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Edens Zero Chapter 290 Review/Recap

Edens Zero is nearing the end of its run, but there’s one last battle left to fight. Even though Shiki managed to defeat the Chronophage and restore Mother to Planet Earth, he seemingly went missing. In addition, everyone reading figured out that the heart of the Chronophage was a future version of Rebecca. Now that version of her is trying to finish what she started: destroying the universe. And she’s using her alternate self to do so.

Recap

In the alternate timeline Ziggy came from, Shiki and Rebecca were blasted 20,000 years into the future thanks to Shura’s bombs. Shiki survived and became the android Ziggy, while Rebecca. The machines of that era thought that Rebecca had died, and thus kept her body for research. However, they were wrong; somehow, Rebecca was alive, but unable to move or respond. And when Ziggy left on his mission, she could only mentally beg him not to go.

Then, her Ether went crazy. She became the Chronophage, attacking the Zero and sending them both back to the past without their memories. After that, Rebecca started devouring the time of worlds for eons, looking for her lost time and something else she’d forgotten about.

In the present day, Chronobecca’s Ether(?) possesses Rebecca’s body, seeking to use it to destroy all existence! As Happy, Pino, and Ziggy can only look on in horror, though, something amazing happens. Out of nowhere, Shiki reappears, apologizing for not realizing it was her sooner and begging Rebecca(s) not to talk like that.

Review

I know that most of us readers had likely figured out that Rebecca, or a future version of her, was behind the Chronophage. However, after re-reading this chapter, I must admit that the story behind it is incredibly dark. Not only did the alternate version of Rebecca somehow survive being sent to the future, but she was trapped inside her body and mind for likely decades, unable to move or even die. To make matters worse, she had to listen as her closest friend forgot the time they spent together, and then one day, save altogether. No wonder she turned into the Chronophage! After what she endured, I doubt many people could stay sane!

And I’m not just talking about getting sent into the future. Abandoned by her parents, watching her best friend get hit by Truck-Kun, her other best friend starting to bully her, and that’s just before the series even started. What future Rebecca went through was just the straw that broke the camel’s back! And she’s been stuck like this for more than 20,000 years now!

No, really. Mother and Chronobecca both confirmed that the latter had returned the former to her original state as the Earth multiple times. Since the Earth first became Mother 20,000 years ago, that means the Chronophage has been around for that long. That’s horrific to think about.

Shiki Needs to Save Rebecca

Nightmare fuel aside, this revelation (that some readers already figured out) means that a good part of the events of Edens Zero really are a stable time-loop. At the earliest, the loop starts at the end of the Aoi War; at the latest, when everyone made the journey to Universe Zero. That’s the best way I can explain to myself all this timey-wimey stuff, at least.

As for how Shiki is still here, I dont really need some grand explanation. I’m just happy to know that he is still around and that it was another fake-out. Judging by what he says in this chapter, he must have figured out that the heart of the Chronophage was Rebecca. He’s a lot smarter than some people give him credit for. Now he just needs to make sure that Future Rebecca can find peace before she destroys everything.

It may not feel like the best final battle, but I do think that it’s pretty appropriate for the series. Shiki and Rebecca were the ones who started Edens Zero (literally), and they should be the ones to end it.

As a side note, I would like to point out that while Edens Zero might be ending, Fairy Tail is returning with a new anime this July.

I Give “The Girl Who Ate Through Time” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 285 Review/Recap

There are a lot of tropes that I love to see in fiction, and one of the biggest is the arrival of the Cavalry. Right when the good guys are on the verge of losing, when all hope seems lost, who shows up? The cavalry, consisting of their friends and allies. The Ride of the Rohirrim in Lord of the Rings, the portal scene in Avengers: Endgame, the Knights of the Vale at the Battle of the Bastards in Game of Thrones. It’s so awe-inspiring to see, showing how much the protagonists mean to the people. And this chapter sees the Crew of Edens get their own cavalry moment that could save everyone.

Recap

Void is on the verge of defeat at the hands of Ziggy, but the young android refuses to back down. Mirroring this, the Edens One prepares to fire its strongest blast yet, forcing the Zero’s hand. Their ultimate attack is still only at 90%, though, and to make matters worse, a massive fleet of AI-controlled ships appears. The One has been building a fleet of ships to help Void wipe out humankind! Just when all hope seems lost, though, the cavalry comes in.

Thanks to the B-Cubers spreading word about Mother across the universe, almost everyone that Shiki has met comes to the rescue. Oracion Seis Interstelar, the Interstelar Union Army, Kurenai, Drakken Joe and Belial Gore, Shura and the Aoi people, Oasis, and more. They all show up in a big cavalry charge to destroy the One’s fleet! With the way now open and Void distracted, the Zero and Ziggy unleash their final attacks, obliterating the One, and likely Void.

Review

Like I said, I love the cavalry trope in action.

Don’t ask me why, but I love seeing this big moments when all the friends and allies to the hero come charging in to help them. It’s inspiring to see just how many people have had their lives affected by the main characters. Even more so here since the majority of these people were Shiki’s enemies in previous timelines. And given how failing to stop Void will mean the end to all life, they all have a good reason to get involve. Ziggy may say that it’s because they were drawn in by Shiki’s gravity, but I have a simpler explanation: Shiki got that rizz!

Whether this is the end of the One and Void, though, is another matter. It would be disappointing to not learn what made Void the way he is or why he decided to wipe out all humans. If this really his end, though, then it would only be for this version. Void could end up being born in the future, and this time, he won’t be a jerk. 

Great chapter, Mashima. Nothing but praise. I just love those dang cavalry charges!

I Give “0 vs. 1” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 259 Review/Recap

With the Edens One on their tail and the Dark Stars and Oracion Seis Galactica out in force, things aren’t looking for the Edens Zero. They’re facing the Dark Stars, the OSG, O.N.E. Void, and who knows what else all at once. And on top of that, Shiki’s storming the enemy ship on his own. That’s not going to end well!

Recap

After Killer installed the self-destruct program inside the Edens Zero, everyone aboard realizes the ship has ten minutes until it explodes. To make matters worse, Wizard and Killer aren’t the only members of the Dark Stars on the Zero. Clown’s made into the infirmary, and since he was on the ship when it traveled to Universe Zero, he remembers everything. Declaring that he’s not there to fight them, but to end them, he knocks out almost everyone with a poison gas made to harm androids. The only one who’s safe is Happy, whose not a robot in this universe. 

Meanwhile, Shiki launches his one-man assault on the Edens One, and finds it crawling with hordes of androids ready to meet him. They prove no match for Shiki, though, who proceeds to tear his way through the halls of the One. His advance only ceases when he faces an opponent that he can’t plow through: another member of the OSG, Lightning Law. After destroying the remaining androids, Lawn declares this ship will be his final destination.

Twenty-thousand years in the past, Ivry mutters the name “Shiki”, which Regret catches. Despite Ivry brushing it off as nonsense, Regret comments that it’s a good name.

Review

Well, that took me a little off guard. 

To be honest, I had completely forgotten the fact that Clown had been aboard the Edens Zero when it jumped to Universe Zero. With everything that happened since then, it was the sort of thing that quickly got forgotten. Now I wish I hadn’t, as the fact that Clown does remember means he told Void everything. Thus, Void’s got an advantage since it knows what not to do! 

Some people might consider this a cheap attempt to raise the stakes, but it was a smart move on Mashima’s part. Taking a detail that readers likely forgot about and making it relevant down the line makes for good storytelling. Oda does it all the time in One Piece, and everyone loves him for it, so why can’t Mashima. In addition, the fact that Happy’s still organic in this universe suddenly became more important. I don’t know how, but it might be up to him to save everyone in the Infirmary.

As for Shiki, I hope that he doesn’t continue this assault on his own like he is. I remember what happened the last time he charged into a villain’s lair unprepared, and I don’t want a repeat against the OSG like Law.

As for the flashback, I’ve accepted that Mashima’s going to keep teasing us like this by keeping them at the end of every chapter. In a way, it helps build suspense. For example, why did past Ivry bring up Shiki’s name? Are events in the future echoing all the way back to the past somehow? Given how time travel’s a frequent part of Edens Zero, it’s possible. I only hope we get more of an explanation soon. Being kept in the dark for too long like this can hurt a story in the long run.

I Give “Storming the Edens One” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 256 Review/Recap

Hiro Mashima has a funny way of going about things with his stories. Right when you think that you’re losing interest in his manga, he hits you over the head with a plot twist. In this case, what Pino learned from her lost memories is bigger than many thought possible. It’s something that even calls into question the entire history of Edens Zero that’s been presented. 

Recap

As the Edens Zero travels into this mysterious new cosmos, they’re unsure if there’s any life there. The closest planet alone is larger and colder than anything they’ve encountered thus far. Regardless, Witch cautions everyone to be ready for anything as everyone prepares for what may come.

Homura and Valkyrie discuss her death in all previous universes, with the latter wondering if her death would be necessary to set the course of history right. However, a tearful Homura refutes this, saying that she’s seen enough death in any reality. She just wants to live in a world that won’t make her cry, to which Valkyrie complies.

Meanwhile, Homura looks over Weisz’s Arsenal armor, which leads to a surprisingly tender moment between the two of them.

In the Spa of Edens, as Pino grapples with the weight of what she witnessed, Shiki, Rebecca, and Happy arrive. Before she can tell them anything, though, Pino unexpectdly passes out! Shiki rushes her to Sister’s infirmary in a panic. As they do this, though, Pino’s mind (I think) focuses on what she had seen: memories of life 20,000 years ago with four women who look just like the Shining Stars.

Review

Okay, I’m just going to get the minor stuff out of the way first. I liked how Mashima’s acknowledged the existence of the ship between Weisz and Hermit. There’s been many hints of them having feelings for each other, but this confirmed it. That might end up being a death flag, though, as is Homura’s conversation with Valkyrie.

However, the real meat of the chapter comes in the final moments. In the Kaede Cosmos Saga, Shiki saw memories of the Shining Stars and Dark Stars from a past that they didn’t remember. At the time, I believe I speculated that they might be memories of them from their past, or an alternate reality. As it turns out, it might be the former, but on a time span greater than I realized. If what we’re looking at is correct, then the Shining Stars, or the women who became their templates, lived on…present day Earth.

No, I’m being serious. Look at the double-spread page. The streets signs say “Broadway.” They’re driving modern-day cars. The architecture matches up with New York. The signs are all there. Edens Zero could take place thousands of years into mankind’s future. The question is, how did things get this way?

Right now, all I know is that finding Mother will answer most of these questions. It’s not as epic or deep as the likes of One Piece, but this is the kind of plot twist I do like seeing. Good job, Mashima. You got my attention again with Edens Zero.

I Give “From Eternity Long Past” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 255 Review/Recap

Space, the final frontier. There’s always been this mysticism about traveling into the depths of outer space, and boldly going where no one has gone before. While the road to this moment has been long and winding, the story of Edens Zero has led up to this. Shiki and the others are ready to seek out Mother in the depths of the Cosmos and save all existence. Everyone that is, except for Pino, who discovers something that leaves her in tears. 

Recap

With Joker Helix having left Miltz, the groups can finally get underway. That doesn’t stop them from speculating that Joker remains active on the Internet, though. Shiki reassures everyone that it’s fine; she won’t harm Rebecca again, or work for Void.

Having done what they came there for, Professor Weisz and Bernie bid goodbye to everyone and decide to hit up Retro Norma. Before they leave, the Professor gives Pino the thing he was talking about earlier: a log containing her missing memories. Moreover, Professor Weisz reveals that Pino herself asked him to remove those memories before going into stasis in the briefcase that wound up on Retro Norma. 

The others decide not to pay it any mind as they load the Mother Ether into their ship’s computer. As they follow the path, though, they find themselves in an uncharted region of space. One without stars, planets, petals, snow, or water. Nonetheless, they’re determined to follow the path to Mother and press on.

However, in the Spa of Edens, Pino watches the record of her old memories. And whatever she learns…leaves her in tears.

Review

Well, it looks like we’re leaving the Yukino Cosmos behind. It feels disappointing to know that we’ve barely seen any of the Yukino Cosmos, as well as a sign that Mashima wants to move things along too fast. However, beggars can’t be choosers, and I can’t lie about wanting to get the quest for Mother started.

There’s not a lot to say about this chapter beyond what’s going on with Pino. In all the chaos involving Joker, I forgot about the conversation the women had regarding Pino and the Four Shining Stars. However, the fact that Pino willingly erased her own memories means that it had to have been something of great importance. However, given Pino’s horrified reaction at the end, it’s likely something about the Shining Stars that’s too painful for her to want to remember.

I have some theories as to what Pino saw, but it’s doubtful that she’ll tell the others right away. Thus, we best get used to speculating about it for the next few chapters. If it’s as bad as Pino makes it out to be, though, I’m hoping for Mashima to pull his “power of friendship” deus ex machina stuff off. As of now, I’m worried for the Shining Stars lives.

On the plus side, they’re going into uncharted space! That’s so cool!

I Give “An Unexplored Cosmos” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 234 Review/Recap

Everyone at home, I give up. I have tried fighting it so far, but I can’t do that anymore. It pains me to say this, but the Kurenai of Universe Zero isn’t the same as the sociopath we first met and got killed. As far as I’m concerned, this Kurenai did nothing wrong.

Recap

Having driven off the remaining stone bugs, Homura gets the reunion with her teacher she was once denied, while Valkyrie is finally able to meet the Crew of Edens. However, Homura’s still confused about how her master’s still alive since she saw her beheaded. As it turns out, Machines like her can survive decapitation. Creed took her somewhere safe to repair herself for a few weeks. By that point, though, Universe Zero Homura left to find her mother. Valkyrie went to Xiaomei like last time, and she’s been there ever since.

As for what happened to Kurenai in Universe Zero, Valkyrie explains that she came to Sun Jewel as a worker hoping to earn money to support herself and Homura. However, the planet’s ruler decided she was his woman, and when she kept rejecting him, he sent his army to destroy her hometown. After that, he blackmailed her into marrying him using the threat of the Sattelite Blaze to destroy Oedo. Thus, she stayed, formed the Protectors, and worked to be a mother Homura could be proud of.

Shiki and the Edens Zero take care of both problems in two seconds. Thus, Homura gets another moment that the past Universes denied her: a reunion with the mother she never had.

Well, two Moms if you consider Valkyrie.

Review

Well, that was unexpected, but it also makes sense. I should’ve realized that Valkyrie wouldn’t be dead from decapitation. Since she’s a Machine, she would survive so long as her CPU remained intact. What surprised me was how Universe Zero Homura could make such a dumb decision. Well, at least the two are finally reunited after two world’s of being kept apart. 

Now, onto the elephant in the room: Kurenai. If you guys remember from the original Sun Jewel Arc, I hated Kurenai’s guts and thought she got what she deserved in the end. However, given how the story of Edens Zero involves the Multiverse, and how there are likely to be both good and evil versions of everyone in at least one universe, I’m willing to give this a slide. As far as I concerned, this Kurenai and the monster we first met are two different people. What’s more, since everything happening in Universe Zero overrides the rest of the Multiverse, that means the Kurenai we knew is now retconned out of existence. In other words, she still got her karma!

The best part to all of this is the fact that now Homura not only has her Mom and mother figure back in her life, but the Shining Stars are truly reunited. The Edens Zero will be stronger than ever now! Hence why the title for the next chapter is called “Etherion.” That’s a recurring term in Mashima’s mangas, so you know that it’s important. Now all they need to do is get everyone else left, and the Crew of Edens will be back to full strength!

As a side note, it turns out Kurenai never owed anything to Drakken Joe.

I Give “Kurenai’s Tears” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 229 Review/Recap

Three things about this chapter:

1. My theory about Shiki being the key to restoring everyone’s memories got thrown out the window, thanks to this chapter.
2. Hiro Mashima weaponized fanservice in this chapter (because of course he did.)
3. HERMIT IS BACK!!!

Recap

As people flee from the chaos of the Belial Gore district, Weisz broods over how he’s going to beat Fie. His armor’s low on power, he’s being shot at constantly, and worse, he can’t figure out where Fie’s located. His shots keep coming from different locations, putting Weisz into a corner. 

It’s at this point that a good friend comes in clutch: Hermit! While the others were fighting, Witch dived into Digitalis and located Hermit, who was still inside the game world. Seeing her made Hermit remember the previous Universe, and now she’s back and ready for battle. However, she can’t upgrade the Arsenal armor remotely. She can help Weisz beat Fie, though. She explains that he uses his Ether Gear to turn into smoke and travel across buildings, and mini-drones disguised as bullets to make it seem like he’s firing from everywhere. Once that’s figured out, they plan their trap.

First, they use the Arsenal suit as bait to get him to move locations. Then, a tasteful hologram of Witch as a bunny girl distracting him. 

Hook, line, and sinker. Weisz gets payback for his defeat the first time around.

Review

Welcome back, Hermit. We missed you so much.

On the one hand, I’m very happy to see Hermit’s back, albeit she’s still not physically present. On the other hand, the fact that she regained her memories means my whole theory of Shiki being the key got scrapped. Now, I don’t understand how it happens anymore. Do they regain their memories based on some trigger? Does that mean Sister could make Jinn and Kleene remember? I don’t know at this point! Thanks a lot, Mashima!

Saltiness aside, I am glad to see Hermit make her return. Moreover, I’m happy to see that Weisz finally got his revenge on Fie for shooting him in the first timeline. That was the beginning of the end for the heroes. With Fie and Daichi out of the way, Nero’s the biggest threat standing between the Crew and Drakken Joe. Here’s hoping Shiki can handle him somehow!

I Give “Sniper” a 3/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 210 Review/Recap

So, first, you’re telling me that Ziggy, the one that Shiki’s been fighting half of the story now, might not even be the real big bad? Not only that, but I was right about Ziggy not truly being evil. However, it would seem that I was wrong about him having a split personality. According to Ziggy, someone on-planet is sus. And that sus person is the real enemy that’s responsible for everything. The question is, who is it?

Recap

With the clock running before evil Ziggy returns, Grandpa Ziggy has to explain everything fast. Firstly, it’s less like he has a split personality, and more like someone took over his body after he died. 

Secondly, it’s explained that he doesn’t even remember anything from the future beyond what his evil counterpart told him. After leaving Planet Eden, the Edens Zero was attacked by a Chronophage. It wrecked his ship and landed him in Universe 1 on the planet that he then named Granbell. Forgetting his mission, he built Granbell Park and its Machines, before he finally rebuilt his ship and left to find Mother. However, he can’t tell Shiki where he found him. What he does tell him is that the true evil behind his return is on Lendard. He can’t say the name, though, and it drives him to tears as he begs Shiki once more to kill him while he still has control of himself. 

Review

Okay, to recap everything that we’ve learned: someone on Lendard is sus and responsible for what happened to Ziggy, and thus, everything that’s happened since then. The problem is, while we know that someone on Lendard is sus, we have no idea who’s sus!

Hermit seems to have an idea about who might be sus, but I have no clue. In addition, despite the fact that the chapter ends with an image of Elsie, I don’t entirely believe that it might be her. It would be a really surprising twist, considering how Elsie’s based on the heroic Erza Scarlet. That would be a massive surprise for longtime fans of Mashima’s work. Until we see the proof, though, I won’t make any judgements. Mashima could be messing with us.

At the very least, Mashima did explain how Ziggy got back to the past.

I Give “The True Enemy” a 4/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 204 Review/Recap

Just when we thought that Edens Zero seemed to be losing its edge, Hiro Mashima pulls out this trump card: Ziggy is Shiki from 20,000 years in the future. However, that was only the tip of the iceberg. This week, we learn how Ziggy came to be like this, and more of why Xiaomei said time doesn’t hold much meaning in this story. There’s something much bigger to all of this: Point Zero.

Recap

Picking up where the last chapter left off, Ziggy explains how he’s Shiki from the future; rather, he’s a version from an alternate future, and it all ties back to the events at Planet Nero 66 three years ago. On that day, the Shiki we know chose to flee thanks to Xiao Mei’s interference. However, originally, Shiki chose to stay and tried to save everyone. His attempts to compress the bombs combined with Rebecca’s Cat Leapers and the bombs themselves to create a spacetime distortion. As a result, the two got sent 20,000 years into the future. Shiki survived. Rebecca…did not.

Shiki lost all his memories and started calling himself Ziggy as he was converted into a machine. Rebecca’s body was kept by the machines to study due to her Ether. Decades passed, and Ziggy forgot almost everything. Then one day, the machines summoned him for a purpose. 

In their future, Mother is dead along with Humanity, and the universe is running out of Ether. They have obsverved the multiverse to find the one where this outcome doesn’t happen, with that one being Point Zero. They wanted Ziggy to use Rebecca’s Ether to travel to the past to Point Zero and stop the extinction of Humanity. Thus, they plan to build a ship to carry him from Planet Eden to Point Zero: the Edens Zero.

Review

I think an explanation’s in order. Firstly, the reason there are now two Shikis is simple: time loop. Originally, Shiki was supposed to stay on Nero 66 where he and Rebecca would meet their horrific fates. After that, he becomes Ziggy, gets sent back into the past, and presumably does everything else before going nuts, all leading to the war on Nero 66. It would’ve been a stable time loop, explaining how two Shikis could exist simultaneously. Xiaomei changed all of that, though, making it an alternate future. 

When you read a lot of comic books, this sort of thing becomes par for the course. Well played, Mashima. And he proved that there was no way to stop the destruction of Nero 66 or prevent countless deaths. 

The fact that Rebecca’s Ether plays a big part in the plan to reach Point Zero also clues us into what the secret of Edens Zero is: it’s Rebecca. It has to be. All this time, she’s been powering the heroes ship, and they didn’t know.

This chapter did a good job of explaining a lot of things. However, the one thing it doesn’t explain is why Ziggy’s decided to just wipe out Mother anyway. That doesn’t make sense. I guess we’ll have to wait until the next chapter to learn the truth. For the first time in a while, though, I’m super excited to find out what happens.

I Give “Point Zero” a 3.5/5

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Edens Zero Chapter 202 Review/Recap

Ever since the return of those flash-forwards, is readers are more confused than ever about Edens Zero. What do they mean? Why is Ziggy bent on killing Mother? Why does he think Shiki is a threat to the universe? There’s actually a theory that Ziggy might be a future version of Shiki. Now that theory might be getting some credence. This week, Ziggy gets unmasked!

Recap

Atop their lone tower, Ziggy and Shiki continue their clash, with neither holding anything back. The two’s Gravity Ether is evenly matched, but with the addition of Poseidon Nero’s powers, Ziggy gets the upper hand for a brief moment. Despite this, Shiki strikes back, shattering his Grandpa’s mechanical face, revealing…someone underneath.

Elsewhere, Deadend Crow unleashes his full wrath on the Edens Zero, entering Overdrive and giving chase. The crew’s barely able to get the shields up before Crow punches them, smashing the ship into the ground! Inside of Crow, a still-alive Holy’s met by a manifestation of Crow’s form, who she tries to attack…and promptly fails. It’s then that Crow finally recognizes her as a survivor of Atmos Day. He then gleefully remembers how he killed her sister, stripped her naked, and hung her in a plaza for all to see. However, as he prepares to kill her this time, he’s interrupted by Jinn and Laguna, who tell him that their ship takes care of its guests.

Review

You know, for a chapter titled “Unmasked,” it doesn’t make all that much sense not to focus on the actual unmasking. Is Mashima saving that surprise for later and just teasing us for now? If he is, then he’s not doing a good job at it. Well, that won’t stop me from discussing who Ziggy is under the mask, because I don’t think he’s actually a Machine. At least, not fully.

There has been speculation that Ziggy might be an alternate, future version of Shiki, and from what we saw of Ziggy’s face underneath his mask, there might be some credence to this. If this fan theory’s true, then what does that mean for the story? Has Ziggy always been an alternate version of Shiki, or was he really a Machine that died a long time ago? Or did he choose to model himself on Shiki’s appearance just to mess with his grandson? Both ideas are possible, but we have no clue right now.

As for the stuff with Crow and Holy, I thought it was a little bit interesting. Nice of Mashima to disprove my idea of Holy destroying Crow from the inside, though. But how will Laguna and Jinn fight him inside his body if Crow can jam their Ether. Either way, I think Mashima needs to get his act together and focus more on the main story. He’s losing my interest!

I Give “Unmasked” a 2/5

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