Children of the Whales: Volume 10 manga review

Children of the Whales Graphic Novel Volume 10 cover image

For the denizens of the “Mud Whale,” it is year 93 of the Sand Exile. The Mud Whale is an island city of clay and magic floating atop an endless sea of sand.  On that island, an isolated community of exiled criminals, “the Fálaina,” clings to life.  Some of them are called “The Marked,” because of their ability to use a magic known as “thymia.”  Chakuro is the archivist for the Mud Whale, and he diligently chronicles the lives and deaths of his people, who are cut off from their own dark history.

As Children of the Whales, Vol. 10 (Chapters 39 to 43) opens, the people of the Mud Whale have accepted the reality that the promised land of Amonlogia is a lie.  However, Amonlogia has its own problems as a monstrous ship, apparently known as “Karcharías,” circles the island nation, seemingly with the intention to invade.

Meanwhile, Chakura and the powerful Ouni lead a rescue mission into the capital city of Amonlogia to rescue the “Unmarked” (denizens of the Mud Whale who cannot use thymia).  Meanwhile, someone familiar to them is onboard Karcharías and has entered Amonlogia with intentions of his own.

[This volume includes bonus text, “A Note on Names.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Children of the Whales manga is an imaginative fantasy manga.  It was one of the best manga and graphic novel series of 2018 and was one of the best debuts of 2017.

Children of the Whales Graphic Novel Volume 10 continues that excellence with one of the most exciting volumes yet.  While some volumes delve deeper into the history of the Mud Whale, Vol. 10 is something like battle manga.  Creator Abi Umeda uses the chapters herein to strengthen the bonds of the denizens of the Mud Whale.  I root for them and worry about them, especially because I became attached to characters who were slaughtered early in the series.

JN Productions continues its excellent translation with evocative dialogue that fits Umeda's beautiful, textured art.  Even Annaliese Christman's lettering and sound effects hit a high point.  This is a good jumping on point for new readers.  Between the glossary at the end and the summation at the beginning of Vol. 10, you, dear readers, will catch onto the Whale.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for unique graphic novels for young adult readers and teens will want to ride on this VIZ Signature title, Children of the Whales.

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8.5 out of 10