Library Wars Volume 7 cover image

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

In the not-too-distant future, the Media Betterment Act allows the national government to seize any books it deems offensive for any reason.  In response, libraries and local governments create the Library Forces, a military group that protects library collections from the federal government.  Library Forces focuses on two characters:  Iku Kasahara, a young woman who is new to the Library Forces, and Atsushi Dojo, her instructor and a Sergeant First Class.  Both are stationed at Musashino Main Library.

As Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 7 begins, Corporal Hikaru Tezuka faces the return of his older brother, Satoshi.  This brother is estranged from the family because of his views that libraries should be centralized under control of the federal government.  Meanwhile, another corporal, Kazuki Sunagawa, is soon caught up in dual controversies.  When he drags Iku’s name into his troubles, the Musashino Library Task Force is threatened.

THE LOWDOWN:  It is a weird concept that the Library Wars manga has.  It is mostly set in a library and centers on a library army.  Most of the conflict in the series revolves around books, censorship, or romance.  In this volume, the conflict is stronger because now, creator Kiiro Yumi offers intrigue and conflict between agencies, and Yumi puts lives, careers, and reputations on the line.  If you, dear reader, can be interested in these characters, this new conflict will engage you.  Otherwise, you won’t care for it.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers who want shojo romance with a light sci-fi twist will like Library Wars.

B+