RJ Writing Ink

Edens Zero Chapter 246 Review/Recap

Those who follow the work of Hiro Mashima know that he is fond of the art of fanservice. Some would argue that it’s to a potentially unhealthy degree, but there are times when it’s appropriate. Case in point, the perennial favorite of many anime, the beach episode. The last time the Edens Zero was in the Aoi Cosmos, they stopped at the beautiful beach world of Red Cave. Now that they’re in Universe Zero, they’re ready to go back. 

It also turns out that two characters we know are expies from Mashima’s first manga series.

Recap

Having been told to meet up with the OSI on Red Tide, the Crew of Edens heads to the fire planet for the first time since arriving in Universe Zero. Since they’re early, though, they can’t resist the opportunity to have themselves a beach day. 

Moscoy and Sister have some… quality time.

Homura and Valkyrie take the chance to have some friendly sparring…and do pretty well. 

Rebecca and Hermit discuss the mysteries surrounding the OSG member Joker Helix, with Hermit revealing there’s no record of them on the Internet. At all. When the sun sets and the light ether starts to gather, though, Shiki gives Rebecca a chance to film like the first time around.

Eventually, though, Holy and Eraser arrive on planet, revealing their true names to be Reina and Hamrio. First things first, though, they take them to their Aoi Cosmos HQ, AKA Nadia’s temple, of which she is the director, much to their surprise. What’s more surprising, though, is who told them about the multiverse: the OSI’s director in the Sakura Cosmos, Noah Glenfield!

Review

This chapter was full of both fun moments and surprises, both of which were enjoyable. 

Firstly, the beach parts were enjoyable, if only because they gave us a good example of the slice-of-life stuff that Mashima enjoys adding into his manga. This was the first chance the majority of the Crew of Edens has gotten to really enjoy themselves since coming to Universe Zero, so it was important to see. Even if Sister used it to indulge her sadism. 

The big surprises, though, were what should’ve drawn the reader’s attention, though. It turns out that Holy and Eraser were expies of Reina and Hamrio Musica, characters from Mashima’s first manga series, Rave Master. Hamrio, in particular, was part of the main group of heroes from that series, so it’s a nice callback. However, it doesn’t bode well for Holy, though. It was also nice to see Mashima bring Nadia back. I almost forgot about her after the original Red Cave arc, so it was nice to see her again.

At the very least, this chapter did explain how the OSI knows about the multiverse. Noah Glenfield told them about it thanks to his powers. The downside is that this means I was wrong about it being Xiao Mei. You can’t win them all, I suppose.

I Give “Reina and Hamrio” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 11 Review/Recap

Well, it looks like the Red Cave Arc is over now. No big enemy to fight, just a major revelation about Mother and what kind of effect that she has on the universe. Also, remember how last chapter, I guessed that Andrew somehow got his hands on the treasure of Red Cave before he died?

Called it!

Recap

After coming into contact with Mother’s Ether, it went inside the aquatic forcefield that Shiki used to get past the lava. As a result, it turns into this small, rainbow-colored lacrima. Nadia explains that what Shiki encountered was leftover Ether from the treasure in the temple. It was one of many items, called Relics, found throughout the universe that contains Mother’s Ether. If they find enough of them, they’ll lead a person to Mother.

Right after this, though, Witch drops the ball by flat out telling Nadia the cold truth: Andrew’s dead.

Just to prove it to Nadia, Witch shows the memory chip from the crashed ship, revealing Andrew’s final log. He was able to recover the relic from the thief, but as he was returning to Red Cave, his ship got hit by a meteoroid, blowing him off course. He died before he could return home. Nadia does not take the news well, and breaks her cable in order to see for herself.

Andrew’s death was not in vain, though. He was able to bring the Relic back on his ship, and thus it’s able to power all the robots once more. And apparently, it lowers the sea level as well.

Review

I have to say, I did not expect the Red Cave Arc to end like this. Then again, Mashima has a history of following up massive shake-ups to his story with an arc that is far smaller in comparison. In addition, I feel really bad with how Nadia learned that her beloved Andrew was dead. Dear god, Witch, show a little tact! His death was not in vain, however, as he got the relic back to Red Cave.

In addition, Nadia and Andrew both managed to prove that love between an organic and a machine is possible. Thus, Ziggy’s claims that friendship between the two are impossible is wrong, and everyone in Edens Zero will know it going forward. That’s only going to strengthen their resolve to stop whatever force has possessed Ziggy.

I don’t know where the manga will go from here, but now we have a method of finding Mother. Which means we’re going to be seeing a lot more planets, and new Relics to track down. It’s the adventure spanning the cosmos that I can’t wait to see become an anime.

I Give “The Sky of Days Long Past” A 4/5.

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Edens Zero Chapter 109 Review/Recap

Firstly, I’m sorry that this post is late, but the website that updates the chapters was slow this week. Secondly, when I heard that the planet of Red Cave was supposed to be a fire planet, I called it ironic due to its abundance of water. However, I know that Mashima was just messing with us. That he’d show us why Red Cave’s a fire planet. And as we watch Shiki and the others face their biggest hurdle yet, we see that this was an accurate classification.

Recap

After getting over the shock of their meeting, Nadia explains that she is the guardian of the temple to Mother. To be precise, she’s been its guardian for two hundred years, protecting a treasure long gone. That, and a beacon leading to Mother. She does not stop the gang from going on ahead in search of the beacon. However, she warns them that they may not make it there alive.

Nadia wasn’t joking, either. As the gang travels through an underground cave, the temperature begins to rise to unbearable levels. Eventually, the area itself turns into magma that starts to burn everyone. Not even Shiki’s Gravity Gear can protect them! As a result, the group has no choice but to retreat, having learned the truth about the planet’s name of Red Cave.

Now back to square one, the Shining Stars reveal that only someone with armor on Ziggy’s level can make it through the fires of Red Cave. Witch can’t get through it with her Water Ether, either. However, she has a plan that involves her backtracking to Blue Garden. There, she approaches an old adversary: Laguna. Since Drakken Joe fell, he’s been working in disguise on the Opera Scene. Now, Witch wants his help.

Recap

After reading this chapter, I’ve got two things that I want to say about it. Firstly, I am impressed at the reveal of why Red Cave was called a fire planet. At first glance, it looked like the name was ironic, given the tropical waters. I was not expecting it to get its name from the underground caves that are literally on fire! That fact alone makes the name “Red Cave” all the more meaningful in hindsight. Well played, Mashima; well played.

Secondly, I knew that we had not seen the last of Laguna of Drakken Joe’s Element 4. Besides Sylph, Laguna was the only member of the four that I could tolerate, more or less. In addition, he’s the water member of the quartet, and the one in Mashima’s previous manga joined the heroes. I just didn’t expect to see him again so soon.

As far as getting past the gauntlet of fire, though, I think Laguna may be their best shot at getting to the Mother Beacon. Otherwise, Red Cave may be a dead end for the Edens Zero.

The one thing that stood out to me, though, was the revelation that Nadia’s been stuck inside that temple for two hundred years. I’m willing to bet good money that Shiki won’t abide by that and find some way to free her, though, so I look forward to learning more about Nadia. Overall, this was a good, solid chapter.

I Give “Red Cave” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 107 Review/Recap

You know what one of the worst things has been about this global pandemic? The fact that we can’t go to the beach without fear of COVID-19. Fortunately, we have works of fiction to take us to exotic beaches and locales to treat our summertime woes. And if there’s one thing that mangaka like Hiro Mashima are good at, it’s a beach chapter. That, and fanservice. Mashima is big on the fanservice in this beach chapter.

I would also like to point out that this marks the first planet that the crew of Edens Zero visits in the Aoi Cosmos.

Recap

Having arrived on the fire planet of Red Cave, the first thing the heroes note is how ironic that categorization is. The majority of the planet’s a watery paradise that everyone wastes no time in enjoying. As a result, everyone spends the day enjoying beach day activities, while Weisz tries to ogle the girls.

The coolest sights have yet to come, though. At one point, the light ether in the air fuses with the water, creating this spectacular phenomenon that captivates everyone. And Shiki, being who he is, takes Rebecca high into the air so she can record it on her B-Cube.

Before everyone can continue to enjoy the view, though, they see a ship crash into the water. Using these special Lacrima that let them breathe underwater, the group dives into the sea to see if the pilot needs help. The moment they get there, though, they discover that the pilot is long dead. Although, that becomes the least of their concerns as they look at the ocean floor. They realize that there’s an entire city under the sea. And at the center of the city is a building with images of Mother.

Review

I don’t think that I’ve ever mentioned this before, but I love the ocean and the beach a lot! When I was a kid, me and my family would go to the beach at least once a summer, and I just had so much fun there. From enjoying the waves and sand to being with friends, family, and more, it’s just so much fun. In addition, I’ve always wanted to see life under the ocean, but since humans can’t breathe underwater (and I get scared when I can’t see the bottom), that holds me back.

What I’m trying to say is, I really enjoyed this chapter, as it reminded me of why I love the beach in the first place. I know that anime and manga tend to use it for fan service, but’s that secondary to me. Those spectacular panels that Mashima drew with the raining were breath-taking, and I know that they’ll only look better in the anime.

In the meantime, though, I’m curious about this undersea city and its inhabitants. Maybe they know why Red Cave is called a fire planet. If it has something to do with why the pilot in the ship’s dead, though, then I got an uneasy feeling. Only time will tell, I guess. For now, let’s enjoy the beach.

I Give “A Planet Where Stars Fall Like Rain” a 4/5. Loses points for long name. Gains them for the panels.

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