I love this manga. I had put it off for a while when I noticed that sei had shaved her head. I couldn't stop thinking about it but I soon got over it. I mean, she can always grow her hair back. And as for how the author plans to continue the story, I hope that she doesn't make end like it did in real life. The real Okita Souji died at age 24-27 by Tuberculosis!! Also, the character I believe she's basing Sei's character on, dies before Okita. I recently found that out when I researched the history of Shinsengumi. I really shouldn't have looked it up, it's making want to quit reading because I know it has a bad ending. But after I read what kujika said (fellow member of baka-updates) I got a little more hope, maybe the author will choose to keep both of them alive. But all I can do is hope. I will continue to read the manga until the very end!! (I wonder how many more volumes Watanabe plans to write...?)

this is the most wonderful manga that watanabe taeko ever makes! i really love this manga ! hoping volume 24 will comes soon to my country ! >"< Expect it so much

Very good, very unique and not repetitive at all (yet). It has blood,death, friendship, laughter etc etc and seems to be very light-hearted with a nice humour, which is here and there broken because of seemingly lightly done murder, memory or because the main character is severely reprimanded.

@yuri21 Sorry, to disappoint you, but the mangaka doesn't aim to be historically accurate. "The history in this work is fictional. It is not related to any characters, organizations or incidents in reality." (quoted from the book) Then why are the names exactly the same? The author wanted to create a new reality out of her imagination. I'm quite sure she's historically interested and knows very well that things didn't happen that way. Sorry, I just wondered about this comment of yours.

... Last updated on June 8th, 2008, 2:32am

While this series is quite enjoyable due to its' in-depth portrayal of historical events and figures, good art and light humour, I find it's rather weak in introducing and portraying certain characters. Quite a few characters have absolutely no role within the plot or scene but are instead, introduced for the purpose of adding to the historical details. I find that bogs down the story a little as those frames could've been dedicated towards other more important characters.

Furthermore, some of the characters suffer from lack of screentime and thus, when the events unfold leading to their demise, it can be quite confusing and you don't really feel much for them at all.

Btw, perhaps it's just me but I felt that it was a little too light-hearted for a story that aimed to be historically accurate. Though it's true that some of the samurai/ronin were portrayed to be villainous, little is mentioned of the fact that most samurai were more interested in theft, rape, murder, etc. than in upkeeping justice or the principles they'd vowed to follow.

... Last updated on March 21st, 2008, 4:31pm

This is honestly one of the top manga on my list (and I've read a LOT). I can't recommend it enough and I hope the rating will increase because it really does deserve a higher one.

But don't pick it up expecting fluffiness and sugary love-doveyness galore. The 'history' part of the manga plays an important role in directing the plot but it's not THAT heavy that it overshadows the relationships that form the core of the story (battles/fighting is kept to a minimum, not like in Rurouni Kenshin). It's a gender bender that stems from something more than just trying to win the heart of the hot guy who the girl saw on TV or on a billboard.

If you like this manga, please show your support on myanimelist.net (it only has a 7.38 rating!). That website is great and can function as a secondary manga database to this one

I wasn't too interested at first--I didn't understand the first chapter at all until the end, but it's definitely worth the read! It starts of slowly, but gets better and more exciting with every volume.

The artwork isn't anything especially special but it's clean and every character has their own distinguishable features so they all look like different people. ^.^

Just give it a try~ It's unique and not like other shoujo manga.

I *highly* recommend this manga.

If you enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin and you would like to see something in the same historical-fiction time period (and some of the same people appear! Saito Hajime, for one) with maybe more romance and innuendo (be warned: I suggest this for people age 16+) then check it out. ^_^

Another Great gender bender comes up with a great plot and a better story line i read up to Volume 5 and it only gets better, Just go and read it

... Last updated on June 15th, 2007, 11:52am

This is a fasicnating and historical romance graphic novel. I absolutely love the artwork!! Anyone can read Kaze Hikaru! ^^