CLAMP

The adventures on Oto continue. In one of my favorite scenes from the earlier part of this manga, Kurogane and Fai encounter oni while on their way to an informant at Clover Bar. They take the creatures down, but Fai is injured, and the two share a very gripping interchange. Kurogane accuses Fai of not caring whether he lives or dies, and Fai doesn't deny the charges. Kurogane tells Fai that this is the type person he hates the most, and Fai accepts the censure with his typical benign smile. show more Two reasons I love this scene: both characters are fighting together again and they make a great team, and it deepens the dynamic between them. Clearly, they are meant to represent different personalities and life choices, two types of response to immense tragedy; just as clearly, they are forming two sides of an opposites-attract romantic relationship. I really like the scenes between Fai and Kurogane.

While they are beating off Oni and speaking with the singer at Clover Bar, Syaoran and Sakura have their own run-in. A new pair of oni hunters come to check out the cafe, Ryuo and Soma. Ryuo instantly challenges Syaoran to a fight to see who's stronger, but Kasanagi fortunately ends it before Ryuo can completely destroy the cafe. Of course Syaoran and Ryuo became friends, because that's how boys bond. Everyone discusses how the oni are acting oddly, and the informant at Clover reveals that a new oni has appeared that can take the shape of a man. The Syaoran gang continues to seek answers, and Kurogane begins to train Syaoran how to fight with a sword (upper level oni can only be killed with an approved weapon), and more techniques on overcoming his blind right eye. As part of his training, Syaoran is tasked to walk home blind folded, using his intuitive senses instead of his eyes. Syaoran nearly runs into an oni, but Ryuo happens along in time to save him, and the two boys bond some more. On their way home, though, they are attacked by more oni, and this time see a man controlling them: Seishiro, the man who taught Syaoran how to fight. Outmatched, the boys are forced to flee, and they run back to the cafe to share the news with the others.

As I settle into the series, I am still enjoying the adventure, albeit the thrill of jumping into a new story has worn off. I have experienced this in every manga I've read, and especially the long running series. Thankfully, I don't feel that the story has lagged at all, but still is charging ahead at full steam. The switching between worlds helps keep interest high. We get to know three of the major characters - Syaoran, Kurogane, and Fai - much better in this volume, through dialogue and flashbacks. The mysteries in Oto keep piling up, leading me to believe that more is going on in this world than appears on the surface. Now, moreover, we have another character who is not just a world replicate, because he knows Syaoran by name. Is Seishiro a villain or a good guy? I'm guessing the next volume will provide some answers. show less

In this volume of Tsubasa, the fairy tale mystery continues as Syaoran searches for Sakura and the missing children of Jade. With no idea what is happening, Syaoran falls back on skills his father taught him. He borrows history books and scouts the area, looking for clues. Some of the evidence points to Grosum, the surly mayor, but Syaoran is a clever boy, and lays a trap for the real culprit: Dr. Kyle. After his deception is revealed, Kyle drops the friendly persona and turns out to be a show more little psycho. He kidnapped the children using hypnosis he instilled during his medical visits, and is using them to crawl into a hole and dig out a feather from some hard unmeltable substance. The space is too small for an adult; however, the children are taking longer than he expected, so keeps stealing more. Kidnapping and child labor. After Fai triggers the mechanism that stops the river's flow, Kyle escapes into the castle and Syaoran and team follow. Once inside, they find Sakura and the children. Syaoran fights off Kyle, and the castle begins to crumble, as the water mechanism breaks down. Kurogane and Fai take the children out one way, while Syaoran and Sakura try to escape in the opposite direction, with Kyle in pursuit. Fai and Kurogane watch from shore as the castle collapses; they wait expectantly, and Syaoran emerges from the river, carrying Sakura. Dr. Kyle is nowhere to be found. They return her feather to her, and after wrapping up affairs with the village, Mokona transports them to their new world.

Their arrival in the new world is different from any before, because this time they are greeted by a welcoming committee of beautiful women. They are in the country of Oto. No one is surprised they are from a different world, and they are ushered to city hall, where an official helps them find lodging and jobs. Fay and Sakura open a cafe, and Syaorana and Kurogane register as oni hunters, the evil monster creatures that attack them their first night in Oto. Oni hunters get paid a bounty for each oni they kill, and with their estimable skills they can earn a lot of money. Kurogane does reveal a surprise to the reader: Syaoran is blind in his right eye. He still does a great job dispatching more oni their next in Oto, when they meet other Oni hunters, Yuzuriha Nekoi and Shiyu Kasanagi. The pair come back to the cafe with them, and explain some of the intricacies of oni hunting. The volume ends with a bittersweet note. Sakura realizes that she does know Syaoran, and then is struck with amnesia again. A price paid cannot be returned - every time Sakura remembers Syaoran, the memories will be removed from her mind again.

I especially liked this volume for a couple of reasons. First of all, I liked the way the Jade story line played out. Dr. Kyle was a surprising and impressive villain, and I liked the mystery twist, with Mokona in disguise and Syaoran laying a trap. Secondly, I love Oto. So many elements appeal to me. The unusual way the main characters are welcomed, the odd overtones of the whole world, and the creepy oni. I also liked the new outfits. I haven't written about the clothing aspect of this series before, but every new world has a corresponding wardrobe change, and it's super appealing. Like playing paper doll with the characters. The country of Oto offers a lot of intriguing plot threads, and I look forward to seeing them developed. show less

This instalment was so much fun!

Watanuki is endearingly ridiculous about disliking Dômeki (and makes delicious lunches and snacks for him throughout the volume).

Yûko sends them on a mission all by themselves (and I am sure she is thinking long-term, somehow). Well, Himawari, Watanuki’s crush, did ask for help, so… Off they go, and sort of kind of take on some scary spirits.

The conversations between Yûko and Watanuki are hilarious, too – she objects to Watanuki using the word show more “clutches” when talking about her relationships with other people ;)

The main story here is of “be careful what you wish for” variety. By the way, shouldn’t witches know by now that giving someone a curious beautiful thing they want and making them promise not to open it… is probably a bad idea? It makes for a good, creepy supernatural story, though.

I really liked the last short chapter with the fox spirits. show less

“Why are there people suddenly coming out of the sky?”

Watanuki, may I suggest you get used to this kind of thing? There are many more volumes to go!

It was fun to take a look at multiple universes and connections to other manga series. (I did read Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Vol. 1, but never got around to reading the rest for some reason. And I have dipped my toes into Cardcaptor Sakura the anime…) Sakura and Syaoran broke my heart a little in that first chapter.

Then we’re off to show more have other adventures, with Watanuki constantly out of his depth. There are clues of things to come. (Why do these butterflies keep appearing, hmm?)

I loved the ghost stories night: the stories, the scary stuff happening and Watanuki/Dômeki dynamic. The reveal about their supernatural dynamic is very promising indeed.

The art is gorgeous yet again, my eyes were happy :) And here is the required phrase, “I am looking forward to the next volume”, ;) show less