Manga Review: Children of the Whales, Volume 7, by Abi Umeda

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2018

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this postapocalyptic fantasy, a sea of sand swallows everything but the past.

In an endless sea of sand drifts the Mud Whale, a floating island city of clay and magic. In its chambers a small community clings to survival, cut off from its own history by the shadows of the past.

The Sea of Sand harbors many mysteries, and an encounter with one of them awakens deep memories of the past for the Eldest of the Mud Whale. But everyone is still reeling from the recently revealed harsh secrets about the true nature of the Mud Whale. How can Chakuro and the others handle the new knowledge these strange visions grant?

Review:

As the mud whale continues its journey, the inhabitants continue to research and attempt to learn more of their history and what led them here. When they meet up with a ghost of their ship, they get to see the ghosts of their past.

At the same time, the group is reading and going deeper and deeper inside the mud whale, until they discover a history no one expected. It hits Chakuro hard, as we see the effect on Ouni. It's a surprise, but an interesting revelation. I'm curious what it means for what happens next, and what they all know.

In the last quarter of the volume, we get to see a side story, with characters we've never met, but supposedly an untold story set in this world. It's not hard to believe in this setting, but still very sad. Sweet at times, but an overall sad tale.

This series really intrigues me. The world it's set in, the characters; and I love the art and style of telling it all. It's always an interesting read.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!