Title: Kekkaishi Vol 11
Author: Yellow Tanabe
Publisher: Viz
ISBN: 9781421511597
May Contain Spoilers
This volume picks up with Gen’s funeral, which was most noteworthy for the interaction between Yoshimori and his less than favorite brother. When Masamori asks him to accompany him to visit Gen’s family, he’s unprepared for the frigid reception they receive from Gen’s sister, Ryo. I found this chapter very moving, as Masamori returns the unopened letters that she had been writing to Gen over the years. Shattered by the discovery that he never read them, her rage at Masamori turns to bitter despair. All she wanted was to make Gen understand that somebody loved him, but he didn’t have enough trust in her to believe it.
Yoshimori is now determined to destroy the Kokuboro and seal the Karasumori site. He never wants to see anybody hurt again. He thinks that his ticket into the Kokuboro stronghold lies with Tokine’s granny, but she refuses to allow him to join her. He isn’t in the correct frame of mind for her to let him go with her, and he hasn’t mastered the proper techniques to use his powers effectively yet. As Yoshimori puzzles over her words, he decides that he must push himself even harder, and throws himself into an strenuous training program. His seriousness is highlighted when his father comes across a box in the kitchen, hidden away in a cupboard and marked, “SEALED.” The box contains Yoshimori’s cake baking utensils.
The Night Troops descend on the Karasumori site, invading the peace of the Sumimura household. With all of these strangers under foot, Yoshimori’s training plans need some alteration. New characters were introduced, including Sen, another half-ayakashi. She talks tough, but when the chips were down in this volume, she and her friends didn’t do much other than hide. Though after what happened to Gen, I guess I can’t blame them. All of the Night Troops hanging around the house allowed a massive battle with the Kokuboro. The fight was fun, but I wish it had lasted a few more pages.
I have to question Yoshimori’s intelligence once again. With little thought to anything other than having his revenge against Kaguro, he strolls right into the lion’s den. Stupid boy! A special guest drops in to give him a little hand and then, blam!, the volume came to an abrupt end. Argh!
Kekkaishi Vol 11 will be hitting bookstores in November
Grade: B+
Rated for Teen
Review copy provided by Viz
October 12, 2007 at 7:31 am
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