▪	RELEASED BY:		TOKYOPOP
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		KIMURA NOBORU
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		200
		▪	RATING:		18+
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		07/10/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		07/26/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Stuck in the underground labyrinth beneath the school, Mai, Natsuki, Yuuichi, and the others run into dangers and secrets. When a cave-in happens, the group has to depend on dangerous Nao to save them, but can she be trusted?  Back on the surface, Mikoto has taken a cute little Orphan as a pet. When it runs amuck she may have to kill the creature she has come to love! Then Yuuichi’s birthday and the appearance of new transfer students usher in a new world order as the school gets taken over by the PRINCESS team that includes Alissa and Miyu. They have powers that don’t require the use of keys or Childs. Plus they have a new member named Shiho who has a strong tie to Yuuichi! In the turbulence that follows, enemies plot, allies step back, and a plan to defeat the Red Star is put into the works. When the new girls inform Mai of just what happens to the keys of the HiMEs, she must make a painful decision. A kiss and a secret might break up the trio of Mai, Yuuichi and Natsuki!

Aside from a couple of peaks and an opening hot springs scene, this latest volume of My HiME veers away form the fan service and instead hits hard with some serious sci-fi intrigue and setting up of a big battle to come. Nagi makes more than one appearance and the plans for the Princess Star (Red Star) and the unveiling of the existence of the Obsidian Lord sets the path for a lot of drama, intrigue and action. There’s even a key figure back from the dead. It will all have a huge impact on Natuski, Mai and Yuichi. There is also the ever changing dynamic between the three of them that takes some serious hits this volume. There is a lot of upheaval in these chapters for all of the characters, and it feels like only the beginning of the momentous secrets starting to unfurl. The manga takes a big turn to the more serious in these chapters and it’s well done and building up a very interesting alternative take on the story of HiME compared to that of the anime.

Manga extras include text interviews with voice actresses from the My HiME anime including Ai Shimizu (voice of Mikoto), Ryouka Yuzuki (Haruka) and Noto Mamiko (Yukino).

IN SUMMARY:
An unexpected kiss, a shocking return from the dead, and a takeover at the academy brings intrigue and excitement in the upheaval of this manga. My HiME the manga is an arresting alternative take on the characters and the story with a sexy look and exciting sci-fi intrigue and action.