Birth of the Demon King

Edens Zero Chapter 97 Review/Recap

Let it be said here and now: Edens Zero should be standing among the great Shonen Manga out right now! Mashima’s built on much of what he’s done in Rave Master and Fairy Tail and gave us some of his best work. Chapter 83 shattered readers, and now we’re hearing about this big announcement in the next issue of Weekly Shonen Magazine from Mashima. If it’s not about an Edens Zero anime, then it’s about Fairy Tail. In the meantime, though, this chapter sees Shiki finally break the barrier, as I thought. This chapter sees the rise of the Demon King Shiki!

Recap

Last week saw Joe turn into this hideous, Akira monster after Hermit reversed the machine that let him suck life from Belial Gore. According to her, all the life energy he took has now fused with Joe, turning him into this monstrosity. Now Joe’s trying to suck the life out of anyone unfortunate to cross his path. Worse, he’s taken Kurenai’s superweapon and is preparing to fire it. It’s target: Blue Garden!

With Joe’s base falling apart around them, Rebecca’s group has to flee before it’s too late. Even in his current state, though, Joe’s not going to let Rebecca go. With the rest of the crew restrained by Joe, none of them are able to stop Joe from trying to murder Shiki in the same fashion as the first time. This time, however, something different happens. The bullet falls to the ground as visions of the original timeline rush through Shiki’s head. He stands with a new, demonic look, and vows to never make his friends cry again. The new Demon King has risen.

Review

I don’t even know where to start with this chapter. It may be the best one since chapter 83, and I’m not just saying that because we came close to repeating that infamous moment. First thing’s first, let’s talk about how utterly terrifying Drakken Joe is now. Just look at him!

I’m not even sure how Joe’s able to maintain his sanity as this abomination, but I found him to be very scary. If he’s not taken down now, he’ll likely try and consume the life of everyone in the Sakura Cosmos, letting him rule over it forever. In other words, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Demon King Shiki.

What I really liked about this chapter, though, was the flashbacks we got to chapter 83. I’m not sure how, but it seems like Shiki and the others are remembering what happened in the original timeline. And, in true shonen fashion, seeing all that grief’s helped Shiki unlock his Overdrive form.

I have no idea what’s going to happen next week, but it’s going to be one of the biggest moments in the series. Emperor Carnage was right: next week, history will be made. Next week, we see the rise of the Demon King!

I Give “The Time is Now” a 5/5

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