▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		AKIRA SEGAMI
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		208
		▪	RATING:		T
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		09/25/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/24/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN

Yuki, the heiress to a powerful family and its fortune puts her trust in the young but skilled hands of a traditional ninja to protect her from danger.  Kagetora, her guard, is up to the job, but is conflicted by feelings he and his charge have for each other.  This love is forbidden.  But it is not the only thing Kagetora should be worried about. 

For six volumes, KAGE TORA has entertained readers with light comedy, romance, some action and adventure.  We have experienced many of the typical scenarios that unfold in manga of this type- the mistaken jealousy, the trip to the summer festival, conflict with other family members, some fan service, some heroics, some ninja kick butt action, and so on.  As Volume Seven opens, Yuki faces a potential rival when Nao Takatou, a fellow classmate, asks Kagetora for help in an upcoming archery competition.  Putting Yuki aside to assist Nao in this challenge, jealousy rears its ugly green head to stir the pot even more.  This is made more complex when Nao, locked out of her house one night, stays with Kagetora, creating more than a couple of awkward moments.  Is she on the level, or is she trying to drive a wedge between Yuki and Kagetora?  The tension gets pretty heavy as the characters delicately tread their way through minefields of respective feelings.  Once the competition is over, however, all is cleared up one way or the other.  The rest of the volume then has Kagetora helping out with some clean up at the family home, finding in his work a book with an account describing what can best be described as Kagetora- the Edo version.  Apparently, our hero is not the first one to find himself in this awkward position with his charge…

KAGETORA remains a charming romantic comedy well suited for the young teen (13+) crowd, combining affairs of the heart with some Asian ninja action thrown in for good measure.   Light in tone and fast paced, this manga is a quick read for all readers, not just hardcore fans.  The artwork stays cleanly drawn and toned, with simply composed but visually pleasing images that project the mood of the story without needlessly flashy or complicated effects.  Akira Segami has the design of this manga down pat with this volume, and new readers, even though lacking a plot synopsis to get them up to speed, would still find much to amuse them in this story if they picked it up at this point.  But as was noted in an earlier review, why do that?  Read it from the start.  You can get into the characters better and understand the in jokes about them that appear from time to time.  You can appreciate the warmth as well as the humor in the story and appreciate what makes this manga a little gem in the Del Rey library.

EXTRA:
Del Rey has once again included some useful notes on translation and Japanese culture at the end of the manga, and as a special treat, some short four panel strips from the creator for a few more laughs, and notes on personal interests and ninja culture.  A preview of the next volume and ads for other Del Rey titles are also included.

IN SUMMARY:
KAGETORA is a romantic comedy with a kick- ninja style!  Martial arts, forbidden love, high school angst, and secrets in the family vault.  KAGETORA has it all- and more.