Ooku

Brief Storyline: In the Edo period, a new mysterious disease called redface pox strikes Japan and over the following years wipes out nearly all the males. The population later stablises at 1 male to every 4 women. The social consequences are drastic - females move into traditional male roles, at work and at home. The shogun is now a female and the harem is full of men.

I have my doubts on whether I would have picked this up myself, but since a friend recommended it I thought to give it a try, especially since I am leaning towards josei reads over shojo at the moment. Something with more meat. Well, this one does have a lot of ugly things happening, not least of all the deaths from the disease. No wonder that though it is not smut nor contains very graphic sex or violence, it is "explicit" and no recommended for the young 'uns. Nothing that doesn't happen in a normally rated PG-13 movie nowadays but it is definintely not a sweet shojo.

Although it is in the realm of what is science fiction, the situation is not that exaggerated. The setting is realistic and the people are generally well characterised. It is not a happy story though, and things are brutal. The usual court intrigue and politics is to be expected. Having said that, it is also in a way dramatised.

My Rating:Story: B
Art: B
Recommended? I think if you are in for a realistic storyline and don't expect a happy ending. It can be something that draws you into another world, another time.