Three weeks after the first series of incidents concerning Mu, life has settled down for Kazuki Arata. Along with his new friend, he has eased into a new life as an Awakener, special people with access to the other dimension and Armaments, weapons manifested from the soul.
Meanwhile, Miki Amagi finds herself in front of emotional crossroads. With a class trip to Tenka Peak looming over the horizon for the students of Fuyusato Academy, she tries to come to terms with her feelings for both her childhood friend and the transfer student.
A new threat looms in the shadows, and along with it lies more answers to Mu and Nullities. It is a school trip to remember for Kazuki and the group in Fractal Plane's second volume!
An objectively better written, and better paced, volume than the previous. Volume 2 of Fractal Plane is a happy continuation for fans of the previous; expanding on the world, and the characters.
The main focus of this volume is Amagi, her insecurities, doubts, and sense of inferiority. I think this aspect of the volume was the most well thought-out, fleshed out, part of the whole. The only thing I would say that would have improved her story (yes, this volume is her story) is giving the audience just a bit more of a glimpse into hers and Arata's past. It is in cases like this where flashbacks, which tie into the volume, are optimal.
Though Shiki still remains the weakest link of the 'main group', having the least development, due to little screen time, and the audience rarely if ever having been put into his mind like the other characters, I was pleasantly surprised that he received a worthwhile scene in the novel befitting his person.
Yet, the volume still has the same gripes as before. The tenses still shift from time to time, and the fight scenes are not something I feel engaged in. The latter, however, could more so be a matter of taste than the author's skill as a writer; because, although not paced well for my liking, they are very emotionally driven, like the rest of the story, which is a rarity in this medium, and done well in that aspect. Here, fights build and expand on character.
Continue doing your best, Author.
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Best girl receives a weapon to save herself and her friends from danger. I really liked how Amagi didn't concede and hate her childhood friend even though its clear how much of a jerk he is.
Seriously, refusing a confession from the best girl? How dare you!
Overall, this is a solid volume with the weak boy Satoru turning into Guren from Owari No Seraph.
Other background characters are given depth and are well written as well.
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