4 out of 5

Though the middle of this tankobon, our long-running treasure hunt tale gets a bit bogged down in exposition: flashbacks within flashbacks; reframing the reframing; all so we can both get Asirpa on board with what’s happening, but also keep the team motivated for a (likely) conclusive fight within Goryokaku forest.

It’s not poorly or confusingly written; it’s not illogical within the confines of GK’s world. It’s just a lot. But: the flip-side to that is all the groundwork Noda has done to get us here, drop by drop-ing character motivations, and the history. I don’t know if that retroactively justifies how long we spent on red herring map pieces, but it’s clear – even with a month pause between reading these collections – how massive a point in the story this is. So, yes, it’s a lot, but it carries its importance well.

Alongside this, we get some great Shiraishi comedy, and amazing splash moments of the fomenting battle – first strikes – and tight choreography and dialogue with some last bids at delaying Tsurumi. Most importantly, though – besides the exposition chunk – is how key characters have become fully actualized, and specifically Asirpa: though never a damsel or strictly a child, her balance between leader and passenger has been precarious, but she fully – very satisfyingly – comes into her own here.