Creative Staff
Original Story: Quantum
Art: Nori Kazato
Character Design: Hana Amano
Translation/Adaptation: Aiko Funabashi (Lapin, Inc)
Lettering: Rachel J. Pierce
What They Say
Leo Demonhart has finally unveiled his true identity as the Hero to the Demon Queen Echidna, and his confession comes with a shocking revelation-he is the guardian of a Philosopher’s Stone. If Echidna wishes to obtain the stone and bring peace to her homeland, she’ll have to get past Leo first. In a decisive battle against the man who has quit his mission of protecting humanity, Echidna and the Four Great Guardians face a momentous choice: Must they put an end to the Hero once and for all?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This volume will either make or break this series for you. This volume solidifies my love for this series. It happens in a short amount of time but there are so many raw emotions going on everywhere. Leo spends much time creating friendships with the four generals. But those very bonds are tested by the hands of time and the hidden forces behind the scenes that have to dictate the events of the world. Leo had enough of the status quo and decided to break it with extreme ramifications for Echdina and her generals.
Leo’s origins come into light at the worst moment but that makes it all the more entertaining. He is an artificial being that has been programmed to save humanity. That has been engrained into his very essence. It is not the most relatable situation but it’s something that easy to comprehend. This world has had moments where it has been pushed to its darkest moments and needs a hero. But this series has been asking this question “What is the role of the hero, if there are no evils to conquer” and it all comes down boiling to this point. He has come to witness this time and time again in his seemingly infinite life. The pressure of infinity has gotten to his head and he needs to break free from this curse. Leo turns his hand against his friends. He makes it seem so easy being the bad guy but each page shows hurt in his eyes and his former comrades. It all comes down to that it’s being done for the greater good.
The choice in which Echidna accepts Leo for what he is is a great decision considering their history. She has been at odds with him, rightfully so, for his role in the demon’s defeat. She never had a moment like her four generals where she learned why Leo is a good person. She didnt have to accept him or see him as anything else but the enemy. They had some nice moments between them but it wasn’t Leo’s true self. Leo’s cruel actions force her to welcome Leo with an open hand. It feels like a natural expression of what we see of Echidna. At her very core, she is a being who will do right for her compatriots. She realizes that Leo is a lost soul who wants his best but doesn’t know how to do it and just needs a guiding hand. He may be 3000 years old but there is still much for him to learn.
In Summary:
This volume takes every mistake, hardship, smile, and glory from the last two volumes to make for an extraordinary volume. It could stand to be a great ending if the author wanted it to end here. But the tragedy and the light at the end of the tunnel presented here paint a delightful future. Friendships are tested to their limit because of harsh fates. But friendships can only get stronger with these tests.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: A
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: August 29, 2023
MSRP: $13.00 US/ $ 17.00 CAN
