RJ Writing Ink

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

Click here to see more animanga stuff

Edens Zero Chapter 104 Review/Recap

Thanks to the intervention of Elsie Crimson, Ziggy and the Edens One have retreated. That’s small comfort to Shiki and the Shining Stars. They now have to accept the fact that Shiki’s adopted grandpa’s now his worst enemy. However, what could have brought about this change following his resurrection? In this chapter, Elsie Crimson gives us some clues and explains her past with Ziggy.

Recap

The first Elsie does once on the Edens Zero is enjoy is giant baths with Rebecca and Homura. She says skin ship is a great way to bond. Homura, though, demands a duel with Elsie. The redhead then manages to catch Homura’s ether sword with her foot.

And promptly kicks her butt.

As soon as the girls are out of the baths, though, Shiki wants to know the truth about Ziggy and Elsie’s relationship with him. So, she sits the gang down and has a nice chat with them.

Many years ago, Elsie was a refugee from war when Ziggy found her. He let her stay on the Edens Zero as he returned to Granbell with baby Shiki. When he finally returned to Granbell, he left the Zero to her, with the promise of giving it to Shiki when the time came. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to survive on her own, so she just kept stealing. Next thing she knew, she was called a pirate.

After she gave the ship to Shiki, she returned to Granbell to visit Ziggy’s grave. However, she found that his mechanical body was emitting a new, dark ether from it. She doesn’t know what could have happened to him, but she’s determined to take him down, and invites Shiki to do the same.

Shiki’s ultimate goal hasn’t changed, though. He’s going to stop his grandpa’s plans, see Mother, and have her repair Granbell. With new resolve, the crew of Edens Zero reaches the border between Sakura Cosmos and Outer Space: Dragonfall.

Review

Well, it’s nice that we finally got some backstory regarding Mashima’s expy for Erza Scarlet. Everyone’s thinking it, so I’m only saying it. Personality wise, Elsie is a more of a troll than Erza was, but she’s got her monstrous strength! It also explains why someone so nice is a pirate. Then again, so is Luffy.

The big concern, though, is about Ziggy. I have a new theory now: what if that’s not really Ziggy in his body, but something far more sinister? Elsie dis say this dark ether is different from the Demon King’s. Perhaps he’s been infected by some malevolent force with one goal: to see mother.

Regardless, it looks like our time in the Sakura Cosmos is about to come to an end. We’re going to see the whole universe now, and I am pumped for what’s to come. This chapter does a good job of preparing ourselves for everything that’s about to happen. So many adventures and mysteries await us. I’m pumped!

I Give “The Woman They Call Pirate” a 3.8/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff.

Edens Zero Chapter 103 Review/Recap

All right, I will be the first to admit that I may be wrong. Ziggy’s face-heel turn may be genuine and not just an act to see if Shiki’s ready to make the journey to see Mother. It doesn’t matter, though. What matters now is that Ziggy’s trying to destroy Edens Zero. This chapter pits Zero against One in a clash of the Cosmos!

Recap

Once more, Shiki and the Shining Stars plead to Ziggy to come to his senses, wondering what could have happened to him. Their pleas fall on deaf ears, though. Despite Conner raising objections over the Zero having only women and children, the Dark Stars shut him down. Reluctantly, Conner follows his orders: sink the Edens Zero.

It’s Edens vs. Edens as the clash of the cosmos begins. However, true to Ziggy’s word, the Edens One seems to outclass the Edens Zero in every way. One can outrun Zero, it has better weapons, and worse, it has the Dark Stars. Just one of them is able to obliterate the drone force the Edens Zero has on board

Just when the heroes are on the ropes, a familiar face appears: Elsie Crimson! Using the Skull Fairy, she obliterates the attacking drones, letting the Zero evade the One’s Ether Cannon. Not wanting to fight Elsie, Ziggy orders Conner to withdraw for the moment. With that, the Clash of the Cosmos comes to an end. But is this only the beginning?

Review

I still don’t know yet if Ziggy’s really evil or if this is just him playing his role as “Demon King” for Shiki’s sake. Like I said, though, that doesn’t matter. He’s Shiki’s enemy now, and Shiki needs to be ready to fight him when the time comes.

At the moment, though, we still know so little about what could have made Ziggy like this. My guess: next chapter, Elsie will enlighten us a little about it. In the meantime, though, can we talk about just how epic this space fight was.

The chapter lives up to its name of “Clash of the Cosmos”, in my opinion. The ship to ship combat between the Edens reminds me of the best fights in Star Wars and Star Trek. And the appearances of the Dark Stars are very intimidating.

That said, this is chapter where the manga format holds the story back. There’s just not enough room to appreciate the epic space battle we see. If the anime reaches this point, I’m sure will get more out of it. Until then, though, I’m left waiting.

I Give “Clash of the Cosmos” a 4/5. Good Chapter, Held Back By Manga Format.

Click here to see more animanga stuff.

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

Click here to see more of my animanga stuff!