Do not underestimate your opponent … you never know what they can be hiding!
Creative Staff:
Story and Art: Yoshiaki Sukeno
Translation: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
English Adaptation: Byrant Turnage
What They Say:
The Hadarae Castle Imperial Tournament begins! Mayura’s opponent Subaru is more than she bargained for. Rokuro’s opponent Mitosaka has a secret weakness. Will Rokuro exploit it? And will making a shikigami help or hinder him in battle…?
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The morning starts with the sensationalism of a festival as the residents of Tsuchimikado Island gather for the event all have been waiting for – the Hadarae Castle Imperial Tournament. While the competition may be non-lethal combat, it does not mean the representatives of the Twelve Guardians will hold back, no matter who they have to face. After all this is all to show who is the strongest among them, and more importantly, they have their honor to protect all depending if they win or lose. And so the day begins with the Women’s Matches, with no one underestimating these powerful exorcists, but the contests proceed as anticipated, the favorites from each pair up being the crowd’s favorites, and dominating the conflict in their own signature style. However, Rokuro is more concerned with filling his stomach as he and Arimori munch away as the first match finishes, much to their disappointment. It is only as Shizuru passes by does he notice the time, with her lashing out for what she assumes will be a patronizing comment, but instead is surprised by this praise and wishes of luck in her contest. However, even with his friendly remark, she too is beaten with by another family head, showing even the best of intentions cannot be proof against overwhelming gifts and intense training.
But as Rokuro watches this acquaintance wheeled off the battlefield, he knows the next trial will be even more important as his childhood friend Mayura now must prove she is worthy of being the new head of the Amawaka clan, Guardian of the White Tiger. However even as he knows she will try her best, the opponent is the worst they could have possibly imagined – strongest female exorcist of the Association … Subaru. While she may have been Benio’s former mentor, the disarming charm she outwardly presents is misleading, then add what appears to be inappropriate attire in the form of a glamorous white dress, fan and matching parasol, and it would put anyone on edge. But as the judge starts the match, this confusing woman strangely commences the battle by fondling her opponent’s ample curves, commenting this is no way to start, with her being so tense. The embarrassment fires up Mayura even more, prompting her to don the most powerful enchantment of the Amawaka family – the White Lotus Tiger Cannon Arm. Although most may think there is no chance for her to win, she will not back down from this frustrating woman. But as she stares down Subaru, this unpredictable combatant has made no attempt in using any protective talismans, seemingly in an insulting manner by showing she has no intention of taking this contest seriously. But what does she and the audience know that Mayura does not … is there any chance she can win or is it assured this trial will end up in the loss column?
In Summary:
It has been almost a year since we last saw Benio, and yet for a title called Twin Star Exorcists, it is strange to at least not have some kind of update as to how she is progressing in recovering her spiritual powers. While she is mentioned in the manga as always by Rokuro in wanting to get stronger for her, I wish Sukeno-sensei could make more of an effort to directly acknowledge his other protagonist, even if it is in passing through the omake or in this book’s brief question and answer section. Although he does do a great job in distracting us throughout this volume’s fantastic battles, that query still remains for the reader, since her boyfriend constantly has her on his mind. However, to see all of these exorcists compete against each other, you have to wonder if there is a reason as to this competition, aside from showing off wondrous techniques and opening a future storyline between Subaru and Mayura. Though this would be entertaining, we still have to return to the primary objective of this series: to gain in strength all to prepare for the final battle against Yuto. For now the story has wandered off the main road, but hopefully, in the next volume, we will return to that premise.
Twin Star Exorcists began as a promising series of overcoming impossible odds, all by uniting people who shared a common interest to defeat the ultimate foe. However, somewhere along the way, that premise was lost once Benio was overwhelmed by her connection to that enemy and thus, became unable to fight. Therefore in the interest of continuing the story, we were finally introduced to Tsuchimikado Island, which was to be the Exorcists’ goal. But with Rokuro being the only one worthy of continuing the journey, our pair became separated, and this is where the current narrative as become derailed, trying to fill interest with over the top battles. While they keep the underlying idea of becoming stronger still within reach, that is all they are doing – all emotional investment in Benio is sidelined, thus cutting the theme of the narrative in half. Hopefully that objective will return soon, otherwise, with four volumes of inconsequential backstory trying to keep the series alive, it may not be much longer until people become less fascinated with what was once a great series.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: A
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: May 01, 2018
MSRP: $9.99
