Manga Review: Kaze Hikaru, Volume 24, by Taeko Watanabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2016

Volumes: 37+

Spoilers?: No.

Volume: 1. 23.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the 1860s in Japan, a new era is dawning. During this time fraught with violent social upheaval, samurai of all walks of life flock to Kyoto in the hope of joining a band of warriors united around their undying loyalty to the Shogunate system. This group became one of the greatest (and most infamous) movements in Japanese history...the Shinsengumi!

When word arrives that the renowned assassin Sakamoto Ryoma is active again, the Shinsengumi must come up with a plan to stop him. Sei, still undercover as the male warrior Kamiya Seizaburo, tries to persuade her superiors that he’s not the threat they believe him to be, but to no avail. Will she take matters into her own hands, despite the risk to herself and her troop?

Review:

I can see why some people might enjoy this series more, if they’ve been following along and they’re fans of historical stories. I think I might just not be the audience for it.

In this volume, there’s some serious possible consequences, as Sei tries to help the enemy and gets caught. It realistically shows how hard staying with the law and gender laws can be during the time; though the conclusion is maybe not totally realistic. There’s some humor thrown in, and some romantic hints. And then the second half of the volume, we get a background story for two main side characters, whom I know little about in the main story.

I’m just not a fan of historical stories, I think, so this series isn’t really for me. Even the humor doesn’t really hit me.

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