by CLAMP, 170 pages Numbers on both sides of the battle for the Earth's future change, but the Harbingers still seem to have the upper hand. If Kamui can't decipher Fuma's truest desire, there may be no hope of ever seeing his own come true.
This volume serves up a melancholy discourse on life and death, what matters most (and what should matter most), and the impossibility of ever truly understanding the heart of another. Over the course of the series, the art has become more polished and attractive and the characters have, as well, and not just in their visual portrayal on the page. As he explains (or talks around) the thinking behind his actions, Kamui-mirroring Fuma seems less and less outright evil than he did earlier in the series. He's mellowed into an object of pity, albeit a frightening, powerful one perfectly willing to take lives, even of those he loves, in pursuit of his personal moral code. Yet the reader worries for him, because he clearly considers himself and his continued existence with the same painfully wise pragmatism. He just wants Kamui to understand; but if he doesn't... ah, well. Oh, ambiguity and complexity, how I enjoy you in my graphic literature. :)
Released in Japan in 2002, this is the latest volume of the series to be published on either side of the pond, despite the story not having concluded yet. There appear to be three volumes worth of chapters left which CLAMP has basically completed, but they have yet to find / choose a magazine to complete publishing the serialized chapters, the original publisher for the series having dropped it because they felt it was no longer suitable due to the violence and dark themes (devastating earthquakes and juvenile murderers being too reminiscent of unpleasant reality in the country at the time...and, sadly, the present, as well). I hope they find a home for it someday, 'cause it's a good story and I really want to know how it all ends....
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