Tail of the Moon: Vol. 5

by Rinko Ueda

Synopsis
Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

Usagi is reunited with Hanzo, but Usagi's bliss ends abruptly when Hanzo's sister Suzune pays a visit and starts throwing ninja stars at the happy couple. Suzune won't accept Usagi as a potential sister-in-law if she can't evade her deadly attacks. Can Usagi survive Suzune's ninja offensive?

Review
This volume doesn't necessarily have a lot of substance in it, but it's still fun to read. Well, except for when they introduce Suzune, who is a complete bitch. I swear, I wanted to strangle the woman and her horribly behaved children for how they treated Usagi and how Suzune judged Usagi before getting to know her. She also wouldn't take responsibility for her awful spawn's atrocious behavior, and insisted on blaming everyone on someone else, usually Usagi or Mamezo. But, it's not all bad, even though Usagi usually puts up with her abuse, she actually does stand up for herself after something really bad happens, which I have to say, I was really happy and proud of her for doing so. And, the best of all, is that this mess doesn't last very long, as Suzune and Usagi finally come to understand each other after Usagi learns how to do housework.

The last chapter has Usagi being kidnapped by the mysterious blond man she met in the last book. He puts her to work making medicines for injured Kouga ninja. It ends on a cliffhanger, where he's trying to persuade her to make a poison. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Final thought: I have to read the next book!

Tail of the Moon: Vol. 4

by Rinko Ueda

Synopsis
Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

Usagi will remain in Ieyasu's household forever, apart from her beloved Hanzo, unless she can come up with and elixir of eternal youth. Usagi journeys to a mountain to find a hermit who supposedly knows how to create such an elixir, but he has no intention of sharing his knowledge with her. Even if Usagi is successful, there are others who don't want to see her free to return to Hanzo's arms.

Review
There's really nothing wrong with this volume, but the story keeps playing out naturally, and it doesn't feel forced or artificial.

Usagi still has her goal of reuniting with Hanzo, and fortunately, she does in this book. It was interesting how the elixir of eternal youth arc played out. She actually did get ahold of it, but Yuki burned it out of jealousy. But in the end, it was for the best, as the hermit explains how difficult living forever really is. One sees all their beloved family members and friends die. That and no one can succeed you if you don't relinquish your position. So, somehow Usagi manages to convince Tokugawa that he doesn't need it either, and it's more important to focus on the next generations. This has the effect of motivating Tokugawa to unite Japan, which is cute if you know anything about Japanese history.

One hilarious part was when Usagi was imagining how she might make babies with Hanzo, and she got a nosebleed. (If you don't know, it means lust.) I thought it was rather refreshing that the woman would feel that way for once, as it's usually men who do.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Tail of the Moon: Vol. 3

by Rinko Ueda

Synopsis
Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

Lord Hanzo readily agrees to Ieyasu's offer to take Usagi away to work as an herbalist -- almost as quickly as he agree with Ieyasu that Usagi doesn't have what it takes to become a ninja! Hanzo seems unconcerned about having Usagi out of his life, but Usagi isn't faring as well. Lonely in a new place, Usagi crawls into Yukimaru's bed, much to his distress!

Review
This is such a crazy messed up series. It has a lot of humorous moments, and seems really goofy at times, but also, it can become really serious and develop the characters. Fortunately, I think that the humorous moments are genuinely funny, rather than obnoxious slapstick. Specifically, this scene where Usagi makes a "Hanzo comfort pillow" is just so ridiculous and priceless. But then, when the series shows how capable and strong Usagi is, when she and Yukimaru have to help a pregnant woman in distress. Hanzo sees this, and he comes to respect her more.

There was some potential for a "big misunderstanding," when Goemon doesn't deliver the letters that Hanzo and Mamezo sent to Usagi (and therefore doesn't get a response, which upsets Hanzo), but the author is above using such cheap methods to keep characters apart for long. The two characters talked about their sides of the story when the meet up, and all is forgiven. I really appreciate that, seeing as I've seen the big misunderstanding contrivance used too often.

The rest of the story involves a complex plot about finding an elixir of eternal youth for Ieyasu Tokugawa, which if Usagi does so, she can return to Iga to be with Hanzo, although I think he's already going to request that Ieyasu return her anyway.

Finally, something that has been annoying me, and in a series which takes place in feudal Japan, I believe I have the right to be annoyed. Whenever the characters write something, it's in English. How out of place. Why don't they use the the original art, and put translations next to the writing? Seriously, how ridiculous is it that Japanese characters are writing in English?

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Tail of the Moon: Vol. 2

by Rinko Ueda

Synopsis
Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

Usagi's mission to bear Hanzo's child is not going well. The father of her future babies has no interest in her, and she has a beautiful, brilliant rival. In order to regroup, Usagi goes back to her home village, arriving just in time for the annual Ninja Games -- and the prize is a love potion! In order to win the race, Usagi agrees to team up with her ex-fiance Goemon... and then Hanzo drops by the village unannounced! Who will win in this game of love?

Review
So much happens in this volume. Usagi wins the love potion, and rightly gives it to Hanzo, because she wants him to be happy, even if he gives it to princess Sara (technically, I think that should be lady Sara, because she's not a Princess). I was touched by how selfless she is (even though she thinks she's being selfish(!)), that she didn't secretly try to give it to Hanzo to make him fall in love with her. I won't spoil what happens, but this event seems to change Hanzo's mind about Usagi, and he rescinds his "I'm never getting married" mantra, and agrees to marry either Usagi or Yuki if they can qualify as ninja. I'm not really sure what changed his mind, though. Perhaps he began to notice Usagi's cheerfulness and resiliency and it touched him.

I shouldn't give too much away, but Usagi finally does get noticed for her herbalism skills, and is offered what is likely a prestigious position, even if she doesn't see it that way. All she can think about is how now she won't become a ninja, and therefore can't marry Hanzo. Again, I know she's single-minded about her goal, but I can't help but think that someone with herbalism skills, and someone who's close to Tokugawa Ieyasu, would be a great asset to a ninja, but Usagi just doesn't think that way. I guess that is one thing she doesn't have is confidence in herself. It would probably be hard at this point, considering she's been told she's stupid and a failure her whole life.

Still, I laughed a lot during this volume and want to see where it goes, and how Usagi's and Hanzo's relationship develops.

Final thought: I'll keep collecting this series.

Tail of the Moon: Vol. 1

(aka Tsuki no Shippo)
by Rinko Ueda

Synopsis(from the back of the book)
Usagi is the granddaughter of the leader of prestigious ninja village, but she's such a klutz that she's never made it out of the kiddie class. Frustrated with Usagi's lack of progress, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and have lots of ninja babies. But the lord has no interest in her or her childbearing potential!

The path to love is never easy and Usagi has some unexpected competition. It seems that another ninja clan wants to welcome Lord Hanzo into the family and they've sent the beautiful and talented Yuri to win herself a wedding. Usagi won't be daunted by her rival's looks and skills, but will Lord Hanzo's secret feelings for and off-limits princess be enough to send her away in despair?

Review
I picked this title up when I read a review that didn't like it. Funny thing is, the stuff that they didn't like, I do. I usually don't care for ninja stories, as they tend to be cliche, but this one really isn't.

I said I don't like goofy comedy, but for some reason, this one didn't bother me at all. Maybe it's because the goofiness isn't about hitting people, but is situational. The synopsis is actually a really good summary of what happens in the book. What they don't tell you though is how hardworking, genuine, and cute Usagi is. Sure, she's a klutz, and is always making mistakes and slacking off in her ninja studies, but when it really matters to her, she makes a real effort. She can be a bit naive, though, which can get her into trouble sometimes, but it's too cute to be very serious trouble. She's also not worthless, as surprisingly enough, she's an excellent herbalist. Perhaps it's just my opinion, but it seems like even if she couldn't pass her ninja qualification, it wouldn't matter because she'd be far more valuable for her medicinal skills. But oh well.

The "marry and have babies" premise is silly, sure, but I think it works. Usagi likes Hanzo instantly, though it's a bit sad to see him reject her over and over. Still, he seems to have his good moments too, perhaps a hint of things to come. There's competition, in the form of rivals and past lovers (for both Usagi and Hanzo), but based on the author's comments in the side panels, I don't think there's much to worry about. I don't think this is spoiler material -- the two main characters always get together in romances.

I definitely think this manga has a great start, and some genuine laugh out loud moments.

Final thought: I have to get the next book!