Length: 33 volumes

Story and Art by: Nobuyuki Anzai

Characters:

• Recca Hanabishi
• Yanagi Sakoshita
• Domon
• Shigeo Sakoshita
• Kagehoshi
• Fuko Kirisawa

Summary: Recca Hanabishi dreams of one day becoming a ninja. He also has the ability to make fire with his hands, an excellent gift for a boy with a knowledge of gun powder and fireworks (the family business). Recca has a rule that anyone who can beat him in a fight can make Recca his or her slave. One day, Recca saves Yanagi from a group of men that were giving her trouble. He is injured and Yanagi uses her gift to heal him. At this point, Recca decides that he is indebted to Yanagi and that she is now his master. Then a mysterious woman shows up asking Recca to kill her.

Commentary: I saw this manga at Suncoast the other day and was intrigued by it. So I bought volume one and I really enjoyed it. It's more than just the story of a young ninja, or a juvenile delinquent. And it's more just than a love story. This seems like a well-thought-out, multi-faceted tale of love, adventure and friendship. Each volume just seems to get better and better!

Rating: 9/10
Reasons for Rating: Intriguing concept, wonderful characters, defies categorization!