Historical fiction is often judged on accuracy and, quite regularly, it falls short. This is perhaps one of the main reasons behind the creation of works portraying alternate history. On such work is Ooku, a series which reworks the world of Edo era Japan.

The premise itself is fairly simple. A plague has engulfed the nation that affects and most often kills young boys. As a result, few men live into adulthood and the female population of the country outnumbers the male 4-to-1. This is of particular consequence tot he noble families as they face the issues of female inheritance and rule.

This issue comes to a head when the Tokugawa shogun dies of the plague leaving only a daughter to inherit his position. This daughter, Iemitsu, is the main character and the series gets its title from the name for the “inner chambers,” where a group of men live in seclusion, both to avoid the plague and to serve Iemitsu. Most of the action happens within the court, though there are frequently scenes of the rest of Japan, showing the various ways the plague and other hardships are effecting the everyday citizens.

This manga is political drama at its best. The pacing is slow, which allows you to absorb the material and think about it as you go, rather than rushing along in a race to the finish. There is very little action yet it is never boring. It also deals with adult issues and situations, though in this volume it is not clear why the series warrants a “mature” rating.

It is easy to expect the series to be overtly feminist; however, this is not the case. While Iemitsu is fascinating and the most complex character, much of her plot is devoted to the lengths she must go in order to have a son (having children in a world with so few men is one of the central themes). She also is involved in a relationship with the male lead, Arikoto, who unfortunately proves to be sterile. However, she and the main female character Kasuga, are central and active in the plot and are are people first and female second, and so feminism is at work, just in a subtle manner.

The art is simple and beautiful, with a layout that is easy to follow. The narrative boxes along the way help move the story along without becoming too heavy on the exposition. The only art complaint is that, due to the simplicity of the character design, it can sometimes be difficult to tell one character from the other. Thankfully, since the series is dialogue-heavy, this issue is usually overcome quickly.

The main issue with this series, which keeps it from getting an A rating, is the language. I have been told that the original Japanese text was written in an older and more formal style. As a result, the English translation is a mix of more modern speech, with touches of Elizabethan English as well. While I can understand the reasoning for the choice it can be awkward to read at times and there are those who will be turned off the series completely as a result.

Still, whatever flaws it has, Ooku is a complex and intriguing series and a must-read for those who enjoy politics and flexible takes on history.

Review Grade: A-

Review copy provided by Viz.