Noblesse Chapter 198 Review

[Jammin]

This week my review is a bit shorter than last week, mainly because I have less content to cover. There will also be no Character Spotlight; seeing as I just didn't think anybody stood out enough to warrant one.

As always, if you see something I can do to improve my reviews or make them more enjoyable for you to read let me know.

Now, with all that stuff out of the way, onto the review!



Chapter Summary

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3715/13144910n.jpg
I told you it was a bad idea to let Raskreia near the kitchen!


This week starts off with Raizel returning home and resealing his powers. Then he and Frankenstein begin a somber conversation about Raizel "entering some shrine", which he seems not to want to do for some reason, and Frankenstein's difficulty in controlling the Dark Spear.

They are quickly interrupted, however, as the rest of the crew from Korea arrive and liven the place up. Sorting through Tao's luggage for spare clothes and such, while Regis looks on in amazement that anybody could be so relaxed around somebody as elegant as Raizel. Then Tao's personal stash of Ramen falls out of his luggage, which Raizel reacts more strongly to than anything in this entire arc. Apparently to him...


Ramen > Ragnarok

Then as they set about getting a meal ready they hear and explosion in the distance. Whatever kept Lukedona invisible to the outside world got damaged and the union military has launched an assault. Raskreia quickly dispatches Ludis to "Show them the price they must pay...". I almost pity them.



Chapter Review

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/4259/92326078.jpg
My Ramen sense is tingling!


Substance
Things took a very surprising direction this week. It never occurred to me that the union could, or would, attack Lukedonia. Primarily, because it seems insane. Like a bunch of sheep attacking a wolf den but, I suppose, I could be underestimating them. Either way, the union attack was a nice twist and builds on the momentum the last arc created beautifully.

The only downside is that with so much fun to be had in Lukedonia we probably won't be getting back to Shin Woo and the other mortals for while.:(

Presentation
I liked pacing of this chapter. It seemed like all the characters got the chance to unwind a little, which is important between big events. I also loved the infusion of humor, it gave the first half a very relaxed feel; then in the second half you could just feel the pace quicken and the next event start. Very well executed.

I thought the artwork was ok but not stunning like last week. It even had one straight up mistake on page 21, there is a picture that is supposed to be of Raskreia from the chin down but the artist didn't quite get around to coloring her hair so she looks exactly like Siera. On the upside we got a visual overview of the island of Lukedonia, which was a nice touch.

Final Rating
This was what I refer to as a transitional chapter. It's basically a chapter that makes the transition between one story event and another, which this chapter did effectively and smoothly. The surprise twist was a nice touch to keep fans on our toes and eager for next week.

Overall, I'd say this chapter was quite good even if it was not quite as amazing as those from previous weeks. I give it a 4 out of 5


Thread Question of the Week
What kind of threat do you think the union's troops really pose?
What kind of forces to you think they have(humans, bio-engineered stuff, or both)?

[Charlie]

The shrine that Frankenstein mentioned was Raizels own shrine.
The same place where Raganaork was placed is also the same area where Raizel slumbers from time
to time as it was mentioned some chapters back. In the previous chapter, Rai said he wanted to rest for a while.

I think that Ludis might be able to handle any union threats but its a matter of numbers. I don't believe the caption in charge of the fleet would attack haphazardly. The central order will have a big problem trying to manage I believe and thus Ludis will be overwhelmed with the situation. For all we know, Rael might have already went in advance there.

Great second review.

[phio_chan]

Yes, second review! Keep it up, Jammin, it's cool!


Ramen > Ragnarok

So true. Looking at Rai's expression when he found out that Tao brought the ramen this far, I think he seemed to had just remembered that he loved ramen and that he hadn't eaten it for a long time. It was like, mesmerized by something you didn't realize gone from your life. Epic expression there, with all the elegance still surrounding him. XD


The only downside is that with so much fun to be had in Lukedonia we probably won't be getting back to Shin Woo and the other mortals for while.:(

Right. I also wonder if they would ever play a role on this series again. Even before, when Rai was still staying at the human world, they were only used as baits. They cheered up the mood too, so I kinda missed them. I imagine it would be awesome that one day nobles would need other humans power to beat the Union, and that they would recruit Shin Woo and friends for their awesome skills. :3


I thought the artwork was ok but not stunning like last week. It even had one straight up mistake on page 21, there is a picture that is supposed to be of Raskreia from the chin down but the artist didn't quite get around to coloring her hair so she looks exactly like Siera.

Is this really a mistake? I think Seira has all the right to be there, considering that she's the last person standing from her clan. It would be natural for her to be present at such meeting. Though considering the flow of the chapter, at first I thought it should be Raskreia there too. XD


What kind of threat do you think the union's troops really pose?
What kind of forces to you think they have(humans, bio-engineered stuff, or both)?

Secrets exposed is never something good. There must be a reason why it's called secrets. The Union would probably use any advantage and information they have on the nobles to turn the entire human world against them and destroy them. Too harsh? With Crombel at the Union, I don't doubt he would have that kind of imagination. I think it would only be ordinary humans who invaded; but the Union would soon or later send their engineered soldiers to investigate this too. Even so, related to your poll, I don't think Ludis would be able to wipe them out that easy. Humans are supported by technologies after all, so I imagine him to face certain troubles still.

[Jammin]

The shrine that Frankenstein mentioned was Raizels own shrine.
The same place where Raganaork was placed is also the same area where Raizel slumbers from time
to time as it was mentioned some chapters back. In the previous chapter, Rai said he wanted to rest for a while. Yeah, that would make sense, but that still leaves some puzzling questions; like "Why does Frankenstein think he needs to rest in the shrine?" and "Why doesn't Raizel want to do that?". Is he worried that if he rests like that he he'll be out of action for another 800 years?


Right. I also wonder if they would ever play a role on this series again. Even before, when Rai was still staying at the human world, they were only used as baits. They cheered up the mood too, so I kinda missed them. I imagine it would be awesome that one day nobles would need other humans power to beat the Union, and that they would recruit Shin Woo and friends for their awesome skills. :3I'm convinced 100% they have an important role to play.

What i think is happening with this arc is that Noblesse is using a creative way to introduce new characters. Instead of the standard "one at a time" introductions the author is introducing them en masse. It's essentially the same thing authors do when they start up a new series, completely immersing you in the new cast and taking care of all the world-building necessary to give you a feel for the world they live in.

Then in the reasonably near future i expect this new cast (Raskreia and company) and the old cast (Shin Woo and company) will be woven together into one fantastic well developed cast of characters. It's rather brilliant method actually, though you don't see it much in comics. It's something i generally associate with written novels and actually.


Is this really a mistake? I think Seira has all the right to be there, considering that she's the last person standing from her clan. It would be natural for her to be present at such meeting. Though considering the flow of the chapter, at first I thought it should be Raskreia there too. XD It's definitely a mistake. The outfit Siera had on was slightly different, it had a lower neckline, and in the raw the artist edited it to colored her hair a bit. It's not fixed exactly but it is less noticeable.

[Charlie]

@ Jammin - - Yup just checked the raw and so you and asahina were correct, that was a mistake by the artist. :sweat

The fix is a little shaky but the end result is clear. :Haha I actually thought that Seira made it back to the Lords castle previously. :fail

I think Franky believes that Raizel needs rest in the coffin to recover from the damage of releasing his powers perhaps too soon against Raskeria. Rai on the other hand doesn't want to for some-reason. I'm going to assume that he's aware of his body's state and thus feels he does not need to sleep in the shrine.

[phio_chan]

What i think is happening with this arc is that Noblesse is using a creative way to introduce new characters. Instead of the standard "one at a time" introductions the author is introducing them en masse. It's essentially the same thing authors do when they start up a new series, completely immersing you in the new cast and taking care of all the world-building necessary to give you a feel for the world they live in.

Then in the reasonably near future i expect this new cast (Raskreia and company) and the old cast (Shin Woo and company) will be woven together into one fantastic well developed cast of characters. It's rather brilliant method actually, though you don't see it much in comics. It's something i generally associate with written novels and actually.

Hmm, yes, that makes sense. I believe they would play a role as well; they wouldn't be introduced and given that many portions during the first few arcs of the story if they are not going to play another role in latter chapters, right? I imagine that nobles and humans would have to confront each other, and it would end up with another memory deletion unless there's something special happens. XD


It's definitely a mistake. The outfit Siera had on was slightly different, it had a lower neckline, and in the raw the artist edited it to colored her hair a bit. It's not fixed exactly but it is less noticeable.

Ah, right, it's different. The hair is Seira's, but the clothes is Raskreia's. That was confusing. XD Though I wouldn't be surprised if it's Seira, though. :3

[lawrence]

I think Franky believes that Raizel needs rest in the coffin to recover from the damage of releasing his powers perhaps too soon against Raskeria. Rai on the other hand doesn't want to for some-reason. I'm going to assume that he's aware of his body's state and thus feels he does not need to sleep in the shrine.

At the end of the previous chapter, Raizel mentions that he needs to rest. As for to the extent of his rest is not mentioned by author. I don't think he will be able to enter the shrine in the first place. Franky mentions that the shrine is only visible during a full moon. Instead, Raizel went to the Lord's shrine.

[Jammin]

At the end of the previous chapter, Raizel mentions that he needs to rest. As for to the extent of his rest is not mentioned by author. I don't think he will be able to enter the shrine in the first place. Franky mentions that the shrine is only visible during a full moon. Instead, Raizel went to the Lord's shrine. I had forgotten about that but i think your right. I wonder if that's a feature of all noble shrines.

It's still nighttime though so they probably could have entered either way, but does that mean Raizel would have had to wait till the next full moon to leave?

--------------------------------------

I'm also curious about what makes those shrines so special. What is it about that place that Frankenstein thought would help? Is it charged with his power or something?

[phio_chan]

I'm also curious about what makes those shrines so special. What is it about that place that Frankenstein thought help. Is it charged with his power or something?

Interesting question. :thumbs
Shrines are usually considered 'holy', but I can't really imagine it to be charged with Rai's power. XD One theory popped up in my head, though. The shrine is actually a vessel of the souls of the previous lords. By resting there, the power of those souls enters him, making him stronger, in physical term. So the power is to support not only his mind power, but also his body to be able to endure his great power. Though with that theory, Gejutel's explanation of Rai's soul weapon having no physical form does not match that much. XD

[UchihaHunter]

Wow, I guess I'm the only one that thinks he's going to get overwhelmed, lol...the fights here are always so random that it's hard to predict, but I can't see Ludis owning them, so he'll either need backup or he'll get messed up, IMO. I hope we get to see some strong Union members, because right now, the clan leaders seem too ridiculous, hahaha

[Charlie]

Wow, I guess I'm the only one that thinks he's going to get overwhelmed, lol...the fights here are always so random that it's hard to predict, but I can't see Ludis owning them, so he'll either need backup or he'll get messed up, IMO. I hope we get to see some strong Union members, because right now, the clan leaders seem too ridiculous, hahaha

It all depends on a few factors. One being the strength and size of the enemy, the strength of the central order and their ability to cope, defend and retaliate.
As long as there's not overtly powerful entities within the invading fleet, I think Ludis will be able to shine by taking charge of the situation.
I think it will be a numbers game.

[Jammin]

Wow, I guess I'm the only one that thinks he's going to get overwhelmed, lol...the fights here are always so random that it's hard to predict, but I can't see Ludis owning them, so he'll either need backup or he'll get messed up, IMO. I hope we get to see some strong Union members, because right now, the clan leaders seem too ridiculous, hahaha It would certainly take me by surprise but Noblesse has never been "predictable".

I suppose if the Union turned out to be a lot stronger than the nobles expect, it could cause them to abandon Lukedonia. Now THAT would be something. Not that i think the nobles could possibly lose outright, not with Raizel there and just recently entrusted by the previous lord to protect them all.