A tale of a friendship gone horribly wrong.
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Makoto Morishita
Translation: Amanda Haley
What They Say
When Im and Hinome’s exorcising exploits are interrupted by Harugo Misora of the Amen priesthood, Hinome learns a shocking secret about Im’s past-and the origin of the Magai. It all began three thousand years ago in ancient Egypt with two unlikely best friends…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Im, when confronted by one of the modern-day priest-warriors that would rather see him back in a tomb than walking around, does not deny the allegations against him. The great heretic defends himself but doesn’t try to justify himself or his reasons for pursuing magai.
Misora’s background with the demons is bleaker then Hinome’s. His entire family was at the mercy of a magai that had been around for hundreds of years. When modern times changed how people viewed demons then the beast grew hungry. Losing your entire family to madness driven by demons would leave anyone angry and seeking vengeance. So, of course, Misora is the first to place blame on Imhotep.
This volume has not one but two tragic backstories to relate. Im finally sits down and tells Hinome and the modern-day leader of the Japanese branch of the Amen priesthood about what really happened 5,000 years ago. (The manga fucks up and says Imhotep has been sealed for 3,000 years but Djoser’s reign was in the 2,650’s BCE.) The tale is as tragic as you would expect it to be, but it also feels derivative of many of the stories about sacrifice going wrong. Elements of it remind me of Fullmetal Alchemist, but the problem I have with it is that we just don’t get enough build-up and break down of the events. I would have liked more time in flashback to show their lives, perhaps a bigger look at Djoser’s life. The story is simply told too quickly to have a deep emotional impact.
Hinome’s 180 from hating Im to putting her life on the line to save him is extreme, especially after he admits to being the catalyst for the release of magai into the world. I’m not certain her instant trust and faith was assured. It’s just a double-down on the shonen themes of friendship that likewise, doesn’t feel earned.
The last quarter of this volume features the original pilot chapter of what would become Im. The basic premise of Imhotep risen to capture and subdue magai remains, but there are some severe differences in reasons and character. Im is slightly older and sterner, not nearly so childish or likable. Hinome doesn’t exist, instead, she is Emi. I actually like Emi’s backstory better as it puts more of an emphasis on kids being cruel for no good reason. The concept of curses taking a bigger role is also more interesting. Extras for this volume include an author’s note, translation notes, and color opening pages.
In Summary
Im comes clean about his past and his role in the introduction of magai to the world. Not everyone is thrilled the heretic is among the living, and Im knows that no amount of good deeds could undo the damage done. The flashback to the start of it all is a fascinating glimpse that hints are darker politics and an ancient feud between the priesthood and rulers. Unfortunately, it’s just a glimpse and the meat and potatoes of this drama is stock shonen tropes and not some deeper political drama. The addition of the original pitch comic doesn’t do much beyond present an interesting study in story changes that took place, some for good and some for ill. I would have preferred another chapter for this volume to move the plot forward.
Content Grade: B –
Art Grade: B +
Packaging Grade: B +
Text/Translation Grade: A –
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: March 31, 2020
MSRP: $15.00 US / $19.50 CAN
