Manga Review: The Betrayal Knows My Name, Vol. 3 [Paperback]

Manga Review

I've finished "The Betrayal Knows My Name Vol. 3" by Hotaru Odagiri.

Product Description

Despite finally learning more about the "Sunset of the Underworld" a thousand years past, Yuki finds his thoughts returning once more to his former friend and current enemy Kanata ... But while Yuki may be new to picking sides in a centuries-old war, it is nothing new to the Zweilt. And Kuroto and Senshirou, the new Zweilt pair Yuki has only just encountered, harbor a profound hatred for Opasts, swearing revenge on one in particular. What happened four years ago to inspire such loathing? As Yuki bears witness to the flames of revenge that burn in the hearts of those around him, how will his own heart respond to the betrayal that he cannot forget?


Product Details
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Yen Press (April 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316119431
ISBN-13: 978-0316119436

My Review:

I'm very impressed by the gorgeous artwork and the quality of the manga.  I highly recommend this series if you love character development, tons of action and violence, gorgeous artwork, in-depth character backgrounds and the bonds of friendship and relationships.

In this volume Yuki has finally arrived at the main Giou resident but Luka (aka Zess) tells Yuki he will leave him at the entrance of the resident because some people won't be happy if he goes there.  He also says he will be around if he needs him, etc.  As Yuki steps into the living room he Fuyutoki Kureha and realizes he is related to Aya Kureha his younger sister and the one who takes care of the ones in Twilight Mansion.

Takashiro asks Yuki to follow him because he wants to talk to him.  Then he explains to Yuki that he lied to him about being his older brother and apologizes.  Then he tells Yuki he used to be good friends with Reiga and how he betrayed their clan.  Takashiro was called away on business so he left his fiancee and Reiga to take care of the village.  When he arrived back he noticed the village was on fire and a guard told him it was Reiga that called upon some Opasts to destroy the village.  Takashiro goes to look for his fiancee and sees Reiga over her.  He talks to Reiga and when Reiga turns around it's not his usual form and he leaves.

Takashiro explains that the power of the soul of the half-Duras Reiga was too strong for his fully human incarnations before they reached maturity, which is why his power and memories as Reiga are sealed away until his physical body could withstand the strain of all his power.  He also tells Yuki that he performed a forbidden ritual that allowed him to take a Duras into his body. Because of this he, unlike the Zweilt Guardians, has not been reincarnated. Instead he has lived for over a thousand years, remembering everything, including how the war with Reiga first began. He also heals almost immediately after being injured. He believes that in order to win the war, there have to be sacrifices. He possesses a grimoire (the Book of Solomon) much like Kanata, although his is red.  He is also the one responsible for continually causing Yuki and the Zweilts to reincarnate so they can continue fighting Reiga. He apologizes for lying to Yuki, telling him that he is not really Yuki's brother, but Yuki forgives him, telling him that despite that, Takashiro is still very important to him.

Then he shows him the monument that has all the names of the Zweilts that have died.  They see Kuroto and Yuki starts talking to him.  He asks him to play a game of shogi with him but Kuroto gets upset with him and says, "I told you I'm never going to play again!" and leaves.  While in the hall we see Senshiro has been eavesdropping and he pins Kuroto against the wall and says, "why don't you play with him?"

It's night time and Yuki is watching the moon with Sodom when he sees Kuruto.  They decide to play a game of shogi which Kuruto wins though he's very impressed with how Yuki plays.  Then he explains about his background and how he first met Senshiro.  We learn that Senshirou's grandfather was killed by the Opast Cadenza while protecting him and Kuroto.  We find out Kuroto's first partner was also killed by Cadenza and left Kuroto alive.

Senshirou is finally able to wear the Zwelt ring which symbolizes that Kuroto has accepted him as his new partner.  He is Tsubaki's fiance by an arranged marriage decided by the family and decided to become a zweilt after his grandfather was killed by the Opast Cadenza while protecting him and Kuroto.  He broke up with Tsubaki because he says she deserves someone who can put her first.

Yuki has some tender moments with his newly found out aunts Tsubaki Shikibe and Ibuki Shikibe on his mother's side.  He is also given a picture of his mom (she's very pretty).

There is also a story about a girl possessed by a demon fox spirit who wants revenge against the man who killed her sister.  Senshiro exorcises her.

Meanwhile back at the Twilight Mansion the other Zwelts are missing Yuki.

5/5

Other manga in series:

1.  The Betrayal Knows My Name Vol. 1
2.  The Betrayal Knows My Name Vol. 2
3.  The Betrayal Knows My Name Vol. 4 - Aug 21, 2012

Thanks Hachette Book Group and Yen Press for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!