07-Ghost Volume 7 cover image is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

The Barsburg Empire was protected by the Eye of Rafael, and that did not keep it from destroying the Raggs Kingdom (protected by the Eye of Mikael).  Former slave and orphan, Teito Klein, is a cadet at the Barsburg Empire Military Academy when he discovers that his father was Weldeschtein Krom Raggs, the King of Raggs.  Teito escapes to the Barsburg Church of District 7, where three bishops and seven legendary ghosts attempt to guide his destiny.  Teito hopes to uncover the secrets of the murky past.

Teito, now an apprentice bishop, travels with Bishop Frau to the Land of Seele.  In order to travel to the Land of Seele, Teito must claim a “curse ticket” from each of the seven God Houses, the seven clans that are the true power in the kingdom.  Along the way, Teito and Frau add a travel companion, after rescuing Capella, a young slave boy.

07-Ghost, Vol. 7 (Chapters 36 to 41) opens with a strange moment.  Something dark emanating from Frau silently stalks Teito.  Meanwhile, Hakuren Oak, Teito’s roommate, prepares to take his first journey as an apprentice bishop.  As he prepares to leave with Bishop Castor, however, word comes from home that Hakuren has been appointed as a tutor for the Princess of the Barsburg royal family.  He doesn’t want the job, but should he still take it?

As they head to the next God House, Teito, Frau, and Capella’s journey turns wild.  They make a shocking discovery about Mikage, Teito’s pet dragon.  Well, it is a shocking discovery for at least two of the three.  Also, the story offers numerous flashbacks into Teito’s past both as a small child and as a combat slave-in-training.  Plus, you won’t believe what is the God House of District 5.

THE LOWDOWN:  From the first volume, I have said that the 07-Ghost manga would improve as a story as series creators, the manga-creating duo, Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara, became more polished at their craft.  07-Ghost is their first manga series, after all.  With each volume, the series has certainly improved.

The result is 07-Ghost Volume 7, the best volume of the series, yet.  Because this volume offers a detailed look into Teito’s past, both as a cadet and as a small child, it seems as if the series is coming together, as if the plots, settings, characters, and conflicts and motivations are solidifying.  The flashbacks are poignant and heart-rending, especially the story of li’l Teito and his female caretaker, Krena.

This is not necessarily a good jump-on point for new readers, but, as was the case with the previous volume, Vol. 7 is a reward for regular readers.  It is a most excellent reward for returning readers, indeed.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for shonen military fantasy with action and intrigue will want to try 07-Ghost.