Golondrina is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Matsuri Akino. It is known for its blend of historical drama, dark fantasy, and romance, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition.
Plot Summary
The story takes place in 16th-century Spain, a period dominated by the fear and persecution of the Spanish Inquisition. The protagonist is Estella, a young woman accused of witchcraft. As she faces her imminent execution, she is dramatically rescued by a mysterious and enigmatic man known only as Golondrina. Golondrina is revealed to be a cursed, winged being, seemingly immortal and carrying a heavy burden from his past.
As Estella navigues a world filled with religious fanaticism, superstition, and danger, she becomes entangled with Golondrina, whose existence challenges the boundaries of human understanding and faith. Their relationship develops amidst the backdrop of historical events and supernatural occurrences, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, redemption, and the true nature of good and evil. The narrative delves into Golondrina's origins and the reasons behind his curse, while Estella grapples with her own identity and newfound purpose alongside this extraordinary being.
Publication
Golondrina was serialized in Hakusensha's shōjo manga magazine LaLa from 2004 to 2009. The individual chapters were collected and published into a total of 9 tankōbon (bound volumes) by Hakusensha under their Hana to Yume Comics imprint.