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Title:  Nora: The Last Chronicle of Devildom Vol 5

Author:  Kazunari Kakei

Publisher:  Viz

ISBN:  9781421518992

May Contain Spoilers

Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks?  Nora is sure trying to  get a better education, even if it is only in beating the crap out of people.  When he meets a masked warrior who just isn’t taking their battle seriously, he is one peeved pooch.  Who is this guy, and why won’t he give their altercation the attention that Nora thinks it deserves?

Once again, the theme is of Nora getting stronger and becoming the best fighter possible.  Both Nora and Kazuma have been bit by the self-improvement bug, but Kazuma goes a lot farther to gain some personal strength than even Nora can believe.  The bored Kazuma was willing to shave five years off of his already short human life just so he can help his pet demon become the most powerful being possible.  Maybe Kazuma has become fond of his puppy after all?

I liked the older Kazuma, especially when he and Nora are kicking butt.  At the end of the day, this series is just about fighting, with the added bonus of becoming the best you can be, whether you’re a demon or a human.  Kazuma wants Nora to develop into the terrifying creature he’s destined to be, and he’s not going to be the one to hold him back any more.  Going off and training with a demon, he’s willing to sacrifice part of his life to help Nora fulfill his destiny.  Too bad if some of the other demons are scared that Nora will destroy both worlds in his climb to gaining all of the power he’s capable of.

Even though Kazuma has aged visibly, on the inside, he’s still the same taciturn guy that we all know and love.  He’s still pretending to be a tough guy, even though his feelings have softened up for his pet.  That just proves that where dogs are concerned, you just can’t help but start to feel affection for them.  Nora may bark and threaten to bite, but all the precocious pooch really wants is for someone to take him seriously and see some value in his existence.

Fists fly fast and furiously, creating a stream of action sequences that are fun to read.  There’s not much of a plot, but with all of the bickering and battling, it doesn’t feel like the reader is missing out on that point.  Nora is a very rapid, high-paced read that delivers non-stop banter along with all of the explosive fighting.  It doesn’t pretend to take itself seriously, and it’s always enjoyable to get swept up in the action.

Grade:  B-

Review copy provided by Viz