Red-Haired Ash Reads

The battle for the elixir of life has really ramped up. Gantesusai and Fuchi fight Yamada Asaemon Shugen, Rein fights Iwagakure ninja Shija, and Zhu Jin makes a last ditch effort to defeat the humans. This story continues to keep me hooked between the action and fascinating setting. The creatures that are created are all so unique and creepy. It kind of reminds me of The Last of Us at times but with plants. 

Trigger Warnings: violence; gore; death

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In this volume we are starting to see the battle shift to focusing only on Zhu Jin’s banko plant. Yamato Asaemon Jikka has gathered all the surviving criminals and Asaemon to battle the banko plant by splitting into teams to attack it. Jikka is an interesting swordsman but I don’t love his motivations. This volume ends with Gabimaru fighting his old comrade, Shiji. Shiji is a crazy person who is obsessed with Gabimaru. It will be interesting to see how their battle plays out and if some of the things he said are true or not. 

Trigger Warnings: violence; gore; death; child death; forced drug use; 

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In this volume, we see the battle almost finished. They defeat the giant Zhu Jin banko plant, Gabimaru fights against Shiji, we learn the truth about Rein and the Grand Master, and the group race to stop Rein’s ship from going to the mainland. There were a lot of surprises in this one and it was also very emotional. I keep being surprised by the amount of emotion in these fights and deaths. Now onto the last volume and the final battle. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, gore, death,

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Well this was a wonderful and action packed ending for this series. Gabimaru and the gang’s fight against Rein was suspenseful, deadly, and unexpected. I really enjoyed seeing how far this group has come and how they have built a bond of friendship. Also, I loved that we got to see the survivors find their place in the world afterwards and continue to make friends. Gabimaru and Yui’s reunion was beautiful and I loved the small glimpse we got to see of their future. 

This was a wonderful and fascinating story that I was hooked on from the very beginning. I am sad that it is over and will be thinking about these characters for a long time. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, gore, death,

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Previous books and reviews for the series:

• Volumes 1-3
• Volumes 4-6
• Volumes 7-9