Manga Review: House of Five Leaves, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

I've finished "House of Five Leaves Vol. 1" by Natsume Ono.

Product Description

R to L (Japanese Style).

A best-selling series from one of Japan's most respected authors. Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naive and  different nature has more than once caused him to be let go by the lords who employ him. Hungry and desperate, he agrees to become a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a group calling itself "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious and mysterious outlaws.

About the Author

Natsume Ono made her professional debut in 2003 with the webcomic La Quinta Camera. Her next works, not simple and Ristorante Paradiso, met with both critical and popular acclaim. Her current series House of Five Leaves (Saraiya Goyou) is running in IKKI magazine, and Gente (a continuation of Ristorante Paradiso) appears in Erotics F magazine.

Product Details
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (September 21, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421532107
ISBN-13: 978-1421532103

My Review:

I highly recommend this manga if you like historical mangas with blood, sex and violence!

Part of the story line is meant to revolve around Yaichi, the leader of the group of Five Leaves, who is meant to be a beautiful and mysterious character, which the author wants us to be intrigued by him and want to find out more.  I thought he was pretty mysterious and beautifully drawn.

Akitsu Masanosuke another of the main characters is shy and reserved but quite good with the sword.  He doesn't look very threatening so people take advantage of him and he doesn't show his true colors until he draws his sword.

4/5