“Knights of Sidonia” vol. 11 is a rather fascinating sci-fi manga and the more I read it, it has a blend of sci-fi complexity with almost a harem-style storyline as characters fall for the protagonist, Nagate Tanikaze.   So, you get a good dose of sci-fi adventure and romantic comedy.
Image courtesy of © 2014 Fumi Yoshinaga. All Rights Reserved.
MANGA TITLE: Knights of Sidonia vol. 10
BY Tsutomu Nihei (å¼ç“¶ 勉)
FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Kodansha
PUBLISHED IN USA BY: Vertical, Inc.
RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2014
The time has come! The Sidonia are about ready to set foot on the planet they wish to inhabit. But before they can embark on this mission they must make certain that the planet is not teeming with Guana.
From the creator of “Blame!”, “NOiSE” and “Biomega” comes Tsutomu Nihei’s “Knights of Sidonia”.
Originally published by Kodansha for the magazine “Afternoon” and currently in it’s 13th tankobon volume and the first eleven volumes of the series has also been released in the United States courtesy of Vertical, Inc.
Withan anime adaptation of “Knights of Sidonia” having aired on television in Japan during the spring of 2014, a second season currently in production.
“Knights of Sidonia” is set in the distant future during a time when humans have fled Earth after the planet was destroyed by gigantic alien monsters known as Gauna.
Spaceships were created from the remains of the planet and one ship, Sidonia, has developed its own human culture similar to Japan due to the use of human closing and asexual production. While those who are high up of society have been granted immortality.
As the humans of Sidonia wonder if any others have survived on other ships, Sidonia may be the only location of humanity.
Aboard the Sidonia is Nagate Tanikaze, a young man who lives in the underground layer of Sidonia and trains himself to pilot, using an old Guardian pilot simulator and mastering the old equipment. One day, as Nagate goes to the surface, he is selected to become a pilot of the Guardian and does all he can to defend Sidonia from another Guana attack.
In vol. 11 of “Knights of Sidonia”, Nagate and Izana plan to check out a planet that they hope humans can inhabit. But first, they must make sure the Gauna has not infiltrated the planet.
But as the two visit the planet, they run into Teruru Ichigaya, the sole survivor of a colonization expedition on the Planet Lem VII. And a girl with an artificial body created to avoid detection from the Gauna.
But with the death of her crew, she blames Nagate Tanikaze for the Sidonia being attacked by the Gauna. But as the two try to save Teruru, they are attacked by a giant Gauna. Will they survive?
With volume 11 of “Knights of Sidonia”, the storyline is much easier to follow as Tanikaze and Shinatose do research on a planet to make sure it is possible for humanity to colonize it and makes sure the Gauna is not there.
But immediately, they discover the lone survivor of a research group, an artificial girl who has nothing but hatred towards Tanikaze, blaming him for the Gauna attacks.
But as the rescue attempt by Tanikaze was successful, having her on the Sidonia is rather tough as she harbors nothing but ill will towards him. But still, Tanikaze will do what he can to make her know that he is a friend and not an enemy. But can he do it?
The artwork is definitely Tsutomu Nihei’s style , with that has a bit of simplicity scattered in scenes that look quite complex. It’s definitely a style that he is best known for as a mangaka.
Overall, “Knights of Sidonia” vol. 11 is a rather fascinating sci-fi manga and the more I read it, it has a blend of sci-fi complexity with almost a harem-style storyline as characters fall for the protagonist, Nagate Tanikaze.   So, you get a good dose of sci-fi adventure and romantic comedy.