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Last week the poll was on whether or not Urokai is going to die here. A strong majority thinks he will but there where a few who thought he might find a way to survive. We'll still have to wait to be sure but it's looking REALLY good for the majority right now.
Now onto the review!
This week's chapter picks up with the Lady Werewolf, Urokai, and Siriana all surprised by Raizel's sudden appearance. He seems familiar to the Lady Werewolf but she can't quite remember why until Siriana greets him by name. Urokai is shocked into disbelief, having apparently thought Raizel to be dead. But all doubt to his identity fades when Raizel greets them by name without anger and explains that he only recently woke up.
Siriana asks him if he knows what happened between them and Lukedonia and calmly explains to him that he does. Urokai becomes livid at the apparent lack of interest Raizel shows in why they betrayed him, explaining that to him it was all about how he accepted a human when he wouldn't accept him, but Raizel calmly explains that it was "their will" and bears them no grudge for what they did to him.
Urokai questions if that is true then why did he show himself and Raizel answers that they have harmed humans and those he must protect so they now must be removed.
This gets under Urokai's skin but before he can go on another tirade Siriana calmly politely asks Raizel to once more forgive them for doing the unforgivable; and tells the Lady Werewolf that this isn't her fight and to stay back.(Thank you Siriana!)
At this Urokai and Siriana's soul weapons come out. Raizel's clothes revert to his Lukedonia outfit. Seeing this Frankenstien is extremely concerned that facing both of them will be too much for his master's body, but Raizel tells him to stand back. This is something he must do. He also charges Seira and Rajak with keeping humans from further harm.
He then puts up an huge blood field. Siriana is concerned by this but Urokai asks if he's overextending himself. Wondering aloud how much power Raizel used last time. Also figuring out that his prolonged sleep must mean that he's weakened (not as dumb as he looks apparently). Raizel responds by saying that "he always was... talkative."
This taunt kicks off the fight in earnest. With both Urokai and Siriana raining attacks on Raizel and him blocking each with one hand. Raizel launches and attack of his own which they both dodge. After realizing that fighting in the blood field was getting them nowhere Siriana suggests breaking the field to gain the advantage. They both launch powerful attacks at the field and succeed in breaking it but as the dust settles they see Raizel unfolding bloodred wings and looking at them with glowing red eye; emanating an incredible amount of power as a single teardrop of blood runs down his face
Substance
This was a chapter devoted entirely to Raizel facing down Urokai and Siriana. For Raizel's part he was calm. I think some expected anger or sense of betrayal from him toward the Ex-clan leaders who tried to kill him but there was none of that. Something that's easy to forget about Raizel is that he almost never acts on his own behalf. It's always about others and in this was the same way.
This chapter also tackled the Elders motivations starting with Urokai. Mad dog that he is, he seemed to have been driven to that state by pride and jealousy over humans. He's what I imagine Rael is on a path to becoming one day. To him being a noble means being better more important than everyone who isn't one and every reminder that might not be true fills him with rage.
Siriana's reaction was the one I found more the more interesting of the two. Though quite about his motivations he showed great respect and politeness he shows toward Raizel. He seemed no less resolved than Siriana about killing Raizel, to him it seems more like something he feels he needs to do rather than wants to do.
The fight itself went much the way I thought it would, at least up until the end. As most expected The Lady Werewolf got a pass (now that she is, relatively, safe I can rest easy) During the fight itself Raizel proved to be more powerful than Siriana and Urokai but they were more than strong enough to keep him from stomping them like he has everybody else. Nobody was getting one-shotted and nobody was kneeling. So this was a legit fight. Both of his opponents also used thier knowledge of him greatly to their advantage. Urokai to correctly guess that Raizel is weakened and Siriana figure out to fight him they will need to break the Blood Field first. The big surprise was Raizel transforming into his crimson angel of death Bankai at the end there.
Raizel's wing mode no doubt brings with it a ton of power, even by the Lady Werewolf's standards, so Urokai and Siriana's life expectancy's took a drastic plunge when it appeared. Unfortunately, Raizel's ordinary powers come at a high cost so the cost for this one is likely to be enormous.
Presentation
The artwork was better this week than last. While detail was still lacking at times it balanced things out with some really great panels like the one of Crimson Angel Raizel at the end. The combat itself, while not as clear as most of the combat in this arc, still did exactly what it needed to. It made Raizel look powerful without undermining the threat of Ex-Clan Leaders which must have been a difficult tight rope to walk.
In terms of pacing I would describe this chapter as leisurely. Which is to say that it was much slower than most of the recent chapters but not in an unwelcome way. It was important that the battle with these Clan Leaders came across and important and pivotal particularly if this fight proves to be the beginning of the end for Raziel; which it quite possibly could be. Either way I think it's a good move to slow the pacing, and I think it should probably be kept slow throughout the fight.
Overall Rating
Raizel versus Urokai & Siriana has lived up to my expectations, and even exceeding them. The story side of things continues to hit it out of the park and the artwork was greatly improved, but not quite perfect.
I give it a 4 out of 5
New Prediction
Can't think of anything interesting enough, sorry.
Old Predictions: (23 Wins/ 31 Losses)
Nothing proven or disproven.
Now onto the review!
Chapter Summary
I can only assume that's a tear of pity shed for what he's about to do to Urokai.
I can only assume that's a tear of pity shed for what he's about to do to Urokai.
This week's chapter picks up with the Lady Werewolf, Urokai, and Siriana all surprised by Raizel's sudden appearance. He seems familiar to the Lady Werewolf but she can't quite remember why until Siriana greets him by name. Urokai is shocked into disbelief, having apparently thought Raizel to be dead. But all doubt to his identity fades when Raizel greets them by name without anger and explains that he only recently woke up.
Siriana asks him if he knows what happened between them and Lukedonia and calmly explains to him that he does. Urokai becomes livid at the apparent lack of interest Raizel shows in why they betrayed him, explaining that to him it was all about how he accepted a human when he wouldn't accept him, but Raizel calmly explains that it was "their will" and bears them no grudge for what they did to him.
Urokai questions if that is true then why did he show himself and Raizel answers that they have harmed humans and those he must protect so they now must be removed.
This gets under Urokai's skin but before he can go on another tirade Siriana calmly politely asks Raizel to once more forgive them for doing the unforgivable; and tells the Lady Werewolf that this isn't her fight and to stay back.(Thank you Siriana!)
At this Urokai and Siriana's soul weapons come out. Raizel's clothes revert to his Lukedonia outfit. Seeing this Frankenstien is extremely concerned that facing both of them will be too much for his master's body, but Raizel tells him to stand back. This is something he must do. He also charges Seira and Rajak with keeping humans from further harm.
He then puts up an huge blood field. Siriana is concerned by this but Urokai asks if he's overextending himself. Wondering aloud how much power Raizel used last time. Also figuring out that his prolonged sleep must mean that he's weakened (not as dumb as he looks apparently). Raizel responds by saying that "he always was... talkative."
This taunt kicks off the fight in earnest. With both Urokai and Siriana raining attacks on Raizel and him blocking each with one hand. Raizel launches and attack of his own which they both dodge. After realizing that fighting in the blood field was getting them nowhere Siriana suggests breaking the field to gain the advantage. They both launch powerful attacks at the field and succeed in breaking it but as the dust settles they see Raizel unfolding bloodred wings and looking at them with glowing red eye; emanating an incredible amount of power as a single teardrop of blood runs down his face
Chapter Review
Of course, we all realize the only reason she stayed back is so she could stare and Franky's shirtless chest.
Of course, we all realize the only reason she stayed back is so she could stare and Franky's shirtless chest.
Substance
This was a chapter devoted entirely to Raizel facing down Urokai and Siriana. For Raizel's part he was calm. I think some expected anger or sense of betrayal from him toward the Ex-clan leaders who tried to kill him but there was none of that. Something that's easy to forget about Raizel is that he almost never acts on his own behalf. It's always about others and in this was the same way.
This chapter also tackled the Elders motivations starting with Urokai. Mad dog that he is, he seemed to have been driven to that state by pride and jealousy over humans. He's what I imagine Rael is on a path to becoming one day. To him being a noble means being better more important than everyone who isn't one and every reminder that might not be true fills him with rage.
Siriana's reaction was the one I found more the more interesting of the two. Though quite about his motivations he showed great respect and politeness he shows toward Raizel. He seemed no less resolved than Siriana about killing Raizel, to him it seems more like something he feels he needs to do rather than wants to do.
The fight itself went much the way I thought it would, at least up until the end. As most expected The Lady Werewolf got a pass (now that she is, relatively, safe I can rest easy) During the fight itself Raizel proved to be more powerful than Siriana and Urokai but they were more than strong enough to keep him from stomping them like he has everybody else. Nobody was getting one-shotted and nobody was kneeling. So this was a legit fight. Both of his opponents also used thier knowledge of him greatly to their advantage. Urokai to correctly guess that Raizel is weakened and Siriana figure out to fight him they will need to break the Blood Field first. The big surprise was Raizel transforming into his crimson angel of death Bankai at the end there.
Raizel's wing mode no doubt brings with it a ton of power, even by the Lady Werewolf's standards, so Urokai and Siriana's life expectancy's took a drastic plunge when it appeared. Unfortunately, Raizel's ordinary powers come at a high cost so the cost for this one is likely to be enormous.
Presentation
The artwork was better this week than last. While detail was still lacking at times it balanced things out with some really great panels like the one of Crimson Angel Raizel at the end. The combat itself, while not as clear as most of the combat in this arc, still did exactly what it needed to. It made Raizel look powerful without undermining the threat of Ex-Clan Leaders which must have been a difficult tight rope to walk.
In terms of pacing I would describe this chapter as leisurely. Which is to say that it was much slower than most of the recent chapters but not in an unwelcome way. It was important that the battle with these Clan Leaders came across and important and pivotal particularly if this fight proves to be the beginning of the end for Raziel; which it quite possibly could be. Either way I think it's a good move to slow the pacing, and I think it should probably be kept slow throughout the fight.
Overall Rating
Raizel versus Urokai & Siriana has lived up to my expectations, and even exceeding them. The story side of things continues to hit it out of the park and the artwork was greatly improved, but not quite perfect.
I give it a 4 out of 5
Predictions Section
New Prediction
Can't think of anything interesting enough, sorry.
Old Predictions: (23 Wins/ 31 Losses)
Nothing proven or disproven.
- 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.
- Raizel will name Shin Woo his successor; resulting in him inheriting the title and power of the Noblesse.
- The female operative from the Union will eventually end up on Raizel's side, like M-21 and the others.
- Raizel will ultimately choose to use himself up completely in order to help his friends.
- The Union was originally created by the Traitorous Nobles.
- M-21 and Yontsu. I think it's going to happen, even if I have no idea how.
- The coming combat arc will be Raizel's last.
- Raizel will be the one to heal the poisoned kids through some means or another.
- At some point the Lady Werewolf will turn on the Union.
- Urokai's gonna die.
