Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

When she was a child, Sakura Mamiya somehow ended up lost in the afterlife, and although she returned safely, she could suddenly see ghosts.  Now a teenager, Sakura wishes those ghosts would leave her alone.  However, the sudden appearance of Rinne Rokudo, a sort of shinigami (god of death), draws her deeper into the amazing, but sometimes perilous boundary between the living and the dead.

In Rin-ne, Vol. 4, Sakura meets Rinne’s conniving father, Sabato Rokudo.  He is a damishigami, an entity who stelas the lives of humans that are not yet meant to die, and is president of the Damishigami Company, an illegal business operation.  Now, Sabato is plotting to get Rinne married and force him to take over the family business, and he is willing to trap Sakura in the afterlife to get his way.

THE LOWDOWN:  I’m still at loss to explain why I like Rin-ne, even after reading the fourth volume.  It’s strange, which actuall befits its characters, setting, and plotlines.  There is a peculiar charm and sweetness about the series, which is really starting to shine through as creator Rumiko Takahashi starts to bring a romance between Sakura and Rinne into focus.  Rumiko’s fans already know why they like her.  I would suggest that those who have not read her work before not read Rin-ne, unless they want to be hooked into adding another title to their reading lists.

POSSBLE AUDIENCE:  Rumiko Takahashi fans and lovers of weird fantasy will want to experience the world of Rin-ne.

A-