Many thanks to Yen Press for providing a review copy
About the Mangaka
The mangaka this time is rather unusual, since Peach-Pit is actually a female duo. Sendo Banri and Ebara Shibuko have had success after success, though they did go through three other group names, before settling for Peach Pit. Every piece of work they have done has gone on to become both a hit as a manga, and a hit as an anime. DearS, Rozen Maiden have been licensed, both in anime and manga format. Only Shugo Chara and Zombie Loan’s anime remain unlicensed. Their other work, is a a series of short comics called, Peach-Pit’s Three Titles Collaboration Comic, and mixes the characters from the three big manga, DearS, Rozen Maiden, and Zombie Loan. This is also unlicensed, though unconfirmed rumours stated that at one point it was picked up by Tokyopop.
About the Manga
I can’t figure out why, but for some reason this volume irritated me, and was the hardest read I’ve had in this series.
Peach-Pit’s art Is as exceptional as it always is. I really can’t pick any fault with it this time round.
I do have a few niggles, but those relate to my personal tastes and thoughts on the character designs. I would have liked to see a bit more variety, but this sort of design is the stock and trade of Peach-Pit and you do get used to it.
They do draw some awesome looking characters, and the number of traps in the series is insane. But I have to admit I do find them cute 
Story wise this volume is crammed full of stuff. I’ve said that previous volumes were the story kicking off, but those don’t compare to this volume. Looking back over it now, the previous volumes were all character building, as in showing off the various characters personalities and attitudes. Which, in hind sight, was a good way of doing it, since they’re now in a position to focus entirely on the story.
And damn do we get story this volume, loads of it!! Given the amount of story we get introduced to this volume I was actually surprised at the way it was handled. Usually this amount of story would feel rushed, and as though it had been dumped. Peach-Pit however manage to deliver loads of story in a timely manner.
We’re also treated to some action, as a rival company is introduced, with a set of employee’s that are pretty much mirror images of the Z-Loan gang, personality wise. I was expecting to be a bit disgruntled over this, since initially I thought it lacked imagination on the part of Peach-Pit, but I have to admit it worked out really well, and made the story interesting.
However, another hook is thrown into the mix this volume as yet another party comes into play, and we’re left with a killer cliff hanger, literally.
So why was I irritated with this volume? Not sure to be honest, there’s definitely something missing that would be the ‘icing on the cake’. I can’t really think what it is though.
Yen Press did their usual great job, but with Christine on the translation I was never in any doubt. A good and smooth translation, with a consistent flow to it. Sadly we do have some bad guttering in this volume. It was really bad at a few points making me bend the spine.
Overall though, another good volume that gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Where to Buy
