Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 11 Paperback

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 11" by Arina Tanemura.

A supernatural fantasy from the bestselling creator of Full Moon and The Gentlemen’s Alliance +!

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her.

Kohaku follows Hayate into the woods and finds him there with Rurijo. Enju also witnesses the clandestine meeting and confronts Rurijo about her betrayal. Rurijo, now abandoned by Enju, vows to kill Princess Sakura.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.

Product Details
Series: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura (Book 11)
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (October 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421553732
ISBN-13: 978-1421553733

My Review:


4/5

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 10 [Paperback]

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 10" by Arina Tanemura.

Product Description

A supernatural fantasy from the bestselling creator of Full Moon and The Gentlemen’s Alliance +!

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her.

Rurijo captures the smitten Hayate and uses moon spring water on him. Princess Yuri, betrothed to Lord Fujimurasaki, seeks the private company of another man. And Princess Sakura is taken hostage by the emperor.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N, and ever since her debut Tanemura has been a major force in shojo manga with popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’s Alliance †. Both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into animated TV series.

Product Details
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Reprint edition (June 4, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421551373
ISBN-13: 978-1421551371

My Review:

In this volume Hayate has been captured by Rurijo and she uses moon spring water on him to make him human once again.

Princess Yuri engaged to Lord Fujimurasaki enjoys the companionship of MaiMai because both of them bask in their beauty.

Princess Sakura is kidnapped by the Emperor hoping to bring Enju 

4/5

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated! 

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 8 [Paperback]

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 8" by Arina Tanemura.

Product Description

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences rated teen.

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her ...

Enju and the followers of the moon are nowhere to be found after the destruction of the hidden palace.

Sakura has returned with Aoba, but the lovers may soon be parted again. The emperor has asked Aoba to take another bride ...

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N, and ever since her debut Tanemura has been a major force in shojo manga with popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’s Alliance †. Both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into animated TV series.


Product Details
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421541785
ISBN-13: 978-1421541785

My Review:

This volume picks up from Vol. 7 with Princess Sakura rescued from her brother Enju and living at the palace again.   

The emperor calls for Aoba for a meeting and orders him to marry Princess Sakura and to pick Princess Yuri as his concubine or else he will make Princess Sakura marry the Chief Councillor.   Aoba can't decide so that night he visits Princess Yuri and she decides to seduce him and when he becomes drunk and falls asleep she sleeps with him naked.  When he wakes up he has no recollection of what happened but he does know nothing really happened.

When Princess Sakura finds out he slept over at Princess Yuri's palace she is furious when he admits he did.  She slaps him and runs off while deciding not to talk to him.  She arrives at Lord Fujimurasaki's place but she doesn't know that until he appears.  Princess Sakura starts hanging around with Lord Fujimurasaki fishing and having fun.  He tells Aoba when he comes that Princess Sakura didn't come to him for help and Princess Sakura is in shock.  Lord Fujimurasaki finally admits that he loves her and wants her all to himself while preventing her from leaving.  We also learn a bit about his past.  

4/5

Manga in series:

1.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 1
2.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 2
3.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 3
4.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 4
5.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 5
6.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 6
7.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 7
8.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 8
9.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 9 - December 4, 2012

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 7 [Paperback]

Manga Review

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 7" by Arina Tanemura.

Product Description

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T.

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her ...

Every time Asagiri uses her powers, she shortens her life span. In spite of this, she continues to use her powers to fight her former lover, Ukyo. Though Ukyo will not attack her, this is a fight Asagiri cannot win.

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I.O.N, and ever since her debut Tanemura has been a major force in shojo manga with popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’s Alliance. Both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into animated TV series.

Product Details
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (April 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421541122
ISBN-13: 978-1421541129


My Review:

In this volume we start right back to the fight between Asagirl and Ukyo.  They both have a meaningful conversation and we learn that Ukyo joined Enju because he never forgot about Asagirl and was hoping to be able to find her.  He never blamed her for the destruction of their clan, he still loved her, he can't fight her and finally gave her the bracelet he wanted to give her for their engagement.  We also learn that Asagirl blames herself for the destruction of her clan, she still loves Ukyo but will choose to protect Princess Sakura.

Enju arrives and realizes that Ukyo has betrayed him so he hurts him badly.  Then he makes Princess Sakura fall asleep so he can control her like a puppet.  Then he orders her to kill Ukyo which she does with her sword and he bursts into dust.  Meanwhile inside Sakura's mind a voice is telling her to wake up and to escape by going through a mirror.  As she reaches the mirror Ririjo appears preventing her from escaping.  We later learn Sakura is inside her sword Chizakura world and finally learns Enju's deadly plans and how he plans to destroy all the humans.

Princess Sakura manages to fight the control Enju has over her and escapes with the help of Fujimurasaki.  She vows to fight Enju even though she still loves him but she realizes he's not Kai anymore.  She is determined to save her friends.

The cover on this issue is gorgeous as usual with Asagirl and Ukyo and I highly recommend this series if you like romance with some violent fights.

4/5

Other manga in series:

1.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 1
2.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 2
3.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 3
4.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 4
5.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 5
6.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 6
7.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 8 - June 5, 2012
8.   Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 9 - Aug 7, 2012

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 6 [Paperback]

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 6" by Arina Tanemura.

Product Description

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T.

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her ...

The battle between Kohaku and Shuri has ended, but Sakura is still held captive by Enju. Sakura tries to convince her brother that there are humans who will accept the moon people, but he will not back down. Enju tells Sakura she will soon need to choose sides and whom she is to destroy ...

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I.O.N, and ever since her debut Tanemura has been a major force in shojo manga with popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’ s Alliance † . Both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into animated TV series.

Product Details
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 142154024X
ISBN-13: 978-1421540245

My Review:

In this volume the fight between Kohaku and Shuri has ended but she isn't hurt too bad.  Shuri actually stabs himself and just jabs Kohaku in the stomach with the blunt end of the dagger.  He arrives back and apologizes to Enju that he lost and we learn a secret about him - he's actually on a mission for the good guys.

While back at the palace Aoba and the rest of Sakura's friends are planning on rescuing her when they are confronted by another of the Moon People Ukyou.  He was once Asagirl's lover but he resents her for an incident that happened awhile back.  He challenges her to a duel and we learn Asagirl's backstory.  She accepts his challenge and they start fighting.

Meanwhile on the Moon Sakura is begs her brother Enju to let her go so she can see her friends but he still refuses.  He tells her soon she will have to choose a side and whom to destroy.

I really enjoyed finding out Asagirl's backstory about her village and people.  Really liked her romance with Ukyou and I can get his point of view why he is so angry and hates her.

4/5

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Other manga in series:

1.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 1
2.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 2
3.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 3
4.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 4
5.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 5
6.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 7 - Apr 3, 2012
7.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 8 - Jun 5, 2012
8.  Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 9 - Aug 7, 2012

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura, Vol. 4 [Paperback]

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Sakura Hime Vol. 4" by Arina Tanemura.

Product Description

Reads R to L (Japanese Style).

Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her ...

Sakura is taken away by Enju to live in his hidden palace. Once there, Sakura comes face-to-face with a mononoke who looks and sounds exactly like her. Sakura has met her double, and her double wants her dead!

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N, and ever since her debut Tanemura has been a major force in shojo manga with popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’s Alliance †. Both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into animated TV series.

Product Details
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421538857
ISBN-13: 978-1421538853

My Review:

In this volume Sakura is taken back to the moon to live with Enju who we learn is her older brother.  He used to be very kind hearted and very protective of Sakura.  After a traumatic event he has really changed but still very protective of Sakura.  He punishes anyone that will hurt Sakura especially Rurijo.

Sakura comes face to face with Rurijo who looks exactly like her.  She is made of elk wood and needs to drink or swim in water to survive everyday.  She hurts Sakura very badly and then pretends to be her while talking to Enju.  Enju knows it's not Sakura and really hurts Rurijo while asking her what she did to Sakura and he would kill her if she hurts Sakura ever again.

We also meet Maimai who believes in beauty will win the day.  She also has her own fight against the old women who takes care of Sakura.

Both these characters are ones you can't help hating and feeling sorry for them too!

Also Asagirl gets a chapter just to herself.


4/5

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura, Vol. 3 [Paperback]

I've finished "Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 3" by Arina Tanemura.

Book Description


Reads R to L (Japanese Style). 


Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her ...

Sakura, still grieving Oumi’s death, must fight the powerful youko of Uji. But she finds herself no match for the demon’s poisonous vapor. It’s time for Kohaku and Hayate — with a little help from the full moon — to step in.

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N, and ever since her debut Tanemura has been a major force in shojo manga with popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, Full Moon, and The Gentlemen’s Alliance †. Both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into animated TV series.

Product Details
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (August 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421538849
ISBN-13: 978-1421538846

My Review (SPOILERS):

We open the book where we left off with the big snake and Sakura fighting it off but she's no match for the poisonous vapors.  Byakuya tells her Kohaku and Hayate and  to hurry and roll over the big piece of rock so the water could wash away the poisonous vapor cloud.  It's during the full moon and Hayate turns into his human male form and saves Kohaku from danger.  He asks for a kiss but Kohaku says they need to save the Princess.  They manage to save the day and the snake turns into the Councillor and Enju arrives and kills him.  He tells Sakura he will see her again.

In the second story Fujimurasaki tells Sakura he's going to take her to his home and we learn a bit about what it's like to live there.  Sakura isn't really to be going there because she wants to stay and be with Aoba who she loves.  Aoba isn't happy either and he's moping around and we learn he's very good friends with Hayate.  Kohaku overhears Hayate says he loves her and she treats him differently when he's in frog form and sometimes she carries him in her bosom and she tells herself she's never going to carry him again!

He's having a conversation with Hayate when he admits he loves her but he's not the best man for her. Sakura is behind them and she throws a temper tantrum and then she leaves.  Aoba follows her calling her name but she starts running.  She trips and he falls on top of her and then they kiss and admit they love each other.  Then they go see Fujimurasaki and tell him Sakura is going to live with Aoba instead of going with him.  They are leaving when Sakura looks back at him and waves.  We then see him with a sad look on his face.  I believe he has fallen in love with her!

We learn that Sakura was manipulated to fall in love with Princess Aoba so she wouldn't turn her back on the humans.  We see Fujimurasaki doesn't feel right about this and he's questioning their decision.

In the last story we learn a secret about Enju who happens to be Sakura's older brother Kai and at the end of the book he takes her back to the Moon with some other mysterious people!

5/5

Thanks April from Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Manga Review: Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

I've finished "Sakura Hime:  The Legend of Princess Sakura Vol. 2 by Arina Tanemura.

Product Description

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T

About the AuthorArina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. Tanemura gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N, a high school romance with a supernatural twist. From 1998 to 2000, she worked on the popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, about a young girl who is the reincarnation of Joan of Arc, followed by Time Stranger Kyoko in 2000–2001 and Full Moon in 2002. Despite Tanemura's intentions to draw in a style that makes her stories difficult to animate, both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into TV series.

My Review:

This is a very cute characterization manga which reminds me so much of CardCaptor Sakura.  Sakura Hime really looks like Sakura from CardCaptors and Aoba really looks like Li.

Prince Fujimurasaki seems to be stepping up to help Sakura and take her to his home.  Also Lord Enju sends assassins to kill Aoba and take Sakura for himself not wanting "dirty humans" to touch her.

Sakura sacrifices herself by taking a snakebite meant for Aoba and he's not really happy about it. You can see his conflict about his feelings for her (he loved her since childhood but he also hates her too) and he makes a difficult decision at the end of the manga.

5/5

Thanks Maylene from Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!