Into the inter high.
Creative Staff:
Story/Art: Wataru Watanabe
Translation: Su Mon Han
Lettering: Lys Blakeslee, Brndn Blakeslee
What They Say:
The grueling three-day training camp is in full swing, and coveted spots on the Sohoku inter-high team are on the line. But while Onoda, Imaizumi, and Naruko are brimming with talent, they’ve never faced an obstacle quite like Sohoku’s second-years Teshima and Aoyagi! Can Onoda overcome their meticulous strategies and immaculate teamwork, or is he nothing more than a fly trapped in their web? No matter the outcome, one thing is certain: To defeat reigning champions Hakone Academy at the inter-high, Sohoku needs the strongest team they can muster!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
The last volume ended smack dab in the middle of the training course race. Not just that, it ended in the middle of the heated race between the first years and the second years. The exchange here was meant to show the potential of the first years, but especially the potential of Onoda. Onoda showed something no one expected out of him. He showed that he can race with the best, even with a ton of handicaps against him.
In the first year race, he rode a mommy bike for a good portion of the race. This training camp, he rode with weighted and uneven wheels and without the special biker’s shoes. And he still finished the race and beat the second years.
The second years ain’t nothing neither, though. If you’re watching the anime, you see the fruition of their labors after this training camp. But the rest of the characters are bound for the inter high. The third years—Kinjou, Tadokoro, and Makishima—are joined by the first year trio of Imaizumi, Naruko, and Onoda.
Throughout the course of the training camp, we get a mere glimpse at what anime watchers know about the trajectory for the show. When Teshima and Aoyagi go down, it hurts. They’ve worked so hard at this and were overcome by upstart first years that have more natural talent that them. Tadokoro says to not continue, lest they wish to die. Let that sink in.
In Summary:
This is good Yowapeda. This is when it really start to ramp up. This is when bicycling meets life and death alike. Onoda steps up to the stage he’s always been destined for. The third years provide motivation for the warier first years. And another upstart, from Hakone, makes a grand debut. This volume is a great ending in the training camp and the promise of a greater beginning with the inter high. I can only wait in eager anticipation for the next volume.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: B-
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: 14+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: December 13, 2016
MSRP: $24.00
