The Mews face their most crucial battle yet as the aliens attempt to unleash disaster on Tokyo, and Ichigo gets a new ally in this volume of Tokyo Mew Mew...

Chapter 9 - Kiss & Tell
Ichigo's more than a little pissed at Ryou's attempt to steal a kiss from her... It also leaves her more than a bit embarrassed at seeing Masaya at school the next day, as she feels like she's cheated on him. As events turn out, though, it seems that's at least one thing she doesn't need to worry about. The coccoon on Tokyo Tower is another matter, though - Keiichiro has managed to run some analyses on it, and the results are frightening. It seems the only chance they have is to find some more Mew Aqua to enhance their powers, but while out searching for some, Kish turns up...

Chapter 10 - Tokyo Tower Tales
Ichigo's got a date arranged with Masaya, but battle with the aliens takes first priority - especially when the coccoon on Tokyo Tower has such devastating potential. Without Mew Aqua to boost their powers, though, the Mews aren't doing too well, and Kish & co sense they finally may be able to pull of a victory. Just when all looks lost, however, Mint senses Mew Aqua on top of the Tower - not much, but enough to make the difference, and the aliens' scheme is defeated. It's left Ichigo 3 hours late for her date with Masaya, though, and she's almost in tears when it seems that he hasn't waited for her. A happy ending awaits, though...

Chapter 11 - Young Love
Ichigo and Masaya have finally managed to tell each other how they feel, and so the two begin life as a happy couple. Awww. Ichigo's still on cloud nine when Masaya suggests a date to the aquarium, but there's still the spectre of Kish & his feelings for Ichigo - which seem to be testing his loyalty to the aliens' cause... That doesn't stop him from attacking the aquarium during Ichigo's date, though, and since he's seen her in action so many times now he's becoming better at avoiding her attacks. Seems Ichigo's going to be on the receiving end of her first defeat, when another alien steps in to save her - the Blue Knight...

Bonus Manga - Tokyo Black Cat Girl
The manga that went on to become Tokyo Mew Mew. Meet Azumi - she's been having to deal with fighting aliens ever since Mashu, a very small member of the Galactic Police, found her and issued her with her battle suit - a slinky black number that's suspiciously cat-like. Fighting aliens isn't the only thing important to Azumi, though - there's also new boyfriend Noda. He's quite the demanding type, and has become very short-tempered of late about how Azumi tends to disappear for long periods, can't be contacted, and doesn't seem to being entirely honest with him. Their problems come to a head when their school is attacked by a particularly intelligent alien. Can Noda handle the truth when Azumi is forced to transform in front of him or face seeing him killed?

Extras
- Sidepanels: Business Meeting (poking fun at the editor who wanted more underwear in the story, and another boss who tends to say 'smirk' a lot...)
- It's Me, Ikumi (more diary-style writings from Mia Ikumi)
- Rika-chan (news about Takara's release of Tokyo Mew Mew figures)
- About the Fourth Volume (Reiko Yoshida writes about the personalities of various animals)
- Afterward

This volume brings the story up to the same point I've watched the anime to, so it's new material for here on in for me, and I'm looking forward to it. Also the first noticeable difference between manga & anime here, in how the Tokyo Tower battle is resolved (nice to see the other Mews get more of a role there), and more of an emphasis on Ichigo's and Masaya's relationship - which is a good thing. I like a little mush between my battle scenes. :)

Other than that there's not much to write - the manga continues pretty much as it has throughout, meaning it's fast-paced & enjoyable, with perhaps some extra work required on giving characters other than Ichigo a share of the limelight (although it looks like that side of things is being worked on...). With volume 5 being unexplored territory for me, I'm very much looking forward to getting my nose into it...