Comics / Manga

Rasetsu: Volume 9

By Leroy Douresseaux
June 2, 2011 - 08:52

 

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

An evil spirit attacked Rasetsu Hyuga when she was 15-years-old, and although she survived the attack, the spirit vowed to return to claim Rasetsu on her 20th birthday.  Only finding true love would save her.  As a memento of their encounter, the spirit left a bright red flower mark on her chest.  Now, an adult Rasetsu works for an exorcist agency, using her special powers to banish evil spirits, while searching for true love.

Rasetsu, Vol. 9 is the final volume of the series.  And the evil spirit has returned on Rasetsu’s birthday as he promised.  Her co-worker, Kuryu Iwatsuki, has been revealed to have the evil spirit that wants her in his body.  What can Rasetsu do – especially considering that she loves Kuryu?

Meanwhile, Yako Hoshino, who is in love with Rasetsu, struggles to overcome his own spiritual and supernatural issues, as a magnificent battle rages on.  It seems as if her boss, Hiichiro Amakawa, is also being overwhelmed.  Can Rasetsu defeat the demon, or will her 20th birthday be her last?

THE LOWDOWN:  Created by Chika Shiomi, Rasetsu is a spin-off of her other supernatural romance, Yurara, with Yako Hoshino being the character carried over to Rasetsu.  Rasetsu mixes elements of the workplace romance and the supernatural thriller (hauntings, angry spirits, aggressive entities, etc.).

The final volume loses a lot of the young romance and supernatural punch and is mostly one (overly) long battle of spirits and emotions.  The gentle courtship, congenial atmosphere, and workplace banter that shaped much of this manga is mostly absent.  Well, it had to end, and while its happy ending was not as good as the rest of the series, it shouldn’t reflect on the series as a whole.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of supernatural romance will want to give Rasetsu a try.

B

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12