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Aqua
Knight
by Yukito Kishiro
Viz manga review by
Matt McConnel
More
Info: Viz
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For
devotees of the epic Battle Angel Alita, Aqua Knight might
be a bit of a shock. The art is the same style, and the high
quality that fans expect from Kishiro, but the story is wholly
different, and a distinct departure from the dark cyber ridden
world of Alita, Dr. Ido, and Desty Nova; it is however, no
less a fine creation and execution by a master of the form.
The only drawback is that it is far too brief of a work, only
three volumes, and lacks the breadth that Kishiro gave to
the Alita series.
The
story begins on Lighthouse Island where Arrabarus and his
son Ashika guard a sphere of light, Niselle that they refer
to as wife and mother respectively. One day Ashika finds a
strange armored figure in the water, inside is the Aqua Knight
Ruliya who offers him anything that is within her power to
grant. Ashika wants to become a knight like Ruliya. In an
attempt to dissuade the boy she demands an impossible task
for him, to slay a sea dragon. The boy sets off to his task,
and Ruilya must chase after him. Upon their return, Arrabarus
decides to test the knight for her worthiness to teach his
son. Donning his barnacle crusted armor, he challenges Ruilya
to a duel, but before they can complete their martial engagement,
events are interrupted by the arrival of the wandering genius
(and raving madman) Alcantara and the crew of his Zyfort.
Alcantara steals Niselle and Ashika, the Knight of Parca (the
underworld) comes to claim the soul of the now battered and
broken Arrabarus, and Ruilya fins herself setting off on a
quest to reclaim not only her new squire, but also to save
Niselle who is far more important than merely a lighthouse's
incandescence.
The
second volume is the two parallel stories of Ruilya tracking
the Zyfort and getting side tracked to a rather strange island,
and the trials of the persons she is pursuing, namely the
inhabitants of Zyfort. The real treat is the third volume
where not only do the storylines rejoin, but also where a
really spectacular climax occurs. The problem with this lay
out is that it seems far too well planed to feel as rushed
as it is. The story is far shorter than one expects, and there
are some major narrative leaps come the third volume, even
if they are implicit, and hardly change things. The two stories
in the second volume seem to be less of a part, and more a
delaying action until the third volume.
The
impression is given that Kishiro had more in mind, and might
still have more to come, but that for one reason or another
he decided to finish up the series quickly. There are some
of his building blocks for an epic that he used to great effect
in Battle Angel Alita, but then they are wrapped up too quickly
and all at once. Sure, there is a great ending followed by
a little vignette that opens up the possibility for more adventures
in the world of Marmundo, but it really seems that these characters
end here.
And
they are wonderful characters. Even the most arrogant and
despicable bastard of Alcantara is redeemed by the end, but
not completely. Ruilya is complex even if it is only a Freudian
way. There are characters that are left hanging. Pinoque,
Zyowl, and some of the people from Alcantara's past all are
just dropped like so many hot potatoes. One can only hope
that they will be explored in more depth in ensuing volumes.
Aqua
Knight is a real treat for anyone casting about for a good
fantasy yarn. In a current dearth of the genre, Kishiro delivers
once more even if it is not his usual forte. The world is
as well developed if not more than the world of Battle Angel
Alita, and it is nice to see such a talented writer/artist
branching out. If it was not so rushed, Aqua Knight would
certainly be an exceptional work, and even as it is, it demonstrates
a keen creative mind behind it. The story moves well and is
thoroughly enjoyable to read again and again.
Matt
McConnel writes a whole bunch of review for ShotgunReviews.com.
Praise his work ethic here.
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