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Manga-ka: Satoko Kiyuduki
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: October 2008
Synopsis:
“With Nijuku and Sanju in tow, the road winds on for Kuro and Sen. During a lull en route, Kuro takes a turn down memory lane, revisiting an unfortunate incident during her early days as a traveler that resulted in her imprisonment! One by one, the secrets surrounding Kuro and her journey with Sen are disclosed… and the fate that Kuro will suffer should her quest fail is finally revealed!”
In this volume, it becomes quite clear that Kuro and Sen are under their own curses. It is openly stated that the appearances that they have now are not their ‘natural’ ones. Sen’s curse has broken him into a thousand bats, each a part of his body and Kuro’s to be on a time limit, and is linked with the mysterious black spots that have covered a large part of her body. Not to mention she is actually older than she seems.
Volume two of Shoulder-A-Coffin Kuro was just as pleasant to read as the first volume had been. Keeping up with the same delightful story telling, we begin to learn more about the reason behind the journey that Kuro and Sen started on.
There are a few stories in this volume that tell of Kuro’s early traveling days. From the time when she was first cursed, to when she acquired the hat she’s always wearing. A few new interesting support characters are introduced, some of which are connected to the black witch that has placed the curses on Kuro and Sen.
When Kuro was younger, she was more cheerful. But the weight of her travels had made her much more depressive. Having Nijuku and Sanju along with her and Sen has lightened her burden, allowing her to be more hopeful and more cheerful. Also, the coffin that Kuro carries is a symbol of sorts, taken from a town where she met a girl who was also plagued by the black spots. It was a startling realization for the young Kuro, to see where the end of her journey would lead if she were to fail.
I, of course, have a strong hope that our heroine is able to find the black witch so that she and Sen are able to return to normal. I’m far too curious to find out what their normal selves are supposed to look like! So once again I shall be anxiously awaiting the release of the next volume of Shoulder-A-Coffin Kuro.
Review written October 22, 2008 by Gizmo
Book provided by Yen Press for review purposes
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