Kagetora: Volume 2

Yuki's lesbian admirer, Kiritani, has challenged Kagetora's manhood and ninja honor with a test of "Kimodameshi", or a "test of a person's courage" by daring him to accompany her and some friends, including Yuki, to explore an abandoned hospital that is said to be haunted. His courage is further tested when an old friend and fellow ninja from his village, Sayuka, who also claims to be his fiance, shows up at the Toudou residence. Of course, this sets up the tried and true cliche of the love triangle where you have two girls competing for the same man. While there doesn't seem to be any question in Kagetora's mind about who he loves, Yuki begins to get some crossed signals which makes her question who Kagetora really likes. Then we get a glimpse of Kagetora's pass as the threesome returns to his village of Hoorai to train. Kagetora is really nothing out of the ordinary and you've seen this type of romantic comedy a million times, but it doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The art is JUST good enough, the characters are JUST good enough, the story is JUST good enough, to keep you entertained and charm you. But I could see how it might get old after another volume. The few action sequences in this volume are pretty badly done, so hopefully Segami will stick to the comedy and romance. Yuki shows a bit more personality in this volume which made me happy because in the first volume she was just a retarded bungler. Kagetora shows some sophistication as he has to deal with two girls that love him, even though one hasn't really admitted it. But the relationship between Kagetora and Yuki seems to be progressing faster than other manga of this type. While this is a good book, it could be even better. I would also recommend the manga Ai Yori Aoshi and Full Metal Panic and Eureka 7.