What do you think?
Rate this book
Pandora Hearts #6
Pandora Hearts, Vol. 6
Though Oz’s sudden appearance in the midst of Pandora wreaks havoc, the initially chilly reception to the prison-breaker runs more than warm when Jack Vessalius, hero of the tragedy of Sablier and the man from Alice’s memories, manifests in Oz’s body. Sensing Oz’s resultant inner turmoil, Uncle Oscar drags Oz and company on a “mission” to Lutwidge Academy, where Oz’s little sister, Ada, is a student. But some carefree fun and a tearful reunion ten years in the making is not all for which Oz must prepare himself: crimson-cloaked foes are lying in wait to torture him for answers about the events of a hundred years ago…
194 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2008
19 people are currently reading
1196 people want to read
About the author
Jun Mochizuki
184 books909 followersJun Mochizuki (望月淳 Mochizuki Jun) is a Japanese comic artist (manga-ka), best known for the fantasy shounen series Pandora Hearts/パンドラハーツ.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 2, 2015
"If you treat your own life lightly you don't deserve to protect anyone else's life!!"
Meet Elliot, heir to the Nightray family and the adoptive brother of Vincent. He puts Oz in his place, and quickly secures his spot as one of my favorite characters in this series for his memorable quotes and ideologies pertaining to the meaning of self-sacrifice.
We meet this awesome guy in the library, where Oz and he quickly fight over a book series, favorite characters, and where Elliot spoils the ending for Oz. Hilarity ensues. Those of us who've been spoiled will instantly feel bad for Oz.
The bespectacled bishounen here is Leo, Elliot's valet. So far we don't know much about him, but he is pretty cool.
Romance is starting to bloom this volume too! Ada-Oz's sister-seems as if she has some feelings for Gil, and Sharon x Break moments galore! Break's past is finally explored and WOW....that is all I can say without spoiling you.
And OMG Vincent is a butt. What the HECK is wrong with him? This guy, just I can't even.
The plot moves forward, developing our cast and hinting even more at how twisted poor Oz is. I felt really bad for him, and I really related to his belief:
"I'm a powerless fool who tries help people to satisfy my own ego. So...what's so bad about that!? I was denied. I wasn't wanted. So the least I can do...is not inconvenience anybody."
This hit me pretty hard. I could relate to everything he said. And for Elliot to point out the flaws in his belief of self-sacrifice, really hit home for me as well. This was a powerful volume that starts out jovial enough...and then we go through heartbreak and tough lessons.
And the scariest thing is, my friends tell me I am still in the "happy moments" of this series. Like WHAT!? I don't know if I can handle this series emotionally if it gets darker and stuff...shoot. The writing is so well done and I love the characters and this is deep stuff and how can worse things happen than what I have already read?
Meet Elliot, heir to the Nightray family and the adoptive brother of Vincent. He puts Oz in his place, and quickly secures his spot as one of my favorite characters in this series for his memorable quotes and ideologies pertaining to the meaning of self-sacrifice.
We meet this awesome guy in the library, where Oz and he quickly fight over a book series, favorite characters, and where Elliot spoils the ending for Oz. Hilarity ensues. Those of us who've been spoiled will instantly feel bad for Oz.
The bespectacled bishounen here is Leo, Elliot's valet. So far we don't know much about him, but he is pretty cool.
Romance is starting to bloom this volume too! Ada-Oz's sister-seems as if she has some feelings for Gil, and Sharon x Break moments galore! Break's past is finally explored and WOW....that is all I can say without spoiling you.
And OMG Vincent is a butt. What the HECK is wrong with him? This guy, just I can't even.
The plot moves forward, developing our cast and hinting even more at how twisted poor Oz is. I felt really bad for him, and I really related to his belief:
"I'm a powerless fool who tries help people to satisfy my own ego. So...what's so bad about that!? I was denied. I wasn't wanted. So the least I can do...is not inconvenience anybody."
This hit me pretty hard. I could relate to everything he said. And for Elliot to point out the flaws in his belief of self-sacrifice, really hit home for me as well. This was a powerful volume that starts out jovial enough...and then we go through heartbreak and tough lessons.
And the scariest thing is, my friends tell me I am still in the "happy moments" of this series. Like WHAT!? I don't know if I can handle this series emotionally if it gets darker and stuff...shoot. The writing is so well done and I love the characters and this is deep stuff and how can worse things happen than what I have already read?
October 24, 2012
I have to admit, I had a couple problems with this volume. First, it tries to cover a lot of ground. Usually that works. Here, it feels a little bit of a reach.
Second, part of it takes place in a school. I cannot begin to tell you how tired I've grown of school settings in fantasy manga. Thankfully, the point here is not the school. It just happens to be the place where a few necessary characters are, and nothing about the plot suggests that it's going to become a recurring setting. But it still grated on my nerves.
So then, why did I give it five stars? Well, there's several reason, but the first has to do with its theme: sacrifice.
You know those women who decide to become stay-at-home moms?* All the ones I've known who haven't been broken by it have gone through a phase where they have to realize that they can't sacrifice themselves. If they do, they put an enormous burden on their children, which is the exact opposite of what they're trying to do.
Volume 6 makes the same point, but in a much better way than I just did. First, it looks at Break's sacrifice when given the awful choice between Lady Sharon's life and Alice's memories of the past. We see Lady Sharon do the usual manga-girl thing of getting upset at his noble sacrifice, etc., etc. (BTW, I loved his response to Sharon.)
And then Mochizuki contrasts this with Oz and his tendency to sacrifice himself. She does this in two ways. First, she has Oz get in an argument with a guy who totally ruins a series he'd been reading by telling him what happens to the characters. Then, later, when Oz is in serious trouble, the same argument comes back, this time with the philosophical spin that makes you realize what sacrifice is not.
By the time all's said and done, the notion of sacrifice has been expanded and turned on its head.
Other reasons I gave it five stars:
* Break's re-gained memories and a return of the person I'll call Noble Break...for now. *big grin*
* Echo-chan. I'm hoping she'll become much more than a puppet in the future.
* We find out why Gil wanted his hat sooooooo very badly. Hee, hee.
* The return of the Baskervilles.
* Jack. Oh, my. Jack. (Is it wrong to have a crush on a manga character?)
* Break is a liar. But only in the best sense. (I may have a crush on Jack, but Break is still my favorite.)
Next up, Volume 7.
*Edited to add a disclaimer: I've been a stay-at-home mom for the past 15 years. Realized what I'd written sounded disparaging and that wasn't my intention. It's just raising kids is not for the faint of heart.
Second, part of it takes place in a school. I cannot begin to tell you how tired I've grown of school settings in fantasy manga. Thankfully, the point here is not the school. It just happens to be the place where a few necessary characters are, and nothing about the plot suggests that it's going to become a recurring setting. But it still grated on my nerves.
So then, why did I give it five stars? Well, there's several reason, but the first has to do with its theme: sacrifice.
You know those women who decide to become stay-at-home moms?* All the ones I've known who haven't been broken by it have gone through a phase where they have to realize that they can't sacrifice themselves. If they do, they put an enormous burden on their children, which is the exact opposite of what they're trying to do.
Volume 6 makes the same point, but in a much better way than I just did. First, it looks at Break's sacrifice when given the awful choice between Lady Sharon's life and Alice's memories of the past. We see Lady Sharon do the usual manga-girl thing of getting upset at his noble sacrifice, etc., etc. (BTW, I loved his response to Sharon.)
And then Mochizuki contrasts this with Oz and his tendency to sacrifice himself. She does this in two ways. First, she has Oz get in an argument with a guy who totally ruins a series he'd been reading by telling him what happens to the characters. Then, later, when Oz is in serious trouble, the same argument comes back, this time with the philosophical spin that makes you realize what sacrifice is not.
By the time all's said and done, the notion of sacrifice has been expanded and turned on its head.
Other reasons I gave it five stars:
* Break's re-gained memories and a return of the person I'll call Noble Break...for now. *big grin*
* Echo-chan. I'm hoping she'll become much more than a puppet in the future.
* We find out why Gil wanted his hat sooooooo very badly. Hee, hee.
* The return of the Baskervilles.
* Jack. Oh, my. Jack. (Is it wrong to have a crush on a manga character?)
* Break is a liar. But only in the best sense. (I may have a crush on Jack, but Break is still my favorite.)
Next up, Volume 7.
*Edited to add a disclaimer: I've been a stay-at-home mom for the past 15 years. Realized what I'd written sounded disparaging and that wasn't my intention. It's just raising kids is not for the faint of heart.
April 12, 2021
After what happened with Chesire the cat within the dimension created by Alice’s memories, we see a bit more of Break and Sharon’s relationship. He even exchanges something he was looking for so he can save her from Vincent poisoning her.
Later on, we follow our fav trio. They infiltrate into Ada’s school in order to find out who’s the man she’s in love with –only, this is an excuse for Uncle Oscar to let Oz know people of his age and be at ease at least for a while.
Thus, Ada and Oz meet for the first time since he was back from the abyss and they exchange an emotional scene that made me tear up a little. Now she’s older and taller than him but despite the years that have gone by, they still love and tease each other like any sibling would do.
Additionally, we meet a couple of new characters: Elliot and Leo. Elliot is the legitimate son of the Nightray family, and as to be expected, he instantly dislikes Oz because of his personality, though I think he doesn’t mean to be cruel. He’s actually the one calling on Oz’ bullshit and how he doesn’t seem to care about himself at all –he’s kind of a suicidal and it is up until now that he realizes his death would hurt the people he tried to protect.
Anyway, the Baskervilles are still playing games and they corner the guys before Jack ‘comes into the picture’ and greets them with a conflicted look on his face.
As usual, what I liked about this volume is the fact that I can relate to Oz in such a powerful way that it’s still surreal to me. His complexity as a character makes him even more real. I cannot express how much he means to me and how much I love his relationship with Alice and Gilbert. They truly are one of the best found families I’ve ever read.
I truly cannot wait to read the next volume because this ended with a cliff hanger!
This volume contains Retrace 23 – 26.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 | Volume 4 | Volume 5
Later on, we follow our fav trio. They infiltrate into Ada’s school in order to find out who’s the man she’s in love with –only, this is an excuse for Uncle Oscar to let Oz know people of his age and be at ease at least for a while.
Thus, Ada and Oz meet for the first time since he was back from the abyss and they exchange an emotional scene that made me tear up a little. Now she’s older and taller than him but despite the years that have gone by, they still love and tease each other like any sibling would do.
Additionally, we meet a couple of new characters: Elliot and Leo. Elliot is the legitimate son of the Nightray family, and as to be expected, he instantly dislikes Oz because of his personality, though I think he doesn’t mean to be cruel. He’s actually the one calling on Oz’ bullshit and how he doesn’t seem to care about himself at all –he’s kind of a suicidal and it is up until now that he realizes his death would hurt the people he tried to protect.
Anyway, the Baskervilles are still playing games and they corner the guys before Jack ‘comes into the picture’ and greets them with a conflicted look on his face.
As usual, what I liked about this volume is the fact that I can relate to Oz in such a powerful way that it’s still surreal to me. His complexity as a character makes him even more real. I cannot express how much he means to me and how much I love his relationship with Alice and Gilbert. They truly are one of the best found families I’ve ever read.
I truly cannot wait to read the next volume because this ended with a cliff hanger!
This volume contains Retrace 23 – 26.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 | Volume 4 | Volume 5
August 24, 2021
Un tome super prenant, où l'on rencontre enfin le clan Baskerville ! Ce volume fait entrer plein de nouveau personnage et cela redonne de la vigueur. La fin est folle et donne tellement envie de découvrir la suite !
February 22, 2023
Ah so there's another Nightray brother and he is absolutely handsome too.
Good.
Good.
October 3, 2012
Not sure what to think of this one. Two characters, one new and one who had until now appeared only infrequently, get a lot of face time: Elliot (with valet Leo) and Lottie. And I have feelings about them.
I rather like Elliot and Leo, and find it hilarious how they meet over the book series that Elliot and Oz both read. (Elliot gives Oz a terrible spoiler, assuming that any fan would be up to date on the series - he doesn't know that Oz has been stuck in the Abyss for the past ten years.) What I really like about Elliot, though, is that he tells Oz basically that being overly willing to sacrifice yourself for others isn't a strength. If you don't make an effort to protect yourself as well as others, it hurts people you care about AND makes them waste their own time and energy looking out for you more than they have to look out for others. I appreciate this message, and think it's one Oz needs.
Lottie, on the other hand, is one of the evil Baskervilles. She kidnaps Oz and is super-creepy. And indeed, she's my least-favorite kind of super-creepy female character: the kind that can't seem to make up her mind on whether she's torturing the good guy or seducing him. THIS IS NOT A FINE LINE, PEOPLE! Lottie's all like, "Let me say crazy threatening things and then stuff your face into my cleavage!" I mean, seriously, it kind of looks like she's trying to beat Oz up with her boobs. She, like, hits him with them. Repeatedly. But she's definitely also interested in actually torturing him, and she's killed lots of innocent people.
As with many annoying characters in many books, though, it's not actually Lottie herself that bothers me as much as other characters' reactions to her. This is a problem I find especially common with lecherous evil female characters: the male characters seem really unwilling to tell them to knock it off. I get it: Lottie is attractive. But she's a murderer who is about to let you get gnawed on by a LION. I really don't mean to be victim-blamey; it just seems like if Oz has the guts and presence of mind to talk back to her and give speeches, maybe he can tell her to keep her boobs to herself. (Maybe he's hoping that ignoring her creepy attention will make it stop, but if that's the case, we should get a thought bubble explaining as much. I think it more likely that he's just too embarrassed.)
I rather like Elliot and Leo, and find it hilarious how they meet over the book series that Elliot and Oz both read. (Elliot gives Oz a terrible spoiler, assuming that any fan would be up to date on the series - he doesn't know that Oz has been stuck in the Abyss for the past ten years.) What I really like about Elliot, though, is that he tells Oz basically that being overly willing to sacrifice yourself for others isn't a strength. If you don't make an effort to protect yourself as well as others, it hurts people you care about AND makes them waste their own time and energy looking out for you more than they have to look out for others. I appreciate this message, and think it's one Oz needs.
Lottie, on the other hand, is one of the evil Baskervilles. She kidnaps Oz and is super-creepy. And indeed, she's my least-favorite kind of super-creepy female character: the kind that can't seem to make up her mind on whether she's torturing the good guy or seducing him. THIS IS NOT A FINE LINE, PEOPLE! Lottie's all like, "Let me say crazy threatening things and then stuff your face into my cleavage!" I mean, seriously, it kind of looks like she's trying to beat Oz up with her boobs. She, like, hits him with them. Repeatedly. But she's definitely also interested in actually torturing him, and she's killed lots of innocent people.
As with many annoying characters in many books, though, it's not actually Lottie herself that bothers me as much as other characters' reactions to her. This is a problem I find especially common with lecherous evil female characters: the male characters seem really unwilling to tell them to knock it off. I get it: Lottie is attractive. But she's a murderer who is about to let you get gnawed on by a LION. I really don't mean to be victim-blamey; it just seems like if Oz has the guts and presence of mind to talk back to her and give speeches, maybe he can tell her to keep her boobs to herself. (Maybe he's hoping that ignoring her creepy attention will make it stop, but if that's the case, we should get a thought bubble explaining as much. I think it more likely that he's just too embarrassed.)
November 22, 2012
A smile grew on my face when I realized that the girl on the cover shared my name Her personality seems a bit unstable but I love crazy characters so no complaints from me. Oh, and look a there is a stuffed black rabbit on the cover…and Lottie is choking it with a chain. Nice.
I enjoyed reading the beginning of this volume because we get to learn more about Break and how he became the person he was today. There are still some questions about his past but there are some answers which satisfied me. I loved the scene with Sharon beating Break with a pillow for sacrificing the thing he has been looking for so long in order to save her. It made me laugh and it shows how much Break really cares for Sharon.
I hope that Echo grows into something more than Vincent’s puppet. She is showing some signs of independence so I have high hopes.
I was a bit turned off when I found out that an academy was going to be the main setting in those volume. It worked really well though. We got introduced to two new characters: Elliot and Leo (called Reo in some translations) and we are also introduced to one kind of new character: the older Ada. There is also an encounter with the Baskervilles! I loved how Elliot and Oz fought a lot and yet they also help each other. The argument Oz and Elliot have after Elliot spoils Oz’s favorite book series was hilarious.
Oz’s tendency to sacrifice himself for others is focused on a lot in this volume which I really appreciate. The way Jun Mochizuki uses the book series Oz (and Elliot) loves to represent that tendency was really clever and amazing.
The Baskervilles were pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Even though they don’t do much damage in this specific volume you can tell that they are dangerous. Lottie is my favorite Baskerville Jack appears at the end!
The art is still pretty.
Volume six was awesome which is to be expected of Jun Mochizuki. I think it is impossible for her not to be brilliant. Now time for the next (probably awesome) volume.
I enjoyed reading the beginning of this volume because we get to learn more about Break and how he became the person he was today. There are still some questions about his past but there are some answers which satisfied me. I loved the scene with Sharon beating Break with a pillow for sacrificing the thing he has been looking for so long in order to save her. It made me laugh and it shows how much Break really cares for Sharon.
I hope that Echo grows into something more than Vincent’s puppet. She is showing some signs of independence so I have high hopes.
I was a bit turned off when I found out that an academy was going to be the main setting in those volume. It worked really well though. We got introduced to two new characters: Elliot and Leo (called Reo in some translations) and we are also introduced to one kind of new character: the older Ada. There is also an encounter with the Baskervilles! I loved how Elliot and Oz fought a lot and yet they also help each other. The argument Oz and Elliot have after Elliot spoils Oz’s favorite book series was hilarious.
Oz’s tendency to sacrifice himself for others is focused on a lot in this volume which I really appreciate. The way Jun Mochizuki uses the book series Oz (and Elliot) loves to represent that tendency was really clever and amazing.
The Baskervilles were pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Even though they don’t do much damage in this specific volume you can tell that they are dangerous. Lottie is my favorite Baskerville Jack appears at the end!
The art is still pretty.
Volume six was awesome which is to be expected of Jun Mochizuki. I think it is impossible for her not to be brilliant. Now time for the next (probably awesome) volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2016
Fucking brilliance. After the confusing-ness of the last two volumes, this was wonderful. Getting to focus on -mostly- just the reunion of Oz & Ada, these Baskervilles jerks, & the addition of Leo and Elliot was a nice change of pace after the last two volumes' journey into the Cheshire Cat's lair, this was great!
By far my most favorite volume of the series. So much humor mixed in with more serious stuff! That seen in the library! Poor oz! :( :( :( no one likes spoilers, but this scene is fucking hilarious. watching them argue over characters... Story of my life. This is so me & my friends.
Gil & the cats! Ha! Love this guy.
Break! Poor baby! Love how he's getting more rounded, cause he was kinda annoying at first.
& getting to see more development for oz! :( poor baby really isn't as happy as he acts. :'( needs hugs.
The Baskervilles! these guys are awesome. Lottie is best. No bad guy should be allowed to be this funny and this creepy at the same time. & Elliot is wonderful! Loved watching him yell at Oz. he's really got an excellent point, if you ask Me.
XD XD XD XD XD XD
THIS is why I love "pandora hearts" XD
the characters!
The story!
The perfect blend of humor & dark fantasy awesomeness!
& this gorgeous fucking artwork. Seriously, that pages were Ada is crying is so emotional and beautiful.
Recommend to all manga fans. Especially if you like darker ones full of fantasy like "black butler"
P.s. That thing at the very end of the book, explaining what "holy knight" is like & why oz and Elliot both like it? Priceless. I want the author to do a manga of "holy knight" so bad now! I'd read the shit outta that. :D
Onward to book 7!
By far my most favorite volume of the series. So much humor mixed in with more serious stuff! That seen in the library! Poor oz! :( :( :( no one likes spoilers, but this scene is fucking hilarious. watching them argue over characters... Story of my life. This is so me & my friends.
Gil & the cats! Ha! Love this guy.
Break! Poor baby! Love how he's getting more rounded, cause he was kinda annoying at first.
& getting to see more development for oz! :( poor baby really isn't as happy as he acts. :'( needs hugs.
The Baskervilles! these guys are awesome. Lottie is best. No bad guy should be allowed to be this funny and this creepy at the same time. & Elliot is wonderful! Loved watching him yell at Oz. he's really got an excellent point, if you ask Me.
XD XD XD XD XD XD
THIS is why I love "pandora hearts" XD
the characters!
The story!
The perfect blend of humor & dark fantasy awesomeness!
& this gorgeous fucking artwork. Seriously, that pages were Ada is crying is so emotional and beautiful.
Recommend to all manga fans. Especially if you like darker ones full of fantasy like "black butler"
P.s. That thing at the very end of the book, explaining what "holy knight" is like & why oz and Elliot both like it? Priceless. I want the author to do a manga of "holy knight" so bad now! I'd read the shit outta that. :D
Onward to book 7!
April 7, 2015
ᴀ ｒｅａｌ ғᴀɴ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ
November 30, 2014
3.5 stars.
Lottie is disturbing, on a number of levels.
THE HAT WAS FROM ADA?!?!?!
Lutwidge Academy? Mochizuli simply adores Lewis Carroll references.
Lottie is disturbing, on a number of levels.
THE HAT WAS FROM ADA?!?!?!
Lutwidge Academy? Mochizuli simply adores Lewis Carroll references.
March 4, 2017
Of course it is going to end like that. Wow. This is insane. I love it! And there are some new characters that I really like! They treat Oz so differently from everyone else.
September 18, 2023
My favorite volume so far. A much needed critique of Oz’s behavior and one that I probably needed to hear too cause I can really relate to him
June 30, 2021
Jag vet inte varför men detta är min favorit vol än så länge. Jag gillade mötet med nya personer och hur det hanterades. Jag tyckte även att scener som jag vanligt vis inte gillar var väldigt bra gjorda och underhållande i denna vol.
April 16, 2022
No sé que tan acertado estén mis recuerdos pero me emocioné mucho al ver a Elliot. El reencuentro entre los hermanos fue justo y necesario. Lo que sí, no recordaba que Sharon fuera tan extra en la historia. 6 tomos completos pasando sin pena ni gloria.
July 22, 2020
4/5 stars
June 21, 2023
We get some movement to introduce a couple more key characters. I like that whatever happens in seemingly less important arcs still connects well back to the main storyline.
June 17, 2025
Oz you poor child 😭
We all scream THANK YOU ELLIOT 🗣️🙏🏻
We all scream THANK YOU ELLIOT 🗣️🙏🏻
June 20, 2025
Ofc 5⭐, Elliot has appeared!!!!
November 11, 2022
te amo xerxes break
April 24, 2023
Really love the "background character calling out the protagonist"-trope. One of the best executions probably is in this manga, since it actually made an impact on Oz, and a quick one. Thank you, Elliot. Hopefully Oz will have a bit of a less annoying protagonist-vibe.
October 19, 2024
3.5, some of these scenes were cray and so manga/anime
June 30, 2013
30 June 2013
This series still confuses me to all heck with its ADD-type storytelling, but the engaging characters and stunning artwork keep me coming back for more. I have yet to fall in love with this series; however, I do adore the characters. Pandora Hearts, Vol. 6 shows Vincent to be quite the delicious villain. I thoroughly enjoy the prickly chemistry between him and Xerxes. I'd love to have an entire volume dedicated to just the both of them.
This volume kicks off with a lot of silliness, which is most likely due to goofy Xerxes being in the opening scene. However, as the volume progresses things get very deep. The end is so surprisingly poignant that it left a lasting mark on me. Whodathunkit that I would be learning profound life-lessons from this series?? It's actually very eerie how much this struck a chord with me.
The cliffhanger ending has me very grateful that I have the next volume at the ready. I hope that the next volume will delve deeper into the history of the mysterious Jack Vessalius. I also hope that Xerxes will exact revenge for his eye, and that Vincent will show up to cause more chaos. Hmm . . . a volume filled with Jack, Xerxes, and Vincent wouldn't be such a bad thing, no?
This series still confuses me to all heck with its ADD-type storytelling, but the engaging characters and stunning artwork keep me coming back for more. I have yet to fall in love with this series; however, I do adore the characters. Pandora Hearts, Vol. 6 shows Vincent to be quite the delicious villain. I thoroughly enjoy the prickly chemistry between him and Xerxes. I'd love to have an entire volume dedicated to just the both of them.
This volume kicks off with a lot of silliness, which is most likely due to goofy Xerxes being in the opening scene. However, as the volume progresses things get very deep. The end is so surprisingly poignant that it left a lasting mark on me. Whodathunkit that I would be learning profound life-lessons from this series?? It's actually very eerie how much this struck a chord with me.
The cliffhanger ending has me very grateful that I have the next volume at the ready. I hope that the next volume will delve deeper into the history of the mysterious Jack Vessalius. I also hope that Xerxes will exact revenge for his eye, and that Vincent will show up to cause more chaos. Hmm . . . a volume filled with Jack, Xerxes, and Vincent wouldn't be such a bad thing, no?
June 15, 2023
Pinche Oz tu siempre me entendiste
February 6, 2016
2.5 stars. Lottie (AKA: creepiest female character ever) kind of ruined this volume for me. But the addition of Sharon and another Nightray was fun, and Oz's character developed quite a bit more. There was just a lot going on, too many storylines running at once, and, as I said, Lottie. Here's hoping that she dies in the next volume. Probably won't happen, but I can dream, can't I?
February 20, 2018
Me encanta Elliot (y sí, me da pena porque recuerdo lo que pasa y con Leo). Aunque tenga nociones de lo que va a pasar estoy super metida leyendo, además, con lo enredado que es tengo que estar atenta para no perderme.
November 4, 2014
Eek, new characters and AHHHH THE COMMENT FROM OSCAR ABOUT OZBERT. IT'S CANON, I TELL YOU. CANON.
March 18, 2024
enjoyed the message that self sacrifice ≠ selflessness and proud of oz for learning that he deserves to be protected 🥺🥺
also if the holy knight story is foreshadowing I will Edgar myself
also if the holy knight story is foreshadowing I will Edgar myself
October 8, 2025
Review for complete series
I'd like to start by saying that with my two decades of manga reading, Pandora Hearts has recently earned its way to being one of the best manga series I've ever read - and to think I almost didn't pick it up!
There's actually a bit of a story to it: Pandora Hearts was being released around the time I knew I would be moving overseas. At the time, I had no idea how moving to the other side of the world would affect my manga buying. Also at that time, I was working at a comic store with staff discounts at my disposal and I never had to worry too much about picking up whatever I fancied. When I first saw Pandora Hearts, I thought the art looked beautiful and this just might be a really good manga. It also struck me as a manga series that could go on for quite a while [which was a reasonably accurate assumption as 24 volumes is not a length I could commit to lightly]. Not knowing how I'd get my hands on manga or how long this series would be let me to putting it back on the shelf. And I confess, it was filled with quite a bit of regret.
When I finally did move overseas - a family friend had a good bye gift. The shape was easy to discern: it was undoubtably a manga volume. While thankful for receiving a gift, I was also nervous: having worked in a comic store, I knew for sure: I either already own it or am not interested in it. In addition, the friend in question doesn't know the first thing about manga. To my surprise, it was the first volume of Pandora Hearts which was probably the single only volume she could have taken from the shelf that wasn't already in my possession and did interest me. How she managed to pick out that one I don't know, but it's a coincidence I feel thankful for and, in some cheesy way, made me feel like it was just meant to be that I read Pandora Hearts after all.
Fast forward to 2023, I finally found the time to read this 24 volume series and am absolutely delighted. My original observation remains: the art is absolutely stunning. With the exception of a oneshot debut work, it's hard to believe that this is quite close to being a beginner's work - you'd not believe it just looking at the first volume's art.
My other thoughts are largely around how hard it is to praise a story you think is so thoroughly good as this one is. It's not really a plot you can explain to someone, it's a story you have to read for yourself as even the latest volumes will throw some surprises at you. But I think, besides the art, what really contributes a lot to this work are the characters. Oz might be our main character, but we have a large cast and they are all lovingly created. There's hardly a character you won't be able to like in one way or another, even the most broken of them. It's quite a feat to create a story that makes you care and worry about almost every character's fate.
And worry you can indeed: it has light and beautiful moments, but it is essentially a dark tale and you'll constantly worry whether the characters will make it through. Needless to say, there are losses throughout the story. There are plenty of twists and turns, things that will surprise and shock you.
I will also add that the plot is complex and not always easy to follow. Some characters have multiple names - this becomes even more difficult for some characters who also have multiple personalities who also have multiple names. Not everything in the plot made entire sense to me - it's hard to say whether they were plot holes, not explained well enough or I was simply missing something - a reread might answer that. But regardless, when these moments arose, I decided to just go with the flow and it didn't disrupt my reading experience at all.
Besides a bit of confusion here and there, I can't fault this series with anything. The pacing is well done, the 24 volumes were neither too long nor too short [something I often complain about] and it wrapped up nicely. For such a dark read, there's also a lot of soft story telling which just concludes this with a very wholesome ending. There is close to no romance but I wasn't missing it [and I'm a big romance reader] - the friendships and bonds between the characters were absolutely beautiful even without much romance thrown in.
I'm glad I did read this series and it is definitely going down as one of my favourites. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews