ZATCH BELL Vol. 6-7-8 by Makoto Raiku

80. Zatch Bell!, Vol. 6 by Makoto Raiku   (buy)
Zatch Bell, #6

Rating: (4/5)

2006; VIZ Media, 208 pgs

Ages: (13+) T

"Still in England searching for clues to Zatch's past, Kiyo and Zatch meet a girl named Djem. Djem's partnership with her mamodo had had tragic consequences for her family...Can Zatch and Kiyo help her? Plus, the return of Parco Folgore and Kanchome!"

Borrowed a copy through Inter-Library Loan.

Zatch and Kiyo finish off their trip to England during this volume.  While here they battle several more mamodo, though one is not really a battle.  It is a really cute little guy who loves his master more than anything in the world.  Then a re-appearance of Parco Folgore, the Italian singing heart throb, and his mamodo makes for a fun venture that also tugs at the heartstrings while being hilarious.  The evil Brago returns and once back home in Japan they find they have the cutest little stowaway who loves everyone except viciously attacks Kiyo.  LOL.  This is a fun volume because of all the returns of previous characters and emphasizes how much emotion this series has.  There are some truly touching scenes amongst the battles and hilarity.

*****


86. Zatch Bell!, Vol. 7 by Makoto Raiku   (buy)
Zatch Bell, #7

Rating: (5/5)

2006; VIZ Media, 183 pgs

Ages: (13+) T

"Back in school after an intense summer vacation, Kiyo notices that Suzy is acting a little strange...and is covered with bandages. What could be causing these bizarre injuries? Later, Kiyo encounters a mysterious traveller named Apollo, and another intense mamodo challenge seems imminent."

Borrowed a copy through Inter-Library Loan.

Another emotional entry into this series.  The mamodo's have been whittled down now considerably, number is not mentioned but we must be at least at half by now.  So the most vicious are not popping up all the time now.  Mamodo's have their own stories, effecting their behaviour, not everyone is out to be the next king; we also have some human characters showing their sensitive sides as well.  Everyone is concerned about Suzy for acting strange but we find out she's just being her usual caring self.  Zatch Bell on his way to finally take down the neighbourhood playground tyrant ends up in quite the opposite position and a nasty mamodo learns what it means to be loved.  The good side of people comes out in this volume and is one of the things that keeps me reading.  The immense mix of emotions combined with the humour and battles.  PS, there's still plenty of awesome battles in this volume.  This one ends on a bittersweet note with no sense as to where the story will pick up next volume.  Looking forward to continuing!


*****


89. Zatch Bell!, Vol. 8 by Makoto Raiku   (buy)
Zatch Bell, #8

Rating: (5/5)

2006; VIZ Media, 188 pgs

Ages: (13+) T

"Nothing says fun more than a trip to an amusement park, but Zatch and Kiyo's hopes for a day of rides and relaxation are quickly dashed when they're confronted by not one but two sets of mamodo and their book owners. Will their friend Tia and Megumi - who were supposed to come along but are mysteriously late - show up in time to make this a fair fight?"

Borrowed a copy through Inter-Library Loan.

Oh, I'm loving this series and volumes like this one is why.  So full of emotion!  Starts off with a very rapid battle scene that reads very fast, turning pages quickly and while battles continue through the volume this ones focus is on relationships.  Kiyo and Zatch meet up with Megumi and Tia at an amusement park and a friendship is blossoming between these four that even hints at possible feelings more than just friends.  Tia is a mamodo and a hilarious riot. What a temper!  The second half of the book sees Zatch and Kiyo making another strong friendship and the plot breaks for a sidestory about a star-crossed pair of lovers which is very tender and heartwarming while at the same time creating great battle scenes since the girl's father is a mobster.  Just loved this couple and the man is a mamodo, the first one we've seen who has a human form.  He has the same outlook on the mamodo battles and kingship as Zatch.  These alliances/friendships being made are going to certainly have an affect on the final outcome when the mamodos are supposed to fight until the last one standing.  Loved this volume, I really fell for the two lovers.

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