▪	RELEASED BY:		VIZ MEDIA
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		NABUHIRO WATSUKI
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANENSE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		184
		▪	RATING:		T
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		12/04/2006
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		12/06/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

With the Alchemist Hunters called off and Victor located, Kazuki with Tokiko and Gouta go and infiltrate an all girls academy to discover the being who created the Black Kakugane. It will also see them meeting Victor’s wife and daughter and they’re no longer human. The group learns of a war a hundred years ago between the alchemist warriors and the homunculi, discover the truth behind the Black Kakugane, and find out the one thing that can combat it – the White Kakugane. One problem: there’s only the one, another cannot be made, therefore only one of the two people with the Black Kakuganes within them can be saved – and the choice is left up to Kazuki! He has to choose between either himself or Victor to return human, the other will die!

This is a great penultimate volume! Surprising revelations, character upsets, a pinnacle reached in Tokiko and Kazuki’s relationship, even Papillon has a moment. It’s all here in the penultimate volume of Buso Renkin. Readers learn a huge amount of information regarding the history of the alchemist army, the Black Kakugane and Victor. You will get to see exactly how those Black Kakugane were made and why. It builds to a tremendous last chapter that has Kazuki making his choice about the White Kakugane and going off to face Victor – alone! 

The manga holds a lot of excitement and intrigue in an energetic combination. It reveals the tragedy created by the good intentions of others. The book builds to a poignant moment between Kazuki and Tokiko just before his final battle with Victor. It’s delicious, nearly unbearable suspense to discover what will happen next in the upcoming final volume.

Manga extras include more Buso Renkin and Character Files along with liner notes from the mangaka.

IN SUMMARY:
Buso Renkin is a fast paced, action packed fantasy series that will keep readers hooked. This penultimate volume has crucial reveals, and a pivotal choice is made while the final battle takes place.