This was a hugely emotional volume with many moments being critical (and surprising!) to move this story forward. As a result, I desperately agree with what Kafka said in the beginning: It is too much! From the jaw-dropping beginning to the heartbreak of the middle, and the shock but determination of the end, all of it left me on a whiplash-inducing roller coaster!
Just when I think I MIGHT know where this series is going, the creator brings back old faces (which YESSSSS!!) and drops these bombs of new information that I always have me reading these volumes wayyyyy too fast. This volume was definitely no exception! While there wasn't quite as much fighting compared to prior volumes, you really get a strong feel that the stakes are unbearably high with the entire NATION of Japan on the line. Obviously fighting kaiju is life-threatening to ANY person, but because of the events in the beginning, things have gotten extremely personal for everyone, making this also personal stakes at risk too.
I still have a love/hate for Captain Narumi. I really like him as a character, but man he irks me so strongly when he talks to Kafka. I really loathe how quick he is to USE him not as an individual, but as a kaiju. He even tells Kafka that should he turn FULLY kaiju with no longer being able to turn fully human, he'll be done with him and take him out. Just UGH!
This was another fantastic volume though! VERY eager to read the next volume and see what happens next!