Demons, women, women demons and women who fight demons. It’s a much of a muchness in Hakodate Youjin Buraijou Himegami, Volume 5 (箱館妖人無頼帖ヒメガミ).
Having defeated the evil, demony, well-endowed, cross-dressing French proprietor of the Black Widow brothel, Himeka has been indulging in some well-deserved snuggling with Hyou, despite Hyou’s reluctance. Once the marks of her curse recede, Hyou uses that as an excuse to escape from Himeka’s clutches. (What a maroon, as Bugs would say. Himeka’s also well-endowed with full lips and soft skin. DUH, Hyou.) Himeka is making no bones about her interest in Hyou. We’ll just have to imagine that she wears the girl down eventually.
In a long, drawn out bathing scene (where we see Hyou, Himeka and her Himegami sisters Ranka and Aika – but not Kirika – naked, without seeing anything at all, which is kind of an art in itself, I think) we learn that Hyou’s “miburo,” the marks on her back that indicate the presence of the Youjin, the power that forges the Himegami’s transformations and the power that the evil Frenchwoman held are all related, in a sense.
Having invoked her, it’s no surprise at all that, when a new enemy appears, it’s just the same enemy all over again – apparently they didn’t kill her enough.
More importantly, this time she uses the Himegami’s power against them, forcing Hyou to save Himeka this time. Yay
Oh – and Hyou’s beloved dead teacher turns out to be the Himegami’s not-quite-as-dead-as-Hyou-thought teacher. In the final scene, Hyou joins the ranks of Himegami at Himeka’s side. Just to put a period on it, Himeka tells Hyou she loves her, to which Hyou replies in time-honored Han Solo fashion, “I know.” We’ll have to imagine the celebration on our own, because the story really, truly comes to an end there. ^_^
This was brain-crinkling nonsense, but I just adored it. I wouldn’t actually recommend it to anyone who isn’t me and there’s no hope that it would ever be licensed because it’s dire. But if I hit the lottery on Monday, this series would be second on my list of things to throw money at. Because it’s dire, but fun!
Ratings:
Art – 7
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Yuri – 4
Service – 8
Overall – 8
I don’t know about this one not being licensed. It looks like something Del Rey might consider especially since it’s a Kodansha title.
@darkchibi7 – Del Ray focuses much more on teen and family entertainment by their own admission. This is way too fetishy for them to consider.
Amd let us not forget that Kodansha means to strike out on their own here in the US.
I don’t see this as a good choice for anyone to license – I would be surprised if it sold more than a few hundred copies of the first volume.
I loved it and got them all for various reasons (half naked women fighting, Hyou’s vociferous denials about pretty much everything and that very sexy Police Captain who seems to be totally oblivious to said hotness). It was fun, not mind bending, just enjoyable. I would be the first to buy it in English if it ever was licensed here but I’m not holding my breath. If they ever decide to make a Drama CD, it would be just whack…the conversations and fetishy nature alone would make me cackle.
I recently read this series as well, and I have to say – absolutely loving it.
It’s a fine balance of awesome ninja-like arts and a little bit of unexpected romance.
The plot twists that fate the protagonists together really had me on the edge of my seat. I agree with Erica – 8, maybe 8.5 from me.