Noblesse Chapter 232 Review

[Jammin]

Nothing really to say here except to congratulate member MiyamotoMusashi for bringing up the "contract to a noble" idea in the discussion thread last week. Good call!

EDIT: Apparently natli made that observation as well, a thread page earlier too, so kudox2 to natli!

Now onto the review!

Chapter Summary

Must...resist...urge...to make a Batman joke.

This week starts out showing KSA agents trying to keep the battlefield secure and do all they can to keep the situation under wraps; despite having lost contact with HQ and Yontsu as well as having no idea what's going on at the site of the battle.

Meanwhile on top of the building Sangeen and Yontsu, both still in shock from watching Seira crush Taze like a bug, watch in astonishment as Frankenstein stands up to the Union elder.

Franky, questions the 12th Elder about whether he really is an elder since his behavior is so unbecoming of one and further asks him if the other elders are aware of his actions. This angers the 12 Elder who attacks Frankenstein only to be driven back.

He keeps up the attack but is unable to achieve much of anything. As he begins to accept that Frankenstien is his equal a cut appears on his cheek caused by Frankenstien's aura, suggesting that Frankenstien is even more powerful.

Finally, the Elder realizes that Frankenstein can't be Crombell's creation; he's far to powerful for that. This causes the Elder to finally realize that this was a trap. Crombell tricked him into charging off and picking a fight with a the biggest meanest monster around. Of course, being an idiot, the 12th Elder decides to get clear by killing everything and resumes attacking Frankensten.

Franky takes the opportunity to let some of his black aura spears go astray and "accidentally" kill Ked. Most of the the people watching aren't quite sure what to make of that except Raizel, who just sighs. Enraged the 12th Elder uses his full power and transforms into a bat/gargoyle creature.

When Frankestien sees this form he pieces together why they sensed Roctis. The 12th Elder modified himself and then entered into a contract with the traitorous noble. The knowledge that the union was hiding Roctis, a man who betrayed his master, and that the 12th Elder is connected to him is all Frankenstien needs to know in order to get serious. He calls out the Dark Spear with an evil smile. While in the background Yontsu makes a guess at Frankenstein's identity.... "The Devil".

Chapter Review

Thank you Franky. You made my day.

Substance

This chapter drew a definitive link between the traitorous nobles and the Union. Which I'm certain is going to be a source of trouble between the Lukedonia Nobles and Union going forward; though I'm sure Frankenstien killing the hell out of the 12th Elder isn't exactly going to help either.

Another interesting aspect is that the 12th Elder managed a portion of a noble's power through a "contract"(which was an idea brought up by members MiyamotoMusashi & natli in last weeks chapter discussion threat). This is significant because it shows that Nobles can imbue humans with their power. The ramifications of that staggering. It opens up a clear path to greater strength for the RK-4, the KSA agents, and potentially even Shin Woo.

Needless to say I was overjoyed to see Ked, the annoyingly unkillable cockroach that he is, finally get stepped on. Frankenstien takes care of business like only he can. It does sting a bit that he is the last Cerberus member to die (my prediction was off by a mile).

It also became apparent this week that quite a few KSA people are still alive. Since they are trying to put of the fires, figuratively(and possibly literally). I find this unfortunate because I was hoping to see Yontsu and Sangeen join the staff at Frankenstein's school full time.

Presentation

I think it was middle of the road chapter art-wise. It did the job it set out to do but nothing more. Lots of fast and furious action and solid character art but no panels that stood out as special and little in the way of fine touches(use of lighting, motion blur, etc)

Pacing was ok except for the end with was a bit to abrupt. Like it was cut off short for some reason or the artist wanted to put a panel there that he couldn't quite get done. The rest of it was fine though, standard battle pacing.

Final Rating
A solid warm up round for the 12th Elder's fight with the revelations about Roctis adding some spice to the mix. Unfortunately, the end was bit sudden and the art was only about average. A good battle chapter but not a great one.

I give it a 3 out of 5

My Prediction

• The Union was originally created by the Traitorous Nobles.

My Previous Predictions(Current Record 12-15)

None proven nor disproven this week.

• Rael will lose his next battle to the RK-4.
• I think Lee Youn-In is going to be more than just a soon-to-be-forgotten sub-character. I suspect she may have a role in the plot.
• The female operative from the Union will eventually end up on Raizel's side, like M-21 and the others.
• Rael will show up at Raizel's school seeking revenge on him and his human friends.
• The Agency Director is evil(obviously).
• Na Yontsu will get mixed feeling about recruiting Shin Woo and Ikkan.
• Raizel will ultimately choose to use himself up completely in order to help his friends.
• The trainees that disappeared are dead or worse.
• Sangeen is going to be killed by Cerberus.
• The 12th Elder will not leave Korea alive
• Frankenstein is going to absolutely destroy the 12th Elder.

Thread Question of the Week
Which character do you want to see get a contract with a noble, and which noble do you want them contract with?

[natli]

Gejutel offered a contract before to Tao, Takeo and M21.

Rai can create a contract with RK4 (sans Regis) but I think he wants them to develop on their own. It's bad to take shortcuts if you want to become truly strong. He might do it if they have reached the limit of their power, and have to fight against stronger opponents (which is a likely situation). But I think he will be reluctant to do it.

Shinwoo is another matter. Currently, he's a child to be protected. The situation would have to change drastically so he would be forced to fight for Rai. I thought this would happen when KSA tried to recruit him, because if Shinwoo became a modified human it would be easy for him to join Rai's group. Another scenario I can think of is if Shinwoo *asked* Raizel to do it, of his own will. But the circumstances would have to be completely different from now.

Nothing really to say here except to congratulate member MiyamotoMusashi for bringing up the "contract to a noble" idea in the discussion thread last week.

oy, I did that a page earlier

[Jammin]

Gejutel offered a contract before to Tao, Takeo and M21.

Rai can create a contract with RK4 (sans Regis) but I think he wants them to develop on their own. It's bad to take shortcuts if you want to become truly strong. He might do it if they have reached the limit of their power, and have to fight against stronger opponents (which is a likely situation). But I think he will be reluctant to do it.

Shinwoo is another matter. Currently, he's a child to be protected. The situation would have to change drastically so he would be forced to fight for Rai. I thought this would happen when KSA tried to recruit him, because if Shinwoo became a modified human it would be easy for him to join Rai's group. Another scenario I can think of is if Shinwoo *asked* Raizel to do it, of his own will. But the circumstances would have to be completely different from now.

I think with Shin Woo it depends a lot on how things shake out. Friendship is a two way street and, though Raizel would prefer to keep his friends safe, if danger starts knocking on the door they are probably not going to want to sit helplessly by the wayside.

Plus, if Raizel's strength ever does fail him, I think they would stand up for him whether they had power or not. So Contracts could be considered a way of keeping them safe.

oy, I did that a page earlier

Ah, so you did. I amended the review to put credit where credit is due.

[phio_chan]

This chapter drew a definitive link between the traitorous nobles and the Union. Which I'm certain is going to be a source of trouble between the Lukedonia Nobles and Union going forward; though I'm sure Frankenstien killing the hell out of the 12th Elder isn't exactly going to help either.

12th Elder didn't seem to be the type to spill out information or such; perhaps he would have committed suicide before he said anything. To be honest I didn't think he knows that much either; this elder seems like a step son and doesn't have a truly good relationship with fellow elders. Still he could be a great source of information already. At least now Frank and Rai found a new target in Union.

Needless to say I was overjoyed to see Ked, the annoyingly unkillable cockroach that he is, finally get stepped on. Frankenstien takes care of business like only he can. It does sting a bit that he is the last Cerberus member to die (my prediction was off by a mile).

His next words after he killed Ked was just... both amazing and scary. Frank is just too awesome.

It also became apparent this week that quite a few KSA people are still alive. Since they are trying to put of the fires, figuratively(and possibly literally). I find this unfortunate because I was hoping to see Yontsu and Sangeen join the staff at Frankenstein's school full time.

I quite much like it, the school is too crowded already and having 5 guards for such school could probably be too much. Either way I thought the director was left alive if I remember correctly; he should be able to resume power and control soon and reorganize the mess inside. So much work for everyone. And Sangeen and Yontsu would play a key role to future cooperation with Frank and Rai and friends. :3

Which character do you want to see get a contract with a noble, and which noble do you want them contract with?

*sough* Shin Woo and Seira out of my own romance world. *cough*

Gejutel offered a contract before to Tao, Takeo and M21.

Wow, he did? I didn't remember.

Rai can create a contract with RK4 (sans Regis) but I think he wants them to develop on their own. It's bad to take shortcuts if you want to become truly strong. He might do it if they have reached the limit of their power, and have to fight against stronger opponents (which is a likely situation). But I think he will be reluctant to do it.

Not sure if Noblesse can actually do it too. Or perhaps this is exactly the method how a new Noblesse is chosen, through a contract and power share. Since we haven't heard how Rai turned to be a Noblesse and the development before. What you said make sense too, Rai wouldn't want them to do that. He seems to prefer sacrificing himself in terms of fighting than doing that. ^^;

Shinwoo is another matter. Currently, he's a child to be protected. The situation would have to change drastically so he would be forced to fight for Rai. I thought this would happen when KSA tried to recruit him, because if Shinwoo became a modified human it would be easy for him to join Rai's group. Another scenario I can think of is if Shinwoo *asked* Raizel to do it, of his own will. But the circumstances would have to be completely different from now.

Nah, don't think Shin Woo would turn into a modified human. He is already special the way he is. XD Probably recruited and trained by KSA before 'presenting' himself to Rai. Hmmm. XD

[The Red Dog]

Hi!

Let's hope franky will manage to subdue the Elder before the Dark Spear eats him up....

Final Rating
A solid warm up round for the 12th Elder's fight with the revelations about Roctis adding some spice to the mix. Unfortunately, the end was bit sudden and the art was only about average. A good battle chapter but not a great one.

I give it a 3 out of 5

You're a bit sereve this week Jam,3.5/5 would be deserved

Wow, he did? I didn't remember.

Check Out Ch.159

Thread Question of the Week
Which character do you want to see get a contract with a noble, and which noble do you want them contract with?

Han ShinWoo/Seira J.Royard is more than plausible,Shinwoo interested the KSA so I won't be surprised if the Union does the same kind of work by searching for healthy & strong Youngsters who'd make perfect test subject.So the Union kidnapp Shinwoo then he undergo a lifespan-decreasing,awful experiment,finaly In order to save him Seira makes a contract with Shinwoo

[Jammin]

I quite much like it, the school is too crowded already and having 5 guards for such school could probably be too much. Either way I thought the director was left alive if I remember correctly; he should be able to resume power and control soon and reorganize the mess inside. So much work for everyone. And Sangeen and Yontsu would play a key role to future cooperation with Frank and Rai and friends. :3

I didn't mean as "guards" as much as "teachers". They both have intact cover identities; Yontsu as a gym teacher and Sangeen as a social studies teacher(I think). Just imagine the awesomeness of those two continuing those roles.

*sough* Shin Woo and Seira out of my own romance world. *cough*

I also occupy that world. A marriage is contract in a certain sense, after all.

---------- Post added at 01:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------

Hi!

Let's hope franky will manage to subdue the Elder before the Dark Spear eats him up....

If by "subdue" you mean "reducing him to something that looks disturbingly like tomato paste" then that is also what I am hoping for.

You're a bit sereve this week Jam,3.5/5 would be deserved

Maybe a little. My scale pretty much goes..

5 = Perfect in every conceivable way
4 = Above Average
3 = Average
2 = Below Average
1= Poorly done

I think 3 was about right this week. Lots of cool stuff was happening but the way it was all done was only about average.

Han ShinWoo/Seira J.Royard is more than plausible,Shinwoo interested the KSA so I won't be surprised if the Union does the same kind of work by searching for healthy & strong Youngsters who'd make perfect test subject.So the Union kidnapp Shinwoo then he undergo a lifespan-decreasing,awful experiment,finaly In order to save him Seira makes a contract with Shinwoo

Shin Woo / Seira together forever. I LOVE it!