Never think you are the best … there are always those better than you.
Creative Staff:
Story/Art: Yoshiaki Sukeno
Translation: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
English Adaptation: Byrant Turnage
What They Say:
On Tsuchimikado Island, the front line of the battle with the Kegare, Rokuro learns about the origin of the realm of Magano and is thoroughly humbled by the Twelve Guardians. Then he must choose one of 12 elite families to join. Will his decision save his reputation or further damage it…?
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
With the Ascertainment Rituals now over, it is plainly clear what happened and how this will affect the future of the Twin Star Exorcists … they are no more. Benio has failed, and with even worse consequences, she has also lost all of her spiritual powers. Now due to this unfortunate fallout, the once promising girl will no longer be allowed to return to the home she once knew with Rokuro, for only exorcists are allowed on Tsuchimikado Island. For two long years they promised each other they would persevere to overcome any situation so they could have revenge against Yuto, but now all of those sacrifices are for nothing. She must remain behind while he is allowed to set foot upon this sacred land, an insult to her once formidable pride, now dashed upon the rocks which she may never see again. And what is even more surprising is the inclusion of Mayura, the childhood friend of Rokuro who seemed never to be able to catch up with their progress now has the skills to leave … for better or worse.
But as Rokuro lands upon this front line in the fight against kegare, it is clear this is not what he expected. Even with the escort of Shimon, the pair do not know how to proceed until they are lead from the port – to an unusual revelation: the Twin Star Exorcists are idolized here. No matter where they go everyone stares with awe, clamoring to see this prophesied duo who would bare the child to end this war; however they were disappointed to learn the girl who came was not the one, not knowing of Benio’s disgrace. As Shimon guided them through the streets, all the fun had to come to an end as their true purpose lay before them, the Association of Unified Exorcists Headquarters – Taigetsuro. It is here where the pair would meet the families of the Twelve Guardians, strongest of all exorcists and leadership of the island, as they looked down upon these mainland upstarts. They were not impressed, even more so once they learn of Benio’s loss, and it is even worse once one of these pompous and arrogant blowhards begins to denigrate the former inhabitant of Tsuchimikado. It was all Rokuro could do to curb his anger, to listen to these people insult his friend and partner, comparing her to traitorous brother Yuto. And then to make matters worse: Head Exorcist Arima now ordered he must now join one of these groups, much to his ire. Rokuro would need as much help as he could in order to fight the greatest threat they have ever face, and if it means swallowing his pride … would it be worth it?
In Summary:
The series is not the same without the conflict between Rokuro and Benio, and with this volume it feels as if Sukeno-sensei has essentially written her out of the title. While the artwork is not as confusing as before, there are quite a number of new characters introduced as opposed to how they were shown in the anime (the mangaka even mentions this in the intermissions between chapters.) While some of them are riotously funny like Narumi, there are of course others which give off such a nauseating presence that you cannot but hate them such as Zeze. This contrast of new actors helps to strengthen the book now that the Twin Stars premise has essentially become background dressing. With a void left from one of the main characters, the story is lacking, even if Rokuro keeps remembering their promise. Although the narrative does try to move forward, it just isn’t the same without Benio. Even Sukeno-sensei tries to strengthen her presence by adding one of her childhood friends into the mix, and while it does reinforce her determination from the past, in the end it still is a memory and not the same as her smiling face.
Twin Star Exorcists is a grand story showing how determination and hard work can perservere into raising you to your grandest goals. However, if you stumble along the way, all of that planning can also drag you down into remorse from your failures. At the moment, this is how the current narrative feels in leaving behind Benio and allowing Rokuro to go without her; and while he does his best in preserving her memory and ideals, there is only so much he can do with so many miles separating them. And while Rokuro does try to keep her goals alive, I wish there could be some grander mention of how Benio is trying her best to join him … for now it is too one sided and depressing. Hopefully it will be remedied in the next volume.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: A
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: October 03, 2017
MSRP: $9.99
