This was one of my less-favorites so far. There just ended up being so much blood and violence, I got tired of all the exaggerated drawn-out fight scenes (literally pages and pages of them). It felt like I was forcing myself to finish the book and not just skim it all. I’m not surprised– considering what kind of manga this is- that drawing near the climax of the story there’s so much fighting- but it was tiresome to read. (I never like reading battle scenes in novels, either).
~~ warning for SPOILERS ~~
So- Kyu intensifies Legoshi’s training, goading him into fierce, quick action by herself threatening (in public!) other herbivore beasts and taunting him to stop her. Knowing her attitudes, he fully fears for the other animals’ lives and acts. Turns out she is leaking intel about him to his enemy, too! Legoshi reveals a weakness that all canidae have (though it’s weird, I would have thought only a trait of the ‘domestics’), putting himself at Kyu’s mercy in view of his goal. We learn more about the animals’ worship for their dinosaur ancestors, including a big holiday in the cold season called ‘Rexmas’ which is about what you’d expect. Legoshi starts fasting in preparation for his upcoming fight with Melon- because extreme hunger will make him more ferocious. But then Haru chooses this time to come see him, angrily defying the dangers of walking through the black market, and encountering him in one of his more tense moments- it’s obviously a strain, but he remains at heart simply full of admiration for her, and finally kisses her- not without overthinking the moment first though!
Louis makes another bodily sacrific to support Legoshi- but the evidence left behind might make the wolf appear guilty of crime again. We get more evidence of Melon’s crazed violent tendencies, and see Louis struggle to assume the responsibilities his father left on his shoulders, even while he’s mostly just worried about Legoshi. Another weird animal fact of this world: the komodo dragons not only have venom, but it drips more concentrated and potent when they’re emotionally agitated, and it can dissolve stone or concrete- so buildings collapse! (WHAT. Even for a made-up world of animals that walk upright like people, talk to each other, have a complex society and some odd advanced physiologies, this seemed kinda over the top to me). Legoshi has to fight a komodo dragon gang, but is distracted by the beauty of light on their scales, which reminds him of his grandfather. Also, the reptilians can deliberately tear off the ends of their tails and throw them at opponents as bombs (explosives attached). Another bizzarre addition to the drama of their conflicts.
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 4/21/24.
