Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 4

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits #4

by Waco Ioka, Ｌａｒｕｈａ (Designer), Midori Yuma (Creator)

Faced with the choice of being married to a strange spirit or being made into dinner, Aoi creates a third option for herself!

Aoi Tsubaki inherited her grandfather’s ability to see spirits—and his massive debt to them! Now she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed, or get eaten by ayakashi. But Aoi isn’t the type to let spirits push her around, and she’s determined to redeem her grandfather’s IOU on her own terms!

Aoi is finally ready to open her restaurant on the grounds of the Tenjin-ya inn, but not everyone is as excited about it as she is. Some of the chefs of the main restaurant are doing everything they can to destroy her business before it even has a chance to start! Aoi is determined to keep going, but her detractors are deadly serious about stopping her.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Supernatural, Shojo

152 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2018

Reviews

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord the food in this manga makes me hungry...it looks so good!!

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...


Aoi Tsubaki inherited her grandfather’s ability to see spirits—and his massive debt to them! Now she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo, the spirit world, to make good on his bill. Her options: marry the head of the inn her grandfather trashed, or get eaten by ayakashi. But Aoi isn’t the type to let spirits push her around, and she’s determined to redeem her grandfather’s IOU on her own terms! If she can just get someone to see past her family background, Aoi is certain she can prove her worth...

The Premise

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol 4 ups the ante for Aoi who is ready to open her restaurant... Finally! Everyone from the inn is helping her to make the final preparations. There's one problem... how will ayakashi know that the restaurant exists and that it has home cooking specifically for their palate?! The Ōdanna sets her up to meet all the vendors she will need. I love how he subtly supports her without giving her the answers. It certainly gets her creativity pumping. And she'll need it too... because if she doesn't she'll be forced to close before she's even begun! I really felt like the story was finally getting real and I can't wait to see what she comes up with.


The Buzz

We meet two new characters in Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol 4... Aoi meets Sasuke the whirlwind who is a gardener and security when he saves her from some ayakashi who don't want her to succeed. Hahaha that tricky Ōdanna needs eyes and ears everywhere. Then with Ginji she meets Byakuya, the front office manager, i.e. the money man! And boy is he scary (though fair in his own way). I feel like these two signaled a whole new storyline that I'm excited to get into deeper. We learned more about her grandfather through them too and it really is getting dangerous in here!


The Feels

It's the food though that had me dying in Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol 4! Her rice balls nearly caused a revolt in my house as those I lived with also were dying to eat some after getting a glimpse. There are all kinds of tasty fillings too. If this restaurant existed I would surely be dying to visit. Then her boxed lunch for the secret guest... to DIE FOR! Seriously I love the Ōdanna's subtle romantic gestures toward Aoi but surely food is the best way to anyone's stomach.


The Visuals

The food in Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol 4 was especially yummy looking... but the battle was probably where my heart lay! This has always been a cute and adorable slice of life about food and family but add in a touch of action and a ton of tension with the advertising woes an everything is jacked up a level. I really loved how Ginji changed ages and shapes to get what he wanted as they shopped too. It was really adorable.


Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits vol 4 makes Aoi work for her success. Sure, she's finally opening her restaurant but this volume was the signal that it wasn't going to be easy for her to succeed. No, if she wants to pay back the Ōdanna then she'll have to fight rogue sous-chefs, grapple with angry budget nazis and satisfy mystery celebrities! But will she succeed? We'll find out in the next volume of Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.

______________________
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[Rereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was so much shorter than the other three, which is so sad because I loved it and wanted more! I loved seeing Aoi take the necessary steps to opening her restaurant and I loved seeing her interactions with the other ayakashi. Now that she's on good terms with a lot of them, I'm treated to some sweet moments (like when she's with the whirlwind who saves her) and hilarious moments (like with Akatsuki and Oryo). It was great seeing the vendors and stores in the great shopping district as well as seeing her try to tell off people who think she's engaged to the Odanna (technically she isn't, but they use it as a cover to protect her). And can I just say, controversial opinion here, that the food and the descriptions are better than the ones in Food Wars? Seriously, this is food that I would actually love to eat and can imagine making myself, which I love.

One detail I want to bring up is that as much as the front desk manager comes across as an unfeeling asshole, I actually understand his line of reasoning. That cottage Aoi's restaurant's in has not done well and as such it should be taken down considering its poor history. And yes, Aoi is incredibly reckless and doesn't think situations through all the way and that does cause problems. Granted, I think he could have been more tactful and understanding in his talk with Aoi and Genji, but he has valid reasons for his complaints and reservations towards their business. Just wanted to throw that out there.

There are just not enough nice things I can say about this volume and this series as a whole. It's cute, fun, funny, and light, a good break from any serious stuff I'm reading. I need volume 5 now, when is it coming out?!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/mjnZoWzcGwg

"Good business isn't only about making money. You must treat everyone you meet with respect. Every connection counts."

We're meeting more characters in this world! EEEEPP!!

Not only that, but Aoi is officially opening up her own restaurant, and I'm excited because it means she is getting more and more grounded in this world! YAY!

However, I have to laugh because Aoi really does seem MUCH more excited to talk and meet everyone else BUT the Ōdanna! LOL! I feel a little bad for him because even when he wants to treat her and take her out, it takes Ginji to convince her ultimately to go out. AND that it would help to spread the word about the restaurant and not just be seen as the "ogre's bride." LOL!

Like Aoi, I am very curious about the history between Ōdanna and Ginji because I was surprised by some of the information shared during their outing! Plus there is some "dark history" to Tenjin-ya that lurks from long ago? Color me intrigued!

I REALLY liked Sasuke! I agree with Aoi that he has a natural cuteness that isn't forced! LOL! It was also fun hearing how much he admired her grandfather because it really doesn't seem like ANYONE feels that way even just a little bit! LOL!

The Front Office Manager, Byakuya, and the same guy on the cover is…something else. LOL! He is quite scary and really felt Aoi and Ginji's reactions even as a reader, despite that I'm not even in the story! LOL! I hope we don't see him often even though he isn't a bad guy, he's just VERY intimidating! LOL!

I hope with Aoi making food for a certain customer at Tenjin-ya that all will unfold well and that it will really put her restaurant on the radar!

[Shu Wei Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Links to my reviews for each available volume as follows:
Volume 1: 4 best nine-tailed fox character stars
Volume 2: 4 Beauty and the Beast but make it Spirited Away stars
Volume 3: 4 how can spiders be this endearing? stars
Volume 4: 4 foodie stars
Volume 5: 5 just who is Aoi's grandpa, Shiro? stars
Volume 6: 4 pretty art stars
Volume 7: 5 I need more of Kakuriyo stars

My adoration for this series just continues to grow. The theme of how food invokes memories and forges connections is sooo sweet 💖

DO NOT read this manga late at night like I did, I had a whole bag of chips because the food art and descriptions made me hungry!

[Ruthsic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume has Aoi putting the finishing touches on her restaurant opening, and I was so here to see my girl flourish! She's settling in well at the inn, with most of the staff helping her out and delighted to get to eat her nourishing food. But the main chefs aren't pleased with her, and while they are resorting to pranks to undermine her, there is also a threat out against her. Odanna takes her out for the star festival, and we to see it celebrated in Kakuriyo, and with Ginji accompanying them, we also see the adorable dynamic between him, Aoi and Odanna. Ginji shows a mischievous side, using his shape-shifting to his advantage, and I wasn't immune to him being so cute! Aoi is still being underestimated, mostly because she is human, but her being Shiro's grand-daughter (we get more anecdotes about him, btw) and Odanna's bride (seems the media haven't gotten the memo about her bet) also gives her some status among the ayakashi. Aside from the plot, the amazing parts were the scenery of the star festival, as well as the delicious food mentioned and showed (made me a little hungry, tbh). I felt like this volume was a nice mix of aesthetics and plot.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aoi faces more backlash for wanting to open "Yugao" (or "Moonflower" as they call it in the Anime) from certain ayakashi, survives opening night, then the doldrums of being a new business off the beaten path and fighting to convince the business manager of Tenjin-Ya to let her keep trying when the restaurant starts to head into the red.

Kakuriyo is frequently about the lives Aoi changes, often without realizing or meaning to, and this volume really starts to show those people (well, ayakashi) coming alongside her to help her through her own hard times. Other than one exciting event, this is really a world/character building volume, but I'm fine with that, as it's always fun to just spend time hanging out with Aoi and crew!

No language or sensuality issues (Aoi possibly being forced to marry someone against her will is mentioned, but as a vague off-in-the-distance-looming-sort-of-threat not an impending one). Some slight peril as Aoi is reminded that she is essentially a delicacy wandering a world of famished creatures and is kept safe by the care of those around her, and some more serious peril that she doesn't know the reason for yet.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aoi is getting ready for the restaurant opening and she's getting some help from her new friends. Pee-Wee makes just a small cameo but I missed him so I am happy he was able to come along. There are some serious people after Aoi. One is obvious while the other sends an assassin after her for some reason. After initially a great opening she has to see Byakuya in the front office. His brief chapter was really funny. I enjoy reading about new characters like him and Sasuke the whirlwind. I hope to see Aoi stick it to the chefs who have been messing with her. I also really liked that she spent time with the Odanna. (What is his name anyway?) I love the humor that Ginji added when he tagged along. I love home enthusiastic Ginji is and hope there are moments just him and Aoi together. Can't wait to read the next one!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just binged these and it seems like they are more illustrated cookbook than actual story at times. Kind of boring. I guess I’m just tired of series and like something with a definite end. 3 stars for the beautiful artwork, the story is kind of the same.

[Llyr Heller-Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series. I love reading about all the food.

[L.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were 4 chapters in this volume instead of 5. Aoi opens her restaurant and cooks many enticing dishes which made my stomach rumble. New characters are introduced. I'm looking forward to Volume 5.

[Jemailyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆

So, Odanna can show emotions after all. 🤔 He's so stoic in the anime version.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers for the first three ahead. . . .

As in, Aoi is actually opening the restaurant. It opens with feeding the staff some rice balls, and goes on to include signs being mispointed, a trip she consents to go on because of supplies, a boxed lunch for an author, Ginji's making use of his shape-changing, banana peels, and more.

[kyky · Rating 4 out of 5]

pee wee i love you you are the best. sn icon. a superstar.

4.5/5

[Judyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3 Stars

In this volume, Aoi is finally opening her new restaurant, Yugao. They're setting everything up, preparing, and even having a soft opening. They're trying hard and getting good responses from the people who come, and yet someone is trying to make this harder on her. Someone doesn't want this restaurant to work, and their plans are working, since no one is showing up. Their location is just too hard to find, it seems.
This volume was all right. Aoi is working hard, and she's a good cook, but she's fighting against yokai who have been there a lot longer than her. Her relationship with the ogre seems to be getting better, and I like how it appears that he likes her. They're forming a kind of friendship, I think, or at least growing more comfortable with each other, which I like.
It's very clear that this is trying to be a food manga, and yet I forget that, because there just isn't enough food in it. The things Aoi makes sound good to me, but there isn't enough detail or description in any of it, for me to consider this a food manga.
This is an all right shojo. I don't mind it, but it feels very meh and not fleshed-out enough, still.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aoi prepares to open her restaurant, meeting the Ayakashi that will be her business partners in the future. But, of course, not everything will go smoothly and Aoi struggles with a lack of customers and bullying from the Tenjinya kitchen staff. Things are going so badly, she and Ginji are summoned to the Front Office to meet with the head of Tenjinya's financial department: the shrewd and calculating Byakuya.

The way this one ended, I have a feeling something bad is about to happen.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume ended in a weird place, but overall, it was cute.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues with Aoi gaining more trust and forming friendships with the ayakashi of Tenjin-ya as she prepares to open her restaurant. Other reviewers do a good job of addressing the positives, so I'll stick with the issues I have and touch on a few of the highlights for me. This series hasn't gripped me quite as much as I'd like by this point (and I think volume 3 was stronger), but I'm still interested enough to continue reading. This volume starts off throwing different foods/fillings at the reader in almost every panel. Aside from making me hungry (the artwork is superb, as usual), it got boring with little story development. While the food variations kept coming, eventually they formed into scenes that moved the plot forward and involved some sweet, major character (Aoi/Odanna/Ginji) interactions, and then action and humour quickened the pace. I want to like this series more than I do, but the pacing for major story elements isn't consistent. The first part felt like filler and it finished on a strong note. I realize this isn't a glowing review to match a 4 star rating, but I do genuinely adore the character interactions and the story when it's strong, and that offsets the negatives. Looking forward to volume 5 and still hoping the pacing evens out and settles into a decent rhythm.

[eve.lyn._.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

🥘🍜 🍚🅚🅐🅚🅤🅡🅘🅨🅞: 🅑🅔🅓 & 🅑🅡🅔🅐🅚🅕🅐🅢🅣 🅕🅞🅡 🅢🅟🅘🅡🅘🅣🅢🍚🍜🥘
        Aoi has finally opened up Yūgao with the help of Ginji. She hopes to keep her restaurant afloat, but many are determined to bring her down. Byakuya, the chief of the accounting office, makes a deal with Aoi until she discovers a secret of his. When cold-hearted Byakuya visits Yūgao he is delighted to discover that Aoi's cooking skills live up to all the talk. Sasuke protects Aoi as many attempt to destroy her completely. Aoi and Ōdanna explore the spirit world as Aoi searches for the ayakashi who helped her all those years ago.

     Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast Vol. 4 has Aoi and Ginji finally opening up Yūgao. It was exciting to see their plans become a reality, with Aoi and Ginji finally opening up their restaurant. The stakes are pretty high as the two make a deal with Byakuya. Byakuya was an interesting character. I loved his character design, but I do feel like his character lacks any depth. While this story does have stakes, they always feel very low, almost as if they fly under the radar. 

      Cozy, comforting, and fun would be a great way to describe this series. While I didn't appreciate the whole way that Aoi ended up in this situation by getting kidnapped by Ōdanna and forced into a marriage she didn't want, I was glad to see that Ōdanna ends up treating Aoi with more kindness. While that doesn't make up for his past actions, it makes the read more enjoyable when the reader gets to see that he treats her better and hopefully will. I just really hope the two learn to communicate better. 

      Sasuke was an interesting character. I loved the short scene he had, and I'm excited to see more. Ginji is just such a sweet character, and I would love to see more from him! All the snippets of food were interesting, and I love to learn about all the different cuisines.
☑️🆗PLOT
🆗CHARACTERS
🆗PLOT TWISTS

[Megan Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Odanna introduces Aoi to some of the local merchants to help her understand the people she will be serving and hides the cause of an assassination attempt. Meanwhile Aoi finally opens her restaurant. While those that have eaten her food love it, there are many who wish her to fail. Besides the lack of funds and hidden location of Yugao, she struggles to overcome the prejudices of her human heritage and the strife caused by her adoptive grandfather Shiro.
* * * * *----------------* * * * *----------------* * * * *
It’s another kind of middling entry. The premise is decent. The cultural touchstones and variety of Yokai are good. The art is fine. The pace is trying to give things time to breathe as there are a lot of emotional components to the creatures Aoi interacts with and their complicated backstories. However, not much ever happens in a single volume given several pages are food descriptions and recipes—and this is short even by those standards. Be prepared for a slice of life style manga or treat it as a companion to the anime series which moves through the main plot points faster. (2.5 stars)

[Christyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits, Vol.4 was another wonderful installment in the series. Aoi has returned to Kakuriyo, and is preparing to open the restaurant. But not all is smooth sailing, with the poor location and funding, to interloping saboteurs, and surprise attacks from lurking assassins. Aoi remains positive and determined.

I did love the bonding going on between the characters. As well as the outing into Gintengai (the shopping street) with Odanna and Ginji. I also enjoyed getting to know Sasuke the whirlwind a little more, as well as meeting the stern, money-minded front office manager Sir Byakuya the Hakutaku. It was also great to see Lord Matsuba again! I look forward to reading the next volume, and seeing how her bento is received by the mysterious Hakkabo.

Note: You will probably get hungry reading this. Love all the food!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

In volume 4 of this series, Aoi joins the Odanna and Ginji to visit the various shops and businesses in Gintengai, the equivalent of Rodeo Drive, in order to meet more locals and build more relationships in business. Aoi is working hard to open her restaurant, Yugao, despite the hostility and sabotage she is experiencing from the rest of the ayakashi. She even experiences a murderous attempt on her life but is saved by Sasuke, the security guard. She and Ginji are summoned to the front office where they are confronted by Sir Byakuya over the lack of profit coming from the restaurant and is given a deadline for when she needs to create more income instead of debt. Will Aoi be forced to marry to Odanna, or can she turn her business around? Filled with beautiful illustrations and many descriptions of Japanese food, expect to salivate while reading this series!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a criticism of the actual story or comic, but the way it was published. This volume is significantly smaller in page numbers than the previous volumes. It's about 50 pages shorter, which is annoying since the price point is still the same. Paying the same for less sucks, especially when another fifty pages should be enough to add another chapter to the volume.

That aside, this was a fun book wherein we are introduced to more characters, broadening Aoi's world at Tenjin-ya. She meets the ultra strict and intimidating front office worker, Byakuta, who gives her and Genji an ultimatum about the success of Aoi's floundering restaurant, and we meet Sasuke the whirlwind who saves Aoi after a harrowing attempt is made on her life, giving the reader a clear clue that there is once again more going on to this story than just a girl spirited away to become an ogre's bride.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aoi is ready for the opening of her restaurant, but is getting a lot of pushback from others in Kakuriyo who don't want it to open. Will she be able to make it a success, or is it just going to get her in more debt?

Aoi is slowly winning over more and more residents of the inn, but is facing serious (like assassin level serious) pushback from others. I like the further development of the characters, and there's a bit more development of the politics of the world of Kakuriyo in this one too. Recommended to those who enjoy worlds based on Japanese mythology.

Notes on content: About 3-5 minor swear words. No sexual content. A little fight with a would-be assassin that only ends with a scratch.

[Christine]

Aoi has her chance to open her restaurant but a shadowy figure would rather see her dead...

Business is also not going well and she may have to end up marrying the ogre...

Although rated Teen, there really isn't much edgy about this at all.

Content Notes:

Profanity/swearing: None

Sex/sexual references: None

Religious references: Aoi visits the Demon's Gate shrine which is considered a matchmaking shrine (both in terms of romantic and business relationships. Together, three characters pray for the success of the new restaurant.

LGBTQ + rep: Not specified

[LadyRemy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoever is trying to sabotage this restaurant is about to catch my hands.

I enjoy Aoi and Ginji are working hard at their shop but no one is showing up cept the Tengus. Who is sabotaging them? I enjoyed the continuation and the idea that Aoi was even considering accepting the proposal because business was doing so poorly. It is nice to see more snippets of what her grandfather, Shiro, was like. This is just a feel good manga series to read.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad that this one felt shorter than the last couple of volumes. Also, it doesn't matter if I've just eaten a big meal or not, every time I read one of these I feel hungry. So much of this story is focused on food, and so there are lots of descriptions of food and food preparation in this. It all sounds so yummy.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aoi and Odanna go out for a night on the town and the restaurant opens.

This volume felt like there was more story and forward momentum. I enjoyed the night of eating that the couple (and they're starting to feel like like) devoured. Even though Aoi's opening night at the restaurant was a big hit, her business is struggling. It will be interesting to see how she tries to build on it.

[Brittanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good but I feel ripped off by Viz... This volume was so slim and we're not even through the plot of season 1 of the anime. They could have translated a few more chapters if they're going to charge $10 a volume in the USA.

[Jennifer Bellridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aoi! She’s so very brave and determined, I just love her. Not going to give up and be an ogres bride. The food continues to be a character of its own. Can’t wait to read the next volume....so sad it’s not going to be out for a few months! This manga is firmly on my keeper shelf!