Tsubasa o Motsu Mono

Tsubasa o Motsu Mono, known in English as Those with Wings, was serialized in the shoujo magazine Hana to Yume between 1995 and 1998. Created by Takaya Natsuki during the early years of her career, the series functions as a fantasy epic that blends elements of supernatural adventure with the emotional introspection that would later become her hallmark style. The story follows a young woman named Kotobuki who encounters a boy possessing mysterious wings, sparking a narrative that explores themes of loneliness, destiny, and the search for belonging within a grounded, albeit fantastical, world.

The character designs and visual execution reflect the transitional aesthetic of late 1990s manga, balancing intricate, ethereal illustrations of the winged characters against the more grounded, relatable style of the protagonist. While the series is often viewed by scholars as a vital precursor to the massive success of her later work, Fruits Basket, it was well-received upon release for its ambitious world-building and the genuine vulnerability of its leads. It serves as a significant touchstone in Takaya’s bibliography, capturing a formative period where she refined her ability to weave complex psychological arcs into traditional genre storytelling.