Creative Staff
Story: Megumi Osuga
Art: Megumi Osuga
Translation/Adaptation: Stephen Paul
What They Say
When an angry mob goes after his friend, Ando has no choice but to fight back with his limited powers. Can ventriloquism actually stop violence? While Semi is a skilled assassin, he’s never met an opponent like this.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This volume of Maoh plunges our characters into the darker side of humanity, with Semi and Ando locked in separate battles. Though the two fights are very different, both threaten their lives and their humanity. Semi being an assassin, it’s not surprising that his struggle begins as the throat-slashing type with bodies dropping everywhere. However, when he encounters the assassin who ultimately claims the Mayor’s life, the battle abruptly turns into a psychological one. Brace yourself for some disturbing images as Semi gets plunged into a blood-drenched nightmare of the undead.
Meanwhile, Ando’s not doing much better. He’s stuck with a riot and innocents caught in a burning house with only his ventriloquism and Junya to help him. Sounds like a crisis only MacGyver can handle! (By the way, those MacGyver references really crack me up.) The brothers’ fire rescue comes across as unrealistic; it’s random how the bedroom door gets blocked and improbable that Junya could help Ando after getting beaten by the mob. However, Ando’s ventriloquism ploy on the angry crowd more than makes up for those shortcomings. As such, Ando’s transition from bystander to hero is convincing and compelling overall, and Volume 6 is shaping up to be an exciting showdown between Ando and Inukai.
In Summary
The pages of Volume 5 are brimming with violence and blood, yet this turmoil spurs Ando out of indecisiveness and into action. However, the struggle against Inukai demands not only Ando’s special gift but physical stamina and wiles, and the tension rises as Ando wonders how long he can last in this fight.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: B+
Packaging Grade: B
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: May 10th, 2011
MSRP: $9.99