
The Love of a Lycan
- Genre: Fantasy
- Author: Eustoma_Reyna
- Translator:
- Status: Completed
- Rating(4.3 / 5.0) ★
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Most characters in "Kaze Hikaru" are based on real historical figures. Watanabe Sensei does an excellent job of making these characters relatable while ensuring they remain faithful to historical facts. This commitment to accuracy means that characters you grow fond of might meet historically accurate but unsatisfying ends.
The artwork in "Kaze Hikaru" is visually appealing without overshadowing the narrative.
While the overarching story revolves around the Shinsengumi, Sei, as the protagonist and narrator, has her own personal challenges within the larger events. These are portrayed realistically, sometimes humorously, yet always subordinate to historical events, never dominating the storyline.
As evident from my earlier comments, "Kaze Hikaru" aims to transport readers back to the Tokugawa era. Character development and plot progression adhere strictly to historical accuracy, which, in my opinion, enhances the experience. Watanabe Sensei effectively captures both the grandeur and the harsh realities of the movement, creating a compelling narrative.
Overall, I rate "Kaze Hikaru" an 8. Its tone strikes a balance between traditional shoujo manga and the Coen brothers' "True Grit." It's a must-read for history enthusiasts but may not suit those seeking a purely romantic tale.
One final note: I'm uncertain if the story has been fully concluded. Thirty volumes have been released in Japan, and nineteen in English by VIZ Media, but there doesn't appear to be a completely translated version available online. Believe me, I've searched thoroughly.
Since I'm a massive history enthusiast, I typically gravitate towards stories that are fairly accurate in their depiction of events. Clearly, Watanabe incorporated some of her own creative ideas, but her expertise on the late Edo period allowed her and her readers to vividly imagine what truly transpired during the Shinsengumi's reign, intertwined with her unique storyline.
Although it doesn't feature panels of intense sword action like "Vagabond," it still delivers its fair share of thrilling moments. The dialogue is occasionally comedic, which helps alleviate tension in certain situations. The romance is subtle, so don't anticipate a grand romantic saga. This is precisely what I adore about this manga—it combines elements of everything into a cohesive whole.
This is my first review, but I hope those who read it will find it intriguing enough to consider giving "Kaze Hikaru" a try. I hope you enjoy it~
(If you've just finished an intense Hakuoki binge—like I did—ignore this review and grab the manga right away!!!)
“Even if the bath has turned to mud… it would still be better than sharing a bed with you.”
— Hijikata Toshizou to Itou Kashitaro
“You’re too adorable, Hijikata-kun”
— Itou Kashitaro
(Volume 14, Chapter 41, Page 58)
Kaze Hikaru, or Shining Wind
The author has invested considerable effort in research, crafting a rather unconventional shoujo masterpiece—an immersive journey into Japan's late Edo period, centered around the legendary Shinsengumi! If you're intrigued by Japanese history, particularly the Bakumatsu era and the shogunate’s elite corps tasked with safeguarding Kyoto, Kaze Hikaru provides an entertaining and accessible entry point into the complexities of that time. ;)
The author includes charming little research notes at the end of certain chapters, offering insights into various historical aspects of the era, such as geisha (geiko) hairstyles, kimono styles, and even how women managed menstruation back then!
What truly compelled me to dive into Kaze Hikaru was the ART STYLE! It stands out remarkably from most shoujo manga I've encountered—distinctive and characterized by bold, confident linework. The backgrounds are meticulously detailed, and each character is instantly recognizable.
Beyond their visual appeal, the characters in this manga possess vivid, incredibly vibrant personalities, making their interactions a joy to follow. While the two leads, Kamiya Seizaburo (real name Tominaga Sei) and Okita Souji, are naturally central to the narrative, I found myself equally—if not more—captivated by the supporting cast and their stories. Kamiya's and Okita's romance is undeniably charming but might seem slow-paced to some, as character drama and historical elements often take precedence in Kaze Hikaru.
My personal favorite is undoubtedly Saito Hajime. Despite his bald head, he maintains a cool demeanor at all times! Seriously, though, he's such a compelling character—composed through the most flustering situations while secretly losing his mind inside. I squeal with delight at every interaction between the protagonist, Kamiya, and Saito! They're amazing together!
The dynamic between Vice Captain Hijikata Toshizou and Itou Kashitaro also deserves special mention. I suspect Itou reads BL... you'll understand what I mean once you delve into the series! I hope you'll find these interactions as delightful as I did!
Ultimately, I sincerely hope this review inspires you to explore Kaze Hikaru, which brims with sweet, cute, emotional, and laugh-out-loud moments.
P.S. If you're a completionist, bear in mind that this manga has been running for quite some time, but English translations haven't fully caught up yet. I managed to locate about 30 translated volumes.
This shojo manga is far from typical, as it doesn't solely focus on romance. The female protagonist is strong-willed, likable, well-rounded, and intelligent. The character and story development are carefully crafted, and the mangaka puts great effort into making the historical setting accurate without being dull.
What draws me to this manga is the depth of its characters and storyline. The romantic element unfolds gradually, and I find it both endearing and amusing. It's refreshing to come across a shojo manga that rises above the usual shallow love stories with predictable plots.
One potential drawback might be the art style. The characters aren't glamorized in the way we often see in other shojo manga, but the artwork is still skillfully done and has its own unique beauty.
I truly hope you'll give Kaze Hikaru a chance!
I've read 80 chapters, and this is what I'm currently wondering.
It's not action.
There are barely any fighting or war scenes, and even when they do appear, they end within a few panels. For the most part, the fighting, the war, etc., are being TALKED about by the characters, but we don't actually *see* anything happening beyond their everyday lives at HQ.
Drama?
Well, yeah, there is drama. However, to be honest, I'd classify it as slice of life rather than drama. The reason is that it's all infuriatingly episodic, with everything kind of rubber-banding back to its default state after the mini-arc ends. And I say MINI because, despite the number of volumes, there are no real "arcs" or larger plot points (other than the most obvious ones, like the fact that they are the Shinsengumi, what they strive for, etc.). For me, real drama has to have an impact on the characters.
Gender-bender?
Yes. This one I can easily agree with. Kamiya does seriously try to live as a bushi. However, that doesn't change the fact that her femininity is CONSTANTLY underscored, highlighted, talked about—every freaking character and their grandma is secretly in love with her. And she just. Won't. Stop. CRYING! ARGH!
Historical?
Indeed. In the sense that it's akin to attending a history class where someone talks about all these historic events, but you don't actually get to SEE any of that. And in the rare cases when you do—it'll be a panel here and there, and then it'll quickly pan away from all that to let you admire the SKY while TALKING about what happened and the result.
Romance?
Haha... hah... ha... *sigh*
There are touching scenes, I'll give it that. However, there's NO development, no progress. At the beginning, you think it's just slow-paced, and you get excited for what will happen. But then, as you read and read and read... it starts to slowly dawn on you that no, nothing's happening. And when something finally MIGHT happen, and you see a faint glimmer of hope that their relationship will finally start to evolve... it's turned into a bloody PUNCHLINE. A gag. And so you laugh. Because what? You'll cry? Nah, you're not the heroine.
Slice of life?
YES. This is it, I think. It's a slice of life about the everyday life of the Shinsengumi, with the emphasis on DAILY life. You see them eat, bathe, poop, fight, laugh, cry, fart, sometimes die, or go to the red-light district. They talk about important matters, but you don't really care because you won't see any of that anyway. They are an interesting bunch, and it's quite entertaining to see them carry on with their lives, but don't expect character growth. It's like there's this default state for all of them, and after every mini-arc, they just kinda return to that default state. Rinse and repeat. Over and over... and over again. Fun!
6.5/10 because it did keep me for 80 chapters before I lost my patience.
But don’t pick it up expecting fluffiness and sugary love-doveyness galore. The 'history' part of the manga plays an important role in shaping the plot, but it’s not so heavy that it overshadows the relationships at the core of the story (battles/fighting are kept to a minimum, unlike in Rurouni Kenshin). It's a gender bender that goes beyond just trying to win the heart of some hot guy the girl saw on TV or a billboard.
For those who aren’t big fans of the Shinsengumi story, this manga might seem unappealing at first, but the author does an incredible job of developing likable, lovable, and interesting characters that are multi-faceted (silly yet skilled, gentle yet strong, etc.). I’ve really grown to care about these three-dimensional characters, and I truly believe you will too if you give this manga a chance.
The characters face the gray areas of life, make mistakes, and grow from them. They learn from and about each other, and it’s a joy to watch the relationship between the two main protagonists evolve, as well as the bonds within the Shinsengumi. The story is a wonderful mix of humor, history, friendship, drama, and romance.
I understand why this series might not appeal to everyone (especially younger readers) since it isn’t as 'girly' as something like Vampire Knight (which I also enjoy). Its storytelling style is subtle and thoughtful, with comedy that isn’t as exaggerated as in Skip Beat and romance that isn’t as direct as in Fruits Basket. The artwork is fantastic (detailed backgrounds, consistent), though the characters aren’t the typical kind of pretty you’d find in CLAMP works (it took me some time to get used to it, but now I absolutely love it! And for the most part, they’re distinguishable from one another, unlike in many other manga).
Sorry for writing such a long review, but I really hope you’ll give it a try. Please feel free to message me with any comments, especially if you’re a Kaze Hikaru fan!