Alive: The Final Evolution

(Volume 4)
Story by
Tadashi Kawashima

Art by
Adachitoka

Del Rey, April 2008, 218 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-345-49938-7

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Manga
Reviewed: 6/10/2008

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Manga Page

Alive manga page

 

Synopsis

Taisuke and Yuta are still searching for Hirose and Megumi when Yuta senses a comrade. They rush into a house that has been recently damaged by a comrade attack and then Yuta senses the comrade in the woods. when the run to follow the comrade, they are attacked by Nami Kusunoki who calls forth four ice blades from her fist, like Wolverine's claws in the X-Men. She can also throw the ice blade and whatever they stick into causes an explosion of ice shards. Nami has been hunting comrades and is out to kill both Taisuke and Yuta. They finally convince her that they are not with Katsumata's Gang and are actually trying to hunt down the gang so they can rescue a friend who was kidnapped by the gang. She decides to join them, but neither of the boys trust her very much.

Meanwhile, Kyouko Amamiya, a reporter, is investigating the diner incident (see Alive: The Final Evolution: Volume 2), when see overhears Ryo talking on her cell phone to Taisuke. Kyouko has been looking for Taisuke and overhears that Taisuke is heading north to Morioko in Iwate Prefecture, so she and her cameraman head north also. Taisuke, Yuta and Nami hop aboard a ship and run into Gou Okada, a fanboy and comrade who has the ability to send the Grim Reaper after anyone that breaks a promise to him. He kills two boys that are picking on him, and then goes after Taisuke, who actually tried to defend him.

Gou Okada is heading north to join Katsumata's Gang, the gang whom Nami has vowed to destroy. When Nami sees Gou holding a little girl hostage, she gets ready to attack, not knowing that the little girl has promised not to leave Gou. If she does, she will die.

Alive: The Final Evolution: Volume 4 is a manga book written by Tadashi Kawashima and drawn by Adachitoka. This book was translated and adapted by Anastasia Moreno and Lettered by North Market Street Graphics. This book contains the following chapters:

Chapter 12: Obviously

Chapter 13: Comrade?

Chapter 14: Don't Say That . . .

Chapter 15: Awkward Kid

There is also some special extras in the following sections: 1) Author's Note, 2) Honorifics Explained, 3)  Light Visual Manga 4, 4) Translation Notes, and 5) Preview of Volume 5, although the preview appears in Japanese. The book reads from right to left and back to front, just like a book from Japan. This manga book is intended for readers ages 16 and up.

 

Review

This series is hot! I have found myself to become totally engrossed in each book as I read them. The books are excellently written and drawn and I absolutely love the concept. I have no idea where it is going to go, which is perfectly fine by me. Keep me guessing and surprised.

I like the addition of Nami to the group and hope that she will soon come to trust both Taisuke and Yuta, as that would help their relationship.

As for Gou, even his name is ugly. He is an overweight, pimple-faced, repulsive fellow who has no qualms about killing anybody that he sees as being stronger than him. Obviously, his low self-esteem hasn't helped matters, but I find him to be quite disgusting, like most of Katsumata's Gang.

What I really enjoyed was when Taisuke finally used his powers to defend himself from Nami when they were fighting at the beginning of the book. Since Taisuke used heat and Nami uses cold, his his powers offset hers. They make a good team.

Overall, Alive: The Final Evolution: Volume 4 is another excellent addition to a series that is quickly becoming one of my favorite to read. I look forward with great anticipation to Alive: The Final Evolution: Volume 5. Boy, oh boy. I cannot wait!

I rated this book a 9 out of 10.

This site was created and is maintained by Conan Tigard
2008