A bittersweet victory.
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Abi Umeda
Translation/Adaptation: JN Productions
What They Say
The battle for the Mud Whale has become a deadly rout as the Marked fight to protect their home and their comrades from the invading apátheia soldiers. Meanwhile, Chakuro and the rest of the boarding party have made it safely onto the imperial battleship Skyros, but their mission turns bloody when they reach the thymia-shielded chamber at the heart of the ship. How will they destroy the enemy Nous and save the Mud Whale without access to their power?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
While the war rages on, the lines blur between who is good and who is bad. The Mud Whale is alive trying to help its people with the help of their own Nous and Neri and her twin sister. Those on Skyros are getting closer to that ships Nous despite a trap taking down many comrades. However, Ouni is having a hard time and Nibi, his best friend, is willing to die for the mission. Despite his injuries, Ouni is able to use thymia even in the chamber close to the Nous. Ouni wakes up the Nous in the Skyros causing chaos on the ship.
Olivinis, the being from the Skyrous Nous, tries to make a deal with Chakuro. Though Chakuro doesn’t take the deal, Olivinis gives an item to Chakuro as they are interested in the choice Chakuro made. The Skyros sinks and the enemy are retreating, but there is not a complete victory for those on the Mud Whale. Their many losses are painful and difficult to move on. The mass funeral for both comrades and enemies alike strike sadness in even those with little emotions.
The threat may temporarily over, but not forever. The object that Olivinis gave Chakuro is actually a living thing that escaped from Chakuro. The rest of the Mud Whale residents are doing their best to get back to their normal lives, but it seems another ship is on the horizon and Chakuro is about to learn from Aima the secrets of his people.
In Summary:
This fourth volume in this series is the darkest, most violent and most unexpected bloody volume so far. I figured with war there would be some causalities, but surprisingly it was a lot more graphic than I expected. I now understand why the series is 16+. The story remains interesting and focused reading is a must, but I have liked this volume the best. The intersecting plots and storylines that don’t quite reveal themselves keeps rather intrigued. The art was also at its best so far. This mangaka has an amazing imagination and it beautifully translates onto the page.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: B+
Packaging Grade: B
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: Viz Signature
Release Date: May 15, 2018
MSRP: $12.99
