MANGA REVIEW | "Mission: Yozakura Family" - Volume Twelve
The more Taiyo trains, the more he becomes one with the Yozakuras. After earning his Silver-Rank spy license, the husband of Mutsumi now finds himself able to chat with the one responsible for the death of his family. But lurking in the shadows is someone who doesn’t want him to know the whole truth. And as we find out in the twelfth volume of Mission: Yozakura Family, daddy’s got his own share of secrets.
Time is running short for Taiyo to talk with Makoto, as he’s close to being consumed by the flowers that give a Yozakura their power. The talk goes well, until Papa Momo makes an appearance to keep Makoto from spilling the beans. Thankfully, the family intervenes, leaving Taiyo to continue the chat as they deal with their father. As they fight, they begin to realize something’s very off with their father.
Why the father sided with Tanpopo is still a mystery in Mission: Yozakura Family. However, we finally get a good idea on what kind of person he really is. To call him like-minded to his deceased wife Tsubomi is one hell of an understatement, as Makoto reveals just what exactly Momo is. And to be frank, the reveal is a little crazy and slightly confounded. Then again, stranger things have happened in manga and comics before.
Although there’s always been a good dose of drama, the true soul of this manga is a comedic one. It’s in the humor where readers get to know a lot more about the family, on top of what makes them tick. Shinzo is a nervous wreck while on a shopping date with Ayaka, with Taiyo, Kengo, and Nanao trailing behind to give him an extra hand. Futaba’s awfulness with technology forces Shion to teach her a thing or two about computers, ending with some good news and a plethora of chaos.
However, there are three chapters that are the comedic highlights of this volume of Mission: Yozakura Family. The first involves Kyoichiro handling a reverse-aging pill, making him surprisingly a lot more tolerable (and funny) than his adult self. Mutsumi is the star of the second-funniest chapter, as her attempts to go on a diet result in some actions that’d give others a bad case of PTSD! Lastly, a bonus chapter about a week in the life of dog girl Ai shows why the six-year old isn’t ready yet for the world of spy missions, with each Yozakura giving their own training in the best/worst possible ways.
Volume Twelve of Mission: Yozakura Family has some great narrative progress, but it’s when it goes for the funny bone where it shines the brightest. Taiyo and Mutsumi may be the focal point of the story, but everyone in the family deserves a crack at the spotlight. These chapters showcase exactly why, as they each deliver unique personalities and a plethora of laughs. Although I’d like to see more of what’s going on with Papa Momo, I’d be okay if Mission: Yozakura Family gives its readers a lengthy silly breather if it means more entertaining stories like these.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
