MANGA REVIEW | "Marriage Toxin" - Volume Six
At last, the Beast Master is taken down. In the sixth volume of Marriage Toxin, our hero Gero battles mano a mano with the man who can control all sorts of animals. But as readers will see, controlling too many wild creatures will make any person lose a big part of their humanity. Fortunately, that’s where the other animal masters come into play.
Poison and power may be the main combatants, but it’s Hamster Master Arashiyama that helps to conclude this big battle. With everyone released from their shackles, the animal masters seek to control their respective beasts from within Beast Master Toshiro. Even with all these animals running through his veins, he can’t fight the power of togetherness these masters have conjured up. Yeah, it sounds very Disney-fied, a term that surprisingly fits with the reward Gero gets from everyone.
But what of the marriage proposal? Alas, it’s not in the cards…for now. No, it’s not because Gero can’t muster up the right syllables. In fact, it’s more about Arashiyama wanting to better herself as a person. It’s not a “friend zone” situation; it’s a “wait-and-see” sort of deal. That’s a pretty good deal for Gero, who also needs to do some growing in the relationship realm.
That’s when Marriage Toxin takes our Poison Master to his most daunting mission yet: sitting in with Mei as a love assistant! The killer needs more talking skills, and having to hear out dozens of lovesick people talk about their crush is a great way for him to become a better speaker. But man, as someone who has a low social battery, I get why the dude wants to tap out after just a few clients. It’s long, tedious, and aggravating, which is why it’s also funny as hell to watch Gero squirm!
A moment with his sister Akari also helps to show how much Gero has grown. But it’s all ruined by another enemy: Teruaki, Akari’s almost-husband. After he attempts to kill Akari’s girlfriend, Teruaki gets a quick reminder of why Gero and his family are not to be messed with. However, Teruaki has a few tricks up his sleeve, some of which take the Poison Master off-guard.
Who wins in that fight is left up in the air, but Marriage Toxin certainly starts the battle up with great intensity. Volume Six ends one villain arc, and then goes right into the next one. Maybe that’s just one too many super baddies for Gero to deal with in such short notice. Then again, as Marriage Toxin has shown, nothing gets the Poison Master more excited than a fight to the death. Well…except, you know, getting a girl’s phone number.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
