from those who do, but has made a friend with a magical cat. Yana Toboso takes us down to an alternate Wonderland filled with monsters and a boy greedily collecting magic to make him powerful.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fast read and I enjoy anything by Yana Toboso. Some kids learn the hard way that there’s no shortcuts in life. What seems like an easy thing, turns into something more. My students love reading manga and it’s Disney; so they’ll be excited to get their hands on this book.

Book of Octavinelle, Vol. 1 dives back into the surreal, stylish, and occasionally sinister world of Twisted Wonderland with another dorm-focused arc—this time spotlighting the slippery, scheming students of Octavinelle. Once again, Yu is caught in the middle of magical mayhem at Night Raven College, where nothing is ever quite what it seems—even something as ordinary as good test scores.

This volume delivers exactly what fans of Twisted-Wonderland want: clever nods to Disney villains (this time inspired by The Little Mermaid’s Ursula), beautifully stylized character designs, and a plot that blends mystery, school drama, and just a dash of danger. Azul, Jade, and Floyd steal the show with their charisma and calculated charm, making the Octavinelle dorm an entertaining and unpredictable focus.

The story leans heavily on the original game’s charm and worldbuilding, which can be both a strength and a weakness. While returning fans will enjoy the layered character dynamics and inside references, newcomers may find the pacing a bit disjointed without context from the previous volumes or mobile game.

Sumire Kowono’s art is a standout, capturing the eerie elegance of Night Raven College with fluid paneling, expressive characters, and a rich attention to costume and setting detail. The humor lands well, especially in Yu’s reactions to the absurdity around him, balancing out the darker undertones that simmer beneath the surface.

With its mischievous tone, eye-catching visuals, and intriguing magical mystery, Book of Octavinelle, Vol. 1 is a strong installment in the Twisted-Wonderland manga series. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it plays its part well—clever, chaotic, and delightfully twisted.

As we get closer and closer to the Disney Twisted-Wonderland anime adaptation, the manga continues to unfold. Next month, the “Book of Octavinelle” gets an English translation courtesy of Viz Manga. That means new dorms, new students, and a new protagonist leading the story! What happens when a new Yu thwarts the schemes of a contract-wielding housewarden? Read on and find out!



Welcome to Octavinelle

As with every new installment of the Disney Twisted-Wonderland manga, we get a new protagonist. In the game, of course, the hero is you—or “Yu”—a faceless exchange student from the real world. With each new “book,” the protagonist gets a new face and personality. This time around it’s Yuta Mito: a cheerful young man with a love for food and cooking. And that’s a skill that will come in handy when faced down by Octavinelle’s housewarden!

As the story commences, the school’s grading curve has been thrown all askew. Turns out it’s because Azul Ashengrotto, housewarden of the underwater house Octavinelle, has signed a contract with a large number of Night Raven students. In exchange for a flawless study guide, they must rank in the top 50 for the test. Fail, and they’ll be forced to work at Octavinelle’s Mostro Lounge ’til they graduate. Considering many more than 50 students signed that contract, the new “employees” are understandably upset!



A Fairy Tale

Azul Ashengrotto is, like the other protagonists of Disney Twisted-Wonderland, inspired by a Disney villain. As you may have guessed from the ocean theming and contracts, he mimics Ursula of The Little Mermaid. Accompanying him are Floyd and Jade, inspired by Ursula’s moray eel sidekicks Flotsam and Jetsam. And, much like Ursula, Azul offers contracts that tend to fall apart under a little scrutiny. He’s always going to come out the winner.

As with Ariel and her voice, Azul’s customers must offer something as collateral. This time around, he’s collecting elemental magic and signature spells. What is he going to do with all this power? Players of the original game likely already know!



The Adaptation

Storyboarder Wakana Hazuki and artist Sumire Kowono reunite for the latest Disney Twisted-Wonderland manga adaptation. Together, the pair bring Black Butler creator Yana Toboso’s Disney bishonen fantasy to life. The decision to cast a new Yu in each house’s story is a clever one. The new perspective keeps the story fresh, and it mimics the multifaceted view the fans will have brought to their own playthroughs of the mobile game.

This extra characterization also offers changing stakes and priorities. For example, Yuta gets pulled into doing Dire Crowley’s dirty work on threat of having his ingredient budget cut. That’s a real threat when our hero is out in Ramshackle Dorm cooking up the most delicious dumplings we’ve seen in a manga in ages. But how will this protagonist handle Azul’s threats? We’ll have to find out as the series continues!

This has nothing to do with wonderland. It’s an academy plot modern male protagonist. Other than the misleading title the graphics are ok.

Fun story with a good lesson, showing kids that taking shortcuts is rarely the way to go, and to always be careful when making deals. I would definitely be interested in adding this series to my library for my juniors.

I love the Twisted Wonderland series and was excited to see a new series in that world. Good even if you don’t play the game. This one is from Yu’s POV. He’s 16 and works in his father’s restaurant, Manpukuken. He was delivering an order when he came upon the black carriage and suddenly found himself in the world of the Twisted Wonderland. The art is fantastic as always and this time Grimm and the others have signed a mysterious contract. As a result, they are now servants indebted to Octavinelle. It's up to Yu and classmate Jack to help their classmates out of a jam! I found this story interesting and I can't wait to see where it goes….”these poor unfortunate souls”. Azua is up to something- just what that is remains to be seen. Beautiful manga!

Beautiful artwork, interesting characters, and a fast-paced story. My only complaint is that I wish it had more background for readers who don't play the video game.

I love the Twisted Wonderland series. This story is told from the point of view of Yuta Mito age 16. He was delivering an order from his father's restaurant when he found himself in the world of the Twisted Wonderland. The art is amazing as always and in the book of Octavinelle the students sign a twisted contract. They become servants indebted to Octavinelle. It's up to Yuta and classmate Jack Howl to help their fellow classmates out. This book is beautiful to look at the story is interesting and I can't wait to see where it goes.

A fantastical twist on classic lore, Twisted Wonderland brings Disney’s villain-y side to life with a new set of characters and story.

I know that these manga are based on the mobile game of the same name and want to preface this review by saying that I know next to nothing about the game. This also led me to realizing that despite the numbering, this is not the first book in the series, so I didn’t (and still don’t) have any previous context when delving into this volume.

Yu has been transported to the fantastical world of Twisted Wonderland where he’s enrolled at Night Raven College. Exam season has arrived, and Yu’s friends have signed a deal with the mysterious prefect of the Octavinelle dorm in order to get good scores on their exams. Now that the exams are over, the Octavinelle prefect has called in his part of the deal, forcing Yu’s friends to serve him for the rest of their time at Night Raven College. Now Yu must figure out how to free his friends from their deals.

Even though I had no previous experience with Twisted Wonderland, I found myself able to pick up most of the context within the first dozen pages or so. I liked the premise of this volume and the series as a whole even if I found the characters to be rather unlikable. I thought the twist on classic Disney lore was fun and wholly different from other Disney franchises like Descendants. It’s also nice in that it doesn’t rely heavily on previous Disney knowledge. Someone with no prior knowledge could easily step into this manga without a problem (although, I would recommend starting at the beginning!).

I loved the art style. While it definitely has the traditional manga-style, the detailing in each of the panels was fantastic! The illustrations were beautiful, and it’s clear the artist spent a lot of time bringing the world to life. I also liked that Yu didn’t look like the usual manga protagonist. It set him apart as a character and also stood as a reminder that he’s different, that he’s been whisked away to a world that isn’t his own.

Overall, while this book wasn’t something I might normally pick up, I think that it’s something that young teen readers will love. It’s a step more mature than traditional Disney without being overly violent for older teen and adult readers. It also has that edge of dark villainy to it that a lot of teens like in their fiction.

VIZ Media provided an early galley for review.

I am all in for more Twisted-Wonderland adventures. I really like the colors on this one's cover too; the purples and blacks really pop.

As this one opens, we're introduced to the newest incarnation of Yu. As with previous arcs, the main character changes appearance, background and personality. Given that the manga is based on a video game, Yu changes each story as this is a stand-in for the game player (Yu is meant to be "you", the player).

We are also diving further into the Octavinelle house with its house-warden Azul and his two enforcers Jade and Floyd. This house, like its matriarch Ursula, comes from a very dark place. I always liked her as a newer Disney villainess, so her house is especially interesting to me. The power and threat that Azul provides is a strong one and very different too from those the crew has encountered in other storylines in the series.

Of course, there are always Disney Easter eggs in this manga. I had to smile at one in particular - the name of the lounge that Azul's house runs as a business. I am all for bringing in aspects of Disney classics that are not specifically covered by the seven houses in the school.

The artwork, as always, is amazing. I'd rank that manga art from this series right up there with art I've seen over the years from some of my favorite American comic book artists.