A stunning conclusion!
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Natsumi Ando
Translation: Jackie McClure
What They Say
The global elite have gathered for a Christmas summit, and the King’s final revenge on the world that rejected him is almost at hand! All Tsubasa can do is grab the bomb and run – but how far will she get before time runs out? And will Arisa and Tsubasa be able to forget the betrayals and go back to being loving sisters again?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Though Tsubasa heroically attempts to shield everyone in the crowd by grabbing the cranes, they turn out to not be the bomb after all. Unfortunately for our heroine, Midori manages to play it off as a prank done in bad taste, just in time for Tsubasa to notice the rigged doll under her mom’s chair. The cops hold her back and it seems that Midori has won, but before he can hit the trigger on his phone Arisa appears to slap it out of his hand. She also reveals that Midori’s mom died of illness, and tells him that she isn’t a replacement for his dead brother. As he’s escorted away the twins’ mom makes a poorly timed comment, causing Midori to truly snap and come at her with a knife. However, Arisa jumps in front of the blade, explaining that she didn’t hate her mother, she just felt lonely.
As the class comes clean and the incident comes to light, we also learn that the wanted criminal was never dead, it was just a play orchestrated by Midori. Later on, Midori comes to check on Arisa in the hospital, but it turns out to be a trap to catch him. Backed into a corner, he prepares to take his own life, but once more Arisa appears to stop him, revealing her love for him in the process. They’re able to have their tear felt moment (though it is interrupted by a little stabbing in the middle), and in the process Midori seems to truly change for the better.
Time passes, and though she still hates him Tsubasa is able to come to terms with Midori. Meanwhile, back home Arisa and her mom seem to finally be bonding, having opened up to one another after the incident. As the series closes, Arisa and Tsubasa finally reunite and are able to become close once again.
The bonus story flips things around and shows what happens when a concerned Arisa tries to take the place of Tsubasa.
In Summary
This volume manages to bring the series to a strong close by packing it to the brim with action and emotional moments. Though of course Midori gets his moment, it’s nice to also see that he doesn’t get off easy after what he’s done. Furthermore, the titular character of Arisa actually gets some decent moments here, which is nice after she was inactive for so much of the series. In fact, she also gives us a nice touch of lighthearted humor in the bonus chapter, which makes for a nice change of pace to cap off the series. It isn’t perfect, but it’s good to see the series go sent off on a well deserved high note.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: A-
Package Rating: B+
Text/Translation Rating: A
Age Rating: 13+
Released by: Kodansha Comics
Release Date: January 21st, 2014
MSRP: $10.99
