The Eight Masters find themselves helpless when their spiritual swords are sent into the Hollow World!
Creative Staff
Writer/Artist: Ushio Mizata and Akiyoshi Ohta
Translation: Elina Ishikawa
What They Say
The Purification, a pillar replacement ceremony, has begun, but the Mitsurugi Clan loses their spiritual swords to Keiya Mano, a member of the Shichou Group. Upon learning that she holds the key to regain the spiritual swords, Momoka becomes overwhelmed by the pressure and runs away. However, with Shouta’s encouragement, she decides to face her enemy and her destiny head-on.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
As the Purification continues in Mitsurugi City, the Shichijou Group becomes bolder with their moves, Kurohime even going so far as to walk in broad daylight in the Eight Masters’ territory. However, not all outside forces gathering in Mitsurugi are on the Shichijou side, and one of the Shichijou sacred swords is lost in a fierce confrontation with the SPSP. However, the Shichijou Group comes back with a well-executed ruse that sends the swords of the Eight Masters into the Hollow World!
This volume contains a number of revealing conversations and flashbacks that answer several questions introduced in the first two volumes. Chief among them are the reason behind Momoka’s inability to draw Suzukaze and Kurohime’s motivation for joining the Shichijou. Despite these critical revelations, the plot is still bogged down by too many characters, too many points of contention, and too many swords. With the SPSP making their first overt move, now there is another group to keep track of in Mitsurugi. And on top of the clashes between the Eight Masters, Shichijou, and SPSP, there are elements of struggle within each individual organization. There is little loyalty between members of the Shichijou, and among the Eight Masters, the Himekari make no secret of the fact they feel the Tonomori treat them as second-class members. Keeping track of all this external and internal strife is burdensome, making the story a chore to follow.
In regards to action sequences, there’s only one major fight, the one between Eiji and the SPSP’s representative, and it is lacking all around. In addition to the action being very difficult to follow, this scene, which is intended to be dramatic, comes off as comical, especially when Okuda reveals his true nature.
Included in the extensive extras are an opening page of Momoka in color; cast of characters and story synopsis; a glossary of Kaze no Hana terms; two pages of translation notes; and a one-page omake. As in Volume 2, the information provided in the glossary is somewhat spoilerific.
Content Grade: C+
Art Grade: B
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: December 16th, 2008
MSRP: $10.99
