From Far Away: Vol. 14

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
After a terrorist bomb catapults her into an alternate universe full of magic and mystery, teenage Noriko finds herself the central figure in a political power struggle over a dark prophecy she's destined to fulfill, turn the man she loves into a monster that could ultimately destroy the world.

The End is here! The darkness that has persued Noriko and her tortured warrior Izark descends full force as their corrupt enemies in the government stage a last coup. With Noriko bedridden, Izark must fight alone, but help may come from an unexpected source.

Still, even if they survive, the prophecy can no longer be avoided. The time of the Sky Demon has come -- and no one is ready for the final revelation. Will Noriko truly be the death of her first and only love? Find out all the answers and much more in the incredible conclusion to this epic manga.

Review
This was a really good book. Everything is explained, resolved, understood, and concluded. I don't want to spoil it as it should be experienced, but I thought it was really well done.

Some thoughts I had while reading the end was, first, Noriko stays with Izark. For once. I tire of many stories where two people come together and fall in love, only to leave each other at the end. (Escaflowne, Princess Mononoke) Seriously, no one in their right mind would leave the person that they love, if they didn't have to. It was very refreshing and satisfying that they stay together.

Second, I actually felt sorry for Rachef. He thought the answer to his unhappiness was controlling the world, but in reality he acted out "fixing" his childhood as an adult. Actually, since the author did a good job developing him, I realized that he and Izark were very similar characters who responded to similar stimuli in completely opposite ways. Both were rejected by their mothers, and while Izark came to loathe himself, Rachef came to loathe the world. He never realized that the problem was himself. But, there is a little hope of redemption for him. I really liked him as a villain.

Finally, the message of the story seems to be how interconnected everything is, and if people work together, to help each other, then only good things can happen. Everyone affects everyone else, even if they think their actions are too small.

As I said, this was one of the only manga that never annoyed me. That's difficult to achieve.

Final thought: One of the best manga ever.