The Bottom of the Sea

Living in a secluded seaside village, Wakashio, the youngest son of the chieftain, finds himself burdened by the weight of expectations and tradition. In the midst of his constrained life, he discovers an unexpected connection with Yakaze, a mysterious member of the reclusive forest tribe that borders his village. Their secret meetings across the boundary between sea and forest become Wakashio's only escape from his rigid duties. However, their forbidden bond faces challenges from both the strict social divisions between their peoples and those who would see their relationship destroyed. As tensions rise between the coastal and forest communities, Wakashio and Yakaze must navigate not only external threats but also the ancient mysteries that bind their two worlds together. Set against a backdrop where sea and forest cultures clash and intertwine, this is a story of love that transcends boundaries—between different peoples, between life and death, and between what is possible and what is forbidden. Through supernatural elements and the depths of human emotion, it explores whether two souls from different worlds can ever truly be together. (Source: Kasakura Shuppansha, translated)