Yami no Matsuei, Volume 4

[krait]

This one's a change in pace - several short stories, instead of one long narrative.


...So the first one is full of furries. o.O Apparently Hokkaido is home to a kingdom of talking animal spirits, founded by some random wildlife rehabber, and this is taken in stride by everyone except me. The fox is cute, though! It was interesting to see more of the department's life outside of work, though, with yearly vacations and travel groups, and we get to meet more of the Bureau: Tatsumi, Watari, Konoe, Saya & Yuma all help flesh out the world Hisoka finds himself in.

I had a couple moments of d'awww when Hisoka moping because he wants to physically grow up so Tsuzuki will see him as adult, and then at Watari's gay awakening because Tsuzuki's just that pretty when he's naked. :D


The second story might be my favourite: I love the idea that there's an interdepartmental archery contest as a test of power! Terazuma shows up as a foil to Tsuzuki, and we learn that they don't get along, but Tsuzuki isn't sure why Terazuma hates him so much. And then! There's the first bits of Hisoka's pre-Muraki backstory! He comes from a distinguished samurai family with roots in the 13th century, and grew up training in traditional martial arts. He wasn't close to his father and doesn't remember him fondly.

I loved his gallows humour - "I'm the 17th generation, but I'm already dead so I guess they're back to the 16th now." :D

I'm curious how much the others know about his background, though, because I remember that in an earlier volume Hisoka says that he died of a mysterious wasting disease, but I guess it must have been a private conversation and the Bureau isn't big on gossip, because Watari jokes, "All that exercise [kendo, aikido, swordwork, and archery] and you're still scrawny?" Ouch; way to put your foot in it, Watari. *winces*

Hisoka teaching Tsuzuki archery: this seems like a good way to encourage that whole 'see you as an adult' thing! Go, Hisoka! I hope Tsuzuki appreciates your talent... and your "form." :D

I want to know more about Terazuma; he has pointed ears and better-than-human eyesight, and he turns into a beast when touched by a woman - what is this guy?? (His sense of style doesn't hurt, either. Author's note: "I like a man who looks good in a hakama!" Yeah, you and me both, Matsushita!)

Workplace sexual harassment is Matsushita's thing: with the Count's suggestion that Tsuzuki should repay him for his bet if he loses the archery contest, the number of people who have suggested gambling for Tsuzuki's body has now reached 2! And the first story had the girls harassing Hisoka, which is played for laughs despite several of the people present knowing Hisoka's powers mean he doesn't like to be touched.

In addition to the start of Hisoka's family issues, we get the first hint of Tsuzuki's issues: while rambling to Hisoka about why Terazuma might not like him, he suggests that Terazuma doesn't approve of Tsuzuki working an 'easy' assignment given how powerful he is, and dislikes Tsuzuki's attempts to avoid hurting people with his power.

The archery contest... almost isn't? This was disappointing; I wanted archery! Instead we mostly get shenanigans - including Terazuma almost kissing a suspiciously unprotesting Hisoka - and Hisoka getting hurt by a sabotaged bowstring so he doesn't get to show off his archery skills. D:< I hope this contest comes up again in a future volume so everyone can be duly impressed! On the upside, Tsuzuki focuses hard and pulls off a victory that nobody was expecting him to achieve! It's a rare sign of competence and power... and all the interesting in light of his earlier words about peple getting hurt through his power.


This one is much more in line with other YnM storylines like the 'Queen Camellia,' which is to say, your timely reminder body horror is also Matsushita's thing. A murder in a Catholic all-boys school leads Tsuzuki and Hisoka into a new case. Tsuzuki disguises himself as a priest, Hisoka as a student; another example of their age difference being helpful when it comes to splitting up to approach a case from two angles simultaneously.

Honestly I don't have a lot to say about this story, at least not that's flattering. A whole lot of angsting and throwing around random bits of Christianity without context or coherence, a whole lot of explaining the story in author's notes because it wasn't clear in the story itself.

Longhaired deranged murderous sexual assaulters are clearly Matsushita's favourite thing.

We get some interesting character notes: Tsuzuki defeating Sagatanas made him the demon's heir, so now a bunch of other demons want to take him down to claim the title; Tsuzuki has some kind of forbidden love in his background; Tsuzuki takes on the blame for the deaths, but Hisoka very clearly tells him it wasn't his fault.

My favourite bit is definitely Tsuzuki - dressed as a priest, no less - telling Hisoka he can climb in Tsuzuki's bed if he's scared, and Hisoka retorting angrily, "Why don't you go sleep with Jesus?" Burn.

The other main thing I got from this storyline is a clue as to why this manga's hard to read. Matsushita's skill at explaining things is... it's... well, I give you these two author's notes:

Now I'm going to explain something. {The Name of the Rose} This is the name of a book by Umberto Eco. It's a murder mystery set in a monastery (I think). I saw the film adaptation of TV a while back, so I don't really remember. I think Sean Connery was in it. I know there were these two fat gay monks that were kind of lame. Homosexuality is permitted in Buddhism. What a strange religion...

&

Let me explain the meaning of Kira's words 'Eli eli lama sabachthani.' That's actually a phrase from the French author Gustave Dore's Bible (...it may exist in other versions too.) It means 'Please help me, God.' I'm pretty sure it's Hebrew. Sorry if that's not right.

I. I just. Maybe you... shouldn't explain things... if you don't know anything about them. Like. Just a thought?

In summary: THIS MANGA, YOU GUYS!

Comments

[dancing_serpent]

Oh man, I really need to read them all again...right now I can't even remember if we were already shown how powerful Tsuzuki really is, or if we're still at that stage where everybody is just talking about his powers. And poor Terazuma, having such a hard time with his shiki. *g*

That third story...Tsuzuki looked so pretty in that outfit, especially praying under that veil. Guh!

[krait]

You should reread them!

So far we've seen Tsuzuki summon Touda, and we know he has 12 gods he can summon, but most of his powers are still Informed Abilities right now, and mostly the informing is coming from Tsuzuki. We haven't had much outside perspective on what Tsuzuki's capable of, yet.

Heh, yes, they do seem to have a knack for picking up cases that include hot costumes! CasinoDealer!Tsuzuki got the gorgeous suit, and ArcheryContest!Tsuzuki got the fabulous traditional Japanese getup. :D And Onsen!Tsuzuki got the best costume of all, by which I mean nothing...

[dancing_serpent]

Right, yes. The number alone is a huge hint at his power, even not knowing that those twelve are the Divine Commanders/Heavenly Generals, and not some low-level shiki. (Or that Touda's true powers are still locked away.) Especially compared to Terazuma who has trouble controlling his one single shiki.

Oh yeah, Onsen!Tsuzuki making everybody question their sexuality with his beauty. *g* That was also the story that made me think he's secretly a Disney princess, what with all the cute little animals flocking to him, and him talking to them...

[anoyo]

That was also the story that made me think he's secretly a Disney princess, what with all the cute little animals flocking to him, and him talking to them...

OH MY GOD YES. Headcanon accepted.

[krait]

The number alone is a huge hint at his power

Matsushita gives us this outright - there's a little between-frames note that reads, "Normally, one person can only manage two or three Shikigami."

But yeah, the rest is basically a test of "do you know these names" or subtle implications. (Maybe Terazuma's weakness is all his own problem; most people aren't terrified of being touched by women, after all, so maybe the average person could control that shiki without problems?) :D

Onsen!Tsuzuki making everybody question their sexuality

Sometimes I am bewildered by a manga author's refusal to make the subtext into text. And then there's Matsushita, who puts things in the text that I can't believe got past two sets of early-90s publishers!

the story that made me think he's secretly a Disney princess

Wait, I thought this was canon. :D I mean, one of the talking animals is named Sebastian!

Although, more seriously, I don't think Disney has licences on Beatrix Potter's works, which seems to be the real Expy involved. (The Queen's name is Beatrix, and her kingdom is populated entirely by talking animals who wear clothing, one of whom is a rabbit; stop me if this sounds familiar...)

[dancing_serpent]

If I remember correctly, it's not Terazuma who is terrified of being touched by women, but his shiki. Which is the parasitic type, hence the eyes and ears and the superfast transformation when it's triggered. *g*

I am not familiar with Beatrix Potter at all (never even heard that name), so I'm taking your word on that. *g*

[krait]

Alas, in the manga (at least as translated) it's not clear; "Terazuma hates girls," Hisoka is told, and "he turns into a monster when a girl touches him," and Hisoka remarks, "Kannuki's job is to de-monsterize Terazuma before he does too much damage" - it sounds as though this is 100% Terazuma, there's no mention of him actually having a shiki at all! He could just be a were-something. Especially since we know Tsuzuki has shikigami and he certainly doesn't have pointed ears or unplanned shapeshifting episodes...

Beatrix Potter is the author and illustrator of a bunch of children's stories, featuring anthropomorphic animal characters; Peter Rabbit is the best-known of them. This site has some of her original illustrations if you want to take a look!

[dancing_serpent]

Hm, I don't remember which volume it was mentioned in. And Tsuzuki's shiki are not the parasitic types, he usually has to call/summon them first. (His unusual eye colour was explained in the anime, too, I believe?) Damn, that's it - I have to both re-read and re-watch now. Can't have a proper discussion with all that "if I remember correctly" and "I believe" stuff. *g*

Thanks for the link, I will take a look! *g*

[anoyo]

Tsuzuki using his own actual power has definitely not happened yet. Honestly, I don't think it happens for a while yet? Like, volume 7 or something? But my memory is several years out from having actually read any of it.

[dancing_serpent]

Yeah, I believe the last time I read it was in 2008/2009. I'm totally due a re-read by now. *g*

[anoyo]

Right? SAME. It was definitely still undergrad when I last re-read it, which, yeah, 2008/2009 tracks.

[anoyo]

I had mostly forgotten about the creepy priest storyline. OH MAN. Yeah. The little one-shots are very, very hit-or-miss. Her long storylines are the best, because it looks like she actually thought them out. I kind of want to reread the manga now OH NOES. I'd have to figure out which box it's in. o_o;

[krait]

Yesss! Reread it! Join me in the madness!

I would be happy to forget the creepy demon-priest-teacher plotline ASAP.

[lynndyre]

I love the obligatory onsen sidestory XD I also love the improving art style, volumes 4-11 are an evolving range but they're my favourites for Matushita's art.

Christianity as an aesthetic is such an anime/manga trope, but it's kinda fun? I like when they do more with it than that particular story did, though. It's not one of the better ones.

[krait]

Obligatory Onsen Episodes are great! (This one could have done without the weird "here, hold my tits" thing - in general this is a trope that baffles and annoys me - but at least it was offscreen?)

Tsuzuki's so pretty that everyone feels uncomfortable about their straightness, which is hilarious.

Christianity as an aesthetic is such an anime/manga trope, but it's kinda fun?

Alas, it is not one that I enjoy. (Probably I used up all my enjoyment of this trope with Weiss Kreuz, which lays it on a little less thick.) This particular specimen felt really disjointed, or off-beat; the reveal comes really late, and isn't very well-tied to the preceding story, and the ending feels rushed.

You'd think becoming a Demon Prince by accident and being pursued by lesser demons intent on granting themselves a Klingon promotion would be a significant factor in one's life, rather than something that wraps up in 18 pages.