Black Bird, Volume 4 by Kanoko Sakutakouji is a step up from the previous three books in this series. Let me explain why:

So this series is quite controversial, if I'm being honest. Depending on how you look at this book, it can be quite toxic. If you can put aside that some of the things in this book are creepy, then this specific book starts getting better and is way more of a romantic, fantasy manga that you are seeking. The rape-y comments in past books are kinda weird. Their relationship dynamic is kinda strange. But, you also have to think about where this was made and when - that doesn't make anything okay if you are trigger or think it's not okay, but it's a point of contemplation.

So....

This book was way more romance, action and drama. I honestly thought this book stepped away from the creepy factor and was way more engaging. I want to see the actual romance! I want to see the struggles of the fantasy world that has been created. That was exactly what I wanted out of this series and I can remember why I adored it so fondly when I read it the first time around (when they initially were published).

The illustrations in this series has always blown me away. It's one of the big reasons I jumped back into this book. The art is just magnificent and I truly hope Kanoko has found many jobs using their artistic abilities because WOW.

Overall, this series is taking a step in the right direction and I'm impressed by it. I am anxiously thrilled to continue on reading to see where the story goes.

Four out of five stars. ( )

After the decisive battle between Kyou and Shuuhei, the fox clan is in disarray. Tadanobu, the mild mannered older brother of Shuuhei has been elected as the new leader of the clan, and the pressure for him to steal Misao is crushing him.

The thing is, Tadanobu and Kyou are actually very close friends, which is very unusual in youkai society, and to top things off, Tadanobu has a serious human girlfriend named Renko and wants to marry her.

Knowing that a battle for Misao is inevitable, the two former friends say goodbye to their loved ones and duel. But both Misao and Renko cannot accept losing the youkai that they love and must make a difficult decision. Can love triumph? Or the high expectations of each of their respective clans will rule supreme? ( )

Now that Kyo and Misao admit their love all hell breaks loss, literally! Misao now understand the deep love Kyo has for her when he threatens to kill his best friend for her and she sees for herself how hard a human and demon relationship can be. ( )

Now that Kyo and Misao admit their love all hell breaks loss, literally! Misao now understand the deep love Kyo has for her when he threatens to kill his best friend for her and she sees for herself how hard a human and demon relationship can be. ( )

The problems with being involved with a demon some to head when Kyo is forced to fight his best friend, even though that friend loves his human girlfriend. The course of true love never did run smoothly for demon-human relationships. How will Kyo live with himself? How will Misao live with Kyo? Is their relationship doomed before it even begins? ( )