Scan barcode
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
On one fateful day at a bookshop, a member of the Library Defense Force defended her right to purchase and read a copy of a book she'd been waiting for for years. Inspired, she joins the Library Forces with the hope of joining the Defense Force's ranks, a force occupied, so far, only by men. There, she meets a variety of characters, including librarians and generals, all of whom reject the notion of censorship.
This concept--censorship and warring of ideologies taken to its extreme--is highly interesting both as a generic book lover and a librarian. Imagine going to library school and being forced to run laps and do push-ups, all for the sake of protecting literature and free speech! Definitely unique in its premise and plot, you won't find anything else like it. All in all, this is a good and easy read.
This concept--censorship and warring of ideologies taken to its extreme--is highly interesting both as a generic book lover and a librarian. Imagine going to library school and being forced to run laps and do push-ups, all for the sake of protecting literature and free speech! Definitely unique in its premise and plot, you won't find anything else like it. All in all, this is a good and easy read.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
2.0
Liked the concept but the romantic undertones seemed wholly unnecessary.
Seriously doubting I will ever find a manga series I enjoy enough to read to the end or even continue for more than a couple volumes. I really want to find something in this genre I like but it hasn’t happened. At least I can say I’ve grown accustomed to the format – that’s something at least.
** Edit 12/30/2022: I have found manga series I love enough to finish. See my "Read" shelf with "Manga tag" but two that are tops are: [b:Spy x Family, Vol. 1|52757974|Spy x Family, Vol. 1 (Spy × Family, #1)|Tatsuya Endo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581854337l/52757974._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71770673] and Perfect World by [a:Rie Aruga|15167700|Rie Aruga|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png].
Seriously doubting I will ever find a manga series I enjoy enough to read to the end or even continue for more than a couple volumes. I really want to find something in this genre I like but it hasn’t happened. At least I can say I’ve grown accustomed to the format – that’s something at least.
** Edit 12/30/2022: I have found manga series I love enough to finish. See my "Read" shelf with "Manga tag" but two that are tops are: [b:Spy x Family, Vol. 1|52757974|Spy x Family, Vol. 1 (Spy × Family, #1)|Tatsuya Endo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581854337l/52757974._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71770673] and Perfect World by [a:Rie Aruga|15167700|Rie Aruga|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png].
huffleclawbookie's review against another edition
5.0
I love the art in this manga and the storyline is incredible! It’s the first manga I’ve read in like 6 years and I enjoyed it :) I’m reading volume 2 tomorrow
rebeccacider's review against another edition
2.0
Got through the first three volumes. The premise is fabulous, but the story is rather fluffy and didn't really grab me. Guess I'll have to wait for the movie to come out in the US....
desikauwa's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
starryjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm glad I was able to read this series! I got this from the library and even though they don't have a lot of the rest of the series, I'd like check out the anime too. In an alternative timeline where censorship of books go too far, the library system steps in and creates a defense force! They have badges and do military training and everything! Iku Kasahara is a lovely, dumb but determined underdog heroine. I loved watching her preserve and better herself. She also has a mean right jab!
saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
This story is based on the concept of Library Intellectual Freedom, which governs a library's freedom to purchase all kinds of books without subject to censorship, and what happens if that is challenged by authorities to be taken out of circulation. The concept is sort of like Fahrenheit 451, but with people fighting back at the onset instead of letting society decide to take the books. On the two sides of this fight are the Library Defense Force (LDF), a militaristic entity tasked with protecting the books from the Media Betterment Committee (MBC), who wants to remove books that will ultimately harm society. Iku Kasahara, a trainee and later Page for the LDF, is a cute and inept main character, bad at everything except physical feats. Her instructor, Dojo, is angry almost all the time, but shows soft spots every once in a while to Kasahara.
This topic is near and dear to my heart, as a librarian, so I was curious and picked it up. The story was enjoyable and has some things to do with libraries and library services. One of Kasahara's tasks is as a Page, where she has to find books amongst the infinite stacks, and the stacks are arranged by Japanese Dewey. I liked the struggle for control between the federal government (MBC) versus the local government (LDF), and the conversation of how literature impacts society. This was a good first volume to get interested in the world Yumi has created.
VIZ rates this for Teen Plus, but I don't see anything in the first volume that would make this inappropriate for 9th graders. It is possible that later volumes will include more adult themes, so stay tuned for reviews of later volumes to confirm that theory. Otherwise, there is some violence when the two forces meet up, but even that is muted in this first volume.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12
This story is based on the concept of Library Intellectual Freedom, which governs a library's freedom to purchase all kinds of books without subject to censorship, and what happens if that is challenged by authorities to be taken out of circulation. The concept is sort of like Fahrenheit 451, but with people fighting back at the onset instead of letting society decide to take the books. On the two sides of this fight are the Library Defense Force (LDF), a militaristic entity tasked with protecting the books from the Media Betterment Committee (MBC), who wants to remove books that will ultimately harm society. Iku Kasahara, a trainee and later Page for the LDF, is a cute and inept main character, bad at everything except physical feats. Her instructor, Dojo, is angry almost all the time, but shows soft spots every once in a while to Kasahara.
This topic is near and dear to my heart, as a librarian, so I was curious and picked it up. The story was enjoyable and has some things to do with libraries and library services. One of Kasahara's tasks is as a Page, where she has to find books amongst the infinite stacks, and the stacks are arranged by Japanese Dewey. I liked the struggle for control between the federal government (MBC) versus the local government (LDF), and the conversation of how literature impacts society. This was a good first volume to get interested in the world Yumi has created.
VIZ rates this for Teen Plus, but I don't see anything in the first volume that would make this inappropriate for 9th graders. It is possible that later volumes will include more adult themes, so stay tuned for reviews of later volumes to confirm that theory. Otherwise, there is some violence when the two forces meet up, but even that is muted in this first volume.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
3.0
Decent manga about a future Japan where books are banned and a heavily-armed force fights to protect libraries - the only places people can still find censored books.
The plot is a bit unclear(if all the banned books still exist in the library, and anyone can go to the library and see them, why are guns necessary?), and the romance is pretty cliched, but it's interesting and has some funny moments. Librarians and other bibliophiles will like this, and it would also be a good title to feature during Banned Books Week.
The plot is a bit unclear(if all the banned books still exist in the library, and anyone can go to the library and see them, why are guns necessary?), and the romance is pretty cliched, but it's interesting and has some funny moments. Librarians and other bibliophiles will like this, and it would also be a good title to feature during Banned Books Week.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
Sign me up for the Library Defense Force! Love it! This first volume sets up the LDF and their work against censorship with our main character dreaming of being one of the LDF because a book she loved was saved them. I’ve always seen this series around but never knew what it was about.
leavesofmaple's review against another edition
4.0
I can't remember how many times I re-read this series.
It still floors me how incredibly sweet, funny and moving this manga is.
It still floors me how incredibly sweet, funny and moving this manga is.