Manga Review: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Vol. 7

The Tsubasa reviews continue with the last volume of the Oto arc.

General Information

Title: Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle – Vol. 7
Written and Illustrated by CLAMP
Translated by Bill Flanagan
English Lettering by Dana Hayward
Originally Serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine
Cover Price: $10.95 US

Available from Amazon.com and RightStuf.com

The Premise

After Seishirou revealed himself and that he was seeking the one controlling the Oni in the last volume, Sayoran and Kurogane continue their search for the Oni responsible by traveling to the tower of the little people. Meanwhile, to make sure that he, and only he, is the one who takes on the Oni controller, he begins attacking Sayoran’s companions, starting with Fai.

High Points

Very nice shout-out again by having Seishirou use his crow-familiars along with his hand-through-the-chest-attack. The added shout-out to Tokyo Babylon and X/1999 with the name of the person Seishirou was looking for was executed very nicely as well.

Also, while the twist of this volume is taken right out of the Matrix, it is executed very well – I didn’t see it coming, and even though it was allowed a “death” to be cheated, I was excited by the twist rather then feeling “robbed”.

It was nice seeing Sayoran and company experience a real setback, with Seishirou keeping the feather he’d taken.

Low Points

The idea of Seishirou having a limited number of jumps while our heroes have unlimited jumps seems odd. Very few universes have knowledge or clues of others. Consequently, Seishirou’s jumps, like Sayoran and company’s, would be blind. It’s basically just a plot hole, but considering that it’s the first one to stick out to me thus far, it bears mentioning.

Also, I’m quite annoyed over Viz spoiling Fai’s “death” on the back cover of the volume.

Content Notes

No nudity here or profanity, though a couple of characters get hands through the chest.

Scores

Originality: This arc adds The Matrix to the works it’s borrowing from (sort of), though that reference does also explain all the similarities to RPGs in the earlier portion of this arc. 3 out of 6.

Artwork: Artwork still looks great, and the volume includes a few very well done art gags. 5 out of 6.

Story: This is a really good conclusion to the story, and they do an excellent job of explaining why this world seems so much like an RPG (It is). 5 out of 6.

Characterization: More great development here over Kurogane and Fai’s relationship. 5 out of 6.

Emotional Response: The narrative of this volume does an excellent job at pushing my buttons, and getting a favorable response out of the bargain. 5 out of 6.

Flow: 6 out of 6.

Overall: This is an excellent conclusion to this arc, and I’m looking forward to our heroes next encounter with Seishirou. 5 out of 6.

In Total, Reservoir Chronicles Tsubasa gets 34 out of 42.