Kobato Vol. #04 Manga Review

Posted by John Rose
July 28, 2011 at 09:57 AM

Revelations, realizations and some familiar returning faces for CLAMP fans to reminisce about.

Creative Staff
Story/Art: CLAMP
Translation: William Flanagan

What They Say
Still unable to provide solace to the hearts of Sayaka-sensei and Fujimoto-san, Kobato is at a standstill in the process of healing the wounds of Yomogi Kindergarten. And so prompted, the belligerent blue Ioryogi-san, Kobato’s plush mentor (read: drill sergeant), takes it upon himself to do a little digging into the school’s backstory. But en route from his successful fact-finding mission, Yomogi’s past turns into the least of Ioryogi-san’s worries when his own past catches up with him!

With it comes a declaration: time is running out for Ioryogi to help Kobato fulfill her quest! But as the seconds tick away, will Ioryogi-san be able to light a fire under Kobato, whose head and heart have become clouded by what seems like love…?

Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The volume picks up where the previous left off as Ioryogi has figured out a new way to get around-by forcing another creature he knew in his previous form who is now a bird to be his transportation. When this fails to work out as the poor thing isn’t exactly a North African Swallow and Ioryogi is falling to the ground like a coconut he is suddenly saved by Heaven’s messenger, Ushagi . Ushagi has come bearing a message for Ioryogi from above informing him that Kobato only has two more seasons to fill her bottle or her wish will never be fulfilled.

As this exchange is going on Kobato is back at the apartment where she lives hoping that the missing Ioryogi has gone home. Instead of the flame throwing little blue ball of short temperament she finds something possibly just as dangerous hovering around in the form of the loan shark Okiuri. It turns out Okiuri has a long history with Sayaka and Chitose and because of this he also knows Fujimoto quite well. As Kobato is talking to Okiuri, Fujimoto arrives and tries to force him to leave the area. When Fujimoto gets violent Kobato steps in because she can’t stand to see Fujimoto get hurt and experience the first twinge in her heart that signals there may be an emotion growing there that she hadn’t noticed.

During the confrontation Okiuri mentioned to Kobato that he is a Yakuza which causes Ioryogi to decide it is time to visit some old friends for information which will also lay open secrets from his own past. Ioryogi was once a very powerful member of royalty in what is known as “The Other World” who ruled those under his control with an iron fist and a slightly more explosive temper than he currently shows. The Other World only comes into contact with both Heavenly World and the Netherworld ever 12 years but when the bridge last appeared Ioryogi began a war against Heaven itself as there is one thing there he wants more than anything else. Ioryogi failed however and he and all his allies were sent to Earth and changed into new forms that they must exist in until Heaven feels they have done enough penance. Ioryogi was also tasked with helping Kobato as an additional price for being the ringleader of the assault.

Things aren’t any easier on Earth however as Ioryogi’s information reveals that Sayaka is in a world of debt because her kindly father trusted the wrong man and was tricked into backing an impossible loan. All signs point to the loan itself having been set up by the Yakuza in order to get their hands on the kindergarten that Sayaka’s father owned. With such an enormous debt she has found it a challenge to even try to keep up even with Fujimoto having left school and working as many part time jobs as he can to help out. With so much swirling around there will at some point be a reckoning, though when Kobato helps another person she meets she may discover the biggest hurdle she faces in her task are facing her own feelings and how knowing Fujimoto’s for Sayaka are causing her to experience a new feeling she doesn’t quite understand.

Volume four introduces elements that had previously been hinted at but not explicitly said in terms of who sent Kobato on her mission with the appearance of Heaven’s messenger. While given the nature of the mission this isn’t the single most surprising revelation in the book it is nice to finally have some idea as to who would have the power to carry out Kobato’s wish. A bigger treat is that the volume introduces part of the reason why it is she is teamed up with the irascible and fire spewing Ioryogi as the concept that he is also on a mission as penance for something he did is brought to light. It is an interesting twist in having CLAMP tie together some of their older titles with some of their more current when explaining the world set up. Having Kobato learn more about herself and thus growing as she helps other people is a very nice touch as well that helps the story’s message flow in a smoother way than if she were just being lectured to by Ioryogi to grant her insight. It also helps to humanize her as well as creating a bond between the character and the reader helping them to relate to her trials from their own experiences with growing realizations. The work on Ioryogi’s past is also a great touch and the layered way that is used to dig into the kindergarten’s past and reveal all the wounds that are still raw surrounding Sayaka, Okiuri, Chitose and Fujimoto helps the events to flow smoothly.

In Summary
With much of the character introductions now out of the way and Kobato’s mission set the story now expands its previous scope to add more character development, back story and a dash of possible romance to the main dish which is then cooked with a new sense of urgency. Add in a sprinkling of a familiar cameo to Kobato’s persevering actions and one ends up with a very satisfying order of CLAMP goodness.

Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: A-

Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: July 19th, 2011
MSRP: $11.99