Clamp School Defenders Duklyon, Volume 2

The shenanigans continue in the second (final) volume, and shenanigans is a wonderful word for this campy, outrageous, over the top manga story that doesn't take itself seriously. Starting with the first volume, the action of this series has always been exaggerated and just one more part of the humor, rather than the central focus. In this book, the fights between superhero team Duklyon and the ridiculous monster invaders are shunted to the side even more, as the emphasis is on the relationship between Eri and Sukiyabashi. The CLAMP writers make pointed references to this fact, jokingly lamenting the fact that Kentaro and Takeshi have now been relegated to side kicks, and including art panels that show Kentaro writing angry letters to show more the CLAMP ladies and otherwise protesting his new status.

Eri and Sukiyabashi, meanwhile, are getting closer, going on a date and learning each other's names - yes, in that order. A wrinkle develops in their relationship when a new alien arrives on the scene, who happens to be Sukiyabashi's fiancee. She notices Sukiyabashi's attachment to Eri, and decides to kill the girl, but not before pointing out that Sukiyabashi is also the leader of Evil Imonoyama Shopping District. Eri refuses to believe at first, in a scene that is hilariously tongue-in-cheek. She confronts Sukiyabashi, who confirms her fears. The final confrontation begins: the evil fiancee unleashes their most fearsome monster (she just transforms a dog by making it larger), the Duklyon defenders finally get to morph to their giant size after nearly two volumes, Sukiyabashi protects Eri, they decide to elope, and his parents agree to the union and tell the evil fiancee to give up and leave Earth alone. It's just fun craziness for page after page. The manga ends with an epilogue, with Kentaro and Takeshi as working me, in the same building, but still answering the call to be Duklyon defenders of justice. For those interested in a comedic manga, that is built upon satire and humor, this is a fun and fast read. Just don't expect anything deeper. show less

Cute characters, campy personalities and lots of "POW" and "BANG" type action scenes, who could ask for anything more! Well, I guess you could ask for a Clamptuitous scene where we get to watch our intrepid heros enjoying a showing of the X anime...which we also get.

All in all this manga duo is certainly a cutsie take on the super hero genre that doesn't take itself at all seriously. Great for anyone looking for a giggle.

Clamp School Detectives Duklyon volume 2 is a fitting conclusionary arc for our dynam--

So apparently the story stopped actually being about the Duklyon pair (who are ever more flamboyantly gay and/or extremely cute together), and switched to the quite literally star-crossed lovers Eri and Sukibayashi. The plot progresses in an extremely predictable but nevertheless hilarious way. Will these arch nemesis-turned-lovers finally reveal their secret identities to each other? Will the Imonoyama Shoutengai Kai finally conquer Clamp School Cafeteria? Rather than consult your Magic 8 Ball, you should read Clamp School Defenders Duklyon volume 2 and uncover the truth for yourself!