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A review by beththebookdragon
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Volume 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga
4.0
Excellent alternate-history of Japan as a country where the male population has been cut down to 1/2 of the female population. Women do all the work and hold nearly all the significant roles...except for the powerful men of the Ooku, or inner chamber (think 'male harem').
This is not 'just another gender-reversal story'--it's thoroughly set in early 1800s Japan (with plenty of historical and cultural detail) and the intrigue has some originality to it (though one can't escape the 'jealous rival' trope). The shogun who becomes a major character in the second half of the book has a unique and likeable personality--she's not merely a generic "strong woman." Some of the male characters have surprises up their elegant silk sleeves as well.
The artwork is exquisitely detailed: costumes, faces, backgrounds and hairstyles are all elegant and nearly photorealistic in detail. It's a bit hard to tell some of the younger male characters apart (typical of Yoshinaga) but other than that the art is pure joy for historical-manga fans.
Overall, I think this is some of Yoshinaga's best work--certainly her most 'serious'--and I've read about 2/3 of her published manga plus some doujinshi.
This is not 'just another gender-reversal story'--it's thoroughly set in early 1800s Japan (with plenty of historical and cultural detail) and the intrigue has some originality to it (though one can't escape the 'jealous rival' trope). The shogun who becomes a major character in the second half of the book has a unique and likeable personality--she's not merely a generic "strong woman." Some of the male characters have surprises up their elegant silk sleeves as well.
The artwork is exquisitely detailed: costumes, faces, backgrounds and hairstyles are all elegant and nearly photorealistic in detail. It's a bit hard to tell some of the younger male characters apart (typical of Yoshinaga) but other than that the art is pure joy for historical-manga fans.
Overall, I think this is some of Yoshinaga's best work--certainly her most 'serious'--and I've read about 2/3 of her published manga plus some doujinshi.