▪	RELEASED BY:		VIZ MEDIA
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		TOHKO MIZUNO
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		208
		▪	RATING:		T+
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		04/01/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		03/31/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

A strange mishap occurs when a girl in modern day Japan finds herself lost in a sea of cherry blossoms and swallows the Dragon Jewels that appear before her. Akane finds herself, along with her two friends, transported back to Kyoto during the Heian era. Now she must find eight guardians in order to save ancient Japan as the Priestess of the Dragon God!

A marvelous new epic fantasy, this graphic novel was inspired by the video game Harakunaru Toki no Naka De, and in turn has inspired an anime series coming to DVD in North America this summer. The manga is a sweeping fantasy adventure along the lines of the much lauded Fushigi Yuugi (also available from Viz manga). A modern day high school girl finds herself transported into the past, becoming a priestess and symbol of hope for an entire nation as they are beset by evil invaders. Akram of the Demon Clan will see Kyoto burn at all costs. He will stop at nothing short but the death of every man, woman and child within the capital. Perhaps his grievances are just, but his nefarious plan for revenge is not. And yet Akane is drawn to him. What is his lure? One thing is certain, she’d best be careful.

Separated from her friends, she quickly finds herself taken in by the palace and guarded by those there. However she is naturally confused and disbelieving with everything that has happened. But when her own power manifests, that of the Dagon God within her, she is suddenly faced with the frightening reality that she is going to have to grow up, and quickly, in order to face the challenges and perils ahead. First she must find her two friends, the tempestuous Tenma and timid Shimon. And next she is given the task to find the Eight Guardians. When she has all of those, then she will have the power needed to defend Kyoto and defeat Akram. But nothing is ever simple. Finding the guardians will be difficult enough, but danger lurks everywhere as Akram continues to try to control and capture her.

Already she is surrounded by intrinsically interesting figures; all of them beautiful men. First is the loyal and deadly swordsman Yorihisa, the beautiful playboy and major general Tachibana, the enigmatic sorcerer Yasuaki, and there is the unveiling of the face behind the mask of Akram. Akane herself shows bravery and nobility. Her conviction to save others is astounding under the incredible circumstances that she finds herself in. She cannot abide the needless suffering of others and therefore chooses to follow the path destiny has set out for her, no matter what it may bring

Each of the characters portrays a unique and attractive design. The costume designs for the characters, Akram in particular, are quite intricate. The sweeping fantasy nature is rivaled only by the beautiful illustrative style of the author. Considering this is her first serialized manga, she shows a promising and abundant talent.

IN SUMMARY:
Haruka is a must have for fans of Fushigi Yuugi. It is a sweeping fantasy epic about a modern girl caught in the past of Heian era Japan where she bravely takes on the destiny of a hero in order to save the nation she loves.