Children of the Whales: Volume 11 manga review

Children of the Whales Graphic Novel Volume 11 cover image

The denizens of the “Mud Whale” are in 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. 11 (Chapters 44 to 48) opens, the struggle on Amonlogia continues.  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).  At the same time, some of the Unmarked believe it is time to stop being the thing that his used against the Marked and decide to take drastic steps to stop being a burden.

Meanwhile, Orca prepares to complete his diabolical mission.  Lord Dachtyla is determined to stop him... so that he can use the Marked as forced child soldiers.

[This volume includes bonus text, “From the Annals of the Empire,” Parts 2 and 3; and “A Note on Names.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  As I always say, 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.  Now, it is rocking 2019.

Children of the Whales Graphic Novel Volume 11 continues the rousing excursion on Amonlogia.  This battle manga turn, of sorts, does not hurt the excellence of the overall narrative.  Actually, it emphasizes one of Children of the Whales' most interesting elements – the threat of violence in service of the state.  Creator Abi Umeda makes readers root for his characters and worry about them in these moments.

JN Productions excellent translation still offers evocative dialogue that fits Umeda's beautiful, textured art.  Annaliese Christman's lettering and sound effects increase the tension and threat of the chapters contained in Vol. 11.  This is a top volume in an odd eccentric series that is a worthy read.

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.

A
9 out of 10