I checked out Vols. 1-5 from my local joint-use library and I love reading this series.
My Review...
I love the slender and graceful looking purple cover of this volume. The Nue and Yukari on the cover show how elegant they are and purple is one of my favorite colors.
I am always pleased by the first couple pages in full color. Especially, the full-color page of Chapter 17 with The Nue and Kasha (finally got to see his character in color - he's still handsome and I am not sure if he is either bad or good sometimes).
I never took a good look at Himari's school logo/crest before. I noticed that it was a cloud with their name or school written in kanji on it. The design was nice as it fits with the whole theme of the book and series.
I was sad to know the backstory of Hidaka and Aoi's past. I was so happy that there was still someone out there who remembered Aoi. I was surprised that the fox spirit, kudagitsune, took the form of Aoi when he was a child and I almost mistook him for a demon or somehow connect to Aoi himself but he wasn't. Furthermore, I was happy that Aoi and Hidaka were able to reunite, though briefly and be happy. I felt sad that Hidaka had ended up forgetting Aoi in the end, but it was for the better and their true feelings were able to get across to each other. Although, it was and still a heart aching scene for me. Luckily, Himari and Hidaka are now friends and he can live his life in peace along with more friends in the future.
The Shikigami Zushi makes an appearance again in this volume, although it was minor. I would like to think we get to see more of him.
I was confused to why the kudagitsune multiply, but I admit that they are all too cute. Especially, the older brother of the fox spirits, Tamamo and I can agree with what Himari said to Tamamo- "I had no idea you were so cute." I felt sad again that he misses his mother and I think he feels lonely. Also, because the only people who can see them now are those that live in Momochi House.
Kasha made a reappearance, but he did not seem so evil to me. I feel like from time to time he does good/bad things or he is mysteriously helping out because he seems to have a lot of secrets and he comes and goes whenever he wants to.
In addition, we get an unexpected and accidental confession from Himari to Aoi that I almost felt was too soon in a way, but at the same time right for this moment. Aoi is so innocent that I wanted to know his reply, but I see we are going with the family type of love excuse that is good for now. I feel like Aoi has secrets of his own and I really wanted to know what his thoughts were if he chooses to use the box with the ayakashi fireflies in it. I might have to agree with Kasha that "Aoi... ...Doesn't want to hold the box." I am sort of confused and wondering why though.
I became glad that everything ended nicely and everyone seemed happy. The welcoming party for the fox spirits and Tamamo was a nice scene. They all reminisced about their parents and loved ones. I seemed to forget that ayakashi have parents of their own. Also, one of the lower ayakashi that looks like an umbrella, I did not notice that it stood attached to a leg before and its bulging knee.
I almost thought that Himari would be sad about her parents because she grew up in an orphanage, but she seemed happy and glad that they left her Momochi house and making all these wonderful memories. I like learning tidbits about the Momochi family and it makes more curious about them even more.
When it came down to Yukari and his family. I was shocked to find out that he was born to a normal family and then had mixed feelings of finding out that he became an ayakashi from eating human flesh.
Another volume read and off to the next volume. This volume filled me with so many surprises and cuteness that I loved so much. It had its sad moments, but it all ended for the better. So far, I am still not disappointed with this series and I can't wait to find out what happens next.