historical fiction manga

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Lenni Reviews: “Elusive Samurai” Vol. 15, by Yusei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Tokiyuki has joined forces with Kitabatake Akiie and Go-Daigo’s southern court to seize Kamakura again but faces a powerful enemy when they try to get through the pass.

Shina is still the MVP. She’s so interesting and cool that the story had to nerf her just to make room for the others. I’d read a side series about just her. The other good thing about this volume is Takauji getting a brain blast to compare being 17 in two vastly different time periods. I think the message rings hollow to prefer being in blood, life threatening battles as a child instead of living in relative peace and worrying about the future of your job with the advent of AI. I’d rather worry about AI than worry about getting shot at, honestly. This was overall okay. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 14, by Yusei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After Tokiyuki’s loss to the Ashikaga forces, he has retreated from Kamakura. Two years later, Emperor G0-Daigo and Takauji are fighting for control of the land.

After a section dedicated to the use of human excrement as fertilizer and bomb-making material, we have Tokiyuki looking for allies so he can take on Takauji and they’re a bunch of weirdos. His new allies even include the son of his enemy, Nitta. It’s a twist for Tokiyuki to have to trust these new people in battle and navigate dealing with so many different types of warriors while increasing his own skills. He’s also not directly in charge, so things have changed for him and it’s nice to see most of this have tactical thinking. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Firefly Wedding” Vol. 1, by Oreco Tachibana

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Satoko is a Meiji Era noblewoman with a heart condition who has a duty to her family to get married; as she feels it will prove her worth. She knows her time is limited so when she is kidnapped, she offers the man hired to kill her – Shinpei – her hand in marriage in exchange for her life.

This manga manages the seriousness of the situation and the doofyness of our main pair very well. One second they’re fleeing Satoko’s captors in a bloody massacre and the next Shinpei is gushing about what married life will be like with the biggest puppy dog eyes. So, be aware there’s a ton of violence. I actually hope they work this out and get together as he’s really interesting and Satoko is stronger than most characters give her credit for. She’s like a less annoying Akemi. I am so excited to see what happens next. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 13, by Yusei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After the loss at Sagami River, Yorishige faces the consequences of supporting the Hojo rebellion. But Tokiyuki refuses to allow it, offering Ashitaka a challenge: If he can kill Tokiyuki, he wins. But if Tokiyuki escapes, Ashitaka loses everything.

I want Tokiyuki to win using all these abilities and lessons we spend 12 volumes watching him learn; to finally see everything come into play and feel satisfying. But, I felt kinda bored reading this one. At least the scene with the challenge was effectively done. Other than some of the creepier enemies I’ve seen in this series, it was nice for a one-on-one with “normal” combatants. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 12, by Yūsei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Tokiyuki is back home now in Kamakura with his retainers as the battle still is not over. They seek out master swordsmith, Masamune. Emperor Go-Daigo sends Takauji to kill Tokiuki.

Ya’ll I thought we were done. I really thought this was gonna end with the last volume because Tokiyuki and his army took back the city but yeah, I should have known this would keep going since Takuji is still out there. Other than that, the weapon upgrades in this were interesting and Shina is a great addition to the cast. I really want to see more of her. Her back story is compelling and utilizing her regularly would make for some unique battles. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 11, by Yūsei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

It’s all hands on deck for the final battle for control of Kamakura an when a formidable master of horses, Imagawa joins the fray, it may not be enough for Tokiyuki to evade and survive to face down the man who killed his family and friends.

As a heads up, the while thing with Imagawa and his horses is sad and super gross. I physically recoiled from what he was doing to that poor animal so, trigger warning for that I guess? It was so damn out there that when Tokiyuki finally goes up against anyone else, I was still fixated on the horse. The art style does really well with gore/body horror like this. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 2, by Daruma Matsuura

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

With Tsuki gone and his memory tampered with, Konosuke struggles to get through the day as he knows he has lost something important. Meanwhile, a traveling medium named Aki has the ability to see a person’s fated death and through a chance encounter she learns her fate is entwined with Konosuke’s.

Now the real story is coming into play with a strange request for Tsuki and her captors going after Konosuke, who of course is going to try and get her back. Aki is a hoot as well as a capable addition to Konosuke’s quest. I did wonder where this was going to go after how the first volume ended and I see a lot of potential in this adventure. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 10, by Yūsei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Tokiyuki and his allies face the Kanto Hisashiban, each enemy presenting a unique and challenging ability.

Yeah, the horse guy sucks. Poor horses…

I think what keeps this series from entertaining for me as much as it could is the main character. I don’t need my main characters to always be like Mizu from Blue Eyed Samurai; extremely flawed and powerful but the original fire for Tokiyuki to get his title back in the beginning of the series is down to sparking embers. It’s all barely holding my interest. There are bits that hold my interest and keep me turning the pages at the spectacle of it all but deep down, I don’t feel as invested. 3 out of 5

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 1, by Daruma Matsuura

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Ryundo Konosuke is destitute, homeless, and cursed to repel any metal he is near so he can’t wield a sword. As his mother wished for him to become a warrior, his dreams seem impossible and he decides to take his own life. However, he is saved by a mysterious woman who offers to marry him.

As the volume unfolds, I managed to get attached to Konosuke and wanted him to be happy. It’s a cute story so far; his new wife is genuine and they get alone well. The art is expressive and the fantasy elements leave just enough unsolved to make you keep reading and find out more. It’s intriguing. 3.5 out of 5.

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“Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 9, by Yūsei Matsui

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Hojo Tokiyuki has revealed himself as the last heir to the decimated Hojo clan, putting him in an exhalted position among his comrades but also in the crosshairs of his enemies.

There’s something about this series that feels haphazard. A setup is made that feels bombastic and then it’s all just stuff. It’s very unorganized and all over the place. I mean, yay for the good guys but it’s hard to get invested in whatever is going on. 2.7 out of 5.

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