Customer Reviews

Battle Angel Alita, Vol. 3: Killing Angel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since "Killing Angel" and "Angel of Victory" are considered a two-part story, this review will be about both of them.

The third volume in "Battle Angel Alita", "Killing Angel", continues Yukito Kishiro's engaging and engrossing story about Alita, the cyborg who has no memories of her past yet memory of a powerful fighting technique. After the tragic events in "Tears of an Angel", Alita runs away to become a contestant in the terrible sport of motorball. Ido, heartbroken by her leaving him, is determined to get her back.

This story seems good on paper, but unfortunately, Kishiro made the story drawn out in the third volume. The first few parts of "Killing Angel" were excellent, but the next stream of parts could've been done in a shorter amount of time and space. That's not to say that "Killing Angel" isn't good, but parts of it could've had their pace quickened a little. In a way, however, this volume can be seen as the prelude to the much better fourth volume, "Angel of Victory".

"Angel of Victory" can also probably be seen as drawn out, but it's far less obvious. The story in this volume still deals with Alita's motorball obsession, but parts of the story return the plot to the main point of the first two volumes: Alita searching for her past. While "Killing Angel" and "Angel of Victory" are a two-part series, I see "Angel of Victory" as the better of the two because of its return to the reason why we fell in love with "Battle Angel Alita" in the first place.

All in all, these two volumes make a good continuation of the first two volumes, but they are sadly a step down in storytelling quality. Maybe if "Killing Angel" and "Angel of Victory" had been made into a single volume, they would've been seen in a better light. But that's not to say that the light of these two volumes is dim...

It is difficult to imagine how someone can get over the loss of a loved one. Some remember the good times to help cheer themselves up; some bury themselves in their work to try and forget about the pain; some simply grieve. Alita on the other hand decides to enter the most deadly sport ever devised!

Not only in a bid to numb the pain of her loss, but also to try and unlock some of the secrets of her past Alita leaves her old life with Ido behind and becomes a compettitor in a deadly race in which 13 people fight it out to be the first to cross the finish line with the Motorball (and hopefully all of their limbs).

The third book in the Alita series lacks alot of the depth of its predecessors, but it is still packed full of action, thrills and beautifull illustration. And don't worry, the lack of depth is made up for in the conclusion of this TWO PART volume (Angel of Victory) making this a splendid addition to the series.

In this, the third volume in the series, Alita has left Doc Ido's care in the emotional backlash from the death of Hugo. Doc has begun a quest to find the beautiful cyborg that has distracted him completely from his regular business. As a result the series opens with Doc wandering the streets, only finding that Alita has become a motorball player. This is a vicious competitive game, reminiscent of Rollerball, which at first seems completely unlike the Alita of 'Tears of an Angel.'

At first, as we read about Alita's determined climb through the ranks, we believe that this change is an expression of Alita's anger and pain over the death of her friend. But gradually it becomes clear that this is a quest for self. When Alita is using the secrets of 'panzer kunst,' the cyborg battle art, there are moments when she almost remembers her true identity. And there is no shortage of violent, beautifully choreographed battle scenes as Alita chased the elusive motorball.

Her need for battles that stretch her to the fullest will eventually drive her to challenge the undisputed best of the motorballers, Jashugan. Jashugan is hardly a villain, but a disciplined use of 'chi.' His willingness to treat Alita seriously foils Doc Ido's plans to use Jashugan bring Alita to what he believes are her 'senses.' Instead she becomes even more embroiled in the excitement of the game not that conquering Jashugan has become a goal.

On the surface, this manga would appear to be one of the 'beautiful but deadly female superhero' genre. But Yukito Kishiro persists in surprising us with new facets of Alita's personality, a delightful supporting cast, and antagonists of the stature of Jashugan. One can sense that bigger issues are in play and that Alita's future still contains many unexpected twists.

Once again I am amazed at the quality of the art in Kushiro's efforts. Graphically attractive, compositionally strong, and a whole host of other superlatives are merely descriptive. For three volumes I've been treated to a unique artistic style that sets this above many manga that, inexplicably, enjoy more popularity. If you don't believe me, see for yourself.

The novel is by far one of the best books that I have ever read. The plot was incredible, even better than the movies or even the first 2 books. The Book seems to not let the reader go until he/she has read the whole novel. Yukito Kishiro is a god and is the best at what he does. I garrantee you will not be dissapionted if you buy this.

After the deah of her love, Hugo, Alita decides to leave the Scrapyard and Ido behind her. Of course Ido cannot live with out his "daughter", and sets out to find her. He finds himself saving a girl named Shumira. Shumira in turn, helps him find Alita. Alita is now in a type of game that involves battling others, which is what she lives for. Alita seems to be at home and Ido gets jealous. He wants to bring Alita home, but doesn't know how.

Killing Angel - A heartbroken Alita runs away from home to compete in motorball, a life-or-death sport! Will Doc Ido find his lost angel?

This is one book out of a two-book-long sports story about a screwed up game where people get killed for no apparent reason other than as an excuse to show blood-n-guts scenes. Alita behaves illogically, there doesn't seem to be a point to anything, and when it's all over after the second book nothing seems to have happened. A big waste of whatever goes into it.