Library Wars

In 1988, Japan enacts the Media Betterment Act to curb freedom of speech in media publications. The government views certain content as a bad influence on the public, and the Media Betterment Committee is empowered to crack down. This legal framework sets the chilling atmosphere that later shapes the Library Defense Force.

In 1999, the Hino Library incident tests censorship policies, leaving Iwao Nishina as a survivor who becomes a central figure in the anti-censorship movement. The incident intensifies government crackdowns on publications deemed dangerous. Nishina's experience fuels the drive to counter censorship.

In 2004, Iwao Nishina rises to lead the Library Defense Force and establishes the organization to defend libraries and protect books from bureaucratic suppression. The LDF is tasked with resisting censorship during a time of rising government scrutiny. This leadership sets up the modern conflict central to the story.

In a quiet bookstore, Iku Kasahara witnesses the confiscation of books, including her favorite fairy tale. When she resists handing them over, she is rescued by a mysterious Library Defense Force member who declares the books are now protected. This act seeds Kasahara's determination to join the LDF.

Driven by that moment, Kasahara decides to join the Library Defense Force in 2019. She comes under the supervision of Atsushi Dōjō, whose challenging mentoring style begins to shape their relationship. This marks the start of her formal training.

Kasahara and Hikaru Tezuka are moved to the elite Library Task Force, led by squad leader Ryusuke Genda, as they prove themselves in training. Their promotion signals growing responsibility within the fight against censorship.

After a training camp, the unit passes by a bookstore and Kasahara intervenes in another censorship operation, insisting the books remain protected by the Library Defense Force. Dojo steps in to back her up, but her reckless action earns a reprimand that tests her resolve and placement.

The MB Committee demands that the Library Defense Force surrender the Musashino Library's graphic novels as part of a murder investigation, but the LDF refuses to yield. The confrontation outside escalates until Asako Shibasaki uncovers two MB agents inside; Kasahara and Tezuka manage to recover the confiscated books, ending the assault after about an hour. Afterward, Tezuka asks Kasahara to be his girlfriend, but she does not give him an answer.

Industrialist Sohachi Nobeyama dies, and his will requires all museum materials to be transferred to the Musashino Library, prompting the LDF to brace for a renewed defense of the museum against MB assaults. The will shift intensifies the looming threat from censorship forces.

Squad leader Ryusuke Genda dismisses Kasahara from the task force and assigns her to guard Iwao Nishina during Nobeyama's funeral. This separation tests Kasahara's loyalty and resolves as new challenges loom.

Kasahara and Nishina are subsequently kidnapped by MB supporters who demand that the Library Defense Force burn the museum materials. Kasahara is allowed to speak to confirm their safety and hints that the captors are somewhere in Tachikawa.

Dojo, aided by Mikihisa Komaki, mounts a rescue of Kasahara and Nishina. Journalist Maki Orikuchi reports on the hostage crisis and the museum assault, bringing public attention to the confrontation.

In the aftermath, Kasahara rejects Tezuka and recognizes that her true prince is Dojo, cementing her commitment to the LDF and its mission.