Ragna Purple Volumes 9-10 Manga Assessment
Without entirely relying on its established skills in art and action, Ragna Crimson Volumes 9 and 10 do the unimaginable and beyond all expectations, in my opinion, providing an incredible read full of suspense, drama, and humor.
It would be an understatement to say that this series has taken me on a journey. Upon completing Volume 1, I remember being impressed by its stunning visuals and numerous spectacular action sequences, but I was unimpressed with the characters and storyline (which is why I gave it a low rating). Now, let’s fast-forward to today, and I’d say I’m a little overwhelmed, having discovered that I’m not just loving my work but completely enamored with it. The past several books have really taken off and have become something I eagerly await every time they show up in my mailbox.
The usage of the intermission between combat in this book is arguably the clearest indication of its expansion. These segments used to be, in my opinion, a little more hit-and-miss, or at best, they only offered one genuine tone. When Crimson was in the spotlight, they would occasionally be actively plotting and scheming. Alternatively, there would be a great deal of pathos as Ragna battled loss. Or maybe one of Crimson’s many monster minions would be rushing around doing some stupid, goofy things. This isn’t the case with Volume 9, where the character interactions and tones in the downtime sections are abundant. If that makes any sense, it really feels like I’m getting to spend time with the actors and learn more about the universe, as opposed to just passing the time. I believe there are three main causes of this.
First off, compared to earlier dust-ups, the tension between Ragna and Crimson is far more present in this book. It’s not like they have never argued or that their approaches to solving issues have always been exactly the same. However, this book emphasizes how fundamentally different their strategies are, and Ragna’s decision to go it alone now has far more weight than it did before.
Second, with the Silverine Princess, Ragna’s emotional stakes are far higher. I understand that he began his quest by attempting to safeguard… excuse me while I quickly check up her name. Leonica You’re correct, Leonica. I’m getting off topic, but I believe that the fact that I couldn’t recall her name speaks something about her influence. Although I am aware that Leonica is Ragna’s motivation for everything, I don’t believe she has ever felt like anything more than a story element at best and a nuisance at worst. Everything seems heavier and more turbulent since the Silverine Princess is in peril. She is also much more interesting on all fronts. Naturally, Woltekamui is an even worse monster for imprisoning her; naturally, Ragna would risk everything to help her; and so on. Although there have been many endangered characters in the story thus far, this is the first time I’ve actually been concerned for one of them and wondered if they will be saved just in time.
Thirdly, I find the dragon behind the scenes material to be lot more fascinating than it was previously. In the past, the most of our encounters with these villains have left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Beyond the standard moments of “Mwahahaha, look how evil and hot and cool I am,” I don’t find them to be really intriguing. Don’t get me wrong, those are wonderful, but I’d also prefer to receive something more substantial. Olto Zora’s sorrow at Taratectora’s loss provides a more approachable—dare I say humane—angle to be investigated. The opposite is also true—Woltekamui’s menacing reluctance to show mercy or sympathy serves to highlight his character as an unbreakable enemy. The dragon scenes benefit greatly from these new dimensions, which also make our viewing experience more enjoyable.
Although there is a lot less substance in Volume 10 than in Volume 9, it is still quite good. The opening chapter of Volume 10 features a very powerful early display of Ragna and Woltekamui fighting for the majority of the volume. Not a single word is said in this chapter; instead, our two warriors fight it out until they reach space. The artwork is self-explanatory and offers a grand reward following the meticulous development of Volume 9.
The only thing about what’s available that bothers me is that Volume 10 is a little too busy. I adore the size of the fights and the abilities, but it’s challenging to keep track of everything. It seems like whiplash going from page to page, there are so many combatants slicing through swathes of opponents, launching doomsday spells, and changing forms. The fight has a rhythm that you can hear even if the clarity isn’t perfect every second. However, this extremely intense action is better appreciated when there are fewer fighters (such in Ragna versus Woltekamui) as opposed to several named characters dispersed across vast distances.
What else is there to say about the manga’s strengths at this point? From page one, Daiki Kobayashi has been putting out some of the best-looking action manga that is currently available on the market with Ragna Crimson. The two-page spreads that Woltekamui strikes Ragna with a barrage of dark tendrils, only to have them turn silver on the following page as Ragna gets closer, are my favorite flourish in this volume. With the strengthening of the manga’s other aspects and Kobayashi’s impeccable line work and command of the comics craft, it seems like the possibilities for this series are endless.
