My borrowed copy of Library Wars from my local library. Peep that barcode, friends.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like Library Wars at first. It takes place at a time when Japan’s federal government creates a committee to decide what media—specifically books—are suitable for public consumption. In turn, the libraries and the local governments form a military group to fight against the censorship: The Library Forces!
Sounds kind of corny, right? Just hang in there…
The story follows Iku Kasahara, a woman who has dreamed of joining the Library Forces. When she was younger, she was at a bookstore picking up a book she had been dying to read. (We all know how that is!) But before she can purchase it, the Media Betterment Committee (MBC) storms the bookstore, ready to confiscate all the material it deems inappropriate—including the book Kasahara was about to buy. All seems hopeless until a soldier from the Library Defense Force (LDF) gets involved and saves her book! Kasahara’s prince! Her knight in shining armor!
Militant Librarians FTW
The LDF has an elite task force. These are librarians who are armed and can fight. Kasahara ultimately ends up on this task force, which is a dream come true, except her instructor, Atsushi Dojo, is tough as nails and never cuts her any slack. He pushes her harder than any of his other subordinates which causes a lot of tension between the two.
I found the supporting characters really fun:
Asako Shibasaki is the super intelligent library clerk. In this story, a library clerk isn’t just someone who sits at a desk and helps you check out books. She works intelligence like she’s some kind of CIA agent. She’s Kasahara’s roommate and friend.
Hikaru Tezuka is Kasahara’s rival. He’s that guy who is smart and good at everything except feelings—his and those around him. He has a really tough time with Kasahara. They were the only two to get recruited into the elite task force, but he has no idea how she even measures up to him because she’s an airhead.
Mikihisa Komaki might be my favorite character. He has the most fantastic hair out of all of them. (If you know me, you know manga/anime hair means a lot to me.) He’s hilarious as the instigator and mischief maker who also has a very deep and caring side. He is Dojo’s fellow instructor and therefore one of the superior officers.
Back to the Story
The MBC is pushing things far, cracking the whip on freedom of expression, free speech, etc. Things get violent as the LDF stands up to the MBC. There’s fighting and bloodshed and scheming! It’s up to our hero Kasahara to defend all the books—with passion!
Again, it’s kind of corny, but it also makes you think of censorship as it exists now. Banned book lists are a thing. Censorship is a thing. What if it got to the point where the government truly did decide what we could and could not read? (Yes, I know this is true in some countries.)
About the Manga
I know, Kasahara. Big same. (from Library Wars, by Kiiro Yumi)
Library Wars was originally a series of light novels by Hiro Arikawa and drawn by Sukumo Adabana. What I read was the 15-volume manga adaptation drawn by Kiiro Yumi. Even though it’s got sci-fi elements and features a heroine who wields a gun and kicks ass, I think it’s still considered a shojo manga, meaning its intended audience is adolescent and young adult women.
Of course there’s a love story.
But the love story wasn’t the focus. Kasahara’s aim in life wasn’t to find a boyfriend. Her goal was to become a soldier strong and capable enough to defend books.
I think that’s why I liked Library Wars. Kasahara is a little bit of an airhead and she does get emotional and cry a lot, but she still comes across as a girl who does not feel like she has to conform to whatever is expected of girls.
I also don’t take things too seriously, so if you’re looking to get deep about this, you probably don’t want to talk to me!
4 STARS ON GOODREADS
Manga series can get pretty darn long, and my TBR is so insane that I can’t commit. This series only has 15 volumes which made it really easy to pick up. Granted, this still didn’t help my TBR at all.
The manga had a lot of hilarious parts and great bonus material. The artwork was fantastic, the hair was beautiful all around, and I didn’t hate any of the characters. I totally recommend.
If you want a manga with politics, action, and romance, give Library Wars a shot!
Here’s my rating system:
5 stars: I love this book so much that I must own a physical copy of it. I’m definitely going to recommend it to people.
4 stars: This was a great book. I love it, but I don’t need to own a physical copy. I’ll definitely recommend it to people.
3 stars: This is a really good book. I was entertained.
2 stars: This book was fine. I don’t hate it or anything. It was fine.
1 star: This book wasn’t for me. It might be for someone else, though. There are probably a lot of reasons why it isn’t for me. I’m not hating, though.
0 stars: I’ve read it, or maybe I didn’t finish it, or maybe I didn’t enjoy it. Could be anything.
Comment below and let me know what you thought of this book if you’ve read it! Also let me know what other manga series you recommend!