Kage Kara Mamoru! (陰からマモル) is a Japanese series of light novels written by Achi Taro. The light novels had ended in March 2008 with the release of Volume 12, but as of July 2009, a new series entitled Motto! Kage Kara Mamoru! (もっと!陰からマモル!) has started serialization. It features manga and anime adaptations. The main character is Mamoru Kagemori, a ninja who is sworn to protect his neighbor Yūna Konnyaku.

Story

The Kagemori family has secretly protected its neighbor, the Konnyaku family, for 400 years. Mamoru has been the protector of the daughter, Yūna Konnyaku, since they were in kindergarten. When Yūna is in trouble, Mamoru quickly puts on his ninja suit and transforms into a competent ninja; able to protect her from harm. Unfortunately, this poses quite a challenge as Yūna, being both clumsy and absent-minded, often stumbles into situations where Mamoru must once again come to her rescue. On the first day of their new school term, a model airplane accidentally makes a dive towards Yuna, but it is quickly stopped by a thrown kunai. At school, Airi Sawagashi invites Yūna to go bowling, but is unhappy when Mamoru also comes. At the bowling alley, Yūna wanders into the men's restroom and interrupts a yakuza deal involving fake dolls. As a result, they kidnap her and take her to their boss. Mamoru follows them, takes out the gang, and rescues Yūna. The story continues as new characters enter Yūna and Mamoru's lives with both good and evil intentions, wacky adventures, hints of romance, and confrontations with the strangest of adversaries.

Characters

Media

Light novels

First series

Second series

Anime

The light novels were adapted into a 12 episodes anime series by the Group TAC studio and produced by Aniplex. This anime series was broadcast on TV Tokyo between January 7, 2006 and March 25, 2006 with last two episodes aired the same day. The anime opening theme is "Million Love" (ミリオン・ラブ) sung by Mai Nakahara and the ending theme is "Rainy Beat" sung by Ryōko Shintani, Sachiko Kojima, Ai Shimizu, and Erina Furukawa.

Episodes list

Manga

The five volumes of the manga adaption were released by the publisher Media Factory. The manga adaption was first serialized between November 2005 to April 2006 in the seinen magazine Monthly Comic Flapper and from August 2006 in Monthly Comic Alive. Between July 16, 2008 and January 21, 2009, DrMaster published the English translation of the first three volumes of this series under the name of Mamoru the Shadow Protector. In Indonesia, the manga has been licensed by Elex Media Komputindo, under the title The Bodyguard.

Reception