▪	RELEASED BY:		TOKYOPOP
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		YUN KOUGA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		198
		▪	RATING:		OT
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		08/07/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		08/21/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

The penultimate volume of this strange and mesmerizing series sees the mystery of Seimei’s death unravel, but not without dire consequences. Ritsuka’s mother may have finally snapped to the point of not only abusing her youngest son, but perhaps even killing him. What has pushed her over the edge is at first hinted at, and later revealed to Soubi. The answers he finds shock through him like a sword run through his chest. Shaken to his very soul, Soubi may not be strong enough for the ultimate challenge that awaits Ritsuka...if the boy lives past this night.

It is a story like none other you will ever experience. The latest revelations about Seimei rock this story and its characters to its core. There is the deeply unsettling involvement growing between the too young Ritsuka and the older Soubi. Each are emotional cripples in their own way, watching them is a disturbing yet fascinating relationship. As Ritsuka gets closer to the truth, he seems to become stronger emotionally, yet Soubi inversely seems to be crumbling.

Part of Ritsuka’s strength comes from his friendships and school relationships. With his absence from school, others worry about the abuse he may be suffering. And those same others each make a choice to intervene in one way or another to make sure Ritsuka knows people are worried about him. In other words, they care. This is a revelation to the usually reserved and often isolated Ritsuka. To learn you are cared for, that you truly have friends, these are powerful allies with which one can feel more secure and to become more confident. It is with this new, stronger sense of self that he goes to meet Septimal Moon for one final time. Once and for all, he will discover the truth about Seimei. Even if it should kill him.

Manga extras include a full color cover page, comic panels at the end, and a special afterword for the author.

IN SUMMARY:
Disturbing and absorbing, Loveless is a dark labyrinth of tortured souls and twisted lives.