5 out of 5

I recognize there are things to criticize here. We’ve been having a final battle on a train for chapters on end, and some things happen with a whimper; some things happen with a bit too neat of a bow. But: the final volume of Golden Kamuy is nonetheless masterful. It provides jaw-dropping moments of impactful finality, and even if I can understand the different takes on the “correctness” of these moments, I feel they are paced excellently within the content of the single tankobon, and then also allow for the various debates on whether or not they work – debates that are best served by going back and rereading GK from the start.

That’s what I’ve admired the most to this point: while I know I’ve criticized the series for going flashback heavy at points, the focus of the final Sugimoto / Asirpa / Tsurumu showdown gives foreground to events that can be understood without the 30+ volumes of context, and then uses the flashback moments to punctuate in a fashion that either hits home if you recognize the references, or adds enough emotional weight simply through the artistry to encourage a new or forgetful reader to experience / reexperience the series. I zoomed through this oversized collection; I was unnerved, I was moved. The journey is felt.

That said, again, you could pick at some things – things that are probably a little spoilery to detail. But I’m so impressed by the immensity of the final product, and that I never felt tired by this long-ass battle because Noda stuffed it with justifying story / character beats, that this is absolutely one of those instances where my overall impression outweighs my nitpicks.

There have been ups and down along the way, which is kind of inevitable, but the final volume makes it all feel worth it – and in a manner that makes me eager to start the journey again.