Black Sun Silver Moon, Volume 4

Black Sun Silver Moon #4

by Tomo Maeda

Shikimi does his best to reassure the villagers, but they cannot resist their madness and fear. With everything he’s worked for falling down around him, Shikimi turns to his mysterious captive for answers. Shikimi, at least, is beyond saving...but what about those he loves?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Horror, Shojo

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2008

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back story of how Shikimi became infected with demons

This volume was so-so. I still think it's really a shame that the story in the first volume has been so overshadowed by 'let's go back in history'. I have the next volume so I'll continue but if I didn't already have it, I probably wouldn't.

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of Shikimi’s past continues, revealing how he changed into a demon with no one but Grey to talk about his tranformation, coming to a beautiful, melancholy conclusion. It’s a lovely muddle, what Shikimi is, reminding me of some of the ambient fantasy creatures I’m currently writing about. Neither Shikimi nor Grey understand completely what Shikimi is. Grey was hunting a creature which endangered his food supply by sickening and turning them against each other. He managed to identify some of the symptoms of illness, madness and death which had already used vessels to transfer to communities. Grey anticipated that this entity would consume Shikimi’s village, but Shikimi’s own actions, the lengths the priest would go to in order to fight and destroy the creature forced it to take on a new form. To protect its host, Shikimi, the entity changed into something which is a mystery. Exactly how all this happened remains confused. Eva’s envy and repressed feelings were Shikimi were built up, along with her nobler sentiments. All of Shikimi’s actions leading up to his transformation remain murky. I’m not sure if the ambiguity is intriguing or maddening. Possibly both. The most powerful portion of the flashback was the developing bond between Grey and Shikimi. They were from enemies with considerable chemistry between them to begrudging allies. Grey evolved into a mentor for Shikimi in his new existence. Grey himself remains a mystery, seemingly more vampiric in the nature than Shikimi, recognizing similar qualities in the former priest along with some traits which are beyond his experience. He’s fascinated by this evolving monster as well as irritated by his growing feeling toward his new charge. Amaria’s fate felt a bit enigmatic as well. I had a lot of questions at the end of the manga, yet the character development, interaction, the mystery of what’s happening, and the intensity generated by all of these things was powerful enough for me to give this manga four stars.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is pretty dark compared to some of the earlier volumes (1 and 2). It might be the darkest book in the whole series. The second half of Shikimi's backstory is revealed as is Grey's involvement in the plague that took out Shikimi's village.

The difference between 'the reserected' (which are like vampires) and the plague victims (which become like zombies if a demon slayer doesn't kill them) is explained by Grey here as well. Both Grey and Shikimi are now 'reserected'. Shikimi was turned when his eye was attacked by a plague victim in the last volume.

Eva sells out Amaria because she is jealous that Amaria is in love with Shikimi. Shikimi appeared to be in love with her as well since he was obsessed with protecting her.

The mob goes after Amaria as a witch who is cursing their village. Eva kills herself after confessing her feelings to a confused Shikimi. Amaria is staked since she is blamed for the plague. While Grey did use her as a spy, she didn't spread the plague; the other former priest who Shikimi was taking care of did.

This volume was incredibly dark and involves the theme of suicide which might trigger some readers. Two of the main characters attempt suicide and one succeeds. I wouldn't suggest this manga if that is a trigger for you.

[Romana1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is really starting to pick up. I enjoyed Shikimi's backstory-we learn more about his past and the events that lead up to Shikimi becoming the next host for the demons.

The bonus talk was rather interesting. Among other tidbits, the author explained that when he started this story, he didn't know that Rosaries are carried, rather than hung around one's neck. It seems he also didn't realize it was more of a Catholic tradition, as Shikimi is a Protestant minister. I often enjoy the bonus talks at the end-gives us more of an insight into the author's imagination and cultural bits we might not be as familiar with.

I can't wait for the next volume-but it seems as though I have caught up with the library's collection-the next volume is still being cataloged! ;)

[Kassia]

i love it :)