And there are flashbacks of Tohru's parents' deaths - one from pneumonia, the other in a car accident - which are quite wrenching and maybe unsuitable for younger readers, as well as flashbacks to the deaths of a few other characters' parents. (They both survive.) One has their face scratched badly enough to lose the sight in one eye. One gets thrown out a window and another gets stabbed. A few characters get slapped and punched. It's not gory, but there is definite child and adult abuse - verbal, emotional and physical. Some of the boys are shown without shirts a few times. One female character dresses fairly provocatively at first, but less so as time goes on. It's also made very clear that they're in love, if that makes a difference. There is hand-holding, a few kisses and hugs, and two couples who are shown in bed in a way that makes it clear they're sexually active, but the act is never shown, and there's no nudity. I'd say 12+ - though I'd probably let my younger kids read it if they were interested. I'd say 12+ - though I'd probably let my younger k …more This answer concerns the entire book series and not just Volume 1.
This answer concerns the entire book series and not just Volume 1.
