Manga
Kobato Volume 3
By Chris Zimmerman
October 7, 2010 - 10:21

Yen Press
Writer(s): CLAMP
Penciller(s): CLAMP
$10.99 US



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Kobato’s quest to heal the ailing hearts of those she happens upon continues with the owner of a kindergarten being her biggest challenge yet. Pressured by a loan shark, the kindergarten is under threat of foreclosure and being torn down with the children still inside. Kobato naturally is too innocent to understand the workings of the business relationship, making her job that much more difficult.

The situation intensifies when one of the workers collapses under the strain of working multiple jobs to pay back the debt, making Kobato that much more determined to discover the truth behind the matter. As the story becomes clearer, Kobato is shocked to discover the loan shark and the kindergarten owner are former spouses, further complicating matters and allowing for more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, Kobato’s guardian Ioryogi, continues to clash with otherworldly creatures similar to himself. While their race and the origin of their species is still up in the air, audiences are given a glimpse into Ioryogi’s motivations for helping Kobato.

The art chores are handled by CLAMP and as such are excellent. By now, fans have come to expect nothing short of exquisiteness from the group and Kobato doesn’t disappoint, with highly stylized characters and pencil work reminiscent of Tsubasa and Xxxholic.

Volume 3 is a bit deeper than the previous volumes, delivering the first extended story arc. While the arc may appear to be one large mystery, CLAMP keeps the fantasy elements prevalent, deftly mixing the two genres for enthralling reading. Kobato is a brimming with the fantastical tropes present in the group’s most renowned works. Whether you’re a Fan of CLAMP or just enjoy layered fantasy Kobato will fulfill reader’s desire for a magical experience.
Rating: 8.5/10

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Kobato Volume 3
Kobato volumes 1-2