The Knight and Her Emperor

Heyum and Winter’s sturdy manhua debut, which adapts an online light novel by G.M., offers a simple but relatable fantasy: appreciation for a job well done. Pollyanna, the unwanted daughter of a minor noble family, is sent to die in a war, but she refuses to play into her own sacrifice and throws herself into military training. “Survive, no matter what,” her gruff, bearded mentor instructs her, because “that’s the best revenge you can get on your parents.” Pollyanna’s superiors don’t appreciate her fighting skills or her genius for strategy, but Luxos I, the ambitious young king of rival country Acrea, becomes curious about the soldier who’s been predicting his moves. After he convinces Pollyanna to defect to his side, they set out together to defeat all rival forces and unite the continent. With this intriguing setup established, the opening volume settles into formulaic RPG-style plotting, as Pollyanna works her way up through the ranks, racks up experience, and overcomes the skepticism and sexism of her new comrades. The brightly colored artwork is more efficient than elegant, but that’s appropriate for a rational, no-nonsense heroine who eschews luxuries. Pollyanna’s butch-styled character design nicely contrast to King Luxos’s golden-haired bishōnen prettiness. Though this offers few surprises, it’s comforting fare for romantasy fans. (Feb.)