Yozakura quartet

Quartet is about three girls with magical powers who are in charge of governing and protecting their town, and a human boy. There are adventures and there is action. Unfortunately, both are rather disjointed. Yasuda works hard to introduce the reader to the characters and to give her girls individual narratives that expand upon their characteristics. However, there isn't a clear theme or story line as anchor. Ultimately, it's a somber look at magical girl manga. The happiness and overzealous cuteness typical of this genre is absent. And while the school-girl skirts may fly up from time to time, there are no gratuitous panty-shots (save one at the end), replacing sexy-cute with an elegant, sophisticated sexiness. Yasuda's character designs are the most engaging. Hime, who acts as mayor, keeps a lookout on the town from telephone poles and carries a big lacrosse stick. Kotoha has the power to materialize objects that she imagines and then verbalizes. Ao has cat ears and can read people's minds. It's nothing spectacular or original, but the subtlety with which Yasuda presents them is refreshing. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 10 Up-Something is wrong in Yozakura: a random shooter and a demonized dog have recently terrorized its residents. It's up to the Yozakura Quartet, the town's teenaged protectors, to find out what's wrong. Akina is the only male, human member of the Quartet, and he's hired three female demons with special powers to help him. One can deflect any weapon, another is able to materialize objects, and the third communicates with animals. The details of the plot are a little hazy: how did four 16-year-olds take charge of this town? Why? However, there are enough action scenes and wacky humor to keep readers interested. The inventive, cinematic paneling and the drawings' fluid lines also smooth out the awkward story line. The girls are depicted in gratuitously skimpy clothing, which is typical in even the mildest manga. Not an essential purchase.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.