Comics / Manga

Arata: The Legend Volume 13 manga review

By Leroy Douresseaux
March 11, 2013 - 15:39

Arata The Legend Volume 13 cover image of courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Humans and gods coexist on the world of Amawakuni.  Arata Hinohara, a high school freshman who is the target of bullies, switches place with an Amawakuni boy who is also named Arata.  Hinohara is chosen to wield a Hayagami (a god in sword form) named Tsukuyo so that he can save Princess Kikuri.  Arata lives on Earth, while Arata Hinohara goes on a life-changing journey.

In Arata: The Legend, Vol. 13 (Chapters 118 to 127), old acquaintances battle.  Shinno Kannagi and his Hayagami, Homura, battle Kannagi’s former friend, Akachi, and his Hayamgami, Orichi.  It leads to shocking conclusions and surprising revelations.  Meanwhile, Hinohara takes on his high school tormentor, Kadowaki, who has been brought to Amawakuni to kill Hinohara.  It’s Hinohara’s Tsukyo versus Kadowaki’s Hayagami, Orochi.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Arata: The Legend manga is like both a shonen manga (comics for teen boys) and a shojo manga (comics for teen girls).  This fantasy series is part battle manga and adventure story, and it also delves into high school life and teen love.

Arata: The Legend Volume 13 is on the battle manga side of things.  There are Hayagami duels that bring out maelstroms of crackling energy; it’s like Tite Kubo’s Bleach meets Jack Kirby’s Thor.  There are airship battles that are way too short in duration, and for character drama, there are some reunions, redemptions, and betrayals.  This means one of the better recent volumes of Arata: The Legend.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of creator Yuu Watase will want the Shonen Sunday title, Arata: The Legend.

 

Rating: A- /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12