Tail of the Moon - 1

A romantic ninja adventure!

It's time for the next book on the Maid's shelf!  I present to you, the romantic comedy, Tail of the Moon!

ISBN: 978-4215-0764-4
Story and Art by Rinko Ueda
Publisher: VIZ Media
Rating: T+ for Older Teen, recommended for ages 16 years and up.  Volume 1 contains brief nudity and ninja violence.

I wouldn't normally go for a romance story - but I was interested enough in the ninja and comedy aspects to give Tail of the Moon a go.

Overview

In a nutshell; Usagi is a clumsy, unqualified ninja who is sent to marry Lord Hanzo and bear his children.  Too bad Lord Hanzo has no interest in marrying her - or anyone else for that matter.  

Too bad for Hanzo that this is the first ninja mission Usagi is taking seriously!

Storyline

Set in the year 1580, our fifteen year old heroine protagonist is not the most successful of young women.  Born into the Momochi ninja clan, granddaughter of the leader no less, Usagi has reached reached an age where she should be fully qualified ... were she not so lazy and clumsy.  In spite of her impressive lineage, Usagi is simply not suited to the ninja ways and that's got family and friends alike worried.

At a loss for what to do, the head of the clan decides to give Usagi a mission that surely even she could fulfill - marry Lord Hanzo of the Iga clan, and bear his children!

Quite understandably, Usagi has reservations about marrying a man she has never even met!  Although it doesn't take much coaching from her grandfather when he lists the various benefits of being Lord Hanzo's wife - among other things, he is reputed to be the most handsome man in all of Iga.

A shallow reason it may be, but a fine, handsome ninja husband, three meals a day, plus nap time ... I don't think you can blame her for accepting the task!  Usagi is off in a flash!

Unfortunately for Usagi, it is a far more difficult task than she could have expected.  When she meets Lord Hanzo and announces she is here to be his wife, he makes it very clear that he has no interest in marrying her.

Hurt at his rejection, Usagi's first thought is that it must because she is not a qualified ninja.  Figuring Hanzo will reconsider if she qualifies, Usagi joins the kids class and gets to training in earnest!

But her lack of ninja skills are suddenly even more of a hindrance when a beautiful kunoichi (female ninja) named Yuri literally somersaults into the village and announces she has come to accept her assignment - to marry Lord Hanzo!

Suddenly faced with a far superior rival and a deadline for her training, Usagi sets her heart on doing everything she can to please and impress Hanzo, and get him to choose her over the mean Yuri.

Bonuses

Glossary - this ninja / historical story uses a fair amount of terminology that people may not be familiar with. Referencing the page and panel, it's really very informative, explaining historical, geographical, mythology and legends as well as simply translating the word into English.  It also highlights some of the humour - for example, Usagi's name means "rabbit", and someone mistakenly thinks she introduced herself as 'Unagi' ... a somewhat less likable creature altogether!

The glossary is a feature in every book in the series - it's worthwhile checking this if you come across an unfamiliar word during the story.

This and That from the Author - essentially, notes in the margin from the author herself!

Mamezo's Many Faces - little one panel doodles of Mamezo, Usagi's little friend.

Hanzo's Trivia - look out for Hanzo's little nuggets of information between chapters.

The Maid says ...

Volume 1 is very quick to set up the premise of the series and sets up a number of questions; primarily, why does Hanzo have no interest in getting married?

He's portrayed as the dream husband - handsome, clever, dedicated to his work.  Yet, he spurns every woman the village Elder presents to him.  He will not take a wife, not even the equally perfect Yuri who is utterly flummoxed by his rejection.

"I don't get it ... the klutz I can understand ... but why isn't he interested in me?" - Yuri

Yet for all the 'why won't he' questions about Hanzo, I personally think the more interesting questions are about Usagi herself.

As far as her character is concerned, I found her hard to warm to in just this one book.  Portrayed as lazy from the get go and rather immature for her age, I did find myself thinking along the same lines as Yuri.  Why would Hanzo choose Usagi as a wife?

Usagi is not beautiful; she has a short, boyish haircut and on more than a few occasions throughout the series she gets mistaken for a boy.  She can barely manage the absolute basics of ninja training which she has actively avoided for most of her life - whilst her intended husband is the esteemed leader of a ninja clan.  She can't cook.  She hates to clean.  She's clumsy.

Usagi is not ninja-wife material.

So why would you want to read a manga with a character like this in the leading role?  Book 1 doesn't paint her in the most flattering light and I certainly found myself wondering why such a girl was the heroine of the story.  

Well, quite simply, Usagi is not without redeeming qualities.  Personally, I think all her bad qualities are front and center from the start so that her better qualities will gradually bring about an appreciation for her real talents and good nature.

Like Hanzo, we readers won't be able to help ourselves from gradually warming up to Usagi.

Thoroughout the series, lazy Usagi grows a little wiser and we learn more about her past, her strengths, and it becomes harder with each volume to continue to dislike her.

If you're prepared to stick with it, Tail of the Moon won't disappoint.