Manga Review: Sankarea: Undying Love, Volume 11, by Mitsuru Hattori

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 2015

Volumes: 11

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

“I ONLY LIKE ZOMBIE GIRLS.”

Since he was little, Chihiro has felt an unusual emotional connection to zombie movies. It’s not that he feels bad for the survivors – instead he fantasizes about comforting the poor undead girls they slaughter! When his beloved pet passes away, he decides to brew up a resurrection potion in secret. But he’s discovered by popular girl and local heiress Sanka Rea, whose life isn’t as perfect as it seems… and Furuya suggests that she could serve as a test subject!

Review:

I think I expected a different ending. Maybe even wanted a different one. Was prepared for something else.

Rea was going downhill fast in her zombie state. Even her father got dragged in to try to save her. Chihiro tried all he could to get some sense into her, since it had worked for him before. She was a mess.

I don’t want to spoil what happens, but I’m not sure I liked it. What we were originally led to believe, that something happened to him, I could accept. I’m not sure if I liked it, per se, but I thought it worked. And then they changed that. And I suppose it makes for a happier ending, and I can be okay with that—it’s not like I wanted them all to die—but I didn’t expect it to be that easy or simple. I guess I was too prepared for something else, not such a happy resolution. I can accept it, but I don’t know if I agree with it completely.

Overall, this was a pretty good series. I really enjoyed Rea and Mero the most, and I was impressed with the world and the development of Rea being a zombie. I enjoyed it, and would recommend it.

Manga Review: Sankarea: Undying Love, Volume 10, by Mitsuru Hattori

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: December 2014

Volumes: 11

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

COLD TRUTHS A letter from his grandfather leads Chihiro to an ice cave where a centuries-old, frozen zombie reveals the secrets of Grandpa Jogoro's tragic past and the origins of the zombie elixir. All this unlocks a deep-seated memory in Chihiro that finally reveals the reason behind his infatuation with zombies, but before he has time to reflect on everything, Chihiro discovers that Rea has gone on a rampage in search of her "favorite food." Will Chihiro sacrifice himself to satiate Rea's voracious appetite for human flesh?

Review:

There’s only one more volume! How is it so close to the end already?

We got a lot of backstory this volume about Chihiro’s grandfather. It was nice to see some history on him, because he is quite an interesting character. He’s been through a lot. And this included the story about Chihiro’s mother, which I’d already figured out, but was nice, if sad, to see.

And then we got back to the present, to find out that something’s happening to Rea. This is not too surprising, given her predicament, but it’s still pretty bad. One bullet apparently not dodged. I don’t really know whether to expect a happy ending or not, or even which one I’d prefer. I feel pretty sure that a bad one is coming, at least for Rea, and I’m actually not sure if I’d prefer a happy one. It just seems like it would be better, more fitting, for it to be sad. After everything, she doesn’t deserve to keep going on the path she’s on.

I’m excited to see how it ends, if a little sad about it.

Manga Review: Sankarea: Undying Love, Volume 9, by Mitsuru Hattori

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: October 2014

Volumes: 11

Spoilers?: For previous volumes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

LIGHTS, CAMERA, RESURRECTION!

Though he barely escaped with his life, Chihiro has returned with the rest of his crew to Shiyoh City with newfound hope for Bub and Rea. However, the research that led to Bub’s recovery took its toll on Rea, leaving her with only vague memories of the “boy with the cat-ear hairdo.” But Chihiro will do anything to bring Rea back to normal, and with his camera, some props and a few friends who can carry a tune, he’s going to set the scene for Rea’s big come back!

Review:

This series is getting darker the longer it goes, and I love how surprising it is. The twists it throws are so good, and well done. I’m excited for every volume at this point.

Most of this volume dealt with Rea’s memory loss. She doesn’t even know that she’s a zombie, and she doesn’t remember Chihiro at all, although she thinks that Bub is her cat. Thankfully, though, she at least trusts Darin. It’s hard on Chihiro, though, because he likes her but he’s also her friend.

Darin ends up being Rea’s saving grace, really, and I’m so happy with their friendship. Also, I’m glad that Darin has kind of turned over a new leaf, after what happened with her Father. Rea is pretty much getting used to her life all over again.

And then there’s a new twist thrown in at the end of the volume, a cliffhanger that looks bad, but also a coming story that might explain some things, especially regarding Chihiro’s grandfather.

I’m so impressed with this series, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s dark and exciting, and also a little fanservice-y, although with not as much attention as before. I’m excited for the next volume.

Manga Review: Sankarea: Undying Love, Volume 8, by Mitsuru Hattori

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: August 2014

Volumes: 11

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells.

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads.

RightStuf Synopsis:

Barely escaping an untimely end, Chihiro is on the run from his zombie pursuers, but to his surprise, he is joined by his grandfather, who has come to ZoMA to right the wrongs of his sordid past - if he can remember what's going on, that is.
Elsewhere, a light is shined into the dark corners of Chief Salva's curious past, bringing insight into his relationship with Darin as well as his deep infatuation with Rosalie. What is it that fuels Chief Salva's intense passion for zombies? Is it pure love or just madness?
Story and art by Mitsuru Hattori.

Review:

I don’t know where this series is taking me anymore. I thought it was going to do some big huge surprise, only for it to deflate a little, then go in a different direction.

Grandpa shows up to reveal some surprising things to Chihiro, and then leave us with a cliffhanger. Meanwhile, Rea has lost her memory, and might possibly be better? This is going to be bad, especially for Chihiro. There are surprising things happening to her zombie life. But then there’s also some really bad stuff happening between Darin and her father, who is a horrible person.

This series is just ridiculously exciting. I love what’s happening with the zombie plot, and all the reveals are happening at a great pace. I also appreciate that it doesn’t shy away from being horrible—with the zombie stuff, but also with characters like Darin’s dad.

Then there was a chapter for Mero, in the midst of all this stuff, for her to meet some people and go out and do something, since it’s only her and her father at home. This was an all right chapter, but mostly cause I like Mero.

I’m excited for the next volume, to see what happens next in this series.