MANGA REVIEW | "Rooster Fighter" - Volume Seven
Rooster Fighter never fails to surprise me. This tale of a CocKenshiro out to destroy evil demons across the country has been filled with badass moments and laughs. What I never expected was some true drama, and it arrives in the seventh volume after a big demon battle. But first, jet pack!
Oh, did you really think you’d go through all of Rooster Fighter and never see a chicken wearing a jet pack? Nay, I say! Elizabeth is literally packing heat as she chases a kappa holding Kenji’s daddy into a muddy creek. As this is going on, Kenji and Keisuke are fighting a brutal demon who just won’t die. Every attack is thrown at him, and yet the creature keeps on regenerating. That’s when Morio enters the fight, and seemingly sacrifices himself in the name of justice.
And then, Kenji goes a route more familiar to Goku than Kenshiro. The rage, the anger, and the hatred he feels in that moment unlocks a new level of power not even a Super Saiyan can reach. It, of course, results in a truly badass fight, one that goes to great lengths to visually show just how brutal of a fighter Kenshiro is. But then, something unexpected happens.
A back story about this new demon delivers a bountiful amount of sadness. The reason for the demon turning evil is neither funny nor odd. Instead, it’s a tale of grief, one that would feel right at home with anyone who has ever dealt with such a tragedy in their lives. For the first time, the creator known as Shu Sakuratani tells his audience that when it comes to pure heartache, he’s not fucking around!
As for that mysterious woman in Rooster Fighter, we finally have a name and a purpose. But she’s merely second fiddle for the main plan, one that the White Demon is fully controlling. It becomes apparent that this is the Final Boss, and if Kenji and the rest of the Fantastic Fowl want to take him down, then they’ve got to train their tail feathers off! Yes, even Chicken Little.
However, the drumstick posse have to first deal with a threat greater than demons: school children! It’s a break from the hardcore action and sadness, as the chickens find themselves in an unexpected popularity contest. What these birds do to garner attention from the kids is laugh-out-loud hilarious, with even Kenji subjecting himself to this with a truly masterful visual gag. It does lead into something heartfelt though, even if it simply boosts a punchline for this seemingly joke chapter.
Readers also get to dive into the dreams of these mothercluckers. At first, it’s all fun and games, with Elizabeth winning a beauty pageant, Kenji eating a plethora of sea urchins, and Keisuke doing stuff that no child’s eyes should ever peek into! But then, Chicken Little goes into the dark side, as it leads us to what could be the most troubling moment in Rooster Fighter yet.
Volume Seven keeps on delivering with the surprises. There’s plenty to laugh, cheer, and even cry in these pages of Rooster Fighter. On top of that, we finally got to see who’s responsible for these demons in the first place. Will Kenji and the gang find a way to rid the world of this evil, or will the White Demon have the upper hand? The anticipation is getting as hot as a KFC grill, and I’m certain the end results will be just as delicious!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
