June 1, 2023
An action-packed tournament arc starts with a bang. Agni and friends are closing in on the tournament in the Citadel thanks to Valdis and her giant of a father. Characters' motives and backstories are further revealed, from those who may be nearly forgotten, like last volume's defeated bandits, to the great wizard Alexander and his friend Alva. Plenty of colorful personalities, both new and returning, collide--to the point that Reksha complains, "There's not a single normal person in the Citadel." Meeting a necromancer with an abnormally flexible and stretchy spine can have that effect. Anyone here for the action is served a feast of attacks in magical and melee forms. Dramatic deaths weigh on the core cast to different degrees, further distinguishing everyone's worldview. True to the series' battle shōnen roots, characters comment on fights from the sidelines to add context. This series impresses with its ability to continue evolving the visually unique powers depicted while also balancing a quickly expanding cast. Readers will want to start with Book 1 to see how the protagonists teamed up in the first place as well as clock those who make cameos here. Blond, blue-eyed Agni is joined by a supporting cast with varying skin colors. Several buxom, highly sexualized characters with barely covered breasts appear throughout. More of the lively characters, creative attacks, and heart-on-sleeve moments that returning readers will love. (Graphic fantasy. 14-17)
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