Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 9

Library Wars: Love & War #9

by Kiiro Yumi (Story & Art), Hiro Arikawa (Original Concept), Kinami Watabe (Translator)

In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections and, with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves—the Library Forces!

There's a groper in the library and Library Force members Iku and Shibazaki are sent in as bait! Iku's undercover outfit makes her vulnerable...will she be able to defend herself if the pervert targets her? Later, Library Force members are required to take a test that involves reading stories to a group of rambunctious school kids. Coming from a big, unruly family, Iku definitely has the upper hand!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Dystopia, Shojo

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2012

About the author

See also 弓きいろ

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a shojo fan and you're not reading Library Wars, one of the star titles of the Shojo Beat imprint, then you are missing out on one heck of a series. Nine volumes in and it's still the mixture of action and drama that has kept readers glued to the page, as well as the unresolved romantic tension that keeps shippers writing thousand word ship manifestos on Livejournal.

You can read my complete review of LIBRARY WARS 9 at my blog, Nagareboshi Reviews: http://nagareboshi-reviews.blogspot.com/

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww Tezuka and Shibazaki 😍

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love how this series makes me laugh so much! This volume was no exception! Not only that, but that conversation between Dojo and Iku…I think I might have let out a sigh.

Another really fun volume as I greatly enjoyed the written and skill tests our three corporals have to take.

Oh goodness, that bonus manga was hilarious! Only Komaki. Hahaha!

Also, really digging that potential romance between those two certain characters. Wink, wink. ;)

Looking forward to the next volume! :D

[Lauren Schnoebelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume we see the team work towards catching the creep who is targeting disabled women in the library. I’m not sure how I felt about the approach they took but I did love how Konami gave the whistle to Marie to make her feel comfortable and in control again. After that, we are faced with 2 things Iku is moving on from her prince 😂😂😂 and the promotion evaluation exam is happening with the skills a test being child focused. I loved that this volumes looked at the different ways of educating and interacting with kids to keep them interested in books and learning. I had so much fun reading through all the situations that came from practicing for this and the team in general talking with each other. The second hand embarrassment was strong for me in this volume.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute chapter with the promotion practical exam and Iku's idea. I am glad she finally knows Dojo is her prince- took her long enough! I still have the issue that she seams a tad bit incompetent to be in so elite a team, although perhaps the eliteness is a tad overblown and is more about physical fitness than anything else.

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆ YouTube | Tumblr | Instagram | Storygraph ☆☆

Really Freaking Weird! -- May Wrap Up as Reread, Rewrite, Burn || 23 books!

Well that resolved quickly. But the ROMANCE IS GOING PLACES!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute 9th volume. I dont have a ton to say about the series at this point but they are fun reads. I like all the characters. I do wish Kashara and Dojo would figure themselves out at this point though. Also just realized that they made this into an anime so I will have to watch it and see how it was done.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so lovely but it annoys me that it is only published about twice a year. Last volume was spectacular and volume 9 follows suit. The book starts off by quickly wrapping up the "groper" problem left hanging at the end of V8 then takes on a new direction. Kasahara comes to a conclusion about her life which sets her relation with Dojo on a new grounding. This is cute and explored throughout. This book also gets back into some much needed story plot that does not revolve around the budding romance. All our rookies are preparing to take the testing to move up in rank to Corporal and by the book's end a whole new case is in action when the Media Betterment Agency wants to censor a magazine article about an actor-idol when he uses the forbidden word "barber". I'm glad we've got a plot going again because even though the romance makes me sigh, it is the futuristic censorship setting that first interested me in this series and I love when some action is going on. As usual finishing this book left me feeling a big sigh of love for all the characters and one of dismay that while volume 10 is coming out in Aug of this year (2013), the next volume hasn't been given a release date yet making me think we'll again only get two volumes this year. Love, love, love these characters! They have developed so much since we first met them waaaay back in V1.

[S. J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The groper in the library story ends at the beginning of this volume. Komaki figured out what made the man target Marie and asks Iku to play the right kind of bait. Unfortunately, she is not able to fight back as she normally would because of high heels, this is why I've never seen the use for them.

The next story is in the anime, so I was expecting it. It is time for our three lower ranked officers to take the test for their next ranking. While it's all but a walk in the park for Shibazaki, for Iku and Tezuka things are less certain. Iku's not sure she can pass the written part of the test while Tezuka is facing his worse nightmare in the skill's test - reading to children!

While Dojo tries to beat the library notebook into Iku's head, Shibazaki attempts to help Tezuka find his own way to read to the children. Iku and Dojo also share a moment and both learn a bit about one of the symbols of the library system - the chamomile flower, which was the favorite of Commander Inamine.

After this arc comes a very interesting story that I hate is left unfinished in this volume because it was not in the anime. An actor telling his life story opens a can of worms and ends up taking on the Media Betterment Act over the censorship of a really stupid word. We'll have to wait to see how this all comes out...I want to know!!!!

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 2021: Ohhhh, this was just full of everything! The continuation of the previous story in the previous volume (bleh pervert that preys on girls who cannot scream/call for help), Kasahara is awkward around Dojo because of her feelings + she knows he is the prince (which had me laughing though I also wish those two would be more honest so they can be in a relationship or at least try something), there is promotion (though hilariously close-ups have her with 2 Vs but further away and it is just one, plus I just loved what she did for her skill test), and there is plenty more! I really had fun reading this one and I enjoyed it all.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be what it feels like to take drugs...always on a high.

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

這集手塚想著兔子先生的四格真是太好笑了XD
番外的小牧和郁的部份也真的好棒
圖書館戰爭真的是一套會讓我一直邊看邊姨母笑的漫畫www

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping that by now she would've told Dojo that she knows but she is still trying to come to terms with the info. Also with all the stuff going on right now, she's got more things on her mind, like being touched by a perv. Something I love about Iku, she is so strong, she never gives up, and no one is going to stop her from doing what she thinks is right. All the characters are this way and I just love that this manga in filled with such wonderful strong characters. That's one of the best things about this manga.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
Something big happens!

I don't want to give anything away, so let's focus on Marie instead. She is a lovely representation of people with hearing problems (of whom there are a lot more than are regularly portrayed!). She I very sugary-sweet, but her adoration for Komaki is adorable.

My only disappointment is that there isn't enough kissing between any of if the possible couples. Usually I love all of the dramatic tension, but there's so much of it here, one of these characters has got to give eventually!

[Jenni Sauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

THEY JUST KEEP GETTING CUTER AND CUTER I LOVE THESE TWO SO MUCH

Also just...the whole children's library storyline was the CUTEST thing, I adore it so much, oh my goodness

Just. This whole volume. It's so so good 💕

[Truly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kalau dunia perpustakaan persis selerti yang ada dalam buku ini, bakalan seru tempat kerja saya wkwkkw. Boleh ngayal dong. Lihat "jenjang karier" juga seru, dari pustakawan 3 hingga perwira tinggi butuh perjuangan yang tidak mudah.

Ujian kenaikan pangkat juga seru, temanya beragam bahkan sampai membacakan buku bergambar untuk anak. Seperti ini kayaknya saya ngak bakalan lulus dengan mudah. Suka anak kecil berbeda dengan membacakan buku untuk anak.

[Kirsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hahaha I can't, I can't! This was the funniest one so far, and that bonus manga almost killed me.

[Natalie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exam was actually really fun to watch!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Keep calm below these a-cups” is how I’m going to start referring to my heart when I’m freaking out except with my actual size.

[Kai Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, novel look at Iku now that she knows who her prince is, but it could get old very quickly.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

PROMOTION SKILL TEST IS THE BEST ARC OF ALL TIME.

[Sara I · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so wonderful. It's my favorite manga series, the first one I ever read too.

It's about the near future where there are two groups of people fighting over book rights. One things anything with the slightest thing offensive or magical should be banned. While the others things people should have the right to read what they choose. The library wars.

When she was defended during a book raid by a stranger Iku Kasahara decided to join the library task force to protect books, like her Prince did for her. In this issue she and her friend Shibazuki are going undercover to try and catch a pervert who is skulking at the library. Then there is an upgrading test coming up that she and her friend's must pass in order to gain a new rank. But it looks like it'll be hard!!

Pros:This is a really, really fun series! I wait for each volume and I die. Really. I waited at least 1/2 a year if not more for this volume. It took my library so long to get it. And why do I love this manga series so much? Well because of how interesting it is. I love books and my library so this is like my manga. The characters are funny and I feel like I know them and like they're real :) The manga is funny and exciting, each one is something new or at least a little different. I don't get bored and they're very original.

Cons:There is a little language and violence (barely) but it's really a clean manga. And I don't have any other complaints, I really love this manga!!!!
Overall, I love it. I was so excited for this volume and it totally lived up to my expectations :D

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume concentrates on furthering the romance plot between Iku and Dojo - Iku now trying to let Dojo know she loves him and has outgrown her prince ^^; Dojo having several scenes where he can hardly keep himself from hugging or kissing her, she's so cute and enthusiastic.

There's a lovely bit where Tezuka, Iku AND Shibazaki have to do a practical test of reading to children to move up to corporal in the ranks ^^. Just a great way of highlighting how they work. Some lovely further development of the romance included.

The outside plot gets picked up again when a magazine article falling under censored speech rules gets taken as a reason for highlighting the fact that the Media Comittee has some truly abstruse rules in their Act - like making it illegal to use the word "barber" in the media.

Meanwhile Iku and Dojo are really fighting to keep their mutual feelings hidden, heh, and work together normally.

[Rachel's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accidently read this again. oops. Lol. I thought I had put it down and hadn't finished but...I did. :P

[Katie (Katie's Corner Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

see full review @ Katie's Corner

Have you been waiting for this one? As I promised to review it back in 2016 as soon as I received the last volume, but I didn't receive it until summer and as you all know, whatever I read and reviewed during summer, saw the light only now. Though if you have been following the blog's Facebook page you would have seen me posting my favourite scenes along the way. Mostly they were all from last 2 volumes and usually kiss scenes with # it finally happened.

But let me get back to the story. If you haven't read it yet, you can check my first review before starting the series, but trust me you should as this story is spectacular in its own way. You'll read a lot about freedom and especially freedom of expression and speech. The story is based on a novel so if you want you can read the novel, though I loved the manga so much I didn't even search for the novel. If you've been following Iku and Dojo on their fight to free the world of censorship you'll love the last volumes, as now that Iku found our that Dojo is her prince she's evaluating her feelings and their love gets a whole new attention. But it is not until Iku Makes the final move that they confirm their feelings and even get married at the end.

The couple that was the most interesting was Shibazeki and Tezuka. I really loved how he took kisses as collateral, but I'm still mad that they are not together at the end of the story, thought it was implied that they will get together at some point. Enjoy this fantastic roller-coaster of duty, love and freedom and don't forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos! Don't miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

[The Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this volume. It shows that children’s programming isn’t just story time but also playtime, and as long as the children learn something new or enjoy themselves.

That bit about parents using the library’s children’s center as a free daycare is also very true. That is not the purpose of that area and if a child is left unattended, we can call that child abandonment and call the police.

Parents, watch your children. Don’t ignore them to satisfy your social life.

We also get the first solid retaliation on the MBC from the public as a ridiculous rule is brought to light.

This series has 15 volumes.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent installment that any bibliophile will love--but it's especially fun if you're a librarian. I'm usually not a fan of romance, but it is perfectly woven in a larger anti-censorship narrative filled with engaging and lovable characters. (On a side note, I related HARD to Tezuka in this volume. As someone who also feels less comfortable with children... I related to his trepidation as a librarian who sometimes has to work with kids. There's a reason I work in the adult department.... But those moments when you need to work with kids are rarely has scary as they actually seem. Mostly, just like Tezuka did: Have fun yourself and the kids will respond in kind.)

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The molester part that started at the end of volume 8 is wrapped up pretty quickly in the very beginning of this volume which I was thankful for. I especially liked when Dojo asked Iku if the guy touched her and when she said it was nothing Dojo said something that horrible is never “nothing”. I really appreciated him saying that, that such a thing is NEVER good and it’s okay to say so and not just brush it off. And I really wish Shibazaki had put a pen through his hand, bwahaha! She’s lethal!

I loved this whole volume like usual, but I have to say my favorite part was Iku and Dojo talking about chamomile and what it means as it was a super sweet and close scene between them I really adored. 😍 Not to mention the topics of censorship that are woven throughout this series are so timely and thought provoking on how we should be watchful of such things as well.

Content: a molester strokes a girl’s thigh and puts his hand slightly under her skirt (not shown in a positive light and nothing else happens and she’s rescued); the word pervert is used several times; characters drink

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this was more balanced between the romance and the library affairs again.
I think being in volume 9 there is not much I can say positive about the series that I haven't yet with previous volumes unless it is distinct.
I guess I really liked the story times they had to do as part of the skill test and liked Iku's idea for it.
I think what I really like about this series is when I come across the authentic library elements (working at a library myself) but also the twist with them fighting censorship. 6 volumes to go.

[David Basora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty heavy stuff in this one. I wish she would stop making Marie a victim, but I suppose the reality of this particular case in the spotlight was impossible to ignore. The promotional tests were cute though, and Tezuka really is filling out as a character. This tension created between Kasahara and Dojo is silly though, because it really isn't sustainable. Like Komaki, I'm hoping for a resolution of some sort pretty soon. I guess that's not how this works though.