Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE Vol. #14 Media Manga Genre Fantasy Publisher Del Rey Manga MSRP $10.95 Release Date 07/31/07 Age Rating 13+ Website Del Rey Manga Pages 192 ISBN 0-345-48534-3 Size 5� x 7 1/2� Layout Right-to-Left Discuss this title in the Forums Submit your own Review August 02, 2008 by: Adam Beck Fire-filled beasts and plenty of action, but will it be enough to entertain? Manga Description: IF THEY WON�T LET US BORROW IT�E The odd group of dimension travelers arrives in a country full of magic. They seek a book that may hold the key to finding one of Princess Sakura�s powerful memory feathers. But the volume they need turns out to be a national treasure, off limits to the public. Now Syaoran, Kurogane, and the others must brave traps, ravenous beasts, and some of the universe�s strongest magicians in order to steal the book. When it comes down to enchantments versus martial arts skill, can the team pull off the biggest caper of their career so far? Includes special extras after the story! Manga Review Content: (This section may contain spoilers.) They finally did it. Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle has surpassed its 100th chapter! Syaoran, having found his way out of Kurogane�s past was no easy task, but he was able to endure it and finds himself back in the elegant magic-filled world. While this volume has a bit of adventure, such as finding secret dungeons and getting past mind games and obstacles, the majority of the volume is action-packed, consisting of some fast fights (maybe too fast at times). While the last volume included the brutal slaying of Kurogane�s past, the previous adventure was pretty calm, which had Sakura focusing on driving futuristic vehicles instead of battling armies of monsters. The 14th volume continues the story as Syaoran and the crew gets back to looking for Sakura�s feather. The first two chapters mainly revolve around the main characters talking over what to do and where to go. It isn�t too boring though, as they keep things lively with interesting dialogue and comedic moments �that still don�t seem to involve Syaoran or Sakura directly. The library that the feather is supposedly stored in is guarded by two gigantic fiery lion-like beasts - which is downright cool. The last time I felt such intensity from a non-human being was way back in the first and second volume when the five visited the Hashin Republic. Strangely, I found it interesting that Syaoran would jump to high risks such as theft, even though the situation was seemed like it was the only solution. Getting into the secret underground tunnels of the library, the story gets a lot more exciting as nothing ever seems to go their way. I mean, what would be the point of a hidden location that is protecting something precious to the world having no security if invaders get inside? The battles are pretty good, although one of them ended with the main characters just running away in a hectic hurry. The second fight is probably the best considering it takes Syaoran and evolves him further. We�ve seen the hints and nudges of what looks like Syaoran�s twin in the past, but this is the first time it has manifested within our hero and takes over his body. This actually turns out to be a positive thing only because it offers an enjoyable battle between beast versus�Ewell beast. His presence is strange and offers much for the future, but it also confuses things and makes me wonder who the hell Syaoran really is. He seems to have a darker and longer history than we know of, and it seems that it�s slowly making its way out. The overall battle is pretty quick when this occurs, but the escape is as exciting as the team has to find their way out without getting caught by another guardian dog or magicians that I�m thankful weren�t given brooms; instead, they ride white-winged objects, making this a rather unique touch rather than sticking with the traditional clich� They still use wands, but they seem to look like giant matches here. At the end of the chase, something rather interesting happens; Fai, the thought to be magic-less and powerless hero finally shows that he is useful. Instead of just standing around or running with Sakura in his arms, he is able to summon some sort of shield like spell which allows the crew to escape to safety - or so they thought. Fai�s magical spell makes me wonder why he doesn�t use it more often. Will it irritate the one who Fai is running from, is it damaging him each time, or is it just a personal choice of just saving it for sticky situations? This is something I still ponder. Arriving into the next world isn�t as glories as the past couple ones. The world splits into two, and though fighting with spiritual beliefs was probably the worst world yet, but things ended up concluding nicely. This world though, ultimately takes the cake as the worst yet. There is no fixing this world as it has already died. This is a post-apocalyptic world where humans have scarred the land to a point where Mother Nature is fighting back. Everything is destroyed and things are gradually being eroded by acid rain. Finding shelter, there is nothing but death around them and it�s obvious that they are not wanted. This is looking to be an exciting scenario considering we�ve never been past anything as dramatic as this thus far in the series. With some badass fights between the mindless Syaoran and a giant beast, and the great escape of the feather theft, this is actually an enjoyable addition into the series. It�s full of magic and creativity, but it definitely feels like this land was not supposed to keep them that long. The final chapter introduces them to the possible significant future ahead of them as the world gets a lot more violent and uglier than ever before. Artwork: The style in Tsubasa is very rough around the edges, but that isn�t saying that it�s poor. The artwork itself is well done in terms of how much Clamp puts on the page, but it is far from detailed. It isn�t disfigured in the way you will not recognize what is going on, but the world and clothing you see are very bland and uninteresting. There are specific styles that have been taken from the various cultures or history within our world, as well as others that are completely out of this world, but contrary to such expectations from such a combination they mainly contain very little detail and stylistic fashion. I mean, the front cover looks great - I just wish they brought that along into the context of the story. I�m not trying to say the visuals are bad, per se, but they are ultimately not well rounded; they only tell the story, rather than visually grabbing you and immersing you within it. This might be caused by the constant movement effects that seem to do nothing but fill a page with straight lines. Still, the visuals are well done, and tell the story enough for you to understand what is going on. The creatures are also fantastic to look at and jump off the screen when they are not in motion. Overall, the artwork is a bit cluttered, but Clamp�s style is still somewhat unique and does create a fast paced atmosphere, with lots to read about. Translation: The English-translation is done extremely well and with no apparent translation issues, whether they are grammar or spelling errors, or untranslated sound effects. Sound effects are presented in Japanese (most of them are pretty large) and translated into English nearby - and when I say nearby, they`re usually right above or below - and even inside, and on level each Japanese sound effect is angled. For extras, there really isn�t much, and when you�re promised "special extras" it does hurt to see that the only thing that is included is four pages of translation notes and a very brief explanation about the creators. For a full-priced manga, it does feel a bit lacking in the extras department. The Bottom Line: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle�s 14th volume is a good addition into the series; it offers a lot of magical, comedic, and action-packed moments an a good variety of content. The fight with Syaoran and the guardian beast was exciting and offered a new look into Syaoran�s history and possible future with the series. While the artwork is good, it definitely is a bit on the rough side as there are parts of the manga that flourish; still, with a lively adventure, Tsubasa is an adventure that only comes out a winner.

Content Syaoran�s fight offers a peek into the future, and with a chase scene and the great theft of the Sakura�s feather, the scenario is a solid adventure. 7.7 Art A bit cluttered and somewhat rough, but they do the job very well in establishing what is there and how it�s told. 7.5 Translation For a manga filled with tons of sound effects, you�d think there�d be something overlooked, but that is not the case as there aren�t any noticeable errors. 8.5 Verdict Tsubasa is a peculiar series that is hard to describe. It�s a fantasy, it�s modern, it�s futuristic, and it could be considered sci-fi. There is a wide variety of styles that go into the series, but this time it�s magic that is the main attraction. While the visuals are a bit rough, the adventure is as solid as ever, and the characters are developing quite nicely. It�s definitely an adventure that fills everyone�s hearts with excitement. 7.7 [not an average] + Great battle sequences. + Syaoran�s character is becoming quite unique. + New setting looks interesting. - Some rough and somewhat cluttered artwork. - A couple longwinded scenes.

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