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TOGARI VOL. 8 (ADVANCE REVIEW) |
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Reviews
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Sunday, 07 September 2008 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | YOSINORI NATSUME | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 192 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 09/09/22008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 09/07/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Tobei is a killer released from his time in the underworld with one shot at freedom – he must collect 108 sins in 108 days. But that task has not been made easy by the White Darkness, a man intent on destroying humanity for all its wretched weaknesses. He has collected Team EX, members each with their own reason for hating people and who hold the power of Togas (sins). Tobei has defeated a couple of them already, but his awakening conscience and own doubts left him swallowed up by the sword Togari, leaving Tobei being consumed by his own darkness! His revelation and resolution during his time within Togari leave him released and determined with new strength, a power that pleases his enemies and worries his allies such as Lady Ema. Both sides want to control him, but his new abilities may mean the Togari answers to him and not the other way around. At this point one would assume the story would move to an immediate climatic battle with the White Darkness. Instead the manga goes into a reflective period as Tobei recoups at the girl’s home and considers his life and his choices. At the same time, Ami’s past and the reasons behind his motivations are fully revealed along with a hint about his link to Ema. The manga ends not with a bang, but with questions. It introspectively looks at the nature of sin, good and evil. It considers fate versus free will. And ends with Tobei off to face Sena, the White Darkness, but it is a fight the reader never sees, nor do we know for certain its outcome. Perhaps it being left to the reader’s imagination is part of the point, that it’s the fate of what we make and the choices we take that define us, not the outcomes. How we go into our challenges and choose to face them despite any outcome is what is important and perhaps the point. The less action oriented final volume is an unusual ending for the otherwise action laden battle ready series, but an interesting one.
IN SUMMARY:
The tale of sin and the man fated to collect them concludes in this unusual final volume! |
