Kurohime Vol. 10by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Kurohime is the world's best Witch-Gunslinger. She challenged the gods and was punished, but that has not stopped her. She found love, and her love was turned into the new god of death making him her enemy. Still she fights - trying to regain her love and punish the gods who have done this. She and her spirit and god allies have arrived in Kazuma's home town and are treated like royalty ... until a group other Witch-Gunslingers arrive to find and kill Kurohime! And one of these seems to be a match for her in every way ... will Kurohime be able to rescue the spirits they are holding as hostages, and escape with a few memories of her precious Zero intact? I hope so!I really, really like this manga. It has a wonderful fantasy going on, with unusual takes on mythology and the theme of "man vs god/s". The plot has moved on somewhat from the original premise, but has gained much in depth. The fact that Kurohime is still trying to save Zero even though he's her enemy, and every time she has to transform and use her Witch-Gunslinger powers she loses a memory of him is so sad! Every time she knowingly forfeits a memory of their love in order to fight someone and be one step closer to possibly saving him, it causes a painful twinge inside me. It amazes me how intricately woven the plot has become - but without becoming confusing. There are unusual and neat transformations, awesome action sequences, and some pretty wicked dragons! The character designs have really grown on me - yes, there's a fair amount of large breasts, but there's usually no overly sexual cheesecake (this volume does put Kurohime in a weird outfit that's apparently white(?) fabric over just her chest so it looks like she's got nothing on). Kurohime herself, as a character, has become one that readers can admire as she's learned and grown and changed due to the trials and experiences of her life (however painful they may be). The art is very well done. It moves easily from harder/fiercer characters to softer, almost cartoony-cute, sometimes with the same character! There are beautiful details, and it also carries the occassionaly humor out nicely as well. Kurohime is tragic but beautiful in a powerful example of what fantasy manga can really be! Written: March 2, 2009
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