▪	RELEASED BY:		VIZ MEDIA
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		ARINA TANEMURA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		192
		▪	RATING:		T+
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		10/07/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		10/06/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Kyoko is the heir to the throne of Earth in the 30th century. However this princess has always preferred to be among her people and has no desire for the throne. Her twin sister Ui has been in a strange slumber since birth so now Kyoko is on a quest to gather all twelve of the holy stones and the twelve psychics called Strangers who can use them to awaken her sister. After the first volume when Kyoko discovers the pain her sister is in, the quest becomes urgent for her to end her sister’s suffering and waken her as quickly as possible. To do so she has become the Time Stranger, able to manipulate time and she has just discovered that her bodyguard Sakataki is the Crystal Stranger. Now they continue on their quest to gather the rest of the psychics and free her sister at long last.

It is a most engaging fantasy adventure. In the second volume, Kyoko suspects her longtime friend Karen is in trouble. A girl who has always been afraid of men, Kyoko is shocked to hear Karen has been married off possibly to a man only interested in collecting rare and beautiful things. When it seems her friend might be sold off, Kyoko charges right in…into a trap!  Now she must save herself, her friend, and in the doing soothe a broken heart and discover a new Stranger to help her in her quest!

It doesn’t take the feisty heroine long to become embroiled in another plight of home and heart for the Fish Tribe this time. Sarai loves the chief, the beautiful Mizuno. But she only has eyes for her brother who unfortunately is missing. When a criminal escapes and attacks, a rejected Sarai swims to the rescue with Kyoko hot on his heels to help. It will pay off threefold when Kyoko not only helps loved ones meet, but also discovers two more Strangers, that of Aqua and Thunder.  However it isn’t all good news. With more Strangers she attempts to awaken here sister only to discover a shocking truth about her twin and herself. In turmoil, Kyoko abandons her position and leaves the castle only to fall into the hands of a demon! In despair and missing her love Sakataki, she gives over to her fate. But her friends may have something to say about that! They’re not willing to let her go without a fight, no matter what she says.

This is a quest adventure with a lot of heart. There’s romance between her and her bodyguard that is blooming and the added facet of the interesting various tribes she encounters in her travels to uncover the stones and their users. For fans familiar with the artist’s fine work, the lovely detailed imagery is gorgeous.  She has a soft and detailed drawing style that is both wonderfully attractive and absorbing.

IN SUMMARY:
Time Stranger Kyoko is an all new and heartfelt adventure series from the mangaka who has given shojo fans Gentlemen’s alliance and Full Moon!