Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 6

Library Wars: Love & War #6

by Kiiro Yumi (Story & Art), Sean McCoy (Adaptation & Lettering), Hiro Arikawa (Original concept)

In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves--the Library Forces!

It's Valentine's Day, and Iku's hopes are dashed when Dojo, the guy she's been crushing on--and who's her Library Force superior!--receives an elegant box of chocolates from another woman. Romantic intrigue strikes the whole team as Shibazaki meets a would-be suitor and confides in Iku about her tortured love life. And it seems that Hikaru is being followed by someone from his past...

Genres: Manga, Romance, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Dystopia, Comics

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

See also 弓きいろ

Reviews

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm... I think Tezuka and Shibazaki are going to get together XD

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 2021: This was a fantastic volume again. Romance, some serious business (with that magazine and what should happen with it), some humour, and I loved each bit. I had a laugh that Kasahara just ran into the hot springs no matter that Dojo was in there to get a robber. And then she had the guts to say something about his body... and she uses that another time, oh my he blushes.
I like that we get a bigger focus on Shibazaki. See some about her past, about a guy she likes, and more. Hirose is just a horrible person. BAH.
I am still not sure how I feel about Dojo. At times he is is really caring, other times he is abusive and mean...

[Neyly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dec. 2024

I enjoy the humor, scattered here and there ... a pleasure to find myself grinning.


Nov. 2020

Good stuff in this one.

Pro:
The humor, of course

The strong female friendship - Iku and Shibazaki

The rounding out of secondary character Shibazaki - ahh, the trials and tribulations of being beautiful.

And something you don't always find in romantic entanglements in novels - and that I've neglected to mention: Iku (female) is taller at 5'7" than Dojo (male) at 5'4". Dojo is the shortest man on the Library Task Force.

Reminder: Manga

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. It's so funny and sweet, it makes me happy to read it. In this volume, more hijinks with Kasahara and Dojo, backstory about Shibazaki, and we meet Hikaru's brother. Also, the Library Defense Force has to protect a banned magazine, but is divided about whether to make it available to the public.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
I felt like there wasn't enough story in this one. I loved that we got a volume featuring more of the side characters (especially when it was Shibazaki because I have been intrigued by her this entire time!), but the progression fell flat for me.

I laughed like normal, but it ended too soon and left me thirsty for more! So, maybe it was a good thing on the author's part...

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keep getting better and better!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh library wars they could never make me hate you (gosh I hope I don’t find out about down controversy with it). Anyways girly fell on Dojo while chasing a bad guy thru the male hot spring and Dojo was bathing and he caught her and she blurted out twice that he has a nice body… me too girl me too

[Diya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars!

Oh, goody, the inevitable Valentine’s Day volume.

I actually love Valentine’s Day subplots and I wish they weren’t only obligatory in Shojo. You get some really cute scenes of your favourite ship, but there are also some other pretty fun moments.
-Plain chocolate, but chocolate from a girl nonetheless! - I love when Iku’s mean to the boys on the force. And honestly, valid, because it’s not like each guy on the force returned the favour on White Day. Trust me, I would remember.
-She really should’ve anticipated Genda eating all the chocolates. (This is just typical Chief Genda behaviour that we all just have to accept.)
-Shibazaki and Tezuka rejecting chocolates from people in the same place with only a shrub between them is honestly the best way to start their love story. (I love how he not only clocked that she was using that forced smile she’s perfected with Mr. Asahina, but he was also able to tell when she started genuinely smiling at him. That’s romance!)

Holy shit, maybe I need to re-read this volume more because Iku and Dojo’s scene in the snow is probably my favourite so far. I know everybody always loses their shit when it comes to rain scenes, myself included, but there’s just something so magical and romantic about the first snow of the year! On top of that, the way Dojo leaned down to eat the chocolate that Iku was embarrassed to give to him had no right to feel as intimate as it did.

Onto the A-plot of this volume: Shibazaki.

I forgot that we got her story this early on. Moreover, we got more of her friendship with Iku, but mostly, I was just happy to see her POV. Being in Shibazaki’s head was such a fun experience because it allowed us to see how the librarians and higher-ups operate, which is something we rarely get to see, so it was a nice change of pace. I also just found it so fascinating to see how she analyzes people (Mr. Eto was really cool because he’s a new character, so it’s almost like we were introduced to him through Shibazaki.) Shibazaki has a good read on almost everyone, so it’s no surprise that she understands Iku’s nature as well. Someone who’s so oblivious to anything concerning herself, but equally as perceptive when it comes to others. (Which is something readers caught onto pretty early on, but it’s nice to feel validated.)

I TOTALLY REMEMBER SHIBAZAKI’S BACKSTORY!!! It makes a lot of sense for her character. She’s always got a good read on people, she knows everything about everyone, and she’s also friendly with pretty much everyone on base… yet you can tell she’s guarded because she’s closest to Iku, who’s blunt and doesn’t give a fuck about what others think of her. It’s interesting because I feel like Iku’s someone who’s been called brash and rude her whole life, similar to Shibazaki but for different reasons. It speaks to their core values and personalities that while Iku taught herself not to care, Shibazaki made sure that she’s only perceived how she wants to be. (It’s still insane that other girls didn’t want to be friends with her because she didn’t want to go out with someone she doesn’t like and also said to butt out of her dating life.)

You know… Kasahara… I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re so honest, open… and lovable. You’re nothing… like me. So why did I open up like that? As if… I had total faith in Kasahara, letting her see me be vulnerable. It’s not like me at all. After all these years, I found someone I actually want to be friends with.

I have a special place in my heart for Iku and Shibazaki’s friendship. Iku is just so fiercely protective of the people she loves, and I think the way she protects Shibazaki is what causes her to realize that Iku’s not just some immature kid. I loved seeing her tell the other librarians to back off because she saw how much Shibazaki was struggling to do so herself. Even if she doesn’t know the whole story, she stepped in anyway because that’s her best-friend. I’m so happy they’re roommates because their scenes together are some of my favourites. I loved their hug! Also, this moment: “If you don’t want to, just say so.” - I don’t think Iku realizes how much her words and actions truly mean to Shibazaki.

(Since we’re talking about friendship, I just wanted to really quickly add that I love how close Marie has become with Iku and Shibazaki; the three of them have such a wonderful dynamic and I do think that if I remember correctly, we get to see a fair bit of it.)

Diya’s random thoughts in no particular order:
-Shibazaki’s fondness for Mr. Asahina being a result of his similarities to Iku hurts because I remember what this asshole does.
-Book burning is a tough topic, especially because if you really look into it, the way it’s depicted in this series isn’t as far off from reality as you would expect. (The media is being censored nowadays, and with more and more books being banned, we’re not far from people resorting to book burning.)
-Tezuka’s smile being blindingly perfect is canon.
-The situation with the article is tough. Freedom of speech vs. privacy laws is a highly debated topic, and I think it always will be. But I appreciated that very necessary friendly reminder from Dojo to Iku that the article was not a personal slight to the Library Force and everything they stand for. She has a job to do as well, and theirs is to make sure she can. It’s a small scene, but it has a big impact because one of Iku’s main struggles and an ongoing theme throughout the series is how everything isn’t black and white. Every cause, no matter how noble, is going to have its flaws and require compromises that question the very values that you’re fighting for in the first place.
-We deserved more of Chief Genda and Miss Orikuchi!
-Oh my god, I thought Iku got shot! Thank god it was a misdirect and she just ran into a door face-first. (Poor baby, they’re all asshole for laughing at her.)
-Omigosh, I forgot one of the kids from Vol. 3 made a reappearance! Taiga and Ginga’s story was kind of hard for me, as are most moments where an older sibling accidentally snaps at their younger sibling without meaning to. It’s truly the worst feeling in the world. (I just know the guilt was all-consuming, especially when he realized Ginga could be in real danger.)
-We deserved to see all three of Iku’s big brothers so they could bully Dojo! Her roughhousing with her brothers explains so much about her. She really gives ‘only girl in a family full of boys’ vibes.
-Is it really a Library Wars volume if you don’t have Iku risk her life to save a child, and then Dojo risk his to save hers?
-I feel like Iku should’ve guessed by now that Tezuka’s just a rich kid.
-Oh, I fully remember this bonus manga though, it was so funny! Don’t worry, Tezuka, you’re not alone. Demon!Komaki haunts my nightmares too. (Both he and Iku learned a valuable lesson that day.)
-“You have an excellent body, sir.” - That’s an insane thing to say, Iku! (That extra bonus manga with Iku’s secret admirer was a necessity.)

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iku and her superior, Dojo work in the Library Forces, protecting the written word from the government! It's Valentine's Day and much to Iku's shock a girl gifts Dojo with an elegant box of chocolates, what?! Shibazaki goes on a date and confides some of her back history after her suitor tells her something shocking! And Hikaru is about to meet a face from his past...his big brother!

The main problem with this series is that it is terribly expected. Events continue to grind forward slowly and just like you'd expect a job at a library would be like, similar things happen over and over. Still these are some pretty enchanting relationships... Iku and Dojo continue to maintain their work relationship at the expense of their personal one. This is true to the characters and so while I would like to see some progress I also understand that it is happening slowly (you can see some changes in how they interact - like Iku trusting Dojo to be there when they hadn't even communicated anything, before she would have tried to do it herself!)

The unexpected elements this time were to do with Shibazaki, we get a lot of internal dialogue with explanations about why she acts the wat she does. I liked that it came out due to the fact a guy asked her on a date and he surprised her by telling her a detail about herself that nobody knows! I also liked how she sees Iku as someone she wants to trust and be friends with and that due to her relationship with her is willing to take a change on this dude! We also learned that Hikaru has some reasons of his own for being so distant from everyone. I'm intrigued by this brother character and hope Hikaru grows to be a more interesting character from this!!

I also loved the bonus material, anything with hot springs and a blushing Dojo is a win in my book!

BOTTOM LINE: Characters that are fun and you want to see be happy together...

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: next in the series.

Volume six mostly continues on in an expected manner. Iku and Dojo are continuing there quarrelsome infighting with each other which is starting to get on my nerves; I know it is the whole point of these types of relationships but I'd really like to see them become honest with each other soon. Iku isn't hiding her feelings any more but Dojo still is and his rudeness has gone up a level in this volume with his anger fits at Iku and his constant use of the name "blockhead" for her :-( On the other hand, we have a very interesting chapter which focuses on Shibazaki, exposing her background and revealing some surprise information about her past and what she is really like (on the inside). We also learn some interesting information about Hikaru and meet a new character who may just turn out to be a new recurring character. I particularly liked the Bonus Material which included a short story about our characters which added to our knowledge of them as viable people (and had an innocently fun Iku and Dojo bath scene... awe!). Then had a couple of hilarious shorts. A fun entry in the series, but I'm waiting for some more excitement on the sci-fi level of the plot and for I & D's relationship to turn serious or at least open and honest in the next volumes.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bummed by this one because the pace seemed to slow down some. Dojo and Iku were really cute in the beginning.

It was however interesting to get a better a feel of a certain someone and some of their backstory.

Bonus manga made me laugh way too hard this time. Priceless on so many levels!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

coming sept. 6th, 2011!!
i hope that date's right!
... well, that or earlier... lol.

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume has a Valentine's AND a hot springs story. I am in sparkly shojo heaven.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shibazakiiiiiiii! <3

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course its a valentine's day story. This was cute. Interesting but good. Another good volume.

[Olivia Thames · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I approach the halfway point in the series, I still find myself fully immersed in the fictional lives of Kasahara and her friends like the moment I picked up the first volume a few weeks ago. As the tension grows between the Library Task Force and MBC, as well as several of the members within the LTF, this was a milder volume that did not lack the bursts of action that the others contained.

We gained a glimpse into the background and core-beliefs of Shibazaki in this volume, and I have to say I found myself realizing that she and I do have strong similarities to how people perceive us in and out of our work environment. I was by no means the beauty queen she is depicted as, but my own beauty and kindness has been something to take advantage of from time to time and it has caused me to rethink how much I trust others. Also, when people get to know me, they too are often surprised by my depth.

If I could reassure Shibazaki of anything, it would be that in her own good time she can trust me.

I have a feeling that based on how this volume ends that the following one (already checked out, and waiting for me in my cubby at work) will bring back the action as well as peel away a few more layers of other character's backstories.

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning about how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Japan—I didn’t know it was so different from how it’s celebrated in America, and I really loved that culture peek into it. The art of the snow scene with Iku and Dojo I REALLY liked and felt super real like I was there with them. Not to mention the whole chocolate scene between them was just too funny and sweet. 🥰

Shibazaki’s past is so heartbreaking and it’s truly sad she doesn’t feel as if she can trust anyone—I’m really glad Iku’s her friend because they really are great for each other and balance each other out so, so well.

I would have given this volume four stars since nothing really happened, but then I read the bonus manga and couldn’t stop laughing! The gang goes to a hot spring and let’s just say things go down in a crazy, wacko way, and I loved every second of it and this is the reason this volume got five stars after all! Totally loved it! 🤣🥰

Content: girls bathe (nothing is shown); mild swearing; violence and injuries (nothing over PG-13); a couple guys spit water in a girl’s face; a kid squirts a character with a squirt gun; fighting between brothers; shirtless guys; a girl runs into the guys bath and accidentally falls in to be caught by a guy (this is all played for laughs though the characters are deeply embarrassed); a girl says a guy has a great body; a few suggestive hints

[Nadina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoy this series, it has a nice balance between the action and "romance".
The characters are pretty strong and while those who have been in the series for a while are nicely established and have growth throughout the series, as well as having more information revealed about their personalities. I like that new characters also get a decent/strong introduction. I also like that the author makes notes to the reader about characters who have not been in the series in a couple of volumes (such as referring to volume 3(?) for the older brother of the kid who squirts Iku with the water gun).
The side panels are great and do not detract from the story, they are short and yet give insight to the author and are fun to read.
The bonus manga at the end are also great, I especially love that there are multiple bonus manga.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and fun with lots of moments that make you smile. Plus, it's a manga about why books shouldn't be censored--which was particularly interesting in this installment since the story's library actually decided to not include a magazine in their collection (one that specifically broke the law by printing the name of a minor serial killer). Yeah... talk about shades of gray and some interesting fodder for a debate/discussion. In short, this is a book that makes you think while also being a nice, sweet little rom-com. Not an easy balance to achieve, but it somehow manages it perfectly--which is saying something coming from someone who does not typically enjoy rom-coms.

[David Basora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now we move on to Shibazaki. Again, I appreciate the balancing of the plot that is now allowing the reader to learn more about supporting characters, without sacrificing the main characters and relationships for even a single volume. The focus will now move onto Tezuka and his mysterious, and likely very influential, older brother. The political intrigue continues to grow as well, and the new head librarian will need further evaluation before I can tell if he meant for his opinion to be interpreted the way it was.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

☆☆ YouTube | Tumblr | Instagram | Storygraph ☆☆

Really Freaking Weird! -- May Wrap Up as Reread, Rewrite, Burn || 23 books!

honestly, didn’t really do anything for me plot or romance wise and I hated being reminded of the weird age gap side romance.

[Lauren Schnoebelen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good volume but again the bonus manga is really what makes it for me. The other bits just aren’t as memorable for me as I would like. My favorite part though was seeing the friendship between Iku and Shibazaki. I think they compliment each other well and will be great to follow along even more as the series go on. Another bit I liked was the Valentine’s Day chocolate situation that had Iku worries about Dojo not getting any chocolate 😂

[Merenwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took too long of a break from this series because someone on Bibliocommons was complaining that it was "getting more about romance and less about the censorship war", and I wish I'd ignored that person because I forgot about the kid Iku met in volume 3. Also... I have to disagree with the complainer. This was perfectly balanced. I like that we got a little more backstory on Shibazaki and Tezuka.

I've also missed Iku and Dojo's squabbling :)

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

some annoyances that had been building up kind of overflowed in this one for me so no 4 star rating this time. I don’t like that Kasahara is always the butt of everyone’s jokes, I don’t like that Dojo and her always bicker and he constantly calls her ‘blockhead’ (it’s frustrating considering he’s supposed to be the love interest), and he is always always saving her. can she save him just once? I guess I just want them to be on more equal footing…

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So that potential queer baiting was a little confusing but I don't know if it actually was, I think that's just my brain wanting to see female love when there is non lol and it was just friendship. So I still give this five stars, because I was still crying from laughter at the end!

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 -

This one focused more on the romance than anything else. I was sort of disappointed, but glad to see character development in people I didn’t expect.

The bonus stories were pretty silly.

Note: in the first few pages, it shows the date. It is placed in February 2020. Funny.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best volumes so far - the stakes are super low and it leaves room for comedy and cheesy romance scenes. And we get to see more of Shibazaki, which is always good. (I will now begin my hopeless shipping of Kasahara and Shibazaki.)

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

About: The library is conflicted about how to handle a magazine that illegally publishes confidential information.
My favourite part: Ginga and the water gun.
My favourite quote: “My face is not the issue here.”

[SaraKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great backstory on Shibazaki and some good friendship moments between her and Iku.

Content notes: light swearing, a situation where a female runs into the male bathing area and collides with a naked person (no bathing suit areas are actually shown, but she compliments his body)

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume shows that even the library chooses to censor sometimes. That was rather interesting, and there was a good bit of humor in this volume as well.

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