Kaze Hikaru #1

Taeko Watanabe's Kaze Hikaru arrives in English through Viz's Shojo Beat line with a cover that sets a quietly compelling tone — two young figures in pale blue kimono stand back-to-back against a soft sky dotted with cherry blossoms, one bearing a katana at the hip. The pairing hints at a story where samurai tradition and youthful determination go hand in hand. If you're drawn to historical shojo with a touch of sword-edged drama, this first volume is a graceful place to begin.