Medieval Japan has been struck by a disease that only affects young males, causing the male population to plummet to 25%. Society shifts to a new normal where women must take up all the duties and the men are hidden and protected. The Shogunate, not bereft from this, is also forced to appoint a female shogun.
"Ooku: The Inner Chambers" is a reimagining of Japanese history in which women held the reigns instead, following the Tokugawa Shoguns and the Inner Chambers over the course of several centuries. Originally intended to be the harem for a male shogun, the Inner Chambers now house about a thousand men of all ranks and status for the shogun's picking.
The characters in Ooku are its greatest strength: they will make you laugh, rage, swoon, and cry (a lot). As someone with little experience with Shojo manga, I was pleasantly surprised by the delicacy and depth of the characters and their interactions. They have a richness that will make you fall in love with them. The manga offers a glimpse into the lives of not just the shoguns and nobles, but people of all walks of life, making for a captivating read.
Ooku doesn't shy away from portraying the flaws of its characters, only to develop them in a way that evokes such a strong sense of attachment that you rejoice and weep when they do.
Ooku is a series that spans around 300 years and doesn't hesitate to move on from its beautifully developed characters, replacing them with a cast just as good, if not better, time and time again. We see how people conspire to bring about the most heinous plots, but also the feats that people can achieve when they work together with the support of capable leaders. We see the beauty of love but also the pain of unrealised dreams.
The series explores themes like politics, love, gender roles, sexuality, intrigue, and tragedy. It's quite verbose and while the script is written in Old English to reflect the period, the dialogue is captivating and keeps you engaged. The series focuses on the clothing of its characters quite intently and possesses a gorgeous artstyle to display the various fashion trends through the years.
One of the things that disappoints me in some series is a mediocre climax, but I'm happy to say that Ooku avoids this pitfall. Without giving spoilers, the manga ends with a satisfying conclusion that perfectly encapsulates the epic journey of the series and leaves you wanting more.
Ooku reminded me of Rakugo and House of Five Leaves, and fans of those series will definitely enjoy the setting and characters in Ooku.
Overall, Ooku is a fantastic series that explores a range of themes with fascinating characters and a fulfilling ending. It's a shame that it's so underread, and I strongly recommend giving it a chance.
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