▪	RELEASED BY:		TOKYOPOP
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		YUN KOUGA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		198
		▪	RATING:		OT
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		11/13/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		11/13/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Ritsuka, Soubi and Soubi’s friend Kio go to the Seven Voices Academy for answers about Seimei and Septimal Moon, but on the drive there, Kio’s forthright answers to Ritsuka’s questions lead to harsh truths about Ritsuka’s own beliefs, about Soubi, and about Seimei. He won’t have much time to reflect upon what he’s learned though when at the Academy, Ritsuka learns more about the training for fighter Units and the campus is under attack by none other than Ritsuka’s brother Seimei!

This is a much more action and fast paced volume than usual for Loveless. Everything happens quickly. Ritsuka’s conversation with Kio has him wondering if he knew his brother at all and has him facing some pretty deep and complex concepts for so young a person. Things like understanding sadism, masochism, and his own selfish desires and manipulations are brought forth. But they are not given time to digest as the group arrive at the campus and all of a sudden Ritsuka is faced with Breathless, but they aren’t fighting, instead they throw a pack of information at him about training. While the night campus is in an uproar for a battle royale training segment, it comes under attack by Nisei and Seimei. It ends with a bloody battle between Nisei and Soubi with Ritsuka. Ritsuka has to at last make a decision: to claim Soubi as his own, or risk death alone. Meanwhile Seimei roams the halls ignoring Nisei’s want for help as he moves with his own plans.

Nisei’s vicious nature seems a good match to Seimei’s cold and cruel personality. It is all very disturbing and what it will mean for Ritsuka has yet to truly be revealed. The abuse suffered by Soubi is another thing that has been hinted at from the beginning but the manga is only really starting to explore the core of it now. Is it simply that he is a masochist? Or is there something more to the scars on his body? With the confrontation between Loveless and Beloved growing ever nearer, it, along with the truth about Seimei and Septimal Moon, will be secrets that will undoubtedly be revealed in the chapters to come.

Manga extras include a full color cover page, comic panels at the end, and “Know Your Opponent: Strategies of Spells and Scissors in Loveless” which explains the concepts used to do battle. There are also two bonus stories. The first involves Yukio at school when the class has a rock-paper-scissors challenge and Ritsuka is impressed and fascinated by Yukio’s adeptness at the game. The second story is a little New Year’s tale involving Ritsuka and Soubi while at the same time celebrating the publication of the sixth volume.

IN SUMMARY:
The latest volume of Loveless sees Ritsuka and Soubi squaring off in a vicious fight against Seimei’s fighter unit Nisei! It’s the beginning of the Septimal Moon Chapters in Loveless.