cornerofmadness

I'm curious what other's thought. After a year of waiting, I couldn't help but feel let down. I don't follow this one online so I was jazzed to get it only to find myself unable to even get into it. It wasn't that the story was awful because it wasn't. But it wasn't that special. Even in the preceding volume I knew what would happen. One water source, two opposing tribes, this was as predictable as the tides. About the only thing I didn't predict was what Gat did. That was the one pleasant surprise.

Even Pippi (did she even have a name? I don't remember it if she didn't which is rather sad, appearing in two volumes with no memorable name) didn't do anything for me other than anger me. I didn't feel sad at her sacrifice. It was a waste. Want to impress me? Stay behind, care for those homeless children, do what people didn't expect of you. Survive. She choses to die? ho hum. boring.

About the only thing salvaging this from a toss across the room was Goku. The poor thing. He's lost his foster father temporarily (and while I do write Sanzo/Goku I pretty much figured this was the canon reality and I like it as much if not more than the actual ship), he loses his first canon love interest, though frankly I think Gojyo misinterprets that just a bit at the end. I'm not sure Goku is really thinking of Pippi like that, not until her brother said something. The sad truth did out; Goku barely knows what to do with a girl. He has no experience with them at all. He's spent his entire life surrounded by men to the point he could barely think of Pippi in feminine terms. And in the end, Goku's choices, well the little monkey is really growing up, isn't he? These scenes with Goku give depth to an otherwise humdrum storyline (well they can't all be winners)

One of my flist summed it up fairly well when I asked her opinions, something along the lines of 'I forgot it as soon as I read it.' HOWEVER, the supplemental pre-journey story was worth the price of admission. Learning where those weapons came from was great and funny with a mix of aww, damn, the monkey is going to make me cry with those little sad bon mots of his. And the detective omake is a giggle and a half.

The oasis storyline over, I'll be looking forward to what comes next. Gat's actions will surely have repercussions (and leave me wondering who made that pendant and can it be replaced) Hazel is growing on me just a litle. I'm still not much of a fan but he is making for an interesting story line. I'll be interested to see what happens when the team comes back together again. I'm wondering if the matured Goku is a fleeting thing or if the monkey has been changed for good.