Will our heroes be able to overcome the new trials and hardships before them?
Creative Staff:
Story/Art: Kou Yaginuma
Translation/Adaptation: Hiroko Mizuno, Tomoe Tsutsumi, Nicole Dochych
Content:
At the start of the volume, we find our heroes in quite a pinch, being pitted against the prowess of advanced humanoid robots in the task of making repairs while submerged in a pool. Kei goes first and is defeated, and retells her tale afterwards to the others. Though Kei and her group quickly gained a lead during the small varied tasks that required dexterity, when it came time for the simple yet tedious tasks of inspecting and repairing solar panels, the robots pulled ahead for a thorough victory. Bitter at her defeat, as well as the snide comments of the robot developers, Kei swears vengeance and begins compiling data in order to help her classmates emerge victorious against the machines. With Kei’s data, the students get closer and closer to beating the robots. When it comes down to just Marika and Asumi left, it looks like they’ll be able to pull out a win. Unfortunately, communications suddenly go down, and our heroes decide to give up and return to the surface. Asked to explain their actions, they elaborate that had they been in space, it would be too dangerous to attempt continuing without the lifeline of communications. Though they are defeated, they clearly leave a mark on their opponents with their heartfelt words.
Having completed another round of training, the gang soon finds that it is once more time for summer break. To ensure fairness, they decide to draw randomly from ideas as to where to go, only for all of them to put Yuigahama. Upon arriving, they visit the memorial for the victims of the Lion, and then take a break to reflect on the past year. Afterwards, Shu reveals to Fuchuya that he passed the test, and will be going to America. The gang then proceeds to a festival, where Shu and Kei become closer, only for Shu to reveal to everyone that he will be leaving. Seeing Shu’s openness, Marika decides to tell everyone that her disease is incurable, and until they find a way to cure it, she will never be able to become an astronaut. With the heavy news weighing on their hearts, Kei and company return home, but Asumi and Fuchuya remain behind to pay respects to Asumi’s mother.
After returning home, we soon find Fuchuya reflecting on his childhood. It is then that we learn that Fuchuya is unable to see colors due to an accident involving a firework he made as a child. It soon becomes clear from these reflections that Fuchuya is torn, as he seems to have a gift for making fireworks, but he clearly also wants to follow behind Asumi, who is so desperately reaching for her dreams. As the volume comes to a close, our heroes become distressed, as it has been three weeks since they last heard from Shu. As such, Asumi is ecstatic when she hears that she has a phone call from someone named Suzuki, only to be crushed when she hears that it is Shu’s sister, calling to tell her that Shu has passed away.
In Summary:
This volume once again contains a fantastic set of stories. In particular, we really get to see Fuchuya develop as a character, which is a real treat. Meanwhile, we see even more aspects and opinions on the subject of space travel, and more heartfelt stories as the dedication of our heroes touches those around them. The biggest shock of this volume, however, is the surprisingly dark cliffhanger presented at the end. Though it is almost frightening to see such a thing occur, the track record of the series leaves me with little doubt that the series will be able to take it and turn it into something poignant and beautiful.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A-
Package Rating: A-
Text/Translation Rating: B+
Readers Rating: [ratings]
Age Rating: 13+
Released by: Vertical
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
MSRP: $10.95
