Comics / Manga

Arata the Legend: Volume 22 manga review

By Leroy Douresseaux
June 26, 2015 - 21:55

Arata: The Legend Volume 22 cover image is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Arata Hinohara is a Japanese high school freshmen living in the modern world, so how does he find himself in another dimension?  He switches places with another boy named Arata, who comes from Amawakuni, a world where humans and gods coexist.  Hinohara is chosen to wield a Hayagami (a god in sword form) named Tsukuyo so that he can save Princess Kikuri.  Arata of the Hime lives on Earth, while Arata Hinohara goes on a life-changing journey.

As Arata: The Legend, Vol. 22 (Chapters 208 to 217) opens, Hinohara and his mentor, Seo, enter the domain of Ikisu to find help for the injured Kotoha.  At the same time, another of the Six Sho, Ameeno, enters the domain to fight Lord Ikisu.  Ameeno begins a campaign of destruction, one Hinohara and another companion, Kannagi, may not be able to stop.

Plus, Arata Hinohara, Yataka, Kannagi, Kotoha, Mikusa, and Nasake find a new airship by which they can continue their journey.  But an accident leads to unwanted changes in the group.  Meanwhile, back on Earth, Arata of the Hime and Imina Oribe play a game of tag.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Arata: The Legend manga seems to be getting closer to the end of things.  Yuu Watase continues to surprise with new subplots and cool character designs.  It's a shame that the sexy Ameeno will pretty much disappear with the end of this series.

Arata: The Legend Volume 22 tackles subjects with real-world relevance – the destruction of war – and  offers humor, which it does even during its darkest moments (here, gender-bending).  Lately, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the narrative shift back to “our world” with the adventures of Arata of the Hime, and his latest trials will carry into the next volume.  That's a good reason to keep reading.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of epic fantasy manga will want the Shonen Sunday title, Arata: The Legend.

Rating: A- /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12