How will Yamato fair now that he’s gained one more day?
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei
Translation/Adaptation: John Weery
What They Say
Yamato wakes up again on the 21st century day that he first encountered Ultimo, and soon learns that he was sent back in time and it’s up to him to prevent total world annihilation. But does he really have the ability to stop the apocalypse – and save Ultimo! – in just 24 hours? On a breakneck tour to meet up with all the doji, Yamato gets into a skirmish with Iruma and Jealousy and must again go back (way back) in time to make things right…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
It seems like another average day for Yamato at the start of this volume… in fact, as it turns out, he’s been transported 24 hours into the past, before he ever met Ultimo. Yamato decides it would better to leave Ultimo at least for now, as their meeting was the trigger to the world’s destruction. However, upon arriving at school, Yamato finds another surprise waiting for him: Musashi has become a transfer student into his class, and also has his memories from the previous timeline. Musashi then informs Yamato that both Dunstan and he are from the 30th century, and that it is his goal to stop Dunstan no matter the cost, even if it means killing Yamato. Considering Yamato’s position, however, he lets him go to discuss matter with Eco before he makes a decision.
Eco ends up telling Yamato to go around and meet each of the Doji masters, good and evil, and get to know them in hopes that that will be enough to stop the hundred machine funeral. Taking heed of Eco’s advice, Yamato hurries to awaken Ultimo, only to find Iruma and Jealousy already attempting to purchase him. Ultimo fortunately awakens anyway, and a fierce battle erupts between the two pairs. Unfortunately, Iruma and Jealousy have already taken the pledge in this timeline, giving them the clear advantage until Musashi shows up to support Yamato. Given this chance, Yamato takes the pledge and uses Ultimo’s abilities to return to 12th century Japan, in order to learn about Iruma’s past.
In the past, Yamato is surprised to find an Iruma who rose from a poor birth into a high position, and does what he can to help the people and support them despite the greed of the corrupt nobility. As the volume comes to a close, we see Dunstan gifting Jealousy to Iruma, greatly twisting his personality in the process.
In Summary
Though not quite as thrilling as the last volume, there’s still plenty of potential here. With this volume you get a real feel for where the series is heading, and it’s definitely an interesting place. It’s nice to see that we’ll finally see the Doji masters on both sides fleshed out, and they certainly do a good job of starting that here. Iruma’s past is surprisingly different from what one might expect, and it will be interesting seeing how he was twisted into what he is today. Add in a big fight with Jealousy and you have a fairly exciting volume that shows a lot of promise for the future of this series.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: B+
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: March 1st, 2011
MSRP: $9.99