Sato demands to rule Japan from a hostage situation and Kei goes face to face with Sato at last. Meanwhile, the government tries a coverup of the anti demi-human activities despite the taskforce mobilizing anyway.
This volume had that great balance of plot and action that I’ve come to enjoy from this series. Smart displays of strategy, interesting use of the demi-human’s abilities, and just enough of a cliffhanger that I’m interested in the next volume. Very awesome. 5 out of 5 for just being shamelessly entertaining.
The set up in the previous volume is followed through as Sato’s plan for The Ministry of Welfare is revealed. And if you’re this deep in the series, I’m sure it’s not spoilers when I say that plan certainly did not include any sort of negotiation. And Izumi gets some really badass time in the spotlight.
Sometimes, I have to wonder if Sato is this overpowered or the plot hobbles his opponents for the sake of the plot. I get that he’s experienced but I feel like someone should have at least wounded him by sheer accident with how many bullets are flying around. Or even considering we’re 12 volumes in; the cannon fodder would be a bit more effective.
And are the human authority figures really gonna keep treating the demi-humans like shit? I mean really? Have they learned nothing? “Hey, these super-powerful beings we brutally experimented on aren’t happy about that and are getting revenge. We should hurt them more!” But that’s me as the reader. Anyway, this volume makes up for the previous with some great action and a fast pace. 4.9 out of 5.
In a strange turn of events, The Ministry of Welfare wants to meet with the Ajin they’ve been abusing but of course, Sato has no intention of actually negotiating.
This felt like a setup volume; getting all the chess pieces into place for the actual action to happen later. Sadly, I felt unsatisfied at the end of it. I was able to read this and the next volume back to back but I can’t imagine reading this then knowing you have to wait a month or more for the follow-up and being pleased about it. It wasn’t bad perse but I just don’t think enough happened here to justify the price of admission. Although, I am glad to see Izumi make some moves. 3.5 out of 5.
The Health Ministry is willing to engage in negotiations with Sato while Kei finally makes contact with his no-nonsense mother while she is in the hospital with Kei’s sister. We also get some insights as to how Demi-Humans are treated in other countries; spotlighting the United States.
It may seem a contrary opinion but, I kinda understand Kei’s mom. Coming off the heels of the hysterical mom in Drifting Classroom, we have a mom character who is ruthlessly practical with a unique insight into how her son thinks. It may seem heartless but she’s letting him go to do what he needs to do; which is a mission she knows is dangerous. I found that refreshing.
As to the ending vow from Kei to take down Sato for good… Yeah, I have a feeling Kei’s gonna either get his ass handed to him a few more times or lose a bunch of people. Sato is a villain that really gives no fucks. I guess we’ll see how this goes.
Sato’s killing spree continues as the assault on this supposedly high security building and Kei’s plan falter. It seems Sato will follow through with eliminating everyone on his kill list despite all opposition.
I gotta hand it to this series. All the powers these demi-humans possess are explored to every potential use, in a lot of ways I never would have thought of. This makes Sato really terrifying. He just has no fucks to give but his endgame seems a little sloppy. I mean, starting a war where it would just end up giving more demi-humans a chance to use their powers against him and for humans to eventually neutralize them? I think he’s just out to cause chaos at this point and I say this because (spoilers a bit here) when his ally, Tanaka, saves a woman on Sato’s kill list and tells him “It’s wrong to kill her. Don’t do it.” Sato just goes “Okay!” and moves on. Why would he do that? Why all of a sudden just capitulate to some random change of heart from a person who he could – and would – Â turn on at any moment?
At any rate, epic battle with a good conclusion. I’m looking forward to the next one. 4.5 out of 5.
Kei is trying to draw Sato out as the psycho seems to be letting is subordinates do all the fighting. The cat and mouse between Kei and Sato reminds me a bit of L and Kira from Death Note but the absolutely INSANE ways Sato takes advantage of his abilities had me flipping the pages almost faster than I could read them! This series gets so dark and twisted but also very smart. This review is kinda short because I don’t want to give anything away but… There’s a woodchipper… Holy shit.
Out of all the manga series I’m reading right now, this is the one I’m most hyped about. I wish the volumes were a little longer but overall, this is a nearly perfect series. 4.5 out of 5.
Trying to protect the remaining targets on Sato’s list, Kei and Ko hold up in a well fortified building to position themselves to battle while Sato and his minions invade the building and pick off guards like they’re fish in a barrel.
Ok, brain jarring cliffhanger aside, how the fuck did Kaito get there!? What bugs me the most about it is the very likely possibility the action will be halted later to explain how he got there! And the action really ramps up here so an interrupting back story chapter will really kill the flow.
Watching the demi-humans use their powers creatively in battle is both fascinating and horrible. They may be immortal but they still feel pain. Getting your brains blown out over and over is a nightmare. I expect to see more psycho demi-humans in this series later.
Kei and Ko are now training with Izumi, Dr. Ogura, and Tosagi so they can get ready to battle Sato. We learn some back story on Izumi and finally find out what happened to Kaito – the boy who helped Kei escape several volumes ago. Turns out Kaito got sent to jail for his good deed and has an arrangement  (you can’t say friendship) with fellow inmate and demi-human, Kotobuki.
Despite Kei’s completely understandable lack of faith in anyone, it was refreshing to not only see Kaito again, but see him care about others. He’s not posturing about it or long winded speeches; in fact, if someone says that attitude pisses them off, Kaito just says “Yup.” and moves on. He is how he is and that’s it. I hope this dark and demented world doesn’t kill that feeling. I don’t care if they prove him right or wrong – I hope they don’t and retain moral ambiguity – I just don’t want Kaito’s positive attitude broken.
After Sato’s horrific terrorist attack, it’s all out war between the humans and demi-humans. Now that the world sees demi-humans as violent minsters, Kei is forced from his safe haven and back into the fray.
Despite how much of an asshole Kei is, I can’t fault him for doing whatever it took to keep from being maimed, tested on, or hunted. Thanks to Sato, nobody believes a demi-human is anything other than a monster out to kill everyone. So, Kei teams up with Ko; the guy he locked in a truck last volume, to find allies to fight Sato and his terrorist group.
This volume starts giving us a few answers but still leaves you wanting more. I’m looking forward to see how Kei will develop as things get worse.
Kei is hiding out in a small village while Sato plans his war against the humans. He gathers together a small group of other demi-humans and plans a bunch of terrorist attacks with the aim of ruling the country. Those who decide not to participate, Sato plans to kill.
Okay so. remember in the last entry for this series when I said I was hoping Kei would get more proactive? Well, careful what you wish and all that. He gets understandably paranoid. And with Sato being a fucking moron (because being a scary person, an immortal, and having abilities people fear won’t make everyone like you a target) Kei has a totally relatable reason to believe anyone who knows anything about him is a threat. Thanks to Sato, the general public believes all demi-humans to be human murdering terrorists.
Also? Trigger warning for this volume. It’s a spoiler but I don’t care: Sato takes over a passenger plane and crashes it into a building.
