What is Chronobecca’s Deal?!?
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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Who is the Woman in the Chronphage?
Edens Zero Chapter 284 Review/Recap
In the last chapter of Edens Zero, most of Void’s allies are now down for the count. All that’s left to stop Shiki’s plan to save Mother is Void, who’s fighting Ziggy, and the Edens One, now locked in combat with the Zero. When Shiki decided to find the Chronophage, he went into its stomach and saw someone inside. He doesn’t know who this person is, and unfortunately, this chapter doesn’t do much to explain things. It does, however, see Ziggy deal Void a blow that he may not be able to recover from.
What is going on anymore?!?
Recap
Shiki has no clue who the person inside the Chronophage is but is surprised when she parts the maelstrom. With the winds gone, Shiki finds himself in a hodgepodge of all the worlds and eras that the Chronophage’s consumed, which the woman uses to attack him. Managing to speak, she says she was a priestess whose time was stolen and now wants it back. Shiki doesn’t care about her reasons; she’s only been causing trouble for the cosmos. And he will bring her back to save Mother by force if he has to!
Back with the others, the Zero and One continue to trade volley after volley in a fierce battle while Void and Ziggy continue their struggle elsewhere. Void keeps justifying wanting to kill Mother so that humanity will die, leaving Machines to rule all existence. Dismayed that his son has turned out like this but determined to make things right, Ziggy refutes everything Void says as he unleashes a new attack, the xenoflare.
Using his gravity to manipulate blades as they attack Void, Void manages to dodge them all—except one that aims at Ziggy’s true target: Void’s legs, AKA the source of his Time Ether.
Review
Very clever move, Ziggy. Very smart, indeed.
Firstly, though, let’s discuss the woman within the Chronophage, whom I will call the Time Priestess from here on out for convenience’s sake. Going into this chapter, I still had no clue who this woman was or why Mashima decided to include her. As I read through it, I realized something: the Time Priestess has cat ears. And her attacks consist primarily of kicks. That sounds an awful lot like Rebecca. Therefore, this Time Priestess might be a distant relative or ancestor of Rebecca and her mother. It doesn’t explain what she’s doing inside the Chronophage, if she’s the Chronophage itself, or what she’s trying to achieve, but it’s still a start.
As for the fight between Void and Ziggy, that was a smart move for Ziggy to pull. Rebecca’s Time Ether is in her legs, and if Void’s Ether works like hers, the same should apply to him. Cutting off his legs would keep him from using his Uno-reverse move to undo any significant damage. However, this will not be enough to stop him. Either he has another way to use his Leaper powers, or worse, he might try and get a replacement set of legs from Rebecca. Considering how she’s her potential future mother, that’s nightmare fuel in and of itself.
I don’t know how long we have until the end, but it feels like Hiro Mashima is bringing Edens Zero to the ultimate climax. I wish he wouldn’t write like he’s trying to drag the story out longer because it makes these chapters feel a little underwhelming. Here’s hoping he comes up with a good finale.
I Give “Xenoflare” a 3.5/5
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Putting the “Pop” in Pop Culture!
