Creative Staff:
Writer/Artist: Rinko Ueda
Translated by: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
What They Say
Goemon and Mamezo are taken hostage by the Kanbutsu clan, and the price for their lives is an “Instant Death” poison, which Usagi must create. Their captor, however, seems intent on killing Goemon whether Usagi makes the poison or not…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This volume definitely takes a more serious turn with the resolution of numerous issues that had been initiated in the last two volumes. And while there is still a lot of humor to be had here, it takes a back seat to story progression. Ueda sensei knows where she wants to go with this story and she keeps it moving and lively.
At the end of volume #5, Usagi, Mamezo, and Goemon (and, it turns out, Mamezo’s pig) have been taken captive by the Kanbutsu clan in Kouga. The only way that Usagi can win their freedom is to create a poison that the Kanbutsu clan can use to immediately dispatch their enemies. Of course, Usagi, the conscientious and responsible healer that she is, raises objections, and we are treated to a flashback that demonstrates just how Usagi’s respect for the responsibilities of the herbalist was engendered. But Usagi makes use of the intelligence and quickness that she has recently shown to find a solution that has more than an effect on the immediate situation. Ueda sensei lets us know that Usagi has turned a corner with respect to adulthood by depicting Usagi very often in her more mature character design.
There are quite a few big revelations in this volume. One of them is given away on the back cover – the one-time friendship of Goemon and Hikaru. We get to learn what brought them together, what drove them apart, and what caused Goemon to break off his engagement to Usagi. BL fans will raise an eyebrow over one particular act of Hikaru’s (other than Hikaru calling Goemon his “dark angel”) but, just as Ueda sensei does, I’m leading you on.
We also learn what Hanzo’s sister, Suzune, has been doing with her years away from home. In her parting words to Hanzo, she lets him know that he should marry Usagi immediately, for Usagi’s much sought after skills as an herbalist would bring stability to Iga. However, even with Suzune’s blessing, Hanzo insists that Usagi qualify as a ninja. He may care for Usagi very much, but he is immovable on this point.
In Summary:
In the closing pages of this volume, Master Tanba, Usagi’s great-grandfather, visits Iga just in time to see Usagi tearfully fail at her ninja training once more. He apologizes to Hanzo for burdening him with Usagi, verifies that Hanzo will not marry Usagi until she becomes a qualified ninja, and to an astonished Hanzo – breaks off the engagement!
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: B+
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: A-
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: August 7th, 2007
MSRP: $8.99
