Tenryu (Dragon Cycle) Vol.#06

By: Patricia Beard
Review Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Release Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2006



Creative Talent
Writer/Artist:Sanami Matoh
Translated by:Neil Rae
Adapted by:Jake Forbes

What They Say
As the agents of evil gather in anticipation of the Black Dragon's ultimate victory, Hiryu and the surviving members of the Dragon Family make a last stand against the forces of darkness. It's the end of the journey and the moment that all of Hiryu's training has prepared him for. But is victory worth the ultimate sacrifice?

The Review
The stage has been set for the showdown between the Dragon Kings and their allies, and the forces of the Black Dragon. Hiryu and the miko princess must make a difficult decision to assure a successful outcome. But just as events of the past dictated the course of events, a promise from the past redeems their sacrifice.

There is no shortage of battles with minions of Black Dragon and these are brief, well-depicted, but, perhaps, a little too easily won. The elaborated narrative begun with some urgency in volume four is well-resolved. However, the fate of many of the secondary characters is left unaddressed, disappointing since we do get to care about them. There is a short epilog that's emotionally satisfying if a bit light on rationality.

Tenryu accomplishes a lot in a six volume presentation and it is unusual to see a complete fantasy series in this few volumes. The uncertainty and occasional sloppiness of the art disappears after volume one and subsequent volumes are exceptional for both character depiction and elaborate environment.

Readers familiar with fantasy/quest manga might find this series a bit pedestrian through the first three volumes, for it only finds its narrative strength in the last three. But it is a story decently told in six volumes with some of the best and most distinctive manga art.