James Nicoll Reviews

2007’s House of Five Leaves, Volume 2 is the second tankōbon for Natsume Ono’s Edo-era historical crime manga. First serialized in Shogakukan’s seinen manga magazine Monthly Ikki in November 2005, the series was completed July 2010.

Masanosuke (Masa) Akitsu is an unwilling ronin, released from service by his master because Masa’s skill with swords cannot compensate for his crippling social anxiety. Saved from starvation by charming rogue Yaichi, Masa has entered into an uncomfortable alliance with the Five Leaves gang.

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House of Five Leaves, Vol. 1 is the first of eight tankōbon for Natsume Ono’s historical crime manga. First serialized in Shogakukan’s seinen manga magazine Monthly Ikki in November 2005, the series was completed July 2010.

Masanosuke ​“Masa” Akitsu is a proud and skilled samurai with a small flaw in his character, one that has comprehensively sabotaged his career. Crippling shyness ended his formal service and saw him leave his hometown from shame. Attempts to establish himself as a bodyguard have failed, because nobody wants to be protected by a man who is too socially timid to make eye contact.

Masa is retrieved from starvation by carefree Yaichi.

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