Emma Volume 6: Christian Review and Parent’s Guide

In our review of Emma Volume 6, we will explore Kaoru Mori’s manga from a Christian perspective. Includes a parent guide.

This review is about volume 6 of the Emma series. For our review of volume 5, click here, and for our Emma series overview post with links to all of our Emma reviews, click here.

Synopsis of Emma Volume 6

Determined to be together against all odds, William makes plans to be with Emma, and it starts with ending his engagement with Eleanor. Emma is thrilled—until powerful figures behind the scenes begin working to ensure that she and William are kept apart.

Will Emma and William finally be together? How will Eleanor react to losing William? How will Eleanor’s parents, including her father, a viscount, react? How will William’s family react?

---

Review and Christian Perspective on Emma Volume 6

After a brief respite from nudity, and a volume focusing on reconnecting Emma and William (as well as revealing important information on William’s parents and the Merediths’ reaction to Emma and William’s romance), volume 6 of Emma introduces new conflicts and shows Dorothea in indecent dress again.

Unnecessary Nudity: Dorothea’s Bath Scene

Dorothea is shown fully nude while bathing. The nudity is not only unnecessary, but uncomfortable as well. There are many ways to portray a bath scene, but this felt like one of the most explicit options possible. Additionally, the nudity is distracting and takes away from the wholesome romance that should be focused on Emma and William. This continual addition of nudity is what makes this series inappropriate for preteens and young teens. Without it, it would be much cleaner—and although the mature themes would still persist, it would offer the opportunity for teaching about these relevant issues in the world, as well as a Biblical perspective on it.

The Kidnapping: A Pattern of Vulnerability *Spoiler*

Emma is kidnapped by Viscount Campbell’s order, and the moment parallels the day when she was kidnapped and nearly sold into pr*stitution in volume 2. But instead of being forced into a loveless arrangement where she must give up her body, she is being forcibly separated from the man who truly loves her—who doesn’t take advantage of her, and loves her for who she is.

Emma is portrayed as a fairly helpless and passive main character and doesn’t really fight back—she huddles in the corner and barely does anything, reflecting her passive nature and tendency to avoid actively fighting for her relationship with William. This parallel is frustrating because it breaks clichés in a way that feels emotionally disconnected and unrealistic. It weakens the romantic tension and makes it difficult to root for her because she doesn’t seem to take matters into her own hands. It also unintentionally sidelines her in her own love story, as her lack of agency makes her more of an object being acted upon than a participant in her own fate.

The Merediths: A Strong Marriage Example

The Merediths have a happy marriage, adorable kids they are raising well, and are truly a picture of healthiness. They are clearly still in love, have a very strong marriage (including sexually, which is implied in a couple of volumes). One of the best moments in volume 6 is when Dorothea is reflecting on the situation with Emma and how she has disappeared. She wonders if Mr. Meredith would try to find her if Dorothea disappeared.

Dorothea, clearly in a bit of an existential crisis, asks if it’s because of their children, and Mr. Meredith (a very smart man who obviously knows it’s a trap) confirms that it’s because he loves his wife, and then they kiss. It’s an adorable moment echoing Ephesians 5:25.

The Jones’ Marriage: Strain and Tension

This, of course, contrasts deeply with the Jones’ marriage. The Joneses have lived apart for quite some time, causing strain in their family. When Aurelia asks her husband if he regrets that they married, he says yes and no—causing Aurelia to agree with him (168–169). It’s really sad to see two people, who we watched fall in love in volume 5, have so much relational tension—a stark contrast to the Merediths.

Vivian’s Immaturity: A Character Who Struggles to Grow

Vivian (Vivi), who hasn’t really made a positive impression on us in the past (she flipped out rudely at Emma when she was waiting in the parlor for Hakim, flipped out when she learned about Emma’s existence…basically, she hates Emma with a passion and is highly immature), gets additional character development in this volume, and it continues to reveal her as immature and unlikeable.

We discover that Eleanor, upon finishing a book Grace lent to her, gives it to Vivi, telling her to pass it on to Grace after she finishes it herself. This is a concerning choice on Eleanor’s part, as this book is questioned for its age-appropriateness by Grace, when she discovers Vivi obsessing over the romance and plot-focused novel with swords and fighting.

When Vivi discovers Arthur reading it later, she flips out and acts possessive about the book, as if it’s hers and not actually Grace’s to begin with. Vivi also becomes obsessed with the idea of her getting things from William and Eleanor’s honeymoon, and her getting a baby sister (clearly not understanding how families work), and her getting to go to the store with the women and leaving her little brother behind.

All of this paints a rather troubling picture of Vivian’s character development, showing immaturity and selfishness. Philippians 2:3–4 ESV: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Her actions, and character, serve very little purpose except perhaps to establish the threshold of what a prissy and stuck-up rich girl is.

Eleanor’s Self-Image and Excessive Focus on Appearance

As already mentioned, Eleanor is shown to be questionable in her judgment, as she gave Vivian a book that is far from age-appropriate. Another concerning moment happens when William comes to visit her—she frantically tries to make herself look beautiful for him. It’s not her desire to look nice for William that’s bothersome; it’s her excessiveness in doing so. She spends time trying on dress after dress, focusing on her appearance, instead of focusing on her heart posture.

1 Peter 3:3–4 ESV: “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

Perhaps she feels insecure in her relationship with William and worries that he doesn’t truly love her. While that’s a valid observation, it still shows us that Eleanor doesn’t have great judgment and is far from a good fit for William. Emma is very humble and plain—hard work is extremely important to her—and fashionable things and money are not the types of things she cares about.

---

FAQs for Emma Volume 6 by Kaoru Mori

---

Conclusion: Emma Volume 6 Review

Ultimately, Emma Volume 6 deals with a lot in the short volume. Emma is kidnapped, William breaks up with Eleanor, and we see a starkly contrasted view of marriage from both the Merediths and the Joneses.

As the author says in her afterword, “Nothing will come out of any of this if the rich boy doesn’t get off his bum and start looking for Emma!” (179).

I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to make steps, lose his relational laziness, and save Emma, who is currently en route on a ship to America.

To jump to our Emma Volume 7 post, click here. To return to our Emma series overview post, click here.

---

Emma Volume 6 Content Guide

Sexuality and Nudity in Emma Volume 6

• Back of the cover: Eleanor shows cleavage and is in her corset getting ready.
• Pages 53–57: Dorothea is seen nude while washing, full breasts visible; she talks about enjoying baths and romance, but it’s not sexual.
• Eleanor tries on dresses, with typical cleavage shown.
• The book they have been reading is a love story, so they talk about kissing and hold each other.
• Children bathe.
• Maids, Dorothea, and Mr. Meredith all speculate on whether Emma eloped or not.

Language in Emma Volume 6

• “Dastardly”
• “Barmy”
• “Balderdash”
• “Arse”
• “Odd bod”
• “Cad”
• “Did you have a row?”
• “Bumpkin”
• “Stale withered crone”
• “Bleeding chance”

Violence and Gore in Emma Volume 6

• Emma is kidnapped, gagged, tied up, and thrown into a wagon.
• A shouting match occurs between Mr. Jones and William, where William refuses to marry Eleanor, resulting in tension and anger.
• William’s siblings read books with fencing, romance, and action.

Frightening and Intense Scenes in Emma Volume 6

• Emma’s kidnapping.

Substance Use in Emma Volume 6

• Smoking is mentioned multiple times throughout the volume.
• A pub scene features both alcohol and smoking pipes.
• Drunks appear in certain scenes.
• Hakim is seen smoking with his girls.
• Smoking is mentioned again in the context of various characters and scenes.

Spiritual Elements in Emma Volume 6

• A cross is seen on a headstone when Al walks by the cemetery.

Cover Photo Credit: Screenshot of Emma Volume 6 cover by Kaoru Mori on Amazon. Under fair use for review/commentary/criticism/education. All rights retained by copyright owners.