One Chance for a Happy World, Shiki!

Edens Zero Chapter 222 Review/Recap

The original trio of Edens Zero did it; despite being separated upon arriving in Universe Zero, Shiki, Rebecca, and Happy reunited on Granbell. They remembered their experiences in the other Universes and their mission: find Mother, save Mother, and save all of reality. However, their journey will be a high-risk, high-reward venture. They won’t have the luxury of anymore do-overs, but they can avoid the losses they endured. In other words, they can make everyone happy this time.

I know that this whole thing seems cliche and Mashima is treading on old ground, but lets at least see this through.

Recap

Having reunited in Granbell Park, Shiki, Rebecca, and Happy happily start comparing notes on the differences between their lives in Universe Zero and the previous realities. For example, in this reality, Happy never died and, thus, never got turned into a cyborg.

In addition, when Shiki goes to the Castellan and tells him to drop the act, it turns out, there’s no need for them to do so. In Universe Zero, before Ziggy died, he found a way to recycle Ether, giving them an abundance of it. By their estimates, they have another to last the next thousand years. Despite this, the Castellan says Ziggy told them he would leave one day, and so he left something for him behind.

In the center of Granbell Park, hidden underground, is the Edens Zero, all prepped and ready to fly. Happy to see their ship again, Shiki and his friends give the machines of Granbell Park a heartfelt goodbye, happy that things turned out this way.

Once in space, Shiki says they’re first going to find Weisz, then the rest of their friends before finding Rebecca’s mom and a way to get to Mother. However, one last surprise lies in store. Stepping out from inside the ship itself in the form of Witch, prompting the three to embrace her tearfully, with Shiki ordering her never to die again. 

Review

So, what Rachel said about Universe Zero was right on several levels. It’s the universe where everything could or could not turn out the way people want. On top of this, it’s the universe where everyone we’ve seen die could come back to life. Or rather, they never died in this universe. More on that in a moment, though.

Let’s go over the changes to the timeline. Firstly, the fact that Happy never got hit by that vehicle means he never became a machine. Rebecca and Happy still know Weisz, though, so not everything’s changed in this new universe. Secondly, the machines of Granbell Park don’t need to pull their “we’re secretly evil” act since Ziggy solved their energy problem in this universe. On top of that, he left the Edens Zero on Granbell Park itself, meaning they don’t have to retrieve it. How Ziggy still exists here, though, is anyone’s guess. This is what Rachel meant about Universe Zero. It’s gotten rid of the darker moments in the trio’s lives up to this point. 

Now, regarding the return of Witch. I knew she’d return, but this isn’t the same as a full-on resurrection. Rather, the Witch in Universe Zero hasn’t died yet, and if Shiki can make the right choices, she might not die in this universe. In fact, Universe Zero could ensure that most of the characters we’ve seen die are still alive here, living happier lives. Jinn and Kleene could still have their parents; Elsie and James’ homes wouldn’t have gotten destroyed. Homura could be living a happy life with Valkyrie. Or everything bad that happened to them still happens. Regardless, Shiki has a chance to ensure everyone he’s met gets the happy life they want, and I hope he makes that chance count.

I don’t know how long it will take us to track down the other members of the Crew of Edens, but I’m hoping Mashima doesn’t spend too long doing it. They have to beat whatever form the Edens One takes to Mother, or the whole Multiverse will end. Here’s hoping. 

I Give “A Happy World” a 3.5/5

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