Creative Staff
Story: Yu Sasuga
Art: Ken-ichi Tachibana
Translation: John Werry
What They Say
Thailand, twenty years after the ill-fated Bugs 2 mission. Two American U-NASA agents arrive to find Akari Hizamaru, a “child born after the operation,” and recruit him for Annex 1, a new mission to Mars. The purpose of Annex 1 is to research the origins of a new disease that is ravaging the earth. But the reasons why U-NASA would need the incredible powers that Hizamaru possesses are still a closely guarded secret. Once again, humanity launches an expedition to Mars that has frightening implications for the future.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Twenty years into the future, our story resumes in an underground fighting ring in Thailand. It is there that we first meet the Japanese Akari Hizamaru, who fights desperately for money to save a girl named Yuriko that he’s close to. However, it becomes clear that he may have been set up not to have a chance when his opponent turns out to be Brian Chaomi, a powerful 14 year old fighter who also happens to be a man-eating bear. Despite Akari’s valiant efforts the difference in power simply proves too great. However, as the bear feasts on his flesh, a mysterious and monstrous power bursts forth from the young man, allowing him to defeat his opponent. In the aftermath of the fight, it becomes clear that Yuriko is already dead, but Shokichi and his second, Michelle K. Davis, appear to recruit him to help cure the disease that killed her. As this mysterious illness seems to originate from Mars, his power is a necessity, and as he has nothing left to lose he accepts.
For this new mission, a crew of 90 members with six officers has been assigned, giving them a good bit more force than last time. It is then that we switch to a pair of young illegal immigrants in California, Alex and Marcos. Alex wants to play it as straight as possible and eventually become a professional ball player. However, Marcos takes a rougher path and gets involved with a gang. In the end, though, Marcos can’t follow through with the criminal acts required, due to the memory of their shared childhood friend Sheila. With nowhere else to go, they decide to sell themselves to the mission, where they shockingly meet up with Sheila herself. As the plot continues, we are introduced to the German captain Adolf, as well as a girl named Eva. The newbies continue to bond, and we learn a little more about the virus before the time comes to depart for the mission.
When the Annex 1 ships off for Mars, will they be able to gather what they need for a cure? Or are they doomed to die a bloodier death than that of the Bugs 2’s crew?
In Summary
Though this volume doesn’t have the raw power packed in the opening entry, it’s still quite a strong entry. Akari’s introduction in particular packs a real punch, and it definitely feels like we’re getting to know our characters a little better this time around in general. It also offers quite a powerful finale and cliffhanger, giving plenty to look forward to in the next volume. If even a “bridge” volume like this one, where so much of the page count is exposition, can prove so strong, than this series definitely has a bright future ahead of it, even if its characters may not.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 17+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: September 16th, 2014
MSRP: $12.99
