Tales of Hearts

Tales of Hearts was originally released as a video game for the Nintendo DS in 2008, featuring character designs by Mutsumi Inomata, a celebrated artist known for her distinct, ethereal style within the Tales franchise. The manga adaptation, illustrated by Kanno Wako, was produced to expand upon the narrative of the main characters, Kor Meteor and Kohaku Hearts, as they journey to restore Kohaku's shattered emotions. This adaptation serves as a companion piece to the core game, offering a condensed perspective on the complex themes of memory and human sentiment central to the series.

Kanno Wako’s artistic approach in this volume emphasizes dynamic action sequences and character-driven moments, aiming to capture the essence of the original game's JRPG aesthetic while adapting it to the rhythmic flow of a manga layout. The work was received primarily by fans of the Namco Bandai role-playing series who sought a deeper look into the world-building of the game. By distilling the sprawling gameplay into a readable format, the volume functions as both a memento for players and a standalone introduction to the series’ emotional core.