Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 9

Arina Tanemura is a popular shojo mangaka, and one of her works currently being translated into English is Sakura Hime, a magical shojo story that puts a twist on a famous Japanese legend. Volume 9 has recently been released, and you can read on for the review. (Also, for those who are interested, you can click here for my reviews of earlier volumes).

The story centers on Sakura, the granddaughter of the Moon princess Kaguya. As her descendent, Sakura wields the power to defeat Youko, monsters from the Moon, but Sakura’s Moon heritage also means she’s predisposed to becoming a Youko herself…

Back Cover Blurb

Princess Sakura has been staying at the estate of Fujimurasaki, the future emperor. Fujimurasaki tells Sakura he loves her and keeps her hidden from Aoba. Sakura yearns to be reunited with Aoba, but he’s to marry Princess Yuri…

The RevieW

With Volume 9, we get the conclusion of the Princess Yuri introduction arc, which is lighthearted in one respect but heavy on the other. Regarding Yuri’s anger toward Sakura, its basis turns out to be something completely stupid, and she quickly folds as a rival for Oura’s affections, thanks to conveniently well-timed intervention from Fujimurasaki.

On the other hand, we discover that Oura struggles with his own curse. I’d thought his wolf form was the result of magic skills training, but his situation is actually closer to Asagiri’s. I should note that in the pages where Sakura witnesses the effects of Oura’s nightmare, it is unclear which panels depict reality and which are Oura’s thoughts. At any rate, this revelation not only deepens Oura as a character, it heightens Sakura’s feelings for him and adds a layer of urgency and tragedy to their romance.

The story then shifts from politicking to espionage – of sorts. Of Kohaku and Hayate, I’d considered Hayate to be the more capable ninja, but I am reconsidering that assessment. Apparently, Hayate has his weaknesses, and though his interactions with Rurijo were probably intended to showcase his kindness, he winds up looking pathetic as a ninja (and a man). Shuri, on the other hand, makes for a much more impressive ninja. He only appears on three pages in this volume, but that’s enough to get you wondering what kind of game the double agent is playing. Between his and Rurijo’s activities, a rematch with Enju’s forces appears to be imminent.

By the way, Volume 9 includes several extras including bonus funnies and closing remarks from Tanemura-sensei and her assistants.

In Summary

Sakura Hime continues to take a break from Youko attacks and battles with moon people to focus on intrigue and romance. In fact, the only time Chizakura shows up in this volume is when Sakura has a jealous fit. The trouble stirred up by Princess Yuri gets resolved much too easily, and the Rurijo/Hayate chapters make me lose all respect for Hayate as a ninja, but the volume does provide new insight into Oura’s past that makes him a much more interesting character.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Sakura Hime Vol. 7

Arina Tanemura is a popular shojo mangaka, and one of her works currently being translated into English is Sakura Hime, a magical shojo story that puts a twist on a famous Japanese legend. Volume 7 has recently been released, and you can read on for the review. (Also, for those who are interested, you can click here for my reviews of earlier volumes).

The story centers on Sakura, the granddaughter of the Moon princess Kaguya. As her descendent, Sakura wields the power to defeat Youko, monsters from the Moon, but Sakura’s Moon heritage also means she’s predisposed to becoming a Youko herself…

Back Cover Blurb

Every time Asagiri uses her powers, she shortens her life span. In spite of this, she continues to use her powers to fight her former lover, Ukyo. Though Ukyo will not attack her, this is a fight Asagiri cannot win.

The RevieW

Volume 7 is a mixed bag. In addition to battle scenes, there’s drama and suspense. Most of the romantic anguish stems from the conclusion of the Ukyo/Asagiri fight, and those who prefer their love stories tragic will eat up the ultimate fate of the star-crossed lovers.

There’s also angst of a different sort between Sakura and her brother. After chapters and chapters of inner turmoil, she finally accepts the fact that he is no longer the gentle person she once knew. However, Tanemura-sensei plays this less as a rift between family members and more as a woman struggling to let go of her first love. Though it has been mentioned in this series that sibling marriages were acceptable in the Heian era, hearing Sakura refer to Enju this way does give off a squicky vibe.

Following the Ukyo/Asagiri duel, Aoba (not surprisingly) proceeds to battle Enju for Sakura. But Tanemura-sensei throws us for a loop by pitching Sakura in an unexpected fight against Rurijo and then heightens matters with an astonishing reveal about Enju’s ultimate goal. Unfortunately, the final conclusion to the Shura Yugenden isn’t quite satisfying (all that firepower and manpower and the bad guys still get away?), but it does ensure that Sakura will face Enju again – and this time with full knowledge of what’s at stake.

By the way, Volume 7 includes several extras including bonus funnies and closing remarks from Tanemura-sensei and her assistants.

In Summary

The Shura Yugenden arc reaches its conclusion. Though the ultimate outcome of the battle is predictable, what Sakura discovers in mid-battle should take you by surprise.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Sakura Hime Vol. 5

Arina Tanemura is a popular shojo mangaka, and one of her works currently being translated into English is Sakura Hime, a magical shojo story that puts a twist on a famous Japanese legend. Volume 5 has recently been released, and you can read on for the review. (Also, for those who are interested, you can click here for my reviews of earlier volumes).

The story centers on Sakura, the granddaughter of the Moon princess Kaguya. As her descendent, Sakura wields the power to defeat Youko, monsters from the Moon, but Sakura’s Moon heritage also means she’s predisposed to becoming a Youko herself…

Back Cover Blurb

Aoba and the others storm Enju’s hidden palace to rescue Sakura. Byakuya must defeat Maimai for the key to the tower where Sakura is being held. Maimai is a ruthless killer, but Byakuya is about to unleash her secret powers…

The RevieW

At the end of the previous volume, Byakuya looked like she was in deep trouble, but given her abilities and wisdom, you’d suspect she’d be able to get out of it on her own. And she does – in a manner that’s surprising in more ways than one. Apparently, Sakura and Asagiri aren’t the only ones capable of transformation, and Byakuya’s triumph over Maimai unveils a previously unseen aspect that gives the hitherto mundane sage an air of mystery.

The story then moves on to the next fight between Kohaku and the deserter ninja Shuri. Those who are fans of the ninja characters will enjoy flashbacks of Kohaku, Shuri, and Hayate as children, but the focus is less on Enju’s minion Shuri and more on Kohaku.

With this arc, it feels like Tanemura-sensei’s trying to inject a bit of Naruto into the series with the ninja village and the child ninja who wants so badly to become the next leader. Kohaku, however, is not the underdog that Naruto is. As the current leader’s daughter, she’s hardly an outcast, and she’s beloved by her peers. So she doesn’t evoke the level of sympathy Naruto does and comes across instead as a klutzy crybaby, especially when she vows never to cry again and is bawling seven pages later. Given the mistakes Kohaku’s made thus far in the series, seeing her holding her own against Shuri is a bit of a stretch. It’s also rather strange that the Prince and the others don’t just leave Kohaku to dispatch Shuri and go rescue Sakura. Instead, everyone takes a seat to watch the fight, as if it’s a match in the ninja chunin exams, despite the fact that they’re very much in enemy territory.

By the way, Volume 5 includes several extras including bonus funnies, bonus illustrations, and the 50-page one-shot White Rose Academy: Vampire Rose.

In Summary

The Maimai/Byakuya battle ends with a surprising revelation. The story then moves on to ninjas Kohaku and Shuri. Through a series of flashbacks, Tanemura-sensei casts an air of tragedy over the fight between former friends, but from a battle standpoint, her depiction of the duel feels flawed.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Sakura Hime Vol. 4

Arina Tanemura is a popular shojo mangaka, and one of her works currently being translated into English is Sakura Hime, a magical shojo story that puts a twist on a famous Japanese legend. Volume 4 has recently been released, and you can read on for the review. (Also, for those who are interested, you can click here for my reviews of earlier volumes).

The story centers on Sakura, the granddaughter of the Moon princess Kaguya. As her descendent, Sakura wields the power to defeat Youko, monsters from the Moon, but Sakura’s Moon heritage also means she’s predisposed to becoming a Youko herself…

Back Cover Blurb

Sakura is taken away by Enju to live in his hidden palace. Once there, Sakura comes face-to-face with a mononoke who looks and sounds exactly like her. Sakura has met her double, and her double wants her dead!

The Review

The story really picks up in Volume 4, mainly because of the introduction of Enju’s minions. Though the Youko had given Sakura and company enemies to face against, the monsters weren’t that interesting and didn’t last that long. Team Enju, on the other hand, is not only comprised of a unique array of personalities, but two out of the four have some past relationship with Sakura’s friends.

All of Enju’s henchmen have had moon power bestowed upon them, and these chapters include lengthy flashbacks on the origins of Rurijo and Maimai. These detours don’t detract from the story though; they actually make those individuals and their actions more compelling. The flashbacks also provide additional layers of depth to Enju’s character.

As for Aoba and company, they aren’t completely sidelined. With Sakura trapped in the enemy’s lair, they of course must play hero, and their assault against Enju’s fortress is where we get most of the action in this volume. Even so, it’s the bad guys who steal the show, and the nice thing is that Enju lays out fairly clearly what he’s after and why. After Aoba’s earlier waffling between killing and loving Sakura, Enju’s straightforwardness is rather refreshing.

By the way, Volume 4 includes several extras including a bonus story about Asagiri, comics created by Tanemura-sensei’s assistants, and a special interview between Tanemura and one of her assistants.

In Summary

The plot gets vastly more interesting, thanks to the introduction of some fascinating characters on Enju’s side. The battle aspect of this series continues with Aoba and company launching an assault on Enju’s fortress, but as Tanemura-sensei mentions in her closing notes, the shonen story she originally aimed for has taken more of a shojo flavor with past histories and complicated relationships taking center stage.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 3

Arina Tanemura is a popular shojo mangaka, and one of her works currently being translated into English is Sakura Hime, a magical shojo story that puts a twist on a famous Japanese legend. Volume 3 has recently been released, and you can read on for the review. (Also, for those who are interested, you can click on the links for my Fandom Post reviews of Volume 1 and Volume 2).

The story centers on Sakura, the granddaughter of the Moon princess Kaguya. As her descendent, Sakura wields the power to defeat Youko, monsters from the Moon, but Sakura’s Moon heritage also means she’s predisposed to becoming a Youko herself…

Back Cover Blurb

Sakura, still grieving Oumi’s death, must fight the powerful youko of Uji. But she finds herself no match for the demon’s poisonous vapor. It’s time for Kohaku and Hayate—with a little help from the full moon—to step in.

The Review

Have you ever read such a bad scene that it jolted you out of the story? That was my experience with the conclusion of the Snake Youko fight. The monster attacks with poisonous vapor, Sakura hurries to protect Aoba, and then… nothing. During the span of time it takes ninjas Hayate and Kohaku to run to the nearest stream, have an attempt at romance, and bust the side of the riverbank, the fight between Sakura and the Youko remains at a complete standstill. No attempt to escape by the humans, no attempt to finish them off by the monster (seriously, he’s just staring at the helpless couple when he could be taking a big bite). I suppose this is a shojo manga, and perhaps the main purpose of the scene is to convey Sakura’s feelings for Aoba. However, Tanemura has also set Sakura up as a princess warrior, and from a battle standpoint, it makes no sense.

Another puzzling development is the introduction of human-form Hayate. Considering he’s been in the story since Chapter 3, his once-a-month change feels like a belated add-on. I don’t have any problems with his character; considering the cast is heavy on the females, it’s good to have a male buddy for Aoba. I just get the impression that the story details are handled poorly.

At any rate, we end the Snake arc with the demise of a couple human characters, the addition of one human character (sort of), and resolution of where Aoba and Sakura stand with one another. That done, we move on to the mysterious Enju, and as mentioned in Tanemura’s closing notes, this is where the story actually begins.

Though Sakura’s brother was mentioned at the very start of the story, we have almost no information about him other than Sakura loved him dearly. As such, it is little surprise when the focus of the story returns to him. There is an initial element of *eww!* as the details arise in a girl conversation about romantic love (Tanemura-sensei does mention that sibling marriages were okay back then). However, once we learn the true fate of Sakura’s brother, Enju not only becomes more compelling a character but the lines of good and evil become blurred. With members of the court actively manipulating Sakura for their own purposes, conflicts are no longer solely about humans versus Youko. While this makes the story more interesting, the court’s hot/cold attitude toward Sakura is still confusing, and whether or Tanemura-sensei can get all these elements to jibe remains to be seen.

In Summary

We finally get resolution on Sakura’s and Aoba’s true feelings for one another. Having settled that, we move onto something infinitely more interesting: the mysterious Enju. Tanemura-sensei does a good job of blurring the line between friend and foe, but the exact relationship between humans, Moon people, and Youko and Sakura’s place in all of that remains to be clarified.

If you’re looking for beautiful shojo Heian-era artwork, Sakura Hime has plenty of it, but weak plotlines make you cringe, steer clear.

First published at the Fandom Post.