Battle Angel Alita, Volume 9: Angel's Ascencion

Despite the degree of excellence found within the entire "Battle Angel Alita" series, I never thought any of the later volumes managed to meet the quality of the brilliant first two volumes (although some came close). But Yukito Kishiro surpassed my wildest expectations by giving us "Angel's Ascension", the final volume in his post-apocalyptic masterpiece, and it's a volume that not only meets the standards of volumes one and two, but also surpasses them in some ways. In short, "Angel's Ascension" is a masterpiece in itself.By now, my stance on the artwork and the recommended reader's level is cliche: the artwork is beautiful and superb, and the blood and violence and minor nudity makes this a mature series. But my take on the storytelling isn't the same as in my other reviews. Why? Because "Angel's Ascension" is on a level all its own.The story in volume nine defies simple description. At its basic level, "Angel's Ascension" reveals the secret of Tiphares and finally cues us in on Alita's long forgotten past. But the story is anything but basic. It is so beautiful, so powerful, so moving, so captivating, that to just read it would be a downright shame. A reader has to not only read it, but practically drown himself in it! Yukito started the series with two near-perfect volumes ("Battle Angel Alita" and "Tears of an Angel"), and I'm overjoyed that he decided to end the series on the same note.After reading and reviewing all nine volumes of "Battle Angel Alita", I can honestly say that the series is one of the greatest manga series I've ever read, on par with classics such as "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind" and "Galaxy Express 999". The only disappointment? That the ride is over.Or is it? Believe it or not, Yukito Kishiro has created another "Battle Angel Alita" series, called "Gunnm: Last Order" ("Gunnm" is the Japanese name for "Battle Angel Alita"). Apparently, before he could complete the first series, "an affair" happened to Yukito and he went through a physical and emotional breakdown that caused him to end "Gunnm" in a way he hadn't planned. Since then, he felt guilty about how he ended the series...so much that in 2000 he suspended his new series, "Aquaknight" (all three current volumes are available by VIZ), so he could write a new "Gunnm" series!Will we learn new things about Alita we had never dreamed of? Will Yukito create another masterpiece? And the big question: will VIZ bring "Gunnm: Last Order" to the United States? We can only hope. Until then, this nine volume collection should more than keep us entertained!

Ok here goes,#9,all I can say is that book is the best manga I've ever read!The art, amazing(this guy can draw),the story is a masterpiece,but I especially loved the ending!Alright, I'm going to stop sucking up, but anyway,in this book,Alita discovers about her past,what her name was,how she ended up in earth,where she came from,and what she was.The secret behind the utopia above the sky is revealed(there are 2,one about the people,and why it was built).Throughout the book Alita is after Nova,and seems to be her enemy at first...

If I said this were the best graphic novel ever, I don't think I'd be too far off. However, it is a matter of opinion. An invigorating plot, multi-dimensional characters, and a descriptive setting are a must in any story, and this book has got it all - plus eight novels worth of history behind it. Personally I find Angel's Ascension, the end to the Battle Angel Alita series, the best. But there's more! Not only does the plot move you, characters charm and scare you, (Desty Nova has my vote for scariest bad-guy) and setting take you away from the monotony that life can sometimes be, but Yukito Kishiro asks daring questions about the core of our existence:"What makes us who we are?"And as the struggle for the Scrapyard's independence comes to a close, Cheif Bigott, Lou, Den, Alita, Kaos, and Koyomi must toil with the question of right and wrong... and battle with the thin line between life and death.

Yukito Kishiro concludes his epic cyber punk series with what is, in my opinion, probably the best offering he has given us (I read it two days ago and I'm still recovering from it). Alita has finally won the battle within herself and can now focus all her attention on psycho doctor Desty Nova. But is Nova her true enemy? The book contains all of the mind-numbing violence and stunning visuals of its predesessors infused with the usual thought provoking philosophy and heart renching character profiles that make Kishiro one of the best graphic story tellers it has ever been my privilage to sample. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! By the way, check out "Ashen Victor", Kishiro's Motorball series previously mentioned by Mr. Super Dave

Angel's Ascension is a stunning conclusion to Yukito Kishiro's gritty cyberpunk masterpiece. Alita finally discovers the ghastly secret of Tiphares, but to shatter the myth of the paradise in the sky, she must first _save_ the floating city from destruction! Kishiro's ending is an incredible conclusion to this deeply psychological, highly technical, yet also action-packed (and romantic?!) series. Alita's search to find her true self is one that is mirrored in each of us. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Alita, as she finally finishes her heartbreaking path to discover what it means to be human. For after all, if even a cyborg can experience the human emotions of love and pain, what does that say for the rest of us?