Shurei continues to be a steadfast reminder to how to lead by example in the battle for changing social norms.
Creative Staff
Story: Sai Yukino
Art: Kairi Yura
Translation/Adaptation: Su Mon Han
What They Say
Though Shurei and Eigetsu passed the Imperial Exam with high marks, they are being bullied as they go about their duties as new civil servants in the palace. But it seems the pair may have found an unlikely ally…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Shurei continues to carry out her duties as a trainee public servant, and continues to be a target of hazing. To determined to give in to her pride, and after having come too far to back down now, she grins and bares it. Since she hasn’t given in to the pressure, her misogynistic unseen oppressor decides that if he can’t get rid of her by any means short of killing her. This includes claims of nepotism from her sponsor and blackmail.
The threat to Shurei in this volume almost seems comically inept. The very idea that a woman-hating official could convince Madam Kocho to do anything is absurd, and of course she just lures him deeper into his undoing.
Shurei isn’t along in her struggle though, Eigetsu is also being mercilessly hazed and Hakumei finds himself targeted with extra work for daring to help his two new friends. Even though Shurei can’t see the plot unfolding against her till it’s almost too late, she does discover a discrepancy inside one of the departments she’s been working for and decides to use it as the topic of her theses.
I always find myself feeling a bit conflicted about Shurei’s struggle to become the first female official of Saiunkoku. Her ‘stick-to-her-guns’ philosophy has won her fans in the court, and her positive attitude and diligent and solid work has proved she has what it takes. Inside, the work has to be killing her, and at one point in the comfort away from all her male friends she does break down finally. She is a strong female character, there’s no doubt about that.
Still, it always seems too convenient that she has so many powerful male friends. Would she be able to succeed without them? Everyone always needs a little help from their friends, but Shurei practically has an army, including her powerful family and uncles. (My concerns may have been addressed at a later point in the light novels, but the manga is only adapting the very first part of Shurei’s story.)
Shurei isn’t the only one struggling in this volume. Koyu is questioning his adoptive father’s intentions in having taken him in all those years ago. I feel for Koyu, having Reishin as a guardian can’t be easy. It takes Shurei’s father to clarify his brothers well meaning but poorly understood words to Koyu.
The volume feels short as the conclusion to the latest conflict has to wait for volume eight. Instead of driving forward into the counteract, this volume closes with a short story that tells of how Seiran became part of the Hong household and how he was given his new name. It’s cute, and I love these little additions to flesh out the characters, I just wish the volume itself was longer.
I’m saddened to see that Viz has dropped printing color pages as of this volume. I was hoping they’d stick it out for the few remaining volumes because the art for this series is lovely. It’s a matter of cost to copies sold, I’d imagine, which is a shame because this is a fantastic series and it should be more popular. I have to deduct a few more points for their printing because my retail copy has a vicious amount of ink bleed that’s very noticeable on the word balloon text. Obviously, this only applies to the print edition, if you’re reading the digital version this won’t be an issue. I just hope the digital initiative isn’t setting a new standard in how Viz treats it’s print editions.
In Summary
Shurei continues to reach for her dream, while her friends set up a counter attack to strike back at the corrupt official who do anything to stop women from rising in the ranks. With this volume being almost entirely set-up for a great take down, it feels short on content. The bad guy isn’t very threatening either, and clearly not very smart to go up against the daughter of the Hong clan. Still, more Saiunkoku is never a bad thing, and the art is as beautiful as ever.
Content Grade: B +
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: B –
Text/Translation Grade: A –
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: May 1st, 2012
MSRP: $9.99
