Reviews

Library Wars : Love & War by Kiro Yumi

shortcakeriahhh's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

deanlockiradall's review against another edition

"All the people have the right of access to library materials whenever they need them."

—Statement on Intellectual Freedom in Libraries, Japan Library Association

As Banned Book Week 2023 has come and gone, I am reminded of a series that I first read as an adolescent, but which rings even more hauntingly now. Library Wars: Love & War, drawn by Kiiro Yumi, is a manga (Japanese graphic novel) adapted from an award-winning light novel series by Hiro Arikawa. The light novels were originally published in the mid-2000s in Japan, with the manga first published in 2008 and its English translation (by Kinami Watabe) in 2010.

The story takes place in an alternate future Japan, not so different from our world, except for one key fact: censorship has become not only accepted, but widespread, enforced by a government agency called the Media Betterment Committee. This committee censors and restricts all media, including books. In response, libraries created Defense Forces, which protect libraries' freedom to acquire and circulate materials in their collections and to thereby resist censorship, a last bastion of intellectual freedom.

Iku Kasahara, an athletic airhead and passionate bookworm, is not only the first woman in her library's Defense Force, but also the first woman on the Task Force—an elite group of Defense Force members who are charged not just with protecting the library and its patrons, but also with day-to-day desk work done by non-combatant librarians and library staff. She has dreamed of joining the Defense Force ever since an agent saved one of her favorite books from censorship when she was a teenager. However, will her grumpy superior officer Sergeant Dojo and condescending fellow recruit Corporal Tezuka wear her down? (And how do you find that one book, anyway?!)

Inspired by the Japan Library Association's Statement on Intellectual Freedom in Libraries, Library Wars is a fun, light mix of science fiction, drama, workplace romance, and food for thought. While the reader learns, laughs, and struggles along with Iku, they simultaneously must consider the ethical quandaries of censorship, and where (or how, or if) a line must be drawn.

While the original Library Wars novels have not yet been translated into English, readers interested in Arikawa's work may enjoy The Traveling Cat Chronicles. For another fictional work centered around censorship, try Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. Fans of Library Wars may also enjoy the live action films and the anime adaptation of the same name. 

theseventhl's review against another edition

5.0

I loved it. LOVED it. Absolutely adored everything about it - the art, the humor, the drama, Iku, her relationship with Dojo (how do I love relationships between superiors and their subordinates that looks to develop into romance? ONLY A WHOLE LOT), and the entire world of the Library Forces. I cannot wait to read the next volume in this series!

nobelnight's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

whomever_0's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

foofers1622's review against another edition

4.0

I wish I was on the Library Defense Force with Dojo! A unique idea and can't wait to read more.

alboyer6's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting concept.

tinynavajo's review against another edition

5.0

>U<

webz's review against another edition

4.0

So this is the first manga book I've ever really read.
Did I think I would like it?
No.
This is coming from the girl who thinks books with 500+ pages is the perfect amount.
Not too big, not too small.
Well, that's true as long as the book is good.
Aaaaanyways.

So at first I had a bit of difficulty reading everything from right to left, but I caught on fast.
And actually started enjoying the story.
My first thought about the book when I read the back was how stupid the idea sounded.
"Library wars"
Oh come on, doesn't that sound a little...hm...what's the word...
Stupid.
Yes, that's it.
But as I progressed through the book, I found myself rethinking that.
It was really good!
I really felt like although this is like, not a novel per say (*rolls eyes a bit*) the plot was actually pretty good!
And I felt like the characters were distinct (despite their perfect faces, but that's just how manga characters are drawn. As far as I know.... O.o Oh! Except when the main character had pimples XD That was different), had their own unique personalities.
I especially enjoy Dojo.
He's hard to read...but cares at the same time.
So...that's my take on this.

-Ash

linluvsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

At times the main characters remind me of Oresama Teacher but in a much healthier way. Also still hate these entrenched gender roles, but love the concept of the story and the characters.