MANGA REVIEW | "Mission: Yozakura Family" - Volume Fifteen
Damn. Just when you think Mission: Yozakura Family couldn’t reach truly twisted storytelling, this happens! At first, it seemed like Kyoichiro was about to become the next villain in the series. But now, it appears that an older family figure is the real big threat, as it’s shown in the manga’s fifteenth volume. And when he shows his true side, it reaches blood-curdling levels of chill!
However, the first matter for the Yozakuras to deal with is Kyoichiro. The reason behind him leaving is still unknown until the siblings find a way to corner him. It leads to a big fight, with the eldest brother seemingly having the upper hand. That’s when the black flowers start to appear, revealing the true nature of Kyoichiro walking out. And then, Taiyo tags in!
Seeing Taiyo and Kyoichiro truly battle it out with one another has been building up since the first volume. Kyoichiro hates how close Taiyo is with Mutsumi, as it fills him with deadly jealousy. But today, this fight isn’t between husband and sis-con; it’s all about selfishness against reason. And as it was hinted in the last volume, Taiyo may have a way to topple over Kyoichiro.
The cure is a mixture of angst and beauty. Taiyo holding Kyoichiro as the latter tries to fight off the former, with flowers withering and turning to ash. It’s a sight that not only shows the effects of the poison vanishing but also the hatred the older brother has for the husband. In this moment, the two finally see eye-to-eye, in what should be a moment of triumph for Mission: Yozakura Family.
Alas, that moment disappears when Momo Yozakura arrives. The father figure has been kind of in and out regarding his place in the story. But here, his reasons for siding with Dr. Kawashita are revealed. And it’s not pretty in the slightest. It leaves shivers in every Yozakura sibling, with Mutsumi’s eyes going completely cold over its reveal. Honestly, who can blame them?
It’s also here where Hitsuji Gondaira’s skills as an artist are on full display. The look on Momo’s face is painstakingly haunting, with his aggravation over his family’s disapproval twisting and contorting his eyes and cheeks. This is a face we’d be more used to seeing in a horror manga, and it’s showcased with such grim detail in a Shonen Jump series! That look cements Momo Yozakura as the manga’s true villain, a title he earns with not just his looks, but his insidious plan.
Fortunately, there is a bit of time for some of Mission: Yozakura Family’s trademark humor. Kyoichiro is punished by every single family member in their own ways. Futaba’s fancy foot action, Kengo’s butt attacks, Nanao’s new drugs, and even Ai wanting to play house are all on display in true hilarity. It’s the kind of comedic break that’s needed after Momo’s villainous reveal, and it even allows Kyoichiro to redeem himself not just for this recent incident, but also for every other dumb thing he’s done before.
I wish we could stick to some laughs, but Momo asks Mutsumi and Taiyo out to lunch at not-Denny’s. This is where his two-faced side is on full display. He thinks he can be a silly and doting father, but when he’s confronted over his plan, Momo suddenly transforms into one terrifying foe. Even with the other Yozakura siblings waiting to strike in the shadows, the kind of things he does shows that he will not be an easy target to take down.
This is how Mission: Yozakura Family should be. Volume Fifteen gives us a truly interesting villain reveal, all the while showing the strengths of Taiyo and every sibling. There’s solid action, as well as a good chunk of heart and goosebump-inducing terror. Hopefully, Gondaira has learned to write his main narratives better, as this volume feels like a sign that he’s got some nasty tricks up his sleeve that’ll be unleashed on the Yozakuras soon enough!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
