Blue Seed - The Nightmare Begins (Vol. 1)
Momiji Fujimiya believes she's an ordinary high school girl, growing up in rural Japan--until she's told she's really the Princess Kushinada and that her blood is mankind's most powerful weapon against the shape-shifting monsters, the Aragami. The centuries-old war between humanity and the Aragami is heating up again, so Momiji goes to Tokyo to join the government agency fighting the monsters. Complicating matters is the presence of the roguish Mamoru Kusanagi: as a child he was kidnapped by a powerful Aragami and given seven souls (symbolized by the "Blue Seeds" of the title). Their power enables him to protect Kushinada, as spilling her blood would imprison the Aragami for centuries, possibly forever. In battle, Kusanagi transforms into a werewolfish version of himself with sword blades in his forearms. In his more normal state, he shares a fractious romance with Momiji, although his comic fascination with her panties must seem funnier in Japan.Blue Seedplays off a number of traditional Japanese myths. As Kushinada, Momiji is a descendant of Susanooh, the younger brother of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu; Kusanagi's name comes from the sword that Amaterasu gave to the first Emperors of Japan. But audiences on both sides of the Pacific can enjoy this feisty adventure-comedy without catching all its cultural references. Unrated; suitable for ages 12 and up: violence, minor profanity, and sexual humor.--Charles Solomon