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Edens Zero Chapter 291 Review/Recap

It’s over, people. The battle for the fate of the universe is now over, and Shiki has won. I’m sure that if the anime ever gets to this point, it will be a far more emotional moment. For now, I’m just happy to see that the struggles of the Crew of Edens have endured has been worth it. However, the end of this chapter does not bode well for one member: Pino.

Recap

As the others watch, Shiki uses his gravity ether to purge the remnants of the Chronophage from Rebecca’s body. However, her future counterpart will not go quietly and refuses to leave. So, Shiki helps her to remember. To remember who she is, everything they’ve done together, and what they mean to each other.

It works. Finally remembering who she is, the Chronophage allows her Ether to fade away.

Though, Rebecca is left wondering what she’s doing in the middle of space. Or where her clothes went. None of that matters, though. Shiki and Rebecca are together and safe.

Everyone then returns to the Edens Zero. Joyful reunions are had by everyone. But as everyone celebrates, Pino thinks about how happy she is to see everyone else happy before going off to a corner. Thanking everyone for giving her the chance to meet them, Pino says that her role is now finished, and goodbye to Shiki as she slumps against the wall.

Review

There’s not much for me to say about this chapter. How can there be when we are so close to the end of the story? For those who were hoping that this final fight would be more dramatic, I don’t know what to tell you. The fighting already climaxed a few chapters ago when Shiki used it to defeat Chronobecca. What happened here was her last, dying gasp.

I will say this, though: that moment where Shiki and Rebecca are holding hands might have indicated that they have gone from being friends to being romantically involved. Considering how close they’ve become since the day they met, and that Void was/is their possible future son, this feels like the logical conclusion. We’ll have to wait and see with the final two chapters, though.

Why Does Pino Think She No Longer Has a Role?

What I’m more concerned with, though, is the fact that Pino might have just died. The way she went off on her own, slumped against the wall, and mentally said goodbye to Shiki can only be seen as such. My question is why, though? Did something happen in the final battle that made this inevitable? Or was this simply her choice now that she fulfilled her main purpose? Either way, I dont want to say goodbye to Pino yet. Or has she forgotten how she wants to become a real girl? Then again, if she’s anything like her namesake, Pino may end up becoming human through some miracle. Or she might get reincarnated as one. Either way, I don’t want this to be the end to Pino; not when they’ve finally succeeded in their mission!

In any event, it looks like the final two chapters will make up the falling action of the series. Shiki and the others still have to ensure that Earth’s Ether doesn’t run out, or else all of this will have been for nothing. In addition, I can’t help but wonder how the people of Earth will react to what are essentially aliens coming down to visit them. Or how the Shining Stars will react to meeting their human counterparts. And there’s the possibility that Shiki might meet himself as a baby! The bottom line, we may only have two chapters left, but I’m betting that they’re going to be pretty fun. Say what you want, but Mashima has a good track record with how he ends his series!

I Give “My Role” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 102 Review/Recap

Okay, let’s review what happened at the end of the last chapter. Shiki’s grandpa Ziggy came back to life, only to attack Shiki and the others. Then he claims that he no longer sees organics as worth being friends with. And with the newly arrived Edens One, he plans to conquer the cosmos and have machines rule over all. And I don’t buy it for a second! I don’t think Ziggy is evil, but only time will tell.

Recap

As everyone looks on shocked, Ziggy commands Pino to join him. He’s her creator and master; she serves him. The others still can’t believe that Ziggy has turned into what stands before them. As if to prove a point, though, Ziggy uses his powers to destroy the Granbell Kingdom.

Shiki’s able to save Rebecca, but Pino just stands stock still, unable to defy her programming. Shiki pleads with her to decide what she wants out of her life. Ziggy doesn’t control her, and he never will. Her life belongs to her. Regaining her senses, Pino tearfully says she wants to go with Shiki and be human.

Frustrated, Ziggy then chooses to leave on the Edens One, forcing the others to escape on the Edens Zero as Granbell crumbles around them. Face to face with the Edens One and Captain Connor, Shiki and the others get one more shock. Ziggy introduces them to the his successors to the Shining Stars: the Fours Dark Stars of the Demon King.

Review

Look, I’m well aware that Ziggy could be serious about his face-heel turn. He could, in fact, have become as evil as he’s acting. But given everything I know about Mashima’s style of writing, this just seems too far out of character for him. I don’t think he’s actually evil now.

Think about it. Based on everything we’ve seen, Ziggy did care about Shiki and wanted him to grow up strong. Every one of the Shining Stars took his ideals to heart when they parted ways. It just seems too out of character for Ziggy to do this! Unless, he was playing into his role as Demon King. That was his original purpose, after all: to be the last boss of the Granbell Kingdom. The only reason he could be doing this is to test Shiki. To see if he’s strong enough to make it outside the Sakura Cosmos.

Only time will tell if my theory is correct. Either way, though, I think that this will make for a heck of a finale to our time in the Sakura Cosmos.

I Give “Time to Say Goodbye” a 3/5

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