RG Veda, Volume 9

(NOTE: I'm using my dad's account) Although the earlier volumes of RG Veda bored me to tears and annoyed me a bit- this is the best volume I've read of RG Veda, yet! It's in this volume where we meet the mysterious General Jikokuten (who before had never even shown their face to the other Generals), The Five Stars arrival to Zenmi Castle, the revealing of the Last Star, and the dramatic meeting of Ashura and his traitorous mother, Shashi. However, this is also where the real tragedy begins in RG Veda- besides the massacre of the Yasha tribe, and the tragic deaths of Gigei, a close friend of Ashura's; Rasetsu, Lord Yasha's brother; and Shara, Rasetsu's kind wife. The most light-hearted of the main characters is killed, and a favorite character with a seemingly kind personality turns out to be the exact opposite as everyone once knew her. (Also she seems to have no problem attempting to battle, and even kill her love, despite the fact that she stated many times in the series how she chouldn't bare for her love to perish). The mysterious and light-hearted Kujaku is shown his serious side and we finally see one of the many unknown truths about him, and a "similarity" he has with the ruthless God King Taishakuten. It is also during this volume where the sweet and loving Ashura changes forever and is then finally released as the true King of the Ashuras. The artwork and battle scenes are simply breathtaking and is, which I believe, one of CLAMP's masterpieces- even though RG Veda is not as well known as Cardcaptor Sakura or Chobits. RG Veda should be getting more credit then it is, and the series also shows that CLAMP can do tragedies just as well as they can do light hearted comedies such as Angelic Layer or Magic Knight Rayearth (which also has some tragic elements). I would not recommed this series for anyone younger than 13 or 14 mainly because of the brutal violence (which happens more often after volume 5). I've read this volume of RG Veda more then ten times all ready, and I can't get enough of it! I can't wait for volume ten!

The battle is on. Ashura and his gang has finally entered the castle. Here Ashura finally meets his mother, but things take an unexpected turn from there. An unexpected enemy showes up, a new general, some one will die, but who?

For those who rated this badly....DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This story is complex and meant for older readers. The plot is very serious and tragic. If you can't take things like that, then don't read it. This story is neither romantic nor a comedy. Despite the lack of elements that most readers typically enjoy, it is an awesome series. I first read the Chinese edition and bought all ten of the books. Reading it in English, however, is a different experience because of cultural differences that would affect translations. The point is, THIS SERIES IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Please remember, this is CLAMP's 2nd series, and is still very green, so keep the insults to a minimum. I really enjoyed reading this manga. However, the only problem with it is that the first volume is slow. But, after that, the story line is very dramatic, and for the older readers. While some people *cough cough* who wrote a studid review because the simply can't handle the serious plot line. i reccommned this serious for people who can handle a serious plot, if you are looking for funny CLAMP manga, I recommend Miyuki-chan in Wonderland, CLAMP School Detectives, xxxHolic, or Chobits.

I almost flipped out when I first saw this. Finally! RG Veda was getting translated! I first came across this series when it was still in the original Japanese text. That didn't stop me however from buying it and reading the translations from online. That is how much I loved it. True it is alot different from the Clamp today. That's because it was one of Clamps first works! So be gentle when reading and reviewing. The art work in my opinion is one of they're best to date. They seem to lack nowadays in the detail department. The book is about fate. The ever popular theme of Clamp. A baby is found by a King. He is said to be Ashura. The child of a long destroyed clan of warriors. Who is this kid anyways? What does he have to do with the prophecy of a star gazer? And what does Yasha, the king who found Ashura and the rest of the six stars have to do with it? Well lets just say heaven and earth is never going to be the same again!