The Second Weirdest Training I’ve Ever Seen

Edens Zero Chapter 131 Review/Recap

So, I think that we can all agree that after the knockdown, dragged out fight on Foresta, Shiki and the others all need training. If they’re going up against Justice, Ziggy, Shura, and Emperor Nero, they need to get stronger. Thankfully, Xenolith is going to train Shiki up to defeat his Grandpa, and the others are going to get in on this. But I should warn you guys: Xenolith’s training methods are a little…out there.

Look, we know Mashima seems to like using fanservice and appealing to fetishes. Let’s not judge him so quickly.

Recap

Fifteen years ago, Ziggy taught Shura how to use gravity Ether Gear. As a result, present-day Shura’s flourished to the point where he calls himself the King of Gravity. However, he also proves to a tyrannical king. Right before he and the Oceans 6 head out, he murders the lone machine member, Reverend Cyca. When the others become horrofied, this is the guy’s rationale:

In the sky above Foresta, Xenolith has the crew of Edens Zero undergo intense physical training using their VR system. According to Witch, the tech they use syncs with reality, letting their bodies feel the burn. She calls it VR-synC. Much to everyone’s surprise, Kleene and Jinn also join in on the training, with Kleene saying that she intends to join the crew alongside her brother.

In addition to physical training, Xeno insists on teaching everyone how to use Ether Gear even when physically restrained. And rather than explain it, I’m just going to show it outright.

It’s made even more jarring with how this chapter reveals that Shura used to be a sweet little boy. But between the time he learned how to use Ether Gear and the present, he became a monster. It’s sad, really.

Secondly, I had a feeling that Kleene and Jinn would join the crew of Edens Zero full time. Hell, I guessed that Jinn would be an eventual ally of Shiki years ago. Also, Kleene’s smile must be protected at all costs.

Third, Xenolith’s a weird guy; I still can’t pin down his personality, aside from the fact that he’s a ladies man. At the very least, he’s taking his job as a teacher seriously. And since he’s going to have to go through maintenance in a week for an extended period of time, he has to.

Fourth, as pervy as using bondage training may be, I can see the logic behind it. The best way to train oneself to use Ether Gear while restrained is through practical experience. And it’s not like Xeno’s intentionally making it sexy. Though he did that to Weisz to troll him, which is awesome.

Good chapter all around. I was caught off guard by the bondage training, as this is still a Shonen manga. That said, it’s not the craziest training method I’ve seen in manga.

I Give “VR-C” a 3/5

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