How will Koko respond when a ghost starts threatening HCLI’s business?
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Keitaro Takahashi
Translation: Joe Yamazaki
English Adaptation: Stan!
What They Say:
While doing business in Southeast Asia, Koko Hekmatyar’s brother, Kasper, runs into some interference from the Japanese SR counterintelligence unit. Koko and her team head to Japan to sort things out, but taking on the rogue Japanese unit on their home turf is just asking for trouble. However, Koko’s man Tojo knows the ground and the opposition – he once served in the SR unit under its leader, Yosuke Hinoki, Japan’s “One and Only Spymaster.” When Koko goes into action, she looks for every advantage she can find, but in this deadly game, is she the one getting played?
The Review!
While having a meal and discussing business, Kasper admits to his group that there’s been a Japanese organization that’s been trying to force them out of business in Southeast Asia. Of course, Kasper is unwilling to simply back down, and even Koko and company are dragged into the operation to strike back against the “ghost” that’s been causing trouble. Kasper then takes Jonah to see the three kids from the base, who are now living a good and happy life. Jonah decides not to talk to them, but afterwards he seems to have gained at least a little more trust towards Kasper. With that taken care of, Kasper explains the ghost that they’ll be fighting is the Japanese SR Unit and their section leader Colonel Yosuke Hinoki, Tojo’s former employer.
Tojo calls up his former boss, confirming that he is in fact the enemy they’re looking for and kicking off hostilities in the process. We learn that the SR unit is a super secretive organization that few know exists, and that Hinoki works constantly to keep things that way. Once he learns that Koko is involved, though, Hinoki realizes they can no longer operate covertly and gives his men the okay for reacting in a combat situation.
Koko is called to a meeting in Umi Hotaru in Japan, while Kasper is called to the SR Unit’s business in Indonesia. When the business lady in charge of the dealings with Kasper charges towards her guest with a sword, Kasper realizes the time for dealings are done and sets his group to taking down the enemy. Unsurprisingly, once Koko’s group reaches their destination, they are ambushed as well. Jonah is able to dodge the enemy fire, but Tojo takes a bullet to the shoulder in the process. The SR unit tries to trap our heroes in a tunnel, but they burst free and a call comes in from Hinoki. Hinoki says that all he wanted was a test of his unit’s strength versus that of HCLI.
Three days later, Koko and company go to meet their former enemy in the Bahamas. After a flashback to Tojo’s past, Hinoki explains that he simply gave the SR unit the armed conflict that they’d been wishing for. Finally, Doctor Miami befriends the now destitute Karen Low, and we learn that HCLI has been creating a network of satellite positioning systems.
In Summary:
While the last volume definitely hit a high point that this volume fails to match, what is presented here is still more solid action-packed fun. The focus of the book is definitely on fleshing out Kasper and Tojo, and it’s much appreciated as the characters hadn’t yet been given much time in the spotlight. Kasper and his team in particular are a lot of fun to see in motion, as well as their interactions with Koko’s team. The villain presented here feels a bit flat compared to the ones we’ve had before, but he does have his moments and is interesting enough. With the various aspects brought into play at the end of the volume, hopefully we’re in store for a more intense plot arc coming up, but for now this will do just fine.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: A+
Package Rating: A-
Text/Translation Rating: B+
Age Rating: 17+
Released by: Viz Media
Release Date: January 10th, 2012
MSRP: $12.99
