This series is like a Western fantasy quest. Find the key, find the next ruler of the kingdom. And there's dragons.It's pretty good. I would rate the series as a whole at 3.5 or 4. But each individual volume I don't know that I can give more than a 3.I wrote two reviews of these at Triple Take. One for volumes 1-4 and one for volumes 5-6.http://www.flaminggeeks.com/tripletake/ ( )

I saw The Key to the Kingdom by Kyoko Shitou mentioned in Anime Insider and thought I should pick up a copy. It's a thin little volume with just over 160 pages but it's nicely done. The art is clear and easy to follow, as is the story of a bookworm who ends up needing to be the next king after his elder brother and father are killed. However, he doesn't want to become king so a quest is announced for the key to the kingdom. His spunky princess friend and various others set out on the quest, as does he, accompanied by his brother's best friend/advisor who he doesn't like. There are some hot guys but as of yet no cute animals. It is a cute story and I will continue to follow it... ( )