Basara 15
Posted: March 3, 2009 Filed under: Basara 11 Comments »So here it is. I’ve been reading 15 volumes for this moment. Like I said, it came a bit earlier than I imagined. I imagined it being a huge face-off at the end of the book. Asagi is apparently satisfied with this reveal, though.
Before that, we also get a great abstract shoujo sex scene, something else I’ve been waiting for these 15 volumes. I was glad when Sarasa decided this was something she wanted to do, because very rarely is this a concrete decision made by a shoujo heroine. And I’m happy to see it at such a critical time. Bit of a shame it powered both Tatara and the Red King eagerly into battle, though.
The scene itself is wonderfully done. Both are in denial, confusion abounds, there is a double page spread and some more wonderful use of composition before and after the realization. Not only is it a powerful moment, it is a powerful moment that is just incredible to look at again and again.
Shuri takes drastic measures. Intervention comes from a surprising source who seems sore about it.
The rest of this volume is just depressing. Not even a healthy and extra-long dose of Ageha can lift things out of the funk they’ve fallen into. The knife is twisted even more by generous use of happy flashbacks between Shuri and Sarasa. Ageha seems rather disgusted with the whole thing, and washes his hands of things in time for Kasane to intervene. Kasane sticks around, is only a little two-faced, and makes for a really great friend for Sarasa since they are both the same age.
Let’s not make light of Ageha’s scenes, though. He gets a lot of things off his chest. Things I was wondering if he would say all this time, and just feel… well, a little wrong in this situation. They are more genuine for coming during the vacuum, I suppose.
This is probably the most heavily re-read volume in my Basara collection. Why am I saying probably? It is definitely the most heavily re-read volume. The only other volume which is in the same league is Volume 27.
[...] Farmar on vol. 1 of Alley of First Love (Comics Village) Connie on vol. 15 of Basara (Slightly Biased Manga) Tiamat’s Disciple on vol. 2 of B.Ichi (Tiamat’s Manga Reviews) [...]
I don’t remember a Kasane. Do you mean Kikune?
I think Kasane was her name until they revealed she was Kikune at the very end of the volume.
19 has been my favorite so far.
Volume 19 does indeed have my favorite 2-page spread.
Ohhhh. Could well be.
I thought of you when I saw one in particular.
Holy shit, this was one hell of a volume… the kind that is most rewarding in such long series…. I also thought this would come a lot later but well, everything was heading towards the moment of truth… what else? I’m starting to like Asagi a bit… anyway, I’m really curious which way this manga will take now….
Yes! I agree with you about the whole section in the prison, but immediately after that everything starts to pay off. From 15-21 or so are some of the best sections of the series, barring a few parts where Sarasa has to “find herself.” I couldn’t get through these volumes fast enough.
Well, I will see. Two volumes of Hellboy arrived yesterday but so far I’ve been only reading Basara… ^_^