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月華美刃 [Gekka Bijin] #2
Blade of the Moon Princess, Vol. 2
Defiant and vulgar, Princess Kaguya Takenouchi is not the heir to the moon’s Silver Court that her mother’s retainers had hoped for. But when the empress falls ill during a wave of terrorist attacks, Kaguya resolves to do right by her people and rise to the occasion.
Stranded on the Tainted World and hunted by relentless Ume assassins, Princess Kaguya strives to find a way to honor her promise to her mother and return to the moon. Alongside Imperial Guard cadet Mikuni, she travels to a base that is supposed to offer salvation, only to find something very different within…
Stranded on the Tainted World and hunted by relentless Ume assassins, Princess Kaguya strives to find a way to honor her promise to her mother and return to the moon. Alongside Imperial Guard cadet Mikuni, she travels to a base that is supposed to offer salvation, only to find something very different within…
216 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2011
22 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Tatsuya Endo
61 books1,842 followersTatsuya Endo (遠藤達哉 Endou Tatsuya) is a Japanese mangaka.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 31, 2025
Good to know that we're in the timeline where Tatsuya Endo's story of a busjacking full of kindergarteners is thwarted with no casualties (Spy x Family, Vol. 11) as opposed to this earlier story where it's used as an impetus for revenge for one of the moon princess's unexpected allies.
And that's the name of the game really. That despite the "tainted world" being known as a place of bad people, there's several allies that our exiled royal tomboy seems to accumulate unexpectedly. What's quite interesting is that from the usurping family there might be a rival for the throne as far as ferocity & ambition is concerned. Particularly unnerving is that her public persona is the moon's #1 pop idol, but she's also trained herself to be a vessel of violence & fury. And as usual for a Shonen Jump book, colorful personalities masquerading as assassins keep dropping like flies due to the strength of the princess & people she's somehow roped into helping her.
And that's the name of the game really. That despite the "tainted world" being known as a place of bad people, there's several allies that our exiled royal tomboy seems to accumulate unexpectedly. What's quite interesting is that from the usurping family there might be a rival for the throne as far as ferocity & ambition is concerned. Particularly unnerving is that her public persona is the moon's #1 pop idol, but she's also trained herself to be a vessel of violence & fury. And as usual for a Shonen Jump book, colorful personalities masquerading as assassins keep dropping like flies due to the strength of the princess & people she's somehow roped into helping her.
October 1, 2024
Once again, it’s alright and the art style is very pretty. I find the panels to be overly cluttered, though.
August 24, 2025
Quick recap: Princess Kaguya Takenouchi is banished from the Moon by her mother, Empress Fujiya Takenouchi for petty offenses. This is actually an excuse to send Kaguya to the Tainted World (Earth) to protect her and the empire from a power grab by the Umenouchi branch of the Imperial family.
The rambunctious princess is armed with Futsunushi, a sacred sword needed to coronate a new empress. Thus the Ume conspiracy to take the throne is stalled until they can retrieve it. Knowing she’s somewhere on the Tainted World, the Ume branch sends elite warriors known as “pursuitors” to track down and capture Kaguya.
This volume opens with a flashback to 27 years earlier, when Hatoya Umenouchi was the Empress of the Silver Court. She’d announced a “concert”, but it was actually a trap as she killed 300 members of the court with sonic vibrations from Futsunushi. This was only the beginning of the rampage that got her nicknamed the “Pestle Empress” and eventually led to her being overthrown and replaced by the Takenouchi branch.
It’s then revealed this was a history lesson being taught to Kaguya and her cousin Princess Izumiya Umenouchi. Kaguya is horrified, but Izumiya finds the story fascinating.
In the present day, Izumiya is suggesting that perhaps she should go to the Tainted World to search for her cousin. Her father Fuyuhito Umenouchi forbids it. It’s too dangerous, the pursuitors whose job it is are already on-site, and besides, she has her concert scheduled soon. That last is part of restoring the Ume branch’s reputation in the eyes of the public.
Izumiya’s mother shows up, a vain and rather witless woman. Izumiya sees her as a liability to be eliminated the moment Mom’s no longer needed. Izumiya has a long list of people to be chopped into mincemeat once she takes power.
Back on Earth, Take military cadet Mikumi Takano is trying to keep Kaguya alive despite her complete lack of woodcraft skills. They manage to stumble on a military base, but realize too late that it’s not the Take branch base Mikumi is from, but an Ume branch base. In an effort to find Kaguya, the soldiers there have been abducting all the girls in the area, even ones that are clearly the wrong age.
Worse, the plan is to just kill off all the extra prisoners once Kaguya is identified, with the soldiers being allowed to have fun by picking how they want to do it. After all, these prisoners are all subhuman Tainted World people, right?
Obviously, this needs to be stopped. But with just two people, neither of whom is completely trained, how are they going to do it? Well, it turns out that one of the soldiers is secretly a infiltrator with a grudge against the Ume branch who’s been trying to work his way up the ranks until he can assassinate the corrupt leaders.
Also, there’s a mysterious old man in an iron mask in the tunnels below the base. This turns out to be the former Grand Minister who served Empress Hatoya. He’s a creepy guy, who says he wants to help Kaguya unlock the full potential of her sword. His methods are…extreme, and it’s not quite clear that he’s on any side but his own amusement, but he does indeed give Kaguya a combat upgrade.
As our heroes escape from the base, we focus on a new character. Abiko Amanobe is a young hacker who was investigating why his journalist father had been banished to the Tainted World for crimes he probably didn’t commit. He got caught, and was in that hijacked criminal transport from last volume.
At first it looks like he’s going to be forced to join the other prisoners (who are actual criminals) in their new gang, but he’s rescued by Suzume Sanuki, one of the two elders who were supposed to be Kaguya’s guardians on Earth. She plans to rendevous with her husband Miyatsukomaro Sanuki at the nearby Takamatsu base.
The old warrior has arrived at the Take branch base only to find it nearly deserted–a forged order has recalled most of the soldiers to the Moon. Worse, this has allowed a pyromaniac pursuitor to turn the base into a trap for Kaguya and anyone who might support her.
It’s not clear that Abiko is going to support Kaguya, though, as they do not get along at all. At least at first.
Once the current threat is dealt with, Kaguya collapses. Cliffhanger!
This is an early work by Endo, being translated now as he’s found international success with Spy X Family. While the art’s already pretty good, the characters are much more of the shounen stereotypes. Each plotline is meant to build up to the next cool battle scene.
Izumiya is the most interesting character in this volume. Despite being a bit younger than Kaguya, she is much more mature and put-together, at least on the surface. Her dutiful princess persona and bubbly pop idol stage presence are both covers for her actual murderous tendencies. She hasn’t taken her rightful place as the main villain yet, but it’s obvious that she will be.
There’s some omake gag strips (including revealing that one of Izumiya’s pop songs is “The Peasantry Is Trash”) and a report by Endo on his first Jump Festa experience.
Content note: Lethal violence, including a bloody mass murder. Children in peril. Female nudity from behind. Teenagers on up should be able to handle it.
This is okay, but the main reason it’s being published is that the creator went on to better things. Recommended primarily to fans of Endo.
The rambunctious princess is armed with Futsunushi, a sacred sword needed to coronate a new empress. Thus the Ume conspiracy to take the throne is stalled until they can retrieve it. Knowing she’s somewhere on the Tainted World, the Ume branch sends elite warriors known as “pursuitors” to track down and capture Kaguya.
This volume opens with a flashback to 27 years earlier, when Hatoya Umenouchi was the Empress of the Silver Court. She’d announced a “concert”, but it was actually a trap as she killed 300 members of the court with sonic vibrations from Futsunushi. This was only the beginning of the rampage that got her nicknamed the “Pestle Empress” and eventually led to her being overthrown and replaced by the Takenouchi branch.
It’s then revealed this was a history lesson being taught to Kaguya and her cousin Princess Izumiya Umenouchi. Kaguya is horrified, but Izumiya finds the story fascinating.
In the present day, Izumiya is suggesting that perhaps she should go to the Tainted World to search for her cousin. Her father Fuyuhito Umenouchi forbids it. It’s too dangerous, the pursuitors whose job it is are already on-site, and besides, she has her concert scheduled soon. That last is part of restoring the Ume branch’s reputation in the eyes of the public.
Izumiya’s mother shows up, a vain and rather witless woman. Izumiya sees her as a liability to be eliminated the moment Mom’s no longer needed. Izumiya has a long list of people to be chopped into mincemeat once she takes power.
Back on Earth, Take military cadet Mikumi Takano is trying to keep Kaguya alive despite her complete lack of woodcraft skills. They manage to stumble on a military base, but realize too late that it’s not the Take branch base Mikumi is from, but an Ume branch base. In an effort to find Kaguya, the soldiers there have been abducting all the girls in the area, even ones that are clearly the wrong age.
Worse, the plan is to just kill off all the extra prisoners once Kaguya is identified, with the soldiers being allowed to have fun by picking how they want to do it. After all, these prisoners are all subhuman Tainted World people, right?
Obviously, this needs to be stopped. But with just two people, neither of whom is completely trained, how are they going to do it? Well, it turns out that one of the soldiers is secretly a infiltrator with a grudge against the Ume branch who’s been trying to work his way up the ranks until he can assassinate the corrupt leaders.
Also, there’s a mysterious old man in an iron mask in the tunnels below the base. This turns out to be the former Grand Minister who served Empress Hatoya. He’s a creepy guy, who says he wants to help Kaguya unlock the full potential of her sword. His methods are…extreme, and it’s not quite clear that he’s on any side but his own amusement, but he does indeed give Kaguya a combat upgrade.
As our heroes escape from the base, we focus on a new character. Abiko Amanobe is a young hacker who was investigating why his journalist father had been banished to the Tainted World for crimes he probably didn’t commit. He got caught, and was in that hijacked criminal transport from last volume.
At first it looks like he’s going to be forced to join the other prisoners (who are actual criminals) in their new gang, but he’s rescued by Suzume Sanuki, one of the two elders who were supposed to be Kaguya’s guardians on Earth. She plans to rendevous with her husband Miyatsukomaro Sanuki at the nearby Takamatsu base.
The old warrior has arrived at the Take branch base only to find it nearly deserted–a forged order has recalled most of the soldiers to the Moon. Worse, this has allowed a pyromaniac pursuitor to turn the base into a trap for Kaguya and anyone who might support her.
It’s not clear that Abiko is going to support Kaguya, though, as they do not get along at all. At least at first.
Once the current threat is dealt with, Kaguya collapses. Cliffhanger!
This is an early work by Endo, being translated now as he’s found international success with Spy X Family. While the art’s already pretty good, the characters are much more of the shounen stereotypes. Each plotline is meant to build up to the next cool battle scene.
Izumiya is the most interesting character in this volume. Despite being a bit younger than Kaguya, she is much more mature and put-together, at least on the surface. Her dutiful princess persona and bubbly pop idol stage presence are both covers for her actual murderous tendencies. She hasn’t taken her rightful place as the main villain yet, but it’s obvious that she will be.
There’s some omake gag strips (including revealing that one of Izumiya’s pop songs is “The Peasantry Is Trash”) and a report by Endo on his first Jump Festa experience.
Content note: Lethal violence, including a bloody mass murder. Children in peril. Female nudity from behind. Teenagers on up should be able to handle it.
This is okay, but the main reason it’s being published is that the creator went on to better things. Recommended primarily to fans of Endo.
January 18, 2025
'...Here's what I do know. I know what it is my mother risked her life to protect. And the idea of it being stolen away from us enrages me. And that's all. Is that so wrong?'
Glad that this turned out to be much better than volume 1 but there are still some choices that are certainly choices like this time we see Izumiya naked from the back taking a bath for some reason and I honestly just hate Mikuni because he keeps calling Kaguya 'baby' and touching her when she keeps telling him not to. What the fuck?! Also, he clearly is a dumbass because he took Kaguya right inside the Ume branch ehh. I would also love it if people stopped treating Kaguya like a child
Anyway, the plot moves a little in this as it's a more of a character focused volume and we also get to meet new characters like Hoshimura who wants to take revenge from the Ume branch for killing her girlfriend, the exiled Grand Minister Yushifusa who ends up helping Kaguya take better control of Futsunushi and Abiko who wants to figure out if his journalist dad was a hero or really a traitor. It's nice to see Shishimaro and Suzume, the elderly couple tasked with looking after Kaguya, holding their own against the Ume
The art is still pretty nice. But for some reason, there's a senior elite after Kaguya who is basically in a helmet, bra and thong, what in the wardrobe choice LOL
Glad that this turned out to be much better than volume 1 but there are still some choices that are certainly choices like this time we see Izumiya naked from the back taking a bath for some reason and I honestly just hate Mikuni because he keeps calling Kaguya 'baby' and touching her when she keeps telling him not to. What the fuck?! Also, he clearly is a dumbass because he took Kaguya right inside the Ume branch ehh. I would also love it if people stopped treating Kaguya like a child
Anyway, the plot moves a little in this as it's a more of a character focused volume and we also get to meet new characters like Hoshimura who wants to take revenge from the Ume branch for killing her girlfriend, the exiled Grand Minister Yushifusa who ends up helping Kaguya take better control of Futsunushi and Abiko who wants to figure out if his journalist dad was a hero or really a traitor. It's nice to see Shishimaro and Suzume, the elderly couple tasked with looking after Kaguya, holding their own against the Ume
The art is still pretty nice. But for some reason, there's a senior elite after Kaguya who is basically in a helmet, bra and thong, what in the wardrobe choice LOL
December 6, 2023
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5
Volume 2 of “Blade of the Moon Princess” begins right where we left off, in perilous but fun danger. Kaguya continues to fight for her life on the Tainted World so that she can eventually fight for her title and kingdom. With the introduction of new allies and foes, volume 2 is packed full of action and political intrigue.
Honestly? I was confused most of the time. Maybe I need to go back and read the first volume, but I just found that the way the story is told can be really confusing. As well as the paneling and the art focus. The action scenes are fun, but a little hard to follow who’s doing or saying what.
I do feel that this series would lend itself really well to animation, though. I would watch this anime vigorously if it’s ever made. Though I’m sure Tatsuya Endo has enough on their hands with Spy x Family right now.
Overall, I’m really interested in this story and Kaguya as a character. I just personally have a hard time following the plot and panels.
3.5/5
Volume 2 of “Blade of the Moon Princess” begins right where we left off, in perilous but fun danger. Kaguya continues to fight for her life on the Tainted World so that she can eventually fight for her title and kingdom. With the introduction of new allies and foes, volume 2 is packed full of action and political intrigue.
Honestly? I was confused most of the time. Maybe I need to go back and read the first volume, but I just found that the way the story is told can be really confusing. As well as the paneling and the art focus. The action scenes are fun, but a little hard to follow who’s doing or saying what.
I do feel that this series would lend itself really well to animation, though. I would watch this anime vigorously if it’s ever made. Though I’m sure Tatsuya Endo has enough on their hands with Spy x Family right now.
Overall, I’m really interested in this story and Kaguya as a character. I just personally have a hard time following the plot and panels.
January 29, 2024
This is the second volume of a five-book series from Tatsuya Endo, the author behind the fantastic Spy x Family series. This is sort of an updated version of the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a Japanese folklore story about Princess Kaguya, a princess on the moon who is sent down to the Earth.
We continue with Princess Kaguya down on the "tainted world" (Earth), working with the cadet Mikuni, trying to find their way back to his base so the princess can be protected... but instead they wander into a prison where they are only too happy to capture the princess. Can Kaguya escape and find her protectors before her enemies find her?
The story definitely is moving along, although at times it is very confusing, with multiple flashbacks intermingled with changing scenes, even a few new characters added to the mix. Hopefully the next chapter is a bit more straightforward with less flashbacks.
We continue with Princess Kaguya down on the "tainted world" (Earth), working with the cadet Mikuni, trying to find their way back to his base so the princess can be protected... but instead they wander into a prison where they are only too happy to capture the princess. Can Kaguya escape and find her protectors before her enemies find her?
The story definitely is moving along, although at times it is very confusing, with multiple flashbacks intermingled with changing scenes, even a few new characters added to the mix. Hopefully the next chapter is a bit more straightforward with less flashbacks.
February 28, 2024
I take back what I said in the last review; I have no idea when this is taking place or how it's taking place. Because the people of Earth seem to be feudal era peasants while the moon is a super technologically advanced society... except the moon has military bases on the surface of the Earth WITH SAID ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY! I thought the moon society was supposed to be a secret!
Anyway, Kaguya wants to get stronger so she can actually win a fight against the sexually dressed assassins that the Ume family sent after her (meanwhile, the Ume are still plotting to take over the moon) and she ends up walking straight into an Ume controlled army base because neither she nor Mikuni have more than a single braincell between them. Why are they so dumb?
This series has 5 volumes.
Anyway, Kaguya wants to get stronger so she can actually win a fight against the sexually dressed assassins that the Ume family sent after her (meanwhile, the Ume are still plotting to take over the moon) and she ends up walking straight into an Ume controlled army base because neither she nor Mikuni have more than a single braincell between them. Why are they so dumb?
This series has 5 volumes.
March 4, 2024
Princess Kaguya is on the run with Imperial cadet Mikuni. They are trying to reach Imperial Base 5 where Mikuni was stationed, but they ended up at the Ume Base 5 rather than the Taki base 5. What with one thing and another, they managed to rescue a bunch of prisoners and learn what has been hampering Kaguya from wielding the Imperial sword properly. When they finally arrived at the proper base, it was deserted. The Ume coup leaders had recalled all the troops back to the Moon. Kaguya was along except for Mikuni, her "guardian", his wife, and Abiko who is on the "Tainted Earth" to clear his father's name. Now all she need to do is figure out a way to survive and arrive back on the Moon to rescue her Mother!
Thanks Netgalley and Viz Media for the chance to read this title!
Thanks Netgalley and Viz Media for the chance to read this title!
May 24, 2024
A great continuation of volume 1! The story is as enjoyable as the first volume, with the humour as present as always (usually through the characters' comments). This series is really fun, it's a quick and easy read and it's very entertaining!
The story of Princess Kaguya continues as she's still away from home (not to give away any spoilers). You meet new characters, you see old ones, there's action here and there and you want to know what's going to happen next or how characters are going to get out of certain situations.
I recommend this series to anyone looking to broaden their reading genres or simply looking for something new to read!
The story of Princess Kaguya continues as she's still away from home (not to give away any spoilers). You meet new characters, you see old ones, there's action here and there and you want to know what's going to happen next or how characters are going to get out of certain situations.
I recommend this series to anyone looking to broaden their reading genres or simply looking for something new to read!
December 7, 2023
It's fine? It shows that it is an early work in the story weaver's catalogue
Because of the success of Spy X Family some of the older tales have been given a new life and a chance to burn brightly for a second time. That said, you can see why this one didn't become the same level of hit as spy x family.
I would read it even if it wasn't one of his, but I would be expecting to pay less? If that makes sense. It's a fine, swallow, action adventure story.
Because of the success of Spy X Family some of the older tales have been given a new life and a chance to burn brightly for a second time. That said, you can see why this one didn't become the same level of hit as spy x family.
I would read it even if it wasn't one of his, but I would be expecting to pay less? If that makes sense. It's a fine, swallow, action adventure story.
January 9, 2024
This was another fun action-filled volume. I am loving the art of this manga and how well it blends into action scenes. I am also liking the cast of characters being built out here. They are all unique and bounce off each other well. I would say that the overall story plot doesn't move that much this volume, it was more character-focused with both adding some cast and building out the MC power set. Definitly going to need to pick up the next volume with where this volume ended things.
March 8, 2024
Princess Kaguya is on the penal colony planet with enemies gunning for her. We're also introduced to the princess of the rival clan who, by all rights, is kinda crazy. Some new characters get introduced. Some want to help and others want to help by harming. Aside from that, if you read the first volume you're in for more of the same action and comedy bits. The series isn't recreating the wheel but keeps being fun and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2024
I think the setting and some of the character designs feel creative (the guy flying around with the jetpack in the bra and thong doesn't work for me though). But the story feels cluttered and the side characters are almost all annoying rather than endearing. I don't think I'm a fan of this artwork either. Maybe things will improve in volume 3.
December 29, 2023
3-3.5
I liked this volume better than the first one and look forward to what will happen next.
I liked this volume better than the first one and look forward to what will happen next.
January 8, 2024
I liked this volume more than the first. I think the story is just picking up and I am excited to see where it goes.
Mikuni Takano is my favorite character and he can do no wrong ever. :]
Mikuni Takano is my favorite character and he can do no wrong ever. :]
January 14, 2024
A great story so far. I see an internal battle between good and evil for the protagonist coming in the following volumes. Excited.
June 9, 2024
This feels in a weird way like it's trying to capture the spirit of Fullmetal Alchemist but absolutely misses that mark.
Also maybe don't sexualize the teenage characters.
Also maybe don't sexualize the teenage characters.
October 4, 2024
The princess is slowly growing up socially and emotionally. A prison break. Removing the limiter. Understanding the powers of her sword.
October 24, 2024
1.5 stars.
January 4, 2025
Still not sold on this series. I can’t call it anymore than just okay, because I do not prefer this particular brand of silliness.
March 8, 2025
3.5 stars~
July 11, 2025
ooh i’m very curious about the horns! 👀
December 31, 2023
Unfortunately, I still didn't like this volume... so this may end up being a series I DNF.
July 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ for a copy of the volume.
Volume 2 continues the story of Princess Kaguya and her journey to reclaim her position on the moon while meeting new allies along the way. I liked the new characters introduced, but I admit that I was confused at some parts and had to go back and reread to get a better idea of what was going on. Overall, I liked the characters and was especially intrigued to learn more about the ones back on the moon. Looking forward to continuing this series!
Volume 2 continues the story of Princess Kaguya and her journey to reclaim her position on the moon while meeting new allies along the way. I liked the new characters introduced, but I admit that I was confused at some parts and had to go back and reread to get a better idea of what was going on. Overall, I liked the characters and was especially intrigued to learn more about the ones back on the moon. Looking forward to continuing this series!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews