Tail of the Moon Review: A Clumsy Kunoichi Tries to Be Worthy of the Ninja She Loves
by Rinko Ueda
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Quick Take
- Usagi's persistent failure is the series' comedy engine; her determination is its warmth
- The historical ninja setting gives the romance action context
- 15 volumes complete; reliable historical ninja romance comedy
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want historical romance with action and comedy elements
- Anyone who enjoys underachieving protagonist romance manga
- Fans of ninja-themed shojo with comedic protagonist
- Readers looking for complete historical romance
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T+ (Older Teen) Content Warnings: Ninja combat violence; historical setting with period attitudes; some mature romantic content; physical comedy
T+ rating — older teen readers; some mature romantic content in later volumes.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Usagi is the granddaughter of the legendary Iga ninja Danzou. She is supposed to be an elite kunoichi. She is terrible. She fails her certification tests repeatedly. She can't run, jump, or fight at the expected level.
She falls for Hanzo — cold, competent, the model ninja she's supposed to become. He has no interest in someone who can't pass basic tests.
Her response is not to give up but to keep trying, with an enthusiasm for self-improvement that eventually forces him to reckon with her in ways he didn't anticipate.
Characters
Usagi — Her determination is genuine; she knows exactly what she lacks and keeps working toward it; her warmth and comedy are what make her sympathetic despite (because of) her constant failure.
Hanzo — The cold competent love interest whose gradual warming toward Usagi follows her actual development rather than simple charm.
Art Style
Ueda's art is clean and expressive — the ninja action sequences are rendered with visual clarity, and Usagi's comedic failure expressions are consistently funny.
Cultural Context
Tail of the Moon ran in LaLa. The Sengoku-era ninja setting is a reliable backdrop for historical romance in shojo; Ueda's specific use of the Iga ninja tradition gives it more grounding than most.
What I Love About It
The actual improvement. Usagi gets better. Slowly, across the series, her efforts produce results. The romance doesn't happen because of charm alone — she earns the right to Hanzo's attention through genuine work.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Tail of the Moon as a reliable historical romance comedy — specifically noted for Usagi's failure-to-improvement arc being satisfying, for the ninja setting being used well, and for the comedy being physical rather than mean-spirited. Frequently recommended alongside other LaLa historical romances.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The first time Usagi succeeds at something genuinely difficult — when her persistent effort produces a real ninja result rather than her usual comedic failure — is the series' most satisfying structural moment.
Similar Manga
- Dawn of the Arcana — Historical fantasy romance in more serious register
- Red River — Historical political romance with stronger action
- Kamisama Kiss — Similar underachieving protagonist grows arc
- Otomen — Gender performance and identity in shojo romance context
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Usagi's failure to pass her certification and her first encounter with Hanzo.
Official English Translation Status
Viz Media published the complete 15-volume English series.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Usagi's determination is genuinely likeable
- Historical ninja setting used well
- Comedy and romance balanced
- Complete at 15 volumes
Cons
- T+ some mature content
- Underachieving protagonist premise repetitive by design
- Hanzo cold-to-warm arc predictable
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Viz Media; complete 15 volumes |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Tail of the Moon Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.