Deck Review: Mystical Manga Tarot

Rann (artist) and Barbara Moore (author), Mystical Manga Tarot. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2017. ISBN: 9780738753539. (Link to the publisher.)

Genre: Tarot deck..

Subgenre: manga.

Format: 78-card deck with companion book in a hard box.

Source: I own this one.

 

This kit has a 78-card deck and a full guidebook. I first used this deck in December 2022. The guidebook is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction. This provides a short overview of the book's contents and organization.
• Chapter 1: Glossary and F.A.Q.'s. This includes a list of Tarot terms defined and ten common questions answered. For beginners, the FAQ is worth reading. 
• Chapter 2: How to do a reading. Instruction on how to do a Tarot reading. Chapter features two sample readings with two different spreads. Chapter ends with some additional suggestions to keep practicing your cartomancy skills. 
• Chapter 3: Spreads. Five additional card spreads in addition to the two from Chapter 2. This chapter provides detailed instructions for using the spreads. 
• Chapter 4: The Major Arcana. After some introductory writing about the Major Arcana, you get the card entries. Each card entry includes a full color image of each card, description of card, divinatory meaning, advice, and if reversed, ask yourself questions. I like that reversals are not just an opposite or negative but rather opportunities to reflect and take some action. Entries include a full image in color of the cards.
  
• Chapter 5: The Minor Arcana. This chapter includes the four suits with the court cards. For each card entry you get divinatory meaning, advice, and reversed. Entries here are not as substantial as the Major Arcana, a situation common in many Tarot books. However, for learners you still get enough information to aid your learning. However, for learner you still get enough information to aid your learning. Entries here include a full image in color of the cards. 
• Conclusion. A brief closing statement from author.
• Appendix A: Further Study. A small briefly annotated list of books for further reading. The list features 14 books. I've read five of the books on the list. 
• Appendix B: The Fool's Journey. A look at the Fool's Journey story that is often useful for students of Tarot. 
• Finally, the book has a few blank pages to write down notes. 

 

Justice-XI

Barbara Moore wrote a good and informative book. The book offers a lot of solid information, especially for beginners. The book is keyed to the Mystical Manga Tarot, but much of the material is applicable to most Tarot, especially if you use the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) system. The book is easy to read, and its lessons are very accessible. If you get this kit, I do recommend reading the book no matter your knowledge level. 

French artist Rann does the art for the cards. If you like manga and/or anime,  you'll probably enjoy this deck. The art is very colorful, but it is not overly bright. Colors can be a bit calm, soft. The soft coloring was a reason I chose to use this deck in December for the holidays season. You can use this deck year round, but I think it works very well for winter season. 

The art is pretty much within the RWS system. You can think of this deck as an RWS clone in manga style. Deck kit can be a good gift for new Tarot learners; they get a good colorful deck with easy to read art and an informative companion book. I am a manga reader, and I certainly enjoyed using this deck. I am at a stage where I can read cards on my own, but I did appreciate reading the book and keeping it nearby just in case it was needed. 

Four of Cups

The cards are the typical Llewellyn thin card stock, which people either love or hate. The card stock works well for me, but if you shuffle your cards hard then the deck may be less durable. Card stock is flexible, feels soft to the touch. The cards shuffle with ease. All numbered cards use Roman numerals. The only cards with a name label are the Major Arcana and the court cards. Cards measure about 4 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches. The card back image is reversible. 

Overall, I really like this light and playful at times deck. Its ease of reading makes it a good choice for beginners as well as advanced readers who want a basic RWS-inspired deck. This is a deck that can work for all ages, and it is one I would use to read for others. Bottom line is you get some good value from this set. I am glad to have it in my collection, and it is one I'd be happy to give as a gift. 

5 out of 5 stars.