Manga Review: Shuriken and Pleats, Volume 1, by Matsuri Hino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 22, 2016

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When the master she has sworn to protect is killed, Mikage Kirio, a skilled ninja, travels to Japan to start a new, peaceful life for herself. But as soon as she arrives, she finds herself fighting to protect the life of Mahito Wakashimatsu, a man who is under attack by a band of ninja. From that time on, Mikage is drawn deeper into the machinations of his powerful family.

Review:

Mikage has been trained her whole life to be a ninja, and she’s devoted to the master she’s been given, who treats her like a daughter. When she’s forced to move on from him, she finds herself helping a new man under attack by ninja. She’s not quite ready to move on, but decides to stick by this man until he’s safe, at least.

I like that we’re given a real reason for her devotion to her previous master. He took care of her, and she looked at him like a father, when her real one was never there for her. He wanted her to be a normal girl, and so now she’s going to try and fulfill his last wish.

I’m intrigued to see more of her time at school. She’s an odd one there, what with her ninja training and instincts, and I liked the few glimpses we got of her there. It looks like she might be forming some friendships, and I hope there’s more of that in the next volume.

I’m an always fan of Hino, so of course I will be following this series. I’m looking forward to the next one.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!