Stranded on a deserted island with Yukina … nothing can go wrong, right?
Creative Staff:
Art: Tate
Original Story: Gakuto Mikumo
Character Design: Manyako
Translation/Adaptation: Jeremiah Bourque
What They Say:
After partnering with Natsuki Minamiya to capture the Masked and end the destruction of the sky, Kojou and Yukina are shocked to discover one of the winged girls is none other than Yukina’s classmate Kanon Kanase! When Kanon disappears, Kojou and Yukina seek out her adoptive father, a researcher of megacorp Magus Craft, Inc. Far from the professional meeting they expected, the two find themselves abandoned on a deserted island! It is deserted … isn’t it?
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The innocence of Kanon has been shattered now that Kojou and Yukina found out she is the Masked they have been hunting. After they saw the savagery of her violent attacks, they are even more determined to save her from this involuntary enslavement. Thanks to Natsuki’s help, they learn she now lives with her adoptive father Kensei, a researcher for Magus Craft, one of the leading manufacturers of household robots. However, when the arrive, they are told by his assistant Beatrice that their classmate is not here and her guardian is at an isolated facility they affectionately call the Goldfish Bowl. Although she does not know where Kanon may be, the company is willing to fly them to the island so that they may speak to him. And after a harrowing flight for the Sword Shaman, they are unceremoniously dropped off, once the pilot informs them he was just following orders, leaving the pair to fend for themselves.
All alone with Yukina … even the Fourth Primogenitor cannot bear to think about their options if they are never rescued. Unfortunately, they neglected to tell anyone where they were going, so this alternative is now fresh on their minds. And after a creative meal of coconut-centric dishes prepared by his Watcher, they both settle down for the night in a pillbox embedded along the shore. But as he stirs from a fitful sleep, Kojou wakes to find his companion missing from his side and decides to search for her. Wandering through the jungle by moonlight wasn’t too bad, but once he hears something splashing around just up ahead, curiosity makes him forget about being cautious. Luckily the vampire did not find a wild animal, but something just as dangerous for his condition: illuminated by the full moon within a secluded glade Kojou spots the figure of a stunningly beautiful woman, water dripping from her every curve, with a face that looks exactly like Kanon! Startled by something else approaching from the rear, he attempts to turn before remembering the familiar edge of Snowdrift Wolf scraping along his neck. Yukina has found him but warns her charge not to turn around unless he wants to feel her vengeance.
After obliging Yukina with his jacket to cover any embarrassing opportunities, the two try to find the look-alike and rush to the beach once the painful beam of a searchlight breaks through the foliage. Carefully peeling back the undergrowth, they are surprised by a cadre of heavily armed soldiers emerging from a hovercraft, with the Magus Craft logo emblazoned upon the prow. It does not take long before the armed men spot the duo and begin to open fire – they are obviously not here to save them, but why shoot before they can confirm their identities? With the cover fire too heavy to attempt any counterattacks, Kojou and Yukina dare not try foolish actions, although they cannot last long under this duress. It is only with a thunderous boom and the resultant explosion upon one of the mercenaries do they realize these people are actually automatons; with the risk of not killing humans now eliminated, this duo can deal with the assassins, but who was it that saved them? They gaze upon the cliff overlooking the lagoon and see someone clad in a black dress, long flowing silver hair whipped by the breeze, and a face who appears to be an adult Kanon? That can’t be right … can it?
In Summary:
This is singularly my favorite volume so far, all for the simple reason of introducing the Princess of Aldegia, La Folia Rihavein. While being able to see Kojou and Yukina begin one of the most extraordinary battles within the series may be one enticement, the other for any other red blooded male would be showing off this royal beauty. As we were in awe by Kanon from the previous volume in her innocence and cuteness, Tate and Manyako-sensei release their artistic imagination by essentially showing us a grown up version of that forgotten child. Then when Mikumo-sensei turned her into a monster all for her adoptive father’s selfish experiment, of course, readers would be shocked at not being able to see her grow up, just as we were introduced to such a pure character. This cruel fate did not seem to fulfill any purpose within the overall story, but after we are shown Kensei’s ambitions, this convolution essentially becomes the anchoring element within this gripping, if not twisted, narrative. Of course, it makes sense to familiarize the audience with the rest of the family and to add ever more necessary fan service, who would not remember La Folia’s breathtaking entrance: a moonlight bath which we will not soon forget.
As if there were any doubts now that Strike the Blood has become another harem action manga, with the introduction of La Folia into the group, things will only get more enticing. This foreign beauty reveals all new possibilities since she shows none of the signature shyness which Japanese girls are known for from previous books. With her openness about her sexuality and since vampire books always have those alluring undertones, hopefully, a new chapter will be shown and new competition for the rest of the girls. You never know what can happen, and with any luck, Yukina will have to fight for Kojou’s attentions, making the rivalry all the more amusing.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: A-
Text/Translation Grade: B
Age Rating: Mature
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: June 20, 2017
MSRP: $13.00
