Graphic Novel (Manga) Review

Ninth chapter – Loveless volume 8 picks up right where volume 7 left us. Seimei is walking through the hallway and encounters Ritsu who is obviously very angry with him. Ritsu wants to know why Seimei treated Soubi (his powerful Soubi) so badly. According to him, Seimei was too cruel to Soubi. Ritsu wants to fight but Seimei doesn’t understand why Ritsu is behaving so rudely. To Seimei, Soubi was a tool for him to obtain his desire (that’s all!).

**Flashback time** We are taken back in time and we meet a young Soubi (he soo cute) and Ritsu. Ritsu is explaining to Soubi that his sacrifice Seimei Aoyagi aka Beloved, will be arriving shortly. Our young Soubi is a Blank Fighter Unit therefore anyone can write their name on him. Ritsu has chosen Seimei for Soubi (which obviously he is regretting now). Soubi is apparently upset. He knows Ritsu thinks highly of him and he had expected for Ritsu to write his name on him.

Ritsu explains why Seimei is Soubi’s sacrifice and he briefly mentions that in the future Seimei may get a second Fighter Unit and . . . but Ritsu is interrupted by Soubi who firmly beliefs that a Blank Fighter Unit is nothing more than a back up to replace lost Fighter Units. In actuality Blank Fighter Units have unlimited potential (according to Ritsu).

A young Seimei enters the room. He orders Soubi to come forward. When Soubi comes near, Seimei touches Soubi’s throat and declares “My name . . . I think I’ll put it here” (creepy!) By having his name on Soubi’s neck it will be like a collar (the ones you would find on most pets). Seimei and Soubi leave the office together.

Seimei was only 14 years old at the time and Soubi was only 17 years old.

Tenth chapter – Seimei and Soubi arrive at Seimei’s place (they appear to be in some type of shed). Seimei asks Soubi what was his first impression of Ritsu? Soubi begins to tell the story of how the two of them met (during this time Seimei is pulling out a huge a** pocket knife. Sorry for my French but it’s a very huge, scary knife).

At age 6 while in a hospital, Soubi learns from a man that his parents were dead and that he is basically stupid for not realizing this fact on his own. This “kind-hearted” man was Ritsu. He takes Soubi and trains him to become a Fighter Unit. Soubi says that Ritsu was mainly a bully to him. One day while walking through the Seven Voice Academy, Nagisa notices that Soubi no longer has his ears (Soubi has been at the academy for sometime now). She wants to know who he has done “it” with or who has done “it” to him? (she puts 2 and 2 together and figures out it was Ritsu).

Later, Ritsu reveals that he knew Soubi’s mother and that was the reason why he took him in. Ritsu hated Soubi’s mother and he wanted to make Soubi his personal slave but it was ultimately Soubi’s soul that appealed to him. He knew Soubi would make an excellent Fighter Unit.
After Soubi finishes his story, Seimei inquires if Soubi loves Ritsu? For Soubi Ritsu is nothing . . . he has no one else. Seimei begins to carve his name into Soubi’s flesh. He goes on about how Soubi can be reborn similar to a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. He then asks Soubi does he want the knife to feel good or be painful (which do you think he choose?) For it to hurt (twisted, individual).

Back to the present time: Ritsuka and Soubi are battling Nisei. For Soubi, as long as he has Ritsuka he shall be reborn. Nisei is no longer a match against Soubi and Ritsuka. He calls for help from Seimei but Seimei doesn’t come and therefore he is easily defeated (lights-out Nisei).

Soubi sits on the floor and hugs Ritsuka. Ritsuka compliments Soubi “Um, . . . good job” Soubi is happy. But they then hear a horrific sound. The security guards are heading towards the principal’s office. Ritsuka overhears that damage has been caused by the intruder. He quickly realizes that another intruder is in the building because Nisei is out cold in front of him.

Eleventh chapter – In the principal’s office we find Nagisa screaming her head off (she’s super worried about Ritsu). Ritsu has received some serious damaged to his eyes from Seimei (Seimei used his wonderful pocket knife to do some carving action on Ritsu’s eyes – painful!)

Ritsu demands that someone goes after Seimei and stop him from reaching headquarters. The Zeros: Yoji and Nastuo volunteer themselves to take on Seimei. Nagisa is adamantly against the two of them fighting “crazy” Seimei. She claims it’s because they are to weak but it’s actually because she is worried they too will be severely harmed or killed. Ritsu says that the two of them will do just fine since Seimei doesn’t have his Fighter Unit with him. Ritsu is then taken away for treatment, the Zeros head off to stop Seimei and Nagisa is left outside the treatment room, alone.

As the Zeros are heading down the hallway they see a lovely message Seimei has left for Ritsuka. It says: “Ritsuka I’m Back” It’s written in blood (yuck!)

Twelfth chapter – Soubi and Ritsuka have arrived in the hallway. They see the “beautiful” message Seimei has left behind. Ritsuka can not believe it’s from his Seimei.

Meanwhile, Nagisa is completely devastated by what has happened to her Ritsu. She talks to Nana (aka Seven) but refuses to help devise a plan of attack against Seimei. She would much rather be by Ritsu’s side.

After talking to Nagisa, Nana starts to feel guilty about what has transpired and starts blaming herself for the lax security and for Ritsu getting injured. The Zeros (who are on their cell phone talking to her) quickly snap her out of her slump by explaining that it’s not one persons fault. Whatever happen to them it their fault. What happened to Ritsu is his fault (he wasn’t able to defend himself). Everyone is just doing their job. This gets Nana to return to her job. She starts to restore power to the building and locking all doors leading Seimei to the library were the Zeros will meet and capture him.

Seimei realizes that he soon maybe trapped inside calls/demands Nisei to come forth. Unfortunately, Nisei is little tied up and can’t free himself from his constraints (the academy guards have him handcuff).

Seimei tries to break the windows of the library but with no luck. He is trapped and the Zeros are heading his way.

An Intermission – Soubi and Ritsuka are making their way down the hall. Ritsuka starts to get a bad feeling about the place. He is worried about the safety of everyone like the Zeros and Kio (you remember Kio, right?)

Soubi ensures Ritsuka that Kio is fine and if he isn’t he’ll just have to go rescue him. Soubi’s statement surprises Ritsuka. It is the first time that he has ever heard Soubi talk so favorable about Kio (like a friend would do). Soubi explains that he and Kio are very similar (Ritsuka can kind of see Soubi’s point. They are both greedy.)

Soubi goes on to explain how the two of them met. It was during art class. Soubi was drawing butterflies and Kio invites himself over and introduces himself to the mean Soubi (by this time everyone in class thinks Soubi is mean and snappy). Kio tells Soubi that if he continues to be mean to others he’ll never make any friends (of course this statement does not bother Soubi. He doesn’t want friends anyway). Soubi continues to ignore Kio until he sees a beautiful, large tattoo on Kio’s back. It’s the tattoo that Soubi finds so interesting about Kio. It turns out the tattoo represents a vow Kio made to himself (don’t know what that vow is, though).

Ritsuka begins to think that Soubi must love Kio. He then inquires to find out if Soubi has tattoos as well. Soubi sheepishly replies, “No, no. It hurts, you know?” (strange, right? He can withstand so much physical pain but not tattoo pain. Ah Soubi, always a man of mystery).

Thirteenth chapter – The Zeros enter the library. They find Seimei reading a book. They ask if he is Seimei. Seimei replies “yes, I’m Ritsuka’s big brother” (some big brother). He then asks them if Soubi and Ritsuka get alone well.

The Zeros reply that the two are all over each other and that Soubi no longer belongs to him. Seimei (being so unfazed by it all) says It (referring to Soubi) belongs to me. The Zeros then go into questioning Seimei to find out why he abandoned Soubi? Seimei doesn’t say why, just that if they continue to ask such questions their life will be shorten.

Seimei’s response unsettles the Zeros. Seimei is so dark and cold. He is totally different from Ritsuka (are they actually related?) Seimei continues with is “dark” speech by telling the Zeros about the book he had been reading. It tells of a girl who is locked away and tortured by her captor until she dies. Seimei can identify with the captor because he too can not stand being questioned about his actions. During his explanation of the book, the Zeroes are being effect by his words (Seimei does have a way with words). They feel extreme pressure; they can’t breath and their chest feels like it’s on fire. But they suddenly regain their strength. They realize that there is only 1 of Seimei and 2 of them and together they can defeat Seimei. Their words start to have an effect on Seimei and just as they are about to bring Seimei to his knees  . . . Ristuka enters!

Fourteenth chapter – Ritsuka sees Seimei and realizes everyone including Seimei and Soubi have lied and betrayed him yet he still can’t help himself but to be happy to see Seimei alive.

Nagisa calls the Zeros and orders them to kill Seimei but Ritsu orders them not to. Instead he orders Soubi to capture Seimei alive (but can Soubi do it? He seems pretty lost and unsure at the moment).

Fifteen chapter – The Zeros ask Ritsuka to move away from Seimei. The even demand that Soubi do something about all this but Soubi is useless. He can not get in the way of Seimei.

Ritsuka can sense that even though Seimei is alive and only a few steps away from him he is still so distanced. He asks Seimei a series of why’s: why do you lie, why did you leave, why are you scaring Soubi, why does everyone hate you? (that’s the way to do it Ritsuka. I’m asking the same questions – don’t you just love Ritsuka. He’s so cute!)

Seimei simply and casually responds: “Maybe It’s Because I Kill . . . I Kill” and with that Ritsuka and the Zeros are struck by Seimei’s harsh words. Seimei then asks Ritsuka does he hate him. Sweet Ritsuka responds– of course not.

Sixteenth chapter – Again Seimei asks Ritsuka do you hate me. He tells Ritsuka to think hard about it because if he responds and says he does hate his. Seimei will never speak to him again (man, what a big brother).

Seimei then explains that Ritsuka is the most important person in his life. (He knows his words are painful for Ritsuka to hear but he continues and anyway.) Seimei discusses the first time he met Ritsuka. It was the day his mother gave birth to him. Seimei wants Ritsuka to love him for who he is (Ritsuka can’t get angry at him, or bind him. He must let him be free).

The Zeros and Soubi demand that Ritsuka stop listening to Seimei.

Seventh chapter – Seimei, asks Ritsuka to give himself to him (what does this mean?) for Ritsuka to sacrifice himself to Seimei under the disguise that this is what people do when they love someone.

This request surprises Ritsuka. He answers with a No! (way to go Ritsuka) He tells Seimei that his idea of love is all wrong. He can forgive Seimei but he can’t promise he won’t get angry if Seimei does something bad. He believes in Seimei but Seimei is bad for lying and deceiving him the way that he did and for hurting Soubi (another person who believed in him). Ritsuka refuses to be anyone’s possession. He is his own person! (Ritsuka is so intelligent. He is way more emotionally connected then those around him. Ritsuka is so awesome).

Seimei reiterate that this is a battle and Ritsuka’s words can never be taken back. After putting his feelings into words Ritsuka realizes that yes, he is angry at Seimei but he is so happy to see him alive. (2 powerful emotions flowing through him at the same time.)

Soubi steps in (finally!) and tells Seimei not to torture Ritsuka anymore. Seimei tells Soubi to basically shut-up and he must be punished for speaking without permission. Soubi tell Ritsuka to not believe everything Seimei is saying.

Eighteenth chapter –Soubi tells Ritsuka to think for himself. This upsets Seimei even more and he says he has changed his mind about taking him with him (he considers Soubi a traitor. Look who’s talking. I think he is a traitor). Seimei then orders Soubi to break the window for him so he can leave. He tells Soubi that he will always be his Fighter Unit. Seimei also explains to Ritsuka that Soubi is that kind of person. He will always obey him.

Soubi does obey Seimei by breaking the window and then crumbles in apologies. Seimei leaves.

The Zeros, Ritsuka, and Soubi go to Nagisa room (they have no other place to stay due to the damages to the rest of the building) Nagisa is against Soubi staying with her but the Zeros lead Ritsuka and Soubi to a room where they can sleep for a while.

The Zeros leave and Ritsuka gets ready for bed. He tells Soubi they should get some sleep. He notices that Soubi is “in some kind of toddler lockdown” (that’s such a funny line because it is so try). Soubi asks “what should I do?” Ritsuka would much rather sleep then deal with what has happened. Soubi doesn’t want to do much because he feels like he betrayed Ritsuka by letting Seimei go. Ritsuka explains that Soubi shouldn’t be worrying about such things. Other Fighter Units in his position would have done the same thing and besides he is the one who told him not to believe Seimei. Ritsuka tells Soubi to get undress and get into bed. Soubi apologies again and climbs into bed.

But the real truth of what really happened that night would not be revealed to Ritsuka until the following morning. And guess what? It won’t be revealed to us until the next volume – Yep, that sucks!

An Intermission – Wish Upon a Star – This intermission deals with Yuiko and her worries about Ritsuka who hasn’t been to school for 2 days. It also deals with the teacher Shinonome who is also worried about Ritsuka.

Both of them wish (upon a star) to see Ritsuka tomorrow.
Loveless – It’s New Year’s Eve. Soubi and Ritsuka are together. Soubi explains how in different prefectures people eat different types of New Year’s Soba. Ritsuka is somewhat surprise by this information.

They hear the New Year’s Eve bells and it’s a great night for the two of them to be out together among the stars and snow.

So that is how Loveless Volume 8 ends (so sad . . . I want more!) but the next volume seems even more intriguing because apparently Seimei has escaped Gora and Kio is missing – oh, no! Can’t wait.