This week we’re continuing with Tsubasa with Volume 10, and the start of a new, lighter, fluffier story arc.
General Information
Title: Reservoir Chronicle Tsubasa, Volume 10
Written & Illustrated by CLAMP
Translated by William Flanagan
Lettering & Touch-up by Dana Hayward
Originally Serialized in Kodancha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine
Available from Amazon.com & RightStuf
The Premise
Ashura overcomes Yasha in the Country of Shura, causing reprocussions in the Country of Shara, and Syaoran & company recover a feather. From there, the party travels to Piffle World, where to get the next feather, they have to rin a rase in flying vehicles called “dragonflies”
High Points
The time-travel elements that come up with the Shara/Shura story were executed very well. They were minor, all things considered, but having them there made for a nice change. I also like the Piffle World story. After the last few heavy volumes, having something really light was a nice change.
Low Points
While I like the tie-ins with XxxHolic, Yuuko’s appearance felt a little out-of-nowhere.
Content Notes
No graphic violence or nudity.
Scores
Originality: While this volume returns to the alternate-interpretations of CLAMP characters route that earlier volumes went into (as opposed to the more direct crossover of last volume), the interpretations aren’t that much of a change. In particular, Tomoyo in Piffle World is pretty similar to Tomoyo when she first appeared in Card Captor Sakura – complete with an infatuation towards Sakura, and video-taping her in action. 3 out of 6.
Story: The conclusion of the Yasha/Ashura story was nicely done, and the Dragonfly race has also been interesting thus far. 4 out of 6.
Artwork: Piffle World has an style that has the biggest shift from visual styles of all the earlier worlds in the game. It reminds me of, actually, Fantasy Zone from Sega. 5 out of 6.
Characterization: We get more character development for Fui, which is a nice touch. 4 out of 6.
Emotional Response: The end of the Yasha/Ashura story was legitimately tragic, and the Piffle World story has been legitimately funny. 5 out of 6.
Flow: 6 out of 6.
Overall: After several heavy arcs, getting the Piffle World arc has made for a refreshing change of pace. 4 out of 6.
In Total, Tsubasa Volume 10 gets 31 out of 42.