ALIVE 2: The Final Evolution
© Del Rey
Mania Grade: A
Story by: Tadashi Kawashima
Art by: Adachitoka
Publisher: Del Rey
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Price: $10.95
Buy it now!
Story by: Tadashi Kawashima
Art by: Adachitoka
Publisher: Del Rey
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Price: $10.95
Buy it now!
ALIVE 2: The Final Evolution
By: Nadia OxfordReview Date: Friday, November 02, 2007
Alive accomplishes something that a lot of manga has trouble with: It tells its story with perfect pacing. Though new problems and mysteries crop up throughout volume 2, the reader is encouraged to keep reading as the answers for old mysteries are unwrapped slowly enough to keep the surprise from being blown all at once. The end of volume two presents a certain satisfaction, but the cliffhangers will still keep you going.
Alive hints that something foul is going on with the world. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world, affected by a "suicide virus," have ended their lives. Taisuke, a young student, not only survived the virus but also discovered he'd been endowed with inhuman powers. A creepy man named Yura gives him a little insight as to why he's been chosen: The world is changing, and the survivors of the suicide virus can be grouped into only two categories: "Comrades" like Taisuke, and the powerless remnants of the old world, all of whom will be dead soon enough. Though he doesn't buy it, Taisuke wants to discover why his previously gentle friend, Hirose, has gone mental. He receives one clue: Go north.
Taisuke doesn't get too far before he's entangled in what turns out to be volume two's main plot. After his bike is vandalised, he hitches a ride with Ryou, a female trucker. The two of them have a small rest in a truck stop, where a little boy--also a Comrade with eerie powers--begins to wreak havoc in his own small way.
Although the truck stop subplot doesn't contribute a great deal to the progression of Alive's main story (that job is left more to the interludes between Yura, Hirose and other Comrades), it's adds significantly to the story's atmosphere and emotion. The boy, Yuta, was left alone when his mother was afflicted by the suicide virus and took her life. Yuta lashes out by attempting to harm the patrons of the truck stop, not because he believes in the Comrades' vision of the new future, but because he is simply throwing a temper tantrum like any confused child his age--albeit a much deadlier tantrum than the usual kicking and screaming.
More From Mania
ALIVE Vol. 3
FearNet Unleashes New Series BURIED ALIVE
(Saturday, November 3, 2007)
Alive Vol.#01
(Thursday, August 30, 2007)
ALIVE, Volume One
(Thursday, July 19, 2007)
Lupin the 3rd: Dead or Alive
(Tuesday, February 22, 2005)
Dead or Alive Ultimate
(Wednesday, March 10, 2004)
DEAD OR ALIVE 3 remains exclusive to Xbox
(Friday, November 9, 2001)
Aerosmith signed for DEAD OR ALIVE 3
(Friday, October 12, 2001)
See more related content
