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Edens Zero Chapter 275 Review/Recap

So, at this point, we know how Mother came to be and what Shiki has to do with her. He was the only human who managed to survive the destruction of Earth thanks to Ziggy. However, what didn’t make sense was how Ziggy wound up going back far enough to see Mother’s birth in the first place. As it turns out, he didn’t. That’s due to even more timey-wimey nonsense going on. It’s only thanks to me be so well-versed in time travel stories that I’m able to make sense of all this! 

Buckle up. This is going to be confusing.

Recap

Ziggy is at a loss for words; how could Mother, a being said to have existed for eons, have been born in front of him. As Mother explains, that is due to outside interference. A Chronophage had eaten the last 20,000 years of her time, returning her to when she was simply Earth. Everyone on it was supposed to have died, but thanks to Ziggy, Shiki lived.

Intrigued by this, Mother makes Ziggy an offer to entrust the future of the cosmoses to Shiki. When he returns to her, he can choose to revive the Earth and let Mother become the source of all Ether in the Cosmoses. Or, he can choose to enjoy the universe he has at the cost of her Ether running dry and disappearing forever. Before Ziggy can argue about anything, Mother teleports him away.

Now tasked with raising Shiki, Ziggy has no clue what to do. So, to help him, he uses the data he recorded from the room to make Android copies to help raise him. Dubbing them the four Shining Stars, he implants false memories of a journey to find Mother that was cut short due to finding Shiki.

Watching the memories, Rebecca and Happy are shocked that Ziggy lied to the Shining Stars. However, Pino explains through the data Ziggy left her his reasoning. They needed the memories to stabilize them, or else they wouldn’t work. None of that matters to Shiki, though. All he cares about is whether or not Witch is his mom.

Review

It took me a little bit to figure out what was going on, but I think I have an idea about what happened. So, let me explain.

Making Sense of it All

All of the events that led to Mother’s birth happened 20,000 years before the start of the series. That led to the birth of the four Cosmoses and the life that populated it. But her birth also led to all life on Earth dying. That’s how it originally went.

However, about twenty years ago, a Chronophage reverted her back to her original state as a planet, restarting the whole thing. Except this time, Ziggy showed up after going on his quest to find another, and his meddling led to Shiki surviving. From there, Ziggy would take Shiki back to Granbell and raise him, and events proceed as they do in the story. 

So, to clarify, it’s not that Shiki is thousands of years old or was sent into the future as a baby. He’s like Weiss, a person from a planet hit by a Chronophage. And if any of this is still confusing, don’t forget, time travel has been a big part of Edens Zero since the beginning. It’s why all this timey-wimey stuff works without changing too much.

Well, it does change a few things. I was not expecting the reveal that the Shining Stars’ memories were made up. Mashima fooled so many of us in that regard. In addition, the fact that Witch is, technically, his mom makes her death in the last universe all the more heartbreaking in hindsight. And I say technically because Shiki’s birth mother, the human Regret, is already dead.

This Just Changed the Endgame

While some people might be upset at the fact that the men and women in the flashbacks weren’t the last lives of the Shining and Dark Stars, I don’t see it as a bad thing. While they are Android clones of the group of eight, that doesn’t make them any less than their own people. In hindsight, it also makes the fighting between the Shining and Dark Stars a little less heartbreaking. They’re not friends turned enemies because they were never friends to begin with.

It all sounds confusing, I know. I’m barely able to put everything together. The important thing is that everything that we’ve learned about in the story still matters. It all still happens.

Now that Shiki knows the full story, though, he’s going to have to either make the choice or find another option. Saving Mother will not just save the universe, but bring back the Earth and everyone on it who died (hopefully.) However, it would also mean that many of his friends would eventually die. What a terrible choice to make, and I don’t know what the right one to make might be. Here’s hoping Shiki can find a way out of this. Also, we still need to know what the heck led to the Edens One go nuts.

Good job at misleading us, though, Mashima. You had the wool pulled over my eyes! 

I Give “The Four Shining Stars are Born” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 274 Review/Recap

To recap the last chapter of Edens Zero: 20,000 years in the past, the future Shining Stars and Dark Stars came up with a crazy plan to save Earth by forcing it to Overdrive. While they were doing this, Shiki was born to Regret and Leonard, AKA Witch and Wizard. Unfortunately, their attempts to save the world came too little, too late. It’s armageddon for Earth, and the birth of Mother is imminent!

Recap

The collapse of all life on Earth has begun. Disasters are striking all over the planet, countless people and animals are dying, and it seems to be the end of days. In the midst of all this, Ivry manages to pull Cooper out of some rubble and get them to Yuna’s lab. There, the future Shining and Dark Stars discuss how the government wouldn’t approve of Yuna’s proposal to make the planet go Overdrive. So, Mio hacks into everything and makes it happen, anyway. Once it starts, the Ether will purify itself while the Earth enters hibernation until its ready to reform.

By the time Ziggy arrives on the planet, though, things seem to be too late. Everyone is dead, including the Shining and Dark Stars; the only one he finds alive is an infant Shiki. As he ponders what to do with Shiki, though, the ground begins to shake underneath him. Earth’s enveloped in an overwhelming, bright light. Before Ziggy can understand what’s happening, the planet enters Overdrive. When the light subsides, Ziggy finds himself standing before a massive, ethereal woman, Mother.

Review

We knew that things weren’t going to end well for the Earth, but holy toledo, that was dark.

Firstly, it’s disappointingly realistic for the governments of the world to not approve of Yuna’s plan to save the world. Even when they are out of other options and time, not everyone is willing to get onboard with a plan that they might consider crazy. Thankfully, Mio managed to override them and make it happen anyway, thus leading to Earth becoming Mother. However, she and the others wouldn’t live to see it happen as Humans. We don’t know how they were remade into machines in the present day, but it likely has something to do with Mother.

As for how Ziggy is there, I do have a theory about that. Remember how Ziggy said he tried to make it to Universe 0, only to get attacked by a Chronophage and lost his memories? He woke up on the planet Granbell, but what if that wasn’t the first place he ended up? What if he did end up making it to Mother? Or rather, right before Mother was born? That would explain why he’s on Earth as it’s entering Overdrive and turning into Mother. Then, as part of whatever promise made, he had to lose his memory of the event and get sent 20,000 years into the future to create a stable time loop. It’s crazy, but for now, it’s the only theory I’ve got. 

This chapter had a lot for us to unpack, and despite knowing how poorly it would end, it was still hard to look at. 

I Give “Earth’s Destruction” a 3.5/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 263 Review/Recap

The fight aboard the Edens One continues! Shiki would’ve fallen at the hands of Lightning Law had it not been for the intervention of Rebecca using her time-powers one last time. However, with Law remaining a threat, it’s up to Laguna to face him while Rebecca and Shiki head further into the ship. And, not only does Law become the latest member of the Crew of Edens to unlock Overdrive, it gives him a new set of powers. The kind that are very similar to a certain ice-wielding wizard from Mashima’s other work. 

Recap

As Law remains surprised that Laguna turned his bots into water, the water-user says that he’ll be next. Even though he seems to be at a disadvantage due to water conducting electricity, Laguna soon turns the tables on Law. His water can also short-circuit a machine like Law, meaning that he’ll take just as much damage. As a result, the fight becomes one of attrition, with both sides equally matched.

Until, that is, Laguna manages his unlock his own Overdrive form, allowing him to convert his water into ice. Law puts up a final stand as he says the dream of human-machine coexistence to be dead, only to get rebutted by Laguna as he slices him up with his water.

Meanwhile, in the vastness of space, Xiaomei watches over the fight between the Edens, musing if this is where Edens Zero will meet its end. However, she’s interrupted by the thoughts of Mother. Calling Xiaomei Luna, Mother asserts her belief that the Edens Zero will be the heroes who will save reality.

Review

There isn’t that much to say about this chapter, really. On the one hand, I was a little surprised to see Laguna enter Overdrive for the first time. Moreso considering how he now has the same ice powers as Gray Fullbuster from Mashima’s previous work, Fairy Tail. All he needs to do is lose the shirt, and he’ll be just like Gray. 

The biggest surprise, though, was the appearance of Mother and Xiaomei. It’s already established that Xiaomei’s met Mother in the past. However, this is the first time they’ve talked to each other. There’s also the matter of the threads coming out of Mother’s body attaching her to her asteroid/throne. I don’t know why, but they seem to be how Mashima’s showing how her life is in danger. The most interesting thing, though, is how Mother called Xiaomei “Luna.” I don’t know why, but that name feels like it’s going to be important in the future. 

A ‘meh’ chapter, overall.

I Give “Luna” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 220 Review/Recap

Have you ever heard of the story “Flashpoint” from DC Comics? Eleven years ago, DC Comics rebooted the DC Universe by having Flash reset the timeline, changing things up and altering people’s history and memories. It didn’t stick, but it was still a big moment for DC Comics. The reason I’m bringing this up here is because Mashima basically had his own Flashpoint. The journey to Universe Zero becomes a soft reset for Edens Zero, and I’m excited!

Recap

As Rebecca watches her mother leave the Edens Zero, she reflects on the last things Rachel told them:

1. Universe Zero could be everything they want it to be, or not want it to be.
2. What happens there will overwrite all other Universes and merge them into one.
3. Universe Zero will overwrite their memories, history, and even whether they’re alive or not.
4. No do-overs. No more resets. 

Despite the dangers, the Crew of Edens knows they have no choice. The multiverse’s survival depends on it. They go through with the plan to reach Universe Zero using the power of Etherion.

The Shining Stars, with Pino filling in for Witch, unlock Etherion, revealed to be none other than Future Rebecca’s B-Cube, containing her remaining Ether. Unfortunately, unlocking the door activates Etherion, preparing the ship to travel to Universe Zero. 

Despite everyone panicking and not being emotionally prepared, Shiki asserts everything will be fine. Even if they’re separated, have their memories changed, or have anything else happen to them, they’ll still find each other. With Rebecca and Shiki vowing not to forget each other, the crew braces itself as they travel to Universe Zero.

In the Sakura Cosmos, a young Shiki looks up at the night sky and sees a shooting star in the night sky.

Review

Like I said, this is similar to the “Flashpoint” story from DC Comics. In this case, the Flashpoint is created by Shiki and the Edens Zero…and it might be one of the best ideas Mashima’s used. I was blown away when I saw the spoilers for this on Reddit. Right when I feared Edens Zero had lost its steam, Mashima does something crazy like this. 

What Mashima’s done is give Edens Zero a soft reset. As a result, the history, personalities, and relationships of all the characters we’ve met could radically change. People who died may come back to life, people still alive might be dead (I hope not!), and relationships could be up-ended. Valkyrie might have never left Homura, Creed could be alive, Labilia might have never been a famous B-Cuber. The possibilities are endlessly exciting…and terrifying. The heroes could end up as enemies and not remember each other. Or will they?

Shiki could be the key to reminding his family of their shared past. His Gravity Ether’s able to draw in the memories of others, even those in alternate realities. If anyone could remember everything, it would be Shiki. If this is the manga’s “Flashpoint,” then Shiki’s the Flash. 

For the first time in a while, I have no clue where this story will go. It’s a scary thought, being unable to predict what might happen…but it’s also exciting. I’m looking forward to being surprised at what happens next, and from what I saw on Reddit, many fans feel the same way. I’m hoping that Mashima doesn’t disappoint us. This is Edens Zero “Flashpoint.”

I Give “Etherion” a 5/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 219 Review/Recap

From the moment Shiki left Granbell behind, his goal in life has been to find Mother. That goal never changed, not even after his alternate self became Ziggy, or got possessed by an evil AI. However, it was the events on Lendard that gave the quest for Mother a new sense of urgency due to her death in all but one Universe. This chapter reveals just what might happen: Mother is dying, and they need to reach her before its too late. 

Recap

Having reunited with her parents, Rebecca formally introduces them to her crewmates. The two…go through a lifetime of parental bonding, much to Rebecca’s mild annoyance, since most of her friends are orphans. Her friends don’t mind, though. They’re happy she has another family. However, Rachel surprises them all by saying she’s going to return to her home planet to help what few survivors are left. But she plans to see them again in another world. She then drops a big bombshell: Mother is dying.

According to Rachel, Mother’s life force is on the verge of going out. Since Mother is responsible for the creation of all life, when she dies, all life will soon follow. It’s the same in almost every Universe, save one: Universe Zero, the Universe of possibilities. Rachel tells Rebecca that the only way to do that is by either Rebecca or her powers or the power of the Edens Zero. However, since it’s the starting point for the multiverse, once they reach it, there’s no going back. They won’t be able to travel through time or the multiverse anymore. In other words, Universe Zero is the final world.

Review

Well, I guess I can stop comparing this manga to One Piece now. While the initial premise is similar, One Piece doesn’t involve time travel or the multiverse. And while it may involve the fate of the world, it certainly doesn’t involve the fate of all life.

Firstly, though, I really enjoyed seeing how awkward Rebecca was around her parents. I understand that they want to make up for lost time, but Rebecca’s a young adult now with her own life. They can’t get back the time they lost, but they can still look forward to the time they have. However, it’s bittersweet knowing that their current Universe may soon end. 

I don’t really understand why Mother is dying, but I imagine it will be revealed in due time. What matters is that right now, Shiki and the others need to reach Universe Zero first. If the Edens One makes it there, it could kill Mother and end all life in the Multiverse. Those are the highest possible stakes I can think of. They’ll need to push the Edens Zero to its absolute limits to get into Universe Zero, and I’m very curious to see how that happens. Until then, though, I just hope Rebecca can see her mom again. She deserves to meet her parents. 

Also, I really loved how Rachel immediately asked which of the guys was Rebecca’s boyfriend! Such a classic parent move!

I Give “The Final World” a 4/5

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