Half 13 is a wierd mixture of parts and new ideas which are visually dazzling, however in any other case wonderful.
I hate to sound like a damaged file, however lots of the similar strengths and weaknesses you see right here may be discovered within the collection since Half 10. There’s loads to get pleasure from, particularly with the art work and character designs . The medium is used properly and the brand new setting is a serious first for the collection, providing new environments and ideas. The continuing query stays whether or not all these new concepts and characters will acquire the identical floor in reader admiration because the earlier arcs and whether or not this simply seems like everybody concerned merely deserves extra, as a result of why cease?
The Land of Asura is the central factor of this e-book. Fist of the North Star has had Kenshiro journey throughout the wasteland, from one atmosphere to a different, however that is the primary time he is made the journey to a really new location. This in itself is a milestone second. It offers Tetsuo Hara and Borunson a license to create new ideas, set new expectations and make a big break from what has come earlier than.
Initially, they get fairly a bit out of those new concepts. It’s totally wonderful to see Tetsuo Hara drawing huge seas and oceans after years of Kenshiro, drawn in opposition to the cruel, sandy backgrounds of the world we knew. He is no slouch on this regard – however I am certain that is no shock to you, expensive reader. The oceans are inky and unforgiving, transferring round on the web page regardless of being nonetheless pictures. The ship Kenshiro rides to succeed in the Land of Asura is gigantic, as this ocean mimics land and permits solely the strongest to outlive.
We’re getting an entire rework of the common inhabitants within the land of Asura. Again within the wasteland we had turn into accustomed to, lots of the common individuals had been hapless residents terrorized by the sturdy elite. After all, there have been armies of brawny and bemohawk warriors, however they had been at all times depicted as fewer in quantity in comparison with the teams of survivors scattered amongst villages or serving as slave labor in numerous strongholds. The land of Asura, alternatively, actually solely has two professions: those that kill and those that are killed. Each man is educated from his youth to succeed or perish, and even inside these ranks there are additional layers of energy.
These parts come collectively to create a quite terrifying repute. Tough seas, rugged lands, harsh individuals – the legend of the Land of Asura looms massive in these early chapters.
Sadly, this impact begins to put on off fairly rapidly. As soon as Kenshiro arrives within the Land of Asura and begins as much as his standard shenanigans (hitting individuals till they explode, being the good man ever – you already know, typical Kenshiro stuff), it would not find yourself feeling all that completely different from the wasteland he has simply left. . Kenshiro remains to be strolling round a largely empty panorama, punctuated by some ultra-bizarre torture dungeons, preventing villains and doing his standard stuff. In idea it’s technically completely different, however in apply it’s extra of the identical Fist of the North Star.
…which is not any drawback! “Oh no, no extra chapters of one of many biggest shonen preventing tales ever advised,” is a criticism you’ll by no means hear me voice. Nevertheless it’s value stating that regardless of all the additional prep and preparation to ascertain new norms, this does not really feel measurably completely different than earlier than. In that sense, it is simple to grasp why individuals criticize this a part of the collection after the ultimate battle with Raoh.
Or is it the ultimate battle with Raoh? There are already rumors circulating within the textual content that Raoh is the legendary warrior. Is it simply rumors, or will he be again? I will not spoil it for you if you do not know but. That mentioned, even within the textual content of the collection, Raoh’s shadow hangs over all the pieces that occurs, and that makes it difficult to flee these comparisons.
One of many massive standout new characters is Shachi. Shachi is one other long-haired companion for Kenshiro and is extra attention-grabbing than he appears at first look. At first look you would possibly worry that he’s a pale imitation of Rei, Toki or Shu. Shachi’s lengthy hair is certainly adjusted for inflation. However regardless of his quick time with Kenshiro, he manages to discover a separate identification, particularly since he makes use of a sister type to the Hokuto Shinken: Hokuto Ryuken. It is a scenario the place the brand new island truly creates storytelling alternatives which are simply distinctive sufficient with out rocking the boat an excessive amount of. It is sensible that the Hokuto college would have branching paths of understanding separated by main geographical options. I feel the rationale Gento Cooking flopped a bit for me was that it was tough to purchase into this model new type, which was so near the opposite two major kinds that had dominated the story for therefore lengthy. Right here we’ve a brand new however not fully new type with a transparent motive for the separation – that is nice!
The artwork is superb as at all times. I’ve at all times performed this drum, however if you wish to see nice artwork and an understanding of the comedy medium, that is it. Even when Tetsuo Hara attracts exterior references so clearly that he manages to provide it a particular really feel. Certain, Kenshiro seems like Stallone in Cobra, however he additionally seems like Kenshiro attaining the identical primary outfit with out it feeling like awkward cosplay. It is masterful stuff, together with all the same old gore and nice motion.
The e-book is a robust bundle, however on the similar time I would not blame anybody for feeling like returns are diminishing on this latter period.