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Edens Zero Chapter 290 Review/Recap

Edens Zero is nearing the end of its run, but there’s one last battle left to fight. Even though Shiki managed to defeat the Chronophage and restore Mother to Planet Earth, he seemingly went missing. In addition, everyone reading figured out that the heart of the Chronophage was a future version of Rebecca. Now that version of her is trying to finish what she started: destroying the universe. And she’s using her alternate self to do so.

Recap

In the alternate timeline Ziggy came from, Shiki and Rebecca were blasted 20,000 years into the future thanks to Shura’s bombs. Shiki survived and became the android Ziggy, while Rebecca. The machines of that era thought that Rebecca had died, and thus kept her body for research. However, they were wrong; somehow, Rebecca was alive, but unable to move or respond. And when Ziggy left on his mission, she could only mentally beg him not to go.

Then, her Ether went crazy. She became the Chronophage, attacking the Zero and sending them both back to the past without their memories. After that, Rebecca started devouring the time of worlds for eons, looking for her lost time and something else she’d forgotten about.

In the present day, Chronobecca’s Ether(?) possesses Rebecca’s body, seeking to use it to destroy all existence! As Happy, Pino, and Ziggy can only look on in horror, though, something amazing happens. Out of nowhere, Shiki reappears, apologizing for not realizing it was her sooner and begging Rebecca(s) not to talk like that.

Review

I know that most of us readers had likely figured out that Rebecca, or a future version of her, was behind the Chronophage. However, after re-reading this chapter, I must admit that the story behind it is incredibly dark. Not only did the alternate version of Rebecca somehow survive being sent to the future, but she was trapped inside her body and mind for likely decades, unable to move or even die. To make matters worse, she had to listen as her closest friend forgot the time they spent together, and then one day, save altogether. No wonder she turned into the Chronophage! After what she endured, I doubt many people could stay sane!

And I’m not just talking about getting sent into the future. Abandoned by her parents, watching her best friend get hit by Truck-Kun, her other best friend starting to bully her, and that’s just before the series even started. What future Rebecca went through was just the straw that broke the camel’s back! And she’s been stuck like this for more than 20,000 years now!

No, really. Mother and Chronobecca both confirmed that the latter had returned the former to her original state as the Earth multiple times. Since the Earth first became Mother 20,000 years ago, that means the Chronophage has been around for that long. That’s horrific to think about.

Shiki Needs to Save Rebecca

Nightmare fuel aside, this revelation (that some readers already figured out) means that a good part of the events of Edens Zero really are a stable time-loop. At the earliest, the loop starts at the end of the Aoi War; at the latest, when everyone made the journey to Universe Zero. That’s the best way I can explain to myself all this timey-wimey stuff, at least.

As for how Shiki is still here, I dont really need some grand explanation. I’m just happy to know that he is still around and that it was another fake-out. Judging by what he says in this chapter, he must have figured out that the heart of the Chronophage was Rebecca. He’s a lot smarter than some people give him credit for. Now he just needs to make sure that Future Rebecca can find peace before she destroys everything.

It may not feel like the best final battle, but I do think that it’s pretty appropriate for the series. Shiki and Rebecca were the ones who started Edens Zero (literally), and they should be the ones to end it.

As a side note, I would like to point out that while Edens Zero might be ending, Fairy Tail is returning with a new anime this July.

I Give “The Girl Who Ate Through Time” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 287 Review/Recap

We’re so close to the end of Edens Zero that you can practically feel it. Yet even though Void and the Edens One have been (hopefully) dealt with, the woman at the heart of the Chronophage is another issue. This woman, whom I’ve seen some dub “Chronobecca,” is bent on destroying everything. I’m at an utter loss here. Why is Chronobecca so determined to destroy the universe? 

Whatever the reason, she needs to go down.

Recap

As Shiki watches from inside the Chronophage in horror, the swarm of mini-Chronophages begins destroying planets one after another. All his friends can hope to do is dodge and hope they don’t get hit! Chronobecca declares to Shiki that they are destroying this universe because it doesn’t have their time. 

Enraged at this and unwilling to allow the potential paradise he and his friends fought so hard to get to, Shiki stands up. Entering into his original Overdrive form, his Gravity Ether reaches the strength of a black hole. As a result, he begins to suck the mini-Chronophages back in. He’s taken aback, though, when Chronobecca reveals their own Overdrive form!

Declaring that Universe Zero isn’t a paradise but that the number of Edens is Zero, Chronobecca powers up a massive attack. An attack that measures 10 72 joules: a big bang. 

Review

I’m at a loss as to what is happening right now. Or what Mashima’s endgame may end up being.

Firstly, we still know nothing about Chronobecca. Who are they, why are they at the heart of the Chronophage, and what do they mean by this universe not having their ‘time.’ There are a few theories regarding their true identity I’ve come up with/heard. Some think Chronobecca might be an alternate version of Rebecca. Given how the story runs on the concept of time travel and alternate universes, that could be possible. They might even be a version of Rebecca that was left behind when she first escaped death. Or they could be a relative of Rebecca, given how they have a similar appearance to her and use their legs to fight. 

Regardless of the reasoning that Chronobecca is using to justify things, Shiki is right. What they’re doing is wrong. So many people Shiki has met have suffered across different realities. They’ve endured so much loss and now have a chance to create a universe where everyone can be happy. What Chronobecca is doing is selfish, and regardless of who they are, they need to be stopped. 

In any case, this chapter did surprise me. I wasn’t expecting Shiki to regain his original Overdrive form, but it might be the advantage he needs. If his gravity is as strong as a black hole, he may be able to bring the Chronophage to heel. However, he doesn’t have much time left. Mother has almost wholly faded; it’s game over for everyone when that happens. Fingers crossed, I’m hoping that Shiki can pull this off. I want Edens Zero to end on a satisfying note!

I Give “10 72 Joules” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 283 Review/Recap

Cure’s down, and now Freyja’s down. The only thing holding the Edens Zero up now is the Edens One. Without that ship, the Zero could broadcast the signal to summon the Chronophage to enact Shiki’s plan. With time running out for Mother, Shiki decides to take manners into his own hands and bring the Chronophage back himself. However, he’s not prepared to find what lies within the literal belly of the beast.

Recap

Having regained control of their ship, the Crew of Edens makes it to the Spa and finds an injured Homura unconcious. They quickly rush her to the medical bay whilst turning their attention back to the One. The two ships begin to trade volleys, but with time running out for Mother, Shiki can’t afford to wait around. Thus, he goes with Plan B.

Using his Warp Ether Gear to reach Xiao Mei’s location, Shiki’s a little surprised to learn she’s aware of the multiverse idea. Fortunately, in lieu of fighting like last time, Xiao Mei agrees to send Shiki to the Chronophage in exchange for saving Mother. Once there, Shiki flies into the creature’s mouth, planning to use his Gravity to make it cooperate from inside. Amidst the swirling maelstrom of the Chronophage’s belly, Shiki is surprised to find he’s not alone. At the center of the storm is a lone, mysterious figure who says one thing: “Give back…my time.”

Review

Okay, I wasn’t expecting any of that to happen. And I have no real clue as to what that entity is in the first place. It could be the true form of the Cronophage, or a new entity altogether. Regardless, this could become a problem for Shiki.

Beyond that, the only real thing that I have to say regarding this chapter is that my guess about Xiao Mei being the Earth’s Moon was correct. She must have entered Overdrive herself when Mother did. So it makes sense that she is invested in ensuring that Mother remains alive. 

There wasn’t much else for me to say about this chapter beyond these two things. I have no clue what that being at the heart of the Chronophage is, but it might be the key to making Shiki’s plan work. Here’s hoping that it won’t cause too much trouble.

I Give “In the Belly of Time” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 215 Review/Recap

Okay, so, umm… what the heck? Of all the ways this could’ve gone, I didn’t expect it to go like this. Of all the beings that could end up being the true enemy…I didn’t expect it to be a ship. This is some Skynet meets Ultron nonsense going on here. 

Recap

Ziggy is dead, and Pino is safe. However, as Shiki points out, he knew that Ziggy was faking being evil when he heard him call Pino “little girl.” He knew, but he went along anyway for both their sakes. 

News of Ziggy’s death spreads to everyone on Lendard, but their troubles aren’t over. A Chronophage is en route to Lendard, without Rebecca summoning it. With the clock ticking, the heroes regroup and prepare to haul ass. However, aboard the Edens Zero, Hermit pulls Shiki to one side and reveals that she learned the identity of the true enemy, who she suspects was responsible for the Shining Star’s loss of memory. It’s not a human or machine, though; it’s not even a person in the basic sense. It was an AI aboard Ziggy’s ship, the Edens One. Their true enemy is the Edens One itself.

Review

Like I said: Ultron. Meets. Skynet.

I have to tip my hat to Hiro Mashima; I wasn’t expecting the true enemy to be the Edens One itself. That caught me completely off-guard. So the AI aboard the Edens One achieved sentience, turned into Ultron, and decided to act against Ziggy’s mission. The question is, why? What does it have to gain from wiping out all life in the universe? Did something happen that made it turn on Ziggy?

We can speculate all we want, really, but that doesn’t change the facts. Everything that’s happened is on the Edens One’s metaphorical head. 

At least the OSI has seen that Shiki’s not evil. Maybe Justice will drop his hatred for Homura once he knows that Jesse killed Creed. On top of this, Shiki now has Nero’s powers for himself. All that’s left is for them to escape Lendard before the Chronophage arrives. However, I’m still worried about why it’s coming without being called. There’s more at work than we know, and we need to find out. I have theories, but I don’t know if they’re right, so I won’t say anything.

Shiki, beat up Ultron!

I Give “From the Depths of the Earth” a 3.5/5

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