Kodansha Comics

Sailor Moon “Black Moon Arc” Themes, Motifs, & Symbols

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This is PART II of the Sailor Moon analysis series. Click here for PART I “Dark Kingdom Arc.”

Welcome to the long-awaited continuation of this Sailor Moon light analysis series! Like I did in my overview of themes, motifs, and symbols in Sailor Moon‘s “Dark Kingdom Arc,” I want to try veering off the traditional review path and instead focus on some of the thematic devices and elements in my favorite manga or anime series. These posts will not aim to critically analyze elements of the work but rather provide a leaping-off point to prompt your own discussions. I encourage readers to use this post as they see fit (just be sure to tag me and link this page), and I hope you will find it useful!

The themes, motifs, and symbols discussed here pertain specifically to the “Black Moon Arc” of Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon manga and the Sailor Moon Crystal anime series. Other themes, motifs, and symbols may also apply, though I plan to save those devices for future posts where they are more relevant in other parts of the franchise (like the use of dreams inSuperS). At the same time, I’ll avoid repeating any items from previous posts because, like most series, Sailor Moon tends to build off of existing groundwork as the story progresses. As such, this listing is by no means exhaustive, but it should help anyone trying to understand how some of the thematic devices function within the narrative. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Themes

Desire as a Slippery Slope to Possession

It’s no coincidence that the classic anime refigures the “Black Moon Arc” as Sailor Moon R, an R which is commonly believed to signify “Romance,” “Return,” or “Rose.” Plights of desire and envy ignite every moment with new layers of meaning to the word “romance.” Prince Demande’s overwhelming desire to capture Neo Queen Serenity and demonstrate his mastery is a clear twisting of the romance shared between the Queen and her King Endymion. Endymion stands behind Serenity as an act of giving love, while Demande, well, demands that possessing Serenity and her Silver Crystal is the only way to effectively communicate his desires. In truth, Demande likely felt “bewitched” by her superiority, and so he tries to place a bell jar over his love out of an unwillingness to accept that her strength—her capacity to love—is greater than his own.

Duplicity Is Deception

Doppelgängers or mirror personalities loom in the shadows of many characters, reflecting both a semblance of repressed desires and a gross exaggeration of said truth. Tiny Chibiusa has bold Black Lady, the Queen of Nemesis cloaked with power AND the man of her dreams at her beck and call. Little does she realize that a more earnest sense of self awaits around the corner in the form of Sailor Chibi Moon. Sailor Moon (or Neo Queen Serenity) has the submissive, altered version that exists in Prince Demande’s evil eye(s). All of the Black Moon members bear desires original to them that are buried beneath Wiseman’s hypnotic effects. And even Wiseman himself masks his true form as Death Phantom, shedding his layers of deception only as the Senshi are able to wipe away each one.

Distance Breeds Love and Hate

They say that the farther we are from the ones we cherish most, the stronger our passion for them—and despise for others—can grow. Sailor Pluto, known for residing at the forbidden corridor between space and time, is living proof that experiencing distance from our loved ones can reinforce that same fondness for them. She views the dedication to her task as a positive way to deepen her bonds with the royal family’s members. In a way, she is a foil to Wiseman, who instead of safeguarding space-time hides within its folds, his hatred for Serenity heavy in his heart. On the other hand, both Usagi and Chibiusa view their rotating separation from Mamoru with frustration and jealousy towards the other girl. When one has her moment with Mamoru, the other is often caught up in worry and vexation, however needless it all seems in hindsight. It’s astonishing how a little separation can so drastically affect us.

Isolation Creates an Echo Chamber

For a series about love and romance, many characters across the “Black Moon Arc” experience aching loneliness and anxious ideation from their isolation. On Planet Nemesis, Wiseman stews in his own depravity and torment as a rebel forever banished from humanity on Earth. Rather than use the imprisonment cast by Neo Queen Serenity to reflect on the error of his ways, he mines Planet Nemesis for the Beguiling Black Crystal, a gem which only furthers his corruption. It’s not just the bad guys damaged by isolation, though. In the 30th century, Chibiusa is ostracized by her classmates for being the Queen’s daughter; her mother has much grander ordeals to attend to than child-rearing, and the Inner Senshi often accompany their Queen. The echo chamber of her perceived isolation is exploited when Chibiusa flees to the shadowy edges of space-time and Wiseman lures out these anxieties within her. Of course, there’s also Sailor Pluto whose sole guardianship over space-time leads her to ever wondering if her work and dedication were truly enough to please her Queen and, in ways unrequited, her King.

The Futility of Changing History

After becoming disillusioned by the supposed unaffecting ways of Crystal Tokyo’s monarchal rule, the Black Moon Clan joins forces with Wiseman, a terrorist exiled to the far reaches of space, to travel back to the past and erase the possibility of a new Silver Millennium being created in the 30th century. As the Sailor Guardians thwart every one of the Black Moon Clan’s missions, however, it becomes apparent that history is a fixed constant, one that is futile to change. Even if the Inner Senshi become detained or incapacitated, the lone Guardian of Space-Time can be called upon in their darkest hour.

Critiques of Monarchy and Singular Authority

When the Sailor Guardians make their way to 30th century Crystal Tokyo, they find that Neo Queen Serenity had bricked herself up in the Crystal Palace as a final act of self-preservation. Granted, this decision safeguarded the one hope that could be used against the Black Moon, but it’s this same singular dependance on one figure to constantly save the day that landed Crystal Tokyo in so much trouble when the Black Moon first invaded. According to their account, Neo Queen Serenity only graced the public to protect her people against rare acts of terrorism. She was, to the renegade Black Moon (who were once citizens of Crystal Tokyo themselves) a leader in name only—a concept, even. With all vestiges of celestial power sealed within the slumbering Neo Queen Serenity, it almost begs the same question that the Black Moon propose: Why does a superior 30th-century human race still rely on the crown, and why can’t the radiance of the Silver Crystal—the symbol of monarchal authority—be shared by more than one individual?

Motifs

Blackness

Black Moon. Black Lady. Beguiling Black Crystal, black as the abyss of space. The “Dark Kingdom Arc” introduces a similarly vague word to express the forces of evil, but whereas darkness exists on a spectrum of light, black connotes just that: stark, opaque, dense, and without dimension. The evil present in the second arc of Sailor Moon is far more sinister in scale, and its shadows are twice as black. Interestingly, the notes in the manga describe that the Black Moon Clan members Crimson Rubeus, Verdant Esmeraude, and Azure Saphir unite under Prince Demande as the primary colors found in light (red + green + blue = white). When they are removed from the picture, the light is gone; in their stead, “Black Lady” reigns supreme.

The Future

Anxieties about what the future will bring swirl in the hearts of many. For the girls living in the present, it’s mostly concerns with studies, extracurriculars, and friendships. For all of the “aliens,” this worry is retrograde. Having lived to see 30th century Earth, the Black Moon looks to the past to weed out their future enemies. Likewise, Chibiusa fears the reality that the legendary Sailor Moon of the past may be unable to protect her family in the future. After weighing her future against humanity’s, Sailor Pluto makes the desperate call to stop time in the ultimate showdown against Demande. The future is always at risk, ever slipping between characters’ grasps. Simultaneously, it is that which everyone is living through—a stage of possibility that fluctuates on every whim, breath, and pulse shared by the actors. Regardless of the consequences, it’s Mamoru’s comment that closes out this clash for romance, dominance, and the future: “It wasn’t a dream. It was the story of a future that will be here before we know it.”

Acts of Motherhood

This arc, which is devoted to exploring love and its many different forms, does not neglect the mother-daughter relationship in the slightest. Usagi and Chibiusa’s relationship starts out rough, but the edges start to smooth once the two develop a routine: waking up, going to school, playing at the arcade with friends, fighting over Mamoru’s attention, combatting the forces of evil, and then returning home to sleep and start all over again the next day. In particular, it’s moments when Mamoru is present that Usagi feels the conflict of love, for his caring gaze seems split between the two girls. When Usagi heads to Crystal Tokyo and learns more of Neo Queen Serenity, she starts to adopt a more motherly tone with her future daughter. Furthermore, Usagi’s mother begins to feel the gravity of the cosmos pulling her daughter away from their little home in the Juban District. Even Luna must accept that her daughter Diana knows more about the future and what’s best for everyone than she does (which is a RARE occurrence indeed). It’s the willingness of mothers—Usagi, Ikuko, Luna—to relinquish their daughters and let them experience the world that allows trust to strengthen on both sides.

Spectre and the Supernatural

Between fortune tellings gone awry, UFO sightings on the rise, and urban legends spiraling out of control, the Sailor Guardians do their best to combat the bizarre. The iconically named “Spectre Sisters” adorn the first half of the narrative with poltergeist-level misdemeanors and serial phantom kidnappings. It’s not until a literal “Death Phantom” (AKA Wiseman) conjures stranger images that the whole of space-time becomes at risk of collapse. Even with the anime-original “Doom Tree Arc” included at the start of season two, Sailor Moon R‘s expanded exploration to the dark corners of the solar system are entirely connected under the motif of supernatural happenings. There are some forces out there that simply can’t be explained . . . apparently . . .

Exiles, Outcasts, and Alien Invaders

Along with alien energies and antagonists, there’s a fair amount of invasion occurring on just about every level of human interaction. The obvious one is the Black Moon Clan appearing in strange, UFO-shaped discs of light to abduct people for their schemes. Wiseman is an exile of the gravest kind, a terrorist who led a rebellion against the Silver Millennium and is imprisoned on Planet Nemesis for his crimes. Chibiusa, too, is an invader upon not only the temporal past (and the Door of Space and Time protected by Pluto) but also Mamoru and Usagi’s relationship. Additionally, she regards herself as a kind of outcast from her class and family’s affection back home. Finally, there’s Sailor Pluto whose solitary role lends itself to the outward appearance of being outcast from the other Senshi. Despite their respective distances, the narratives of these exiles, outcasts, and invaders will intermingle and cause ripples of unimagined proportion.

Planet Power

We don’t often regard our planet as possessing its own kind of power, but in 30th century Crystal Tokyo, Earth shines as a jewel across the cosmos. Planet Nemesis, which apparently went undetected for centuries due to the *rare* gravitational phenomonen surrounding it, emerges as a planet of rival energy due to it possessing its own crystal power. This battle between Planet Earth and Planet Nemesis, Mythical Silver Crystal and Beguiling Black Crystal, centers itself as the arc’s grand climax. In response, the Sailor Guardians are granted “Planet Power” for the first time by Neo Queen Serenity. With Earth’s prosperity secured across 20th and 30th centuries, the stage becomes reset for the next arc to begin.

Doors and Keys

The “Black Moon Arc” begins with Chibiusa’s opening of the doors to space-time, and it ends in the same way. Doors represent barriers to forces which we might not be ready to take on . . . yet, anyway. The Door of Space and Time offers entrance to the unfathomable realm of causality. Hence, it is only discussed in hushed whispers, locked by special spatial keys, and watched by a lone protector. Still, Chibiusa hears the rumors, steals the keys, and befriends the solitary Sailor Guardian. She opens doors left and right, willing to cause trouble at every turn if it offers a new chance for her to find strength—and a savior—for the ones she loves. To Chibiusa, behind every door resides new possibilities; one only needs the right key to open them up.

Symbols

Beguiling Black Crystal

Unlike the Mythical Silver Crystal, which is limited to one (“1”) body and wielded by the Silver Millenium, the Beguiling (or Malefic/Evil, depending on translation) Black Crystal is mined and crafted into different shapes and sizes. High-ranking Clan members are bestowed Beguiling Black Crystal Earrings which can channel the power of the main crystal housed within the Black Moon Castle. Asteroid-sized Black Crystals have been used to decimate and weaken Crystal Tokyo with a nuclear power that is instantly reminiscent of the atom bomb. If the Silver Crystal persists in its namesake mercurial nature, slipping in and out of various grasps yet unable to be controlled, the Beguiling Black Crystal beckons each of its many holders forward. Not like quicksilver in the slightest, the Beguiling Black Crystal is ironically clear in its presentation. The Mythical Silver Crystal is an endless fountain of radiant power; the Beguiling Black Crystal, its one true rival force, draws and drains power from its surrounding in wicked supply. As Wiseman states, “The negative energy of the Beguiling Black Crystal that consumes all things, returning them to nothingness. And the infinite positive energy of the Mythical Silver Crystal that grants power to all things, amplifying it beyond measure . . .” Like their respective users, the two crystals symbolize the way we can love others: by giving and showering love, or by stealing it away.

UFOs

The preferred method of travel by the Black Moon invaders resembles (by little coincidence) the primary vehicle of stereotypical alien travel. UFO sightings have been a superstitious craze for decades, centuries even, and Naoko Takeuchi’s decision to incorporate their iconic shape into the story takes the girls’ fascination for urban legends to the next level. In reality, these light-shaped discs are not machines but portals created in the vacuum of space-time. While the Senshi are led to believe the invaders are from outer space, the Black Moon members cleverly withhold a second layer of truth: they are travelers from the distant future.

Luna-P

This gift given by Sailor Pluto to Chibiusa means all the world to the budding Sailor Guardian in pink. The way Chibiusa bounces Luna-P around and performs prankish tricks resembles a child playing with a temari, a Japanese handball used for games. Luna-P seems to house many hidden abilities, but one shouldn’t read too much into it as a sophisticated weapon. Rather, the cat-faced ball is a symbol of youthful mischief, joyful innocence, bountiful luck, divine protection, and above all, the bond between two friends.

Crystal Palace

The attempted siege against the Crystal Palace of 30th century Earth began with Wiseman’s acts of terrorism. Following his mission, the Black Moon became consumed with rage against the crown and its opulence. The Crystal Palace still stands after the carnage, a symbol of the royal family’s resilience to change in more ways than one. Until Sailor Moon can save Crystal Tokyo, the palace acts as a safe house for the slumbering Sailor Guardians and the royal family. After all, only the inheritors of Silver Millennium may draw on the power of the Mythical Silver Crystal. The fallout of Crystal Tokyo is still blatant in its chaotic implications, though; the royal family sleeps safely in the palace while civilian bodies lie strewn along ruined streets. Even Usagi herself contemplates the matter of a “divine right to rule” pounding in her soul: “Is it really the Silver Crystal that plants evil in people’s hearts and makes them fight each other? If the Silver Crystal never existed . . . would history never run off course? Should the Mythical Silver Crystal . . . should I . . . have never existed?”

Evil Eye and Bestial Hands

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet don’t confuse Demande’s bewitching gaze as a mere sign of affection. This power to control and subjugate, along with the Bestial Hands, are bequeathed to Wiseman’s most loyal pawns. The Evil Eye, red with irritation, matches the savage cruelty of the Bestial Hands that go with them. While it’s easy to dismiss them as classic features of fantasy antagonists, one will remember that Wiseman draws his power from the Beguiling Black Crystal on top of years of practicing dark arts. Given Naoko Takeuchi’s background studying science, this could be a dramatization of the mutation caused by the Black Crystal’s radiation and a direct allusion to Japan’s own history with radiation poisoning.

Planet Nemesis

Rumors and theories about a distant 10th planet in the solar system were rampant decades before the dawn of superior-powered telescopes. Nemesis is an extension of this astronomical urban legend given nightmarish form. Comprised of Black Crystal, which was capable of absorbing light and energy much like a black hole, the phantom planet would appear and disappear from Crystal Tokyo’s sensors. As followers of Death Phantom also fled to Nemesis, its powers grew, and the planet began to emit large amounts of negative energy. The planet became synonymous with Death Phantom himself, as symbolized by the loss of his physical body and the binding of his will to Nemesis. For all that was righteous, luminous, and pure about the bygone era of Silver Millennium on the Moon, Nemesis offers the opposite—an all-consuming abyss that feeds off its prisoners.

Usagi’s “Reverie” Dress

Naoko Takeuchi is famous for her fashion tributes and passion for haute couture. When Prince Demande kidnaps Sailor Moon, she awakens to find herself dressed in an unfamiliar white gown. The design of the dress is inspired from Alphonse Mucha’s poster for the F. Champenois company, an art piece that was later given the title “Reverie.” The foreign white dress becomes emblematic of Sailor Moon’s current situation, her subjugation, and (after being topped with an unwanted kiss from Demande) the complete invasion of her body. The aliens had succeeded in capturing the enemy queen. While the whole display is gross to watch, there’s no denying the gorgeousness of the dress. Attached to the back of the dress are four wings fashioned from a translucent fabric. Given that Usagi is royalty, the scene may allude to the Amazonian Queen Hippolyta’s forced capture and wed by Theseus who, in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (“reverie” meaning daydream, by the way), infamously “wooed thee with [his] sword/ And won thy love doing thee injuries” (i.e., bested her in combat, which is how Sailor Moon also lost). In the play, which is inspired by Greek mythology, the fairy king Oberon commits similar dehumanizing acts against Titania, the fairy queen, in a parallel plot. With white wedding dress adorning her front and fairy wings strapped to her back, the stage almost appears set for Sailor Moon (or Hippolyta, or Titania) to plan her unprecedented comeback.

Moon Rod

A celestial weapon created from the love between Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, the Moon Rod is the manifestation of their partnership. If Sailor Moon’s previous primary weapon, the Moon Stick, represents her destiny as the Moon Princess, the Moon Rod illuminates her future as a wife, a Queen, and a mother. In that way, the Rod could be likened to a royal scepter. When Tuxedo Mask is brainwashed and uses the Rod to hit Usagi, the scene resembles an instance of domestic violence. Sailor Moon internalizes the attack as such: “That rod was born of our combined powers. And he’s using it . . . against me.” Whether wielded with pure or ill intent, the Rod has always represented the unity of their love. Like the Moon Stick, instead of outright “killing” enemies, the Moon Rod specializes in purifying evil. Of course, bodies completely consumed by darkness are likely to disintegrate entirely. As the story evolves across arcs and seasons, so too will the Mood Rod upgrade in its healing magnanimity, physical stature, and legendary light.

Got any themes, motifs, or symbols you think should be on this list? Drop your suggestions down in the comments for all of us to see. Thanks for reading, and ‘til next time! 

– Takuto

Battle Angel Alita: The Original Cyberpunk Classic || Manga First Impressions

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First impressions for volumes 1-2 (Deluxe Edition Volume 1) of Yukito Kishiro’s manga series “Gunnm” or “Battle Angel Alita,” published in 2017 by Kodansha Comics.

Saved from the Scraps

Only the few and the fortunate are permitted to live in the shining space city of Zalem, a utopian metropolis which floats high above a desert wasteland. What trash and unnecessary dealings the people of Zalem find expendable are tossed into The Scrapyard, an enormous stockpile of waste below the city which is surrounded by a clustering of ghettos and shacks. This is where the rest of humanity–flesh and cyborg alike–eke out a living, surviving by grit and brute strength alone.

While scavenging a pile of discarded android parts, Daisuke Ido, a cyborg repairs doctor, finds the head of a young female cyborg amid the scraps. Dr. Ido builds a new body for the head and names her Alita. Although Alita’s memory upon activation is foggy and lost to her, she still wishes to stay by the good doctor’s side.

The caring relationship between the two is challenged when Alita discovers Ido’s night job as a hunter-warrior, a bounty hunter working for The Scrapyard’s government, and she decides to become one herself against Ido’s warning. While pinning down wanted criminals in the shadows of the slums, Alita awakens to her forgotten knowledge of fighting techniques. As it turns out, Alita is a warrior, though her origins are still unknown. With her newfound strength, Alita determinately fights for justice, recovering bits of her fragmented past to rediscover her original identity.

Lawlessness and Chaos

I love cyberpunk. Whether the clean-cut, glowing neon feel or the technologically clustered vision (as with Alita here), I enjoying seeing how different artists approach their worldbuilding. Whereas Ghost in the Shell is more cerebral-focused–showing how cyber enhancements in the brain transform humanity’s relationship with the Internet–Alita sticks to altering the physical body. The toughest of cyborgs that enjoy fighting in the arena are equipped with metal arms capable of lifting megatons. Might makes right in The Scrapyard.

When not admiring the glorious physiques of the various strongarm hunter warriors, we can look to the background art for cyberpunk influence. Often, pages of the comic will pass with little to no dialogue, leaving the reader to simply awe at the setting artwork and detailed landscape imagery. Yukito Kishiro structures the worldbuilding aspects of the series with elements of action or moments of self-discovery, imbedding the story of The Scrapyard within key character backstories or set pieces.

I’m especially referencing the ghastly yet vast and mazelike conditions of The Scrapyard’s sewer system–a seemingly bottomless world of gross infestation and hellish living for any creature. The bubbling bog’s curious plumes of stench contrast fantastically against the arid and metallic cityscape of the surface world. What binds them, however, is a prevailing sense of lawlessness and chaos.

If You Liked the 2019 Film, You’ll Love This

Despite having come to the manga from watching the 2019 live action film, I found Alita to read incredibly easy on its own. Each story element flows to the next well enough to warrant having the series on your shelf along with the film’s Blu-ray. Both the film and the manga have their own subtle differences (mainly concerning changes to the appearances of certain characters, or their omission entirely), but again, they both hold well on their own.

Perhaps the only major crime (as a film watcher) is the sad discovery that motorball isn’t in the manga at all! Or, at least not in the first couple volumes (*cries anyway*). Kodansha’s first Deluxe Edition volume ends on the film’s climax, so I’ll have to see how that cliffhanger is resolved in the manga. I wonder if it’s anything like the cool ending of the film . . .

Alita is, by and large, one of the most important titles in the cyberpunk genre. Its influence extends far beyond the main genre it belongs to, including the realms of action, adventure, science fiction, and even dystopia. What I discovered from my read of the first 10 or so chapters of the manga, however, was that all of the praise for Alita is well-deserved. Whether you liked the film as much as I did or not, you’re bound to love the empowering female narrative of the Battle Angel Alita manga even more.

“I believe that every human can choose her own way of life! We can choose to be ugly or beautiful!”

Alita

Afterword

I’m sure you’ll hear more about my Alita journey as I pick up more volumes, but we’re off to a fantastic start so far! Now the question is whether I should continue the series in the Kodansha Deluxe hardcovers or move to digital since, you know, it’s cost-effective (and saves a ton of shelf space)! I’ve got lots to think about.

One last thing! With all the cyborg skull-crushing and limb-smashing violence, Alita does lean more on the graphic side. Just wanted to let you know in case you are entirely new to the franchise. 🙂

Have you ever tried out this classic cyberpunk manga? Let me know in the comments! So far, I love the world and the characters in it, and that’s enough to keep me throwing money at this franchise. Thanks for reading these first impressions, and ’til next time!

– Takuto

Into the Abyss: Fire Force Manga Volumes 7-9

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Loose thoughts on volumes 7-9 of Atsushi Ohkubo’s manga series “Fire Force,” initially published in 2016 by Kodansha Comics. Spoilers will be present.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY THOUGHTS ON VOLUMES 4-6

Enter the Forge

Coming off the shocking ending of volume six with the introduction of *assumed villain* Viktor Licht to Company 8, volume seven opens with new knowledge of Shinra’s world. As it turns out, much of the habitable land known to mankind was burned to a crisp at the dawn of the Solar Era. Countries that we are familiar with now no longer exist in this period as a result of spacial distortions. The planet is quite literally falling apart. Although the actual history is still unknown to us, Viktor isn’t afraid to confirm with the reader now that Amaterasu and the Tokyo Empire are definitely fishy in origin.

Taking on the other companies will prove difficult with their current team. Thus, Obi sends the innocent trio of Shinra, Arthur, and Sister Iris to try and talk a legendary blacksmith and mechanic over to their side: Vulcan, aptly named after the god of the forge. I appreciate the way Ohkubo quickly yet thoroughly introduced Vulcan and his “family” to us; unlike most other additions Ohkubo would make this late in the game, Vulcan isn’t an annoying guy.

Vulcan’s goal of bringing back animal life to the world—another detail I had yet to realize until now—is a noble one, and his frustrations with Haijima Industries is well understood thanks to his backstory. It was honestly moving to see that underwater projection, reminding us of how hot and dry the landscape often seems. I can totally see the anime dragging Vulcan’s history to the point of tedium, but the manga remains quick on its feet and moves past his angst.

Volume seven doesn’t stop there. The drama escalates when Shinra realizes that the White Hoods set a trap for Company 8 and Vulcan. It was an ABSOLUTE double-whammy to find that not only was the WHOLE Company 3 working for the Evangelist, but also that Lisa, a member of Vulcan’s “new family,” was also an Evangelist spy. Really, this caught me off guard. I had my sneaking suspicions that Company 3’s captain, Dr. Giovanni, was actually Vulcan’s grandfather, but this conspiracy was quickly snuffed out—and probably for the better.

Oh yeah, and Princess Hibana joins the fray with some SERIOUS heat. Glad Ohkubo is keeping her relevant both off and on the battlefield.

Shinra Meets Sho

THE CONFRONTATION WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. And honestly, it was just as short as I thought it’d be. So far, it would seem that the only edge Sho has over Shinra is his extreme speed, which is kinda lame cause I thought he’d have real nasty fire abilities. I suppose we have yet to see those, though, so for all I know Sho’s fire is just as potent as Shinra’s can be. Anyway, Sho has no wishes of joining our heroes, which was kinda already expected, just not as bitter.

To finish out the battle at Vulcan’s workshop, I found it perhaps most odd that Joker jumped in to fight off Sho from catching up to Shinra’s escape. Even more surprising was that Joker appears to be no match for Sho’s deadly speed. What is Joker’s aim? I thought he was with the Evangelist. Is he just a terrorist, or perhaps an anti-hero? I’m sure his story will come to light before too long.

As with Princess Hibana’s efforts in the previous volume, Ohkubo is really trying to keep all the characters he introduces on the table—which is fantastic. The majority of this eighth volume is spent on a mini training excursion in Asakusa. That’s right, Benimaru is back, BITCHES. I love this man, WOW, and I still don’t even know why. I just wish he’d join Company 8 more on their quests already cause y’all already know he can take Sho down.

Just as Shinra learns from Benimaru to focus his fire with traditional meditation techniques, Arthur also learns a thing or two about how to sense life on the battlefield. Arthur is such a ditz, but Ohkubo’s made this guy impossible to hate at this point. Benimaru’s wise teachings will already prove helpful as Obi takes the fight to the White Hoods in Fire Force‘s next big arc.

The Nether, a land of darkness that remains untouched by Sol’s holy light. In other words, the Tokyo subway ruins following the cataclysm many years ago. Man, Ohkubo’s world-building continues to astonish. Just when I think I have Fire Force‘s world all figured out, Ohkubo gently places new information to throw the reader off. He’s been slowly, carefully fleshing out this universe of fire and brimstone, and the results pay off when the reader can look at the lower gates to an ordinary subway and a chill runs up their spine. There’s definitely something wrong with this place . . .

Now that we’re here in the depths of the earth, it finally occurs to me that, yeah, there really aren’t that many scenes where our characters are exploring any subterranean location. Again, this obviously carries intent. The stress on Sol as a deity is really questioned throughout this volume and the end of the previous. Company 3’s Dr. Giovanni goes on a religious tirade praising the glory of the Evangelist and diminishing the light of Sol, but really, who is this Evangelist—and who or what is Sol? This self-inquisition adds so much to a world that, apparently, we still know very little about.

A Light in the Dark

At the end of volume eight we get our first fight: Maki vs. Flail. I CANNOT wait to see this shit animated, cause wow, Maki’s new gear is so freakin’ cool. Thanks to Vulcan’s handy-work, Maki’s able to utilize her little fire sputters in a much more advantageous way: they are the fuel for a set of giant floating armored hammers that can both attack AND defend with ease. The staggered armor plating on these pile-bunker-esque arms also matches Obi’s signature full-body shield, which is nice for consistency. In all, it’s just nice to see Maki shine on her own.

My favorite confrontation, however, was the explosive sniper duel of Hinawa vs. Arrow. Hinawa may just be the coolest guy in the company. His backstory is solidly written. His purpose and ties to the other characters makes absolute sense. And his abilities as a Second Generation, WOW, so fitting for him and useful on the field. Both snipers were almost willing to destroy themselves just to hit their target, which lends to itself humorous commentary in Arthur vs. Mirage (also a pleasant rematch, it’s nice to see how much Arthur has grown). The stark use of black and white during these panels also accentuates the flash of their bullets and arrows—the clash between two sharp, diligent minds.

The weakest fight was by far Tamaki vs. Assault. As opposed to her flame ability taking out her opponent, that damned “lucky lecher lure” or whatever ended up being Assault’s downfall. Gosh, my eyes cannot roll hard enough. It’s bad enough that I don’t care for Tamaki at all, but to see her fighting like this really degrades her character. I sincerely thought this was going to be redemption for the cat girl. Oh well, at least Sister Iris came in with that lead pipe to Assault’s head.

Lastly, there’s Obi and Vulcan vs. Dr. Giovanni and Lisa. This fight really shows off Dr. Giovanni’s cunning ways, but also Obi’s raw human strength as a non-powered soldier. Vulcan and Lisa do little aside from playing Romeo and Juliet, so the main draw of this fight is definitely on the ideology clash between the company captains. I just can’t wait ’till Obi rips that obscene mask off Giovanni’s head.

As Shinra frees Viktor Licht from the White Hoods, it quickly becomes apparent that something isn’t right here. Shinra has sensed Sho’s presence in the Nether since the beginning, but a strange vision of ashen demonic skeletons has me scared for Shinra’s life. I have a hunch that the grand conflict awaiting us in volume ten will not only prove hard on Shinra because of Sho, but because his own powers may decide to reveal their true colors.

We are forever beseeching the rising sun. Grant thy light to the undefiled souls. — Sister Iris

Afterword

Lots of stuff happened in these past three Fire Force volumes. I have no doubt that the story is only to get a lot darker with the reveal of certain truths about the world in the volumes to come. I went ahead and ordered the next nine volumes (I know, I should moderate myself better), but I’ll be taking a break from the series until they arrive. Until then, what are your thoughts on the series so far? I’d love to hear, but no spoilers please! ‘Till next time!

– Takuto

CLICK HERE TO READ MY THOUGHTS ON VOLUMES 10-12