When the evil spirit shows up on Rasetsu’s birthday as promised, Rasetsu and her friends engage in a final showdown against it. Will Rasetsu be able to defeat her demon and live? Or will this birthday be her last?
Chika Shiomi has an amazing talent for depicting chilling and provocative horror stories that appeal to both shojo and shonen readers. Having created manga since 1993, starting with short stories in Akita Shoten's Mystery Bonita magazine, she has had a bountiful career of publishing both long-running series and short stories that have become popular both in Japan and abroad. Shiomi-sensei loves to travel and listen to Guns 'n Roses.
The end of the series. Rather sad, but in a bittersweet way, not a crushing, can't-believe-the-authors-did-that way like Tokyo Babylon. Still, I was a bit bummed. The author mentioned that she had originally had a darker story and more deaths, but the editor talked her out of it, so I guess I'm glad about that.
"I love you. Truly. With all my heart. And I'm sorry it turned out like this." "I'll remember you always. You're part of me forever and ever. And every person who'll cross my path, and taking parts of me will take those parts of you too. And remember you. And include you in Lethe's long sway of remembrances."
The largest part of the volume is naturally the "fight" against the evil spirit which isn't so much a fight as an exploration of the various characters hearts and decisiveness and hope and love to stand strong against the darkness. Chiomi does this in a lovely dramatic way, though, so it's great to read. Kuryu is redeemed but because his situation is as it is he can only watch over the friends and Rasetsu. While Rasetsu and Yako do become a couple, the focus here is clearly on saying goodbye to Kuryu in a meaningful way. It works, but then there's not enough space left to really celebrate Yako and Rasetsu's new strength, so that was disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had mixed feelings about the end of this series. I sort of liked it, sort of hated it. It felt somewhat satisfactory, but rather anti-climactic overall. I think there could have been more between her and the dark spirit coming to claim her, because it seemed to wrap up way too easily. That being said, I still felt like the characters received the endings that they all deserved, so I was happy to see their stories complete.
Oh man, I never thought I would cry again over a book and even more, over a manga. Brings me back to college years and VCDs and book rentals. Onions...so many onions everywhere. Things got pretty deep and suddenly all these life-question twists in the end too.
Today’s post is on Rasetsu, Vol. 9 by Chika Shiomi. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Rasetsu and Yako on it. As it is the ninth in the series, you need to have read the first eight volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Rasetsu. There Be Spoilers Ahead. From the back of the book- When the evil spirit shows up on Rasetsu’s birthday as promised, Rasetsu and her friends engage in a final showdown against it. Will Rasetsu be able to defeat her demon and live? Or will this birthday be her last?
Review- An excellent conclusion to this series. All answers are given and the happy ending for this dark story is well earned. Rasetsu and friends are finally facing down the evil spirit who wants to eat or something to Rasetsu for her power. Kuryu has been revealed to be dead all this time and now he is being used by the bad guy to try and take Resetsu. She has to remember everything that she has learned in the past five years and Yako has to choose to love her with all his heart. The final showdown is very good with all the characters facing their weaknesses and overcoming them. I really enjoyed this series, the characters were fun, the story was interesting, and the art was good. Shiomi is an excellent manga author and I look forward to reading more from her. I would recommend this series.
I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
Overall, the series was worthy of 3 stars to me. I never got swoony with the romance, so that was a tad disappointing. The supernatural aspects were the best parts. The twist didn’t happen exactly how I thought it would, thus some surprise on my end. A solid series for paranormal shojo fans.
This was a good finale. I'm confused about a few things and, really, they call out each other's names way too much, but finales are hard to get right and I feel like this one did a good job.
I am a little annoyed about how the climax is Kuryu, not Rasetsu; also I continue to be amazed at how apparently Shiomi is incapable of not making the competition more interesting than the romantic lead. (Seriously, in Yurara, Yako is fascinating! I totally understand why all the readers wanted a sequel about him! Then, in Rasetsu, he is dull.) The reveal about the demon's demonic plan was nice. Rasetsu's awesome qualities are more told than shown, but I am easy, I want cool girls, and Shiomi provides one.
The art is really good. Shiomi reminds me of Yuu Watase -- a really competent, really commercial artist who might just be good enough and smooth enough to break out big. She doesn't quite have Watase's vitalizing oddness, but more of her personality shows up in Rasetsu than Yurara, so maybe she'll get there.
Finally, all those pent-up emotions come to the surface. The characters learn they can't live in fear or in their pasts, but must embrace a new future and hope. A little bittersweet about Kuryu, but I'm happy the main characters have come to terms with their feelings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Rasetsu is doomed to have her soul claimed by a demon if she doesn't find her true love by 20. Rasetsu has finally turned 20. Will her friends and her powers be enough to save her from the demon?
Great series. Perfect for teens 12 and up. Death not too dark.
The series was a good one. I found that the demon aspect of this series keep the story unique. I did however enjoy Yurara series a little more than this one.
I guess "nice" is the word to describe it (especially the drawing) - nothing exceptional; the plot, though intriguing at the beginning, isn't engrossing, it's somehow flat.