Karakuri Odette: Volume 6

by Julietta Suzuki, 192 pages

Robot Travis wants to "marry" Odette, but his fellow robot Grace is jealous and takes matters into her own hands while their ambitious creator plots to acquire Odette's technology through whatever underhanded means necessary. But nobody bothers asking Odette what she wants. Robots trying to marry her or steal her head concern her less than do matters of her own teenage robot heart. With her friend Asao's graduation coming up, Odette struggles with her status as a non-human and worries about the future. Change is scary, even for robots.

Aw, Odette easily evading and completely ignoring the flailing mad scientist with a gun as she mopes over Asao's latest thoughtless comments is funny, sweet, and so indicative of her personality. And Asao verbally blowing her off as he rushes in to "rescue" her anyway is just as indicative of his. I almost got the sniffles over Travis and Grace's situation with their "Papa" and wanted to hug Odette's Professor Yoshizawa when he steps in. I don't know what the future holds for all of them, but with such strong bonds and strong personalities, it can't be all that bad.

Part of me is quite happy with the way this final volume turns out, and part of me is still pouting over its being the final volume. There's so much more for Odette to learn, so much more I'd like to see her through along with her friends and family. This series easily could have been twice as long without losing its charm, and while this volume itself doesn't feel too rushed, its role as the conclusion to the series does. But this is all there is, so I'll just have to deal and be happy there's any at all.