Battle Angel Alita: Last Order vol. 14

Longtime readers will be glad to know that the title character is actually featured in more than a few panels this volume.  Though she’s not back “front and center” Alita still plays a pivotal role as creator Yukito Kishiro begins the build-up towards the Z.O.T. finals.  That said, people shouldn’t be surprised that most of this volume is given over to the story of Zazie and the events that led up to her sudden reappearance in the previous volume.

We learn that her fainting spell is the symptom of a much larger and fatal condition.  Once in Alita’s care, Zazie then goes on to relate the tale of her participation in an anti-terrorism offensive on Mars that goes horribly wrong for the rest of the members on her team.  Though they’re (mostly) professionals, the operation goes pear-shaped once they encounter another practitioner of the Panzer Kunst during the mission.  Even though it’s yet another digression from the main plot, the action is executed with all of the skill and flash of the best sequences in this series.  The insight into Zazie’s character is also welcome, and the whole sequence ties into a much larger thread that I’ll be talking about three paragraphs from now.

The rest of the volume is given over to Alita demonstrating why the volume’s subtitle, “Angel of Defusion,”  isn’t a sign that the translators are running out of “Angel” modifiers and checking in with the supporting cast before the Z.O.T. finals begin in vol. 15.  It’s the last chapter that will prove to be a treat to fans of the series as we get to see some characters, Koyomi, Kaos, Vector, who we haven’t see in a long, LONG time, and a few more from the original series making their “Last Order” debut.

While I’m definitely looking forward to the fight after the buildup it receives here, I’m also starting to wonder just where this series is going.  With her “demise” back in vol. 10, it felt like Kishiro was setting things up for the endgame.  Now it seems like things are going to extend well beyond that as even if Mbadi’s schemes end with the close of the tournament, there are still other plot threads that need to be resolved.

I’d be more concerned if these threads weren’t so closely tied to the story, and therefore rife with storytelling potential.  First is the matter of just what Desty “Supernova” is going to do with the head of Alita’s disgraced former commander after acquiring it back in vol. 12.  The last time Nova augmented one of her defeated foes resulted in the original series’ best arc when she faced off against Zapan in “Tears of an Angel.”  Second is the new Panzer Kunstler introduced in this volume.  If she is who I think she is then her re-introduction has been a very long time coming and something that will prove to be key to how Alita understands and views her past. (And if you’re wondering who I think she is, then go re-read the first chapter of “Last Order” vol. 1.  If it’s not her, then I’ll eat my shoe.)

It’s a volume that’s mostly backstory and buildup, but they’re handled in an entertaining manner by Kishiro.  Even if the series is going to continue well beyond what looked like a natural stopping point, I feel it’s in good hands as the creator appears to know what he’s doing.  Thankfully, as disaster was likely averted a few months back we’re going to find out what his plan is.