Children of the Whales, Vol. 4

クジラの子らは砂上に歌う [Kujira no kora wa sajō ni utau] #4

by Abi Umeda

En un mundo anegado, una despedida...

Mientras en la Ballena de Arcilla la guerra entre los niños de ambos bandos llega a su apogeo, en el corazón de la tormenta de arena los amigos de la unidad de asalto siguen cayendo uno tras otro, truncadas sus esperanzas y determinación, dejando atrás promesas incumplidas.

En una esquina del trágico campo de batalla están a punto de colisionar dos sinrazones.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Shojo, Fiction, Graphic Novels Manga, Young Adult, Comics

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2015

About the author

Abi Umeda (native name: 梅田阿比, Umeda Abi) is a Japanese manga author.

Reviews

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out more manga and graphic novel reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

In an endless desert floats the Mud Whale, an island city of clay moving by magic, containing a small community where most die young their life spans cut short by their own magic. Chakuro diligently chronicles their lives... This all changes when he meets a young girl and they are suddenly attacked by an Empire! What will be the citizens of Falaina do?!

I'll start with my favorite... the ART!! So, so gorgeous... There are some frames that were so detailed... i was in awe... But the emotional impact of other frames was so super powerful too. I really can't wait to check out the paper volume in stories!! And the covers are so pretty with their character focus... GAH! We also get some up close looks at a couple of the characters and learn about connections that were previously hidden... without the art none of this would have had the same impact.

We ended the previous volume on a cliffhanger of mega proportions and I had ZERO clue how they would get out of it nor if they could even accomplish their mission on any level at all... But WOW!!! SO FREAKIN' UNBELIEVABLE!! Lykos' brother is a truly awe-inspiring opponent... He truly had Ouni in a bad place and then the worst happened!! Chakuro though made an executive decision about what happened and I loved how the nous reacted... All three of our main characters had a major part to play but the MEGA revelation will pretty much floor you! I won't ruin the twist...

But it pretty much was the climax of all this intense tension from their awful predicament due to the previous volume. I could even see how Lykos' brother had gotten into their heads... I was totally caught up in their survival. This dystopian fantasy just takes us from predicament to predicament. We get a brief reprieve (LOVE THESE) where we can touch back on why all this is so, so important... And now we get a cliff hanger to do about learning more about the mud whale's history!! GAH I NEED TO READ IT...!

This is such a unique world... we've already touched on life on the mud whale, the nation that cast their ancestors out and now we will meet another unknown force... I feel like even though its only been 4 volumes that I know this place... I know its importance and why its people deserve to be preserved, no matter what their ancestors did!! I LOVE what we learned about the daimonas and I want to understand the nous more and more as we progress in the series.

Truly EVERY SINGLE volume of this series has been WELL WORTH the read... I'm falling more and more in love with Chakuro, Lykos and Ouni as well as the pleathora of secondary characters. Even the odd villain that torments the Mayor is so intriguing that I just want to learn and experience more from this dystopian fantasy world!

As this is a multi-volume series my opinion is also influenced by the previous volumes... THERE WILL BE MINOR REFERENCES TO PREVIOUS VOLUME - SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of volume 1... and volume 2... and volume 3...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

BOTTOM LINE: This dystopian fantasy war JUST GOT INTENSE!! Well, well worth reading, check it out STAT...

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews in a special feature called Saturday Morning Cartoons...

[josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I can't get over how in love with this series I am 😍


I love these characters, I love the plot, I love the Mud Whale, I love it all. There are no faults except for the fact that they're too short - I hope there will be many many volumes to come!

I've shed tears and I've laughed out loud. This has it all. I am so glad I read this latest volume right away after all, it leaves off on a much nicer and easier note than the third one did 😅 Now I feel able to wait for the next one, which comes out in a month I think?

JUST KIDDING I CAN'T WAIT GIMME GIMME!

[Pflanzis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der Kampf um den Schlammwal erreicht seinen Höhepunkt. Es gibt so viele interessante Charaktere, auf deren Hintergründe ich schon gespannt bin.

Die Lebensspanne der Markierten beträgt nur um die 30 Jahre. Wäre ich eine Markierte, dann wäre ich auch an meinem Lebensende. Ein merkwürdiger Gedanke.

[Ami 乁⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠o⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠ㄏ (written by Jane Austen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting back to reading this manga and it was such an emotional volume 😭

Though there's a lot of worldbuilding that's still under the wraps, it only makes the story more exciting and I'm really scared and curious to see what's to come next!

[Angigames · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dalla prima tavola si respira aria di guerra e distruzione, in previsione dell'epica battaglia finale, ma la battaglia non è affatto epica e, durante la narrazione, i protagonisti principali vengono messi in ombra da personaggi totalmente secondari...
Io non capisco dove vuole arrivare questa storia!
Sono molto perplessa!🤔

[Seb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe that I have grown so attached to the characters in such a short time.

[Gesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

;/;/;/;

[J.a.e._Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

4e tome, suite de la première vraie bataille et oh my, c'est sanglant tout en étant plein de poésie. Ce tome m'a tout émotionnée.
Encore plein de mystères autour des Phaleines (et Chakuro, pourquoi il voit les personnifications des Phaleines d'abord?), mais de beaux approfondissements de certains personnages. Leodari notamment promet d'être intéressant, comme le frère de Lycos que nous n'avons pas encore rencontré
Il y a une petite accalmie à la fin, le temps de panser les plaies, mais apparemment elle ne sera pas de longue durée et l'autrice nous promet de l'évolution. Vite  le prochain tome !

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ★

Another brilliant volume! This one made me cry a lot, but it also had some really beautiful and thought-provoking moments. I love where the story is going and I can’t wait to find out what happens next~

[Brumeraude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je savais mais je suis néanmoins traumatisée 😃
Ce ne sont que des enfants....

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

We learned so much in this volume!! Can't wait to read the next one

[Stergios · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Ch.13 Liontari is defeated by the Commander with the help of Suou and we get a glimpse on his past and his disturbed state of mind. On Skyros, the attack team that got ambushed was killed and only some remain alive. Ouni tries to attack but is taken down. It all seems lost..."
"Ch.14 On the Mud Whale, Kuchiba tries to attack some enemy soldiers, devastated by former mayor Taisha's death. It seems like a death wish as he has no thymia but is saved by Masoh. On Skyros Nibi who was hidden, attacks and with Ouni kill Pagoni, but Nibi falls also, sometjing that enrages Ouni who does the impossible by using thymia inside the Nous chamber."
"Ch.15 The Nous of Skyros suffers a devastating attack by Nubi and Skyros is going to collapse. The Nous reveals itself to Chakuro and Lycos. It's name is Olivinis and offers them a shell called kokalo that they can combine with Aima on their ship and so Falaina can progress to the next level. All they have to do is give their feelings and memories to the Nous. Chakuro denies and Skyros sinks. Thwy try to escape."
"Ch.16 The people of Falaina bury their dead and now must find a way to go back to their lives. The elders question Lycos about Skyros's soldiers and if the Empire will seek revenge. The shell-like thing that Chakuro got on Skyros turns out to be a small creature and Aima seems to have something to say about it. Also in the distance a small ship is spotted, who could that be?"
It's a fantasy tale that reminds me kind of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (and that is why I keep,reading it). The writer tries hard to make the characters likeable and deep with not much success till now. Also the art, while it is detailed, it's not always that easy to follow what is going on. A larger format would surely have helped.

[Laurie B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series has sadly started going downhill for me. Based on all the four and five star reviews, it’s probably a case of “it’s me, not you.”

I still love the gorgeous artwork, but the story is losing me. I’m still really intrigued by the backstory and the mystery introduced in the first volume, but I’m getting tired of being strung along waiting for answers. This volume was basically just one battle stretched out over nearly 200 pages (a battle that actually started in the last volume). And most of the text consisted of language that sounded really philosophical, but didn’t actually say anything. I just don’t have the patience for that.

Also, the violent imagery is starting to get to me. It’s too disturbing for me and I had to flip through those scenes quickly. I think I’ve instinctively detached from the story and the characters a bit in order to protect myself from the violence, so that has an effect on my enjoyment as well.

The best part of this book took place in the last 5-10 pages, when a new character arrives on the scene, and another character promises to provide answers. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I will probably check out volume five to see if that actually happens. If not, I’m likely done with this series.

[Ibu-Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un dibujo maravilloso, una historia que promete, un mundo por descubrir. En cada tomo vemos pequeñas pinceladas y tengo muchas ganas de ver el cuadro terminado. No es la obra con la acción más rápida e impresionante, pero no lo necesita. Y como todas las obras que sigo, es un dramon.

[Émilie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost my love for it. The subject shifted to a theme I wasn't interested into. Too bad. (The story is still good, not my cup of tea)

[AltLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up this volume halfway through the defense of the Mud Whale, and in the midst of the action is where we find a lot of our plot and lore development. Chakuro's team who have infiltrated the imperial apatheia's ship, are deep in the belly intent on destroying the Nous of the ship, essentially the supernatural being powering the whole thing. Meanwhile, people are fighting and dying on the Mud Whale, and we get a lot of flashbacks and powerful scenes involving the combatants while Chakuro's team does their thing. After a bloody fight deep within the enemy's battleship, Chakuro and crew emerge victorious, though the price they paid was a steep one. In the aftermath of the Mud Whale's fight, while celebrating their life and honoring their dead, the inhabitants come to realize that as long as they exist, the imperial apatheia troops will be hunting them down. Their only recourse at this point is to make contact with another nation and hope to plead their case for protection.

Of all the volumes so far, this one was the one that tugged my heartstrings the most. We get a lot of moments between Mud Whale residents and character building in the midst of the battle, which makes some of what happens hurt more. The infodump done by the enemy's Nous (evidently each ship has their own Nous?) was interesting, if not really revealing. This writer seems to like to keep the reader in the dark in terms of story, because almost the entire perspective so far has been from the Mud Whale and very little from the side of the apatheia. Motives and the true reasons behind all this are still a mystery. I'm also really interested in meeting these other nations!

[Ruthsic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warnings: violence and mass killings, self-harm

Rep: neurodiverse main character (hypergraphia)

With the previous volume leaving us on a tense moment where the enter the Belly on Skyros only to be attacked by apatheia, it had our main characters in a difficult situation. They were outnumbered, and their main weapon, thymia, was ineffective in this place. Meanwhile on the Falaina, Liontari is battling with the Commander of the Vigilantes, and Suou is trying to appeal to the better nature of the former. Ouni's violent rampage during the previous attack has already spread as a legend among the apatheia soldiers, with them calling him Daimanas, and him representing everything they were taught to fear about the Falaina people. In a surprise, however, he turns the tide (fueling more legends at this point, I suppose) of the fight, getting them the victory they needed.

However, it is a bittersweet victory, with so much life lost once again. The cover truly represents how the people of the Mud Whale felt - like their idyllic paradise was destroyed by the soldiers' violence. The artwork is beautiful and awe-inspiring as always in its scope. Once again, there are various sentiments swirling - grief, of course, which they always cannot suppress by clasping hands, vengeance, which they will need for another defense, and a horror from the violence committed. And with the world opening up to them now, I am a bit nervous about what other dangers might be there for them on the sea of sand.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enthralling and yet traumatic volume. There isn’t much I can say without major spoilers. Shuan, the commander, should have been a better husband… I think he may be the only one who will know the reason why his wife really killed herself. Maybe it’s better that way. Why did he want a lock of her hair though? Perhaps her lovely hair was something he truly adored about her…
As for everything else… it’s so full of emotion that I’m not sure I’m able to recount it all without spoiling my memories. Some things are best left at simple enjoyment. But I do hope that Suoh will have it easier in the future, or else he may really fall apart. Or perhaps he won’t. He has a very strong support system. Without their support and guidance, I’m unsure how he’d be able to go on when he keeps seeing all these casualties and struggles with the burden of it. He seems to have a mix of emotion. He feels responsible for their deaths, but he knows that feeling wholly to blame isn’t correct nor right. He feels responsible for a lot of things, because as mayor, he is. And just what is going on with this thicc plot..? I’m not sure I even know what to question yet. And Masoh… I feel on the edge of my seat every time he’s around but especially when he’s with “the old man”.

[Silberfederling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich habe irgendwie das Gefühl, dass die Serie noch ein gutes Beispiel dafür wird, welche menschlichen Abgründe eigentlich exisitieren.
Die Menschen auf der Mudwahle ähneln den Menschen in der Außenwelt unglaublich, was vermutlich auch nicht komplett verwunderlich ist, da sie "erst" 100 Jahre isoliert leben, aber gleichzeitig gibt es viele kleine Unterschiede, bei denen gefühlt besonders deutlich wird bei wem der Charaktere sich welche Abgründe verstecken.
Und ich bin auch sehr gespannt, ob die Nous nicht noch eine ganz eigene Intention in der ganzen Geschichte haben.
Ich finde es außerdem cool, dass nach dem, was das Nous der Apathaia gezeigt hat, das Japan in unserer Realität, die fiktive glückliche Welt ist. Ich mag es, wenn Realität und Fiktion sich zu vermischen beginnt.

[Leda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The coral that lies beneath the sand, carpets woven of gold and silver, rainbow nectar eaten by those who dwell in the heavens - we want none of it. If we dispose of all our treasures, what you have given us we will keep. Neither the arrow that pierces the stars, the giant whose palm covers the sea of sand, nor the flock of blackbirds that in a moment turn day to night, can make us forget you. We are traces of you.
Can you see that from the tips of our fingernails to the roots of our hair, your flame continues to burn in us? Even in the moment of hesitation that are the dawn and the dusk, your flame will never again be hidden. We are half of your soul, and eternity will not separate us. And now we wait, embracing our pure tears until we see each other once more."

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long, long time since I've cried over a character death and I still haven't fucking forgiven the author for it. It's that kind of death that throwing the book away doesn't help because you keep thinking about it every few hours and it hits like a sucker punch all over again. Ouni's my favourite and I just... Ugh. He wouldn't appreciate a hug, but dammit, Chakuro better do it anyways because this is going to be a horrible formative event in his life and he won't even have Nibi by his side to keep him steady. Ugh, I gotta stop or I'll start crying again.

Sufficed to say, I adore these characters and the the world and art are gorgeously creative. The message about emotions also hits hard. Love this manga.

[Academia_girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Why is this series so sad? I definitely did not know what I was getting into when I picked this up.

I'm wondering if there's a pattern to the deaths? Or maybe they're all dying randomly just to make me sad?

Speaking of which... poor Nibi... (why did that make me sad? I feel like I would have actually cried had he been alive for longer).

Also, apparently my favorite manga villains are the slightly crazy ones with a constant unnerving smile, intense/abnormal(?) emotions, and an uncontrollable bloodlust (Liontari from this series and Toga from BNHA). Should I be concerned?

This series reminds me of something. Perhaps it's Yona of the Dawn.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysterious Aíma promises Chakuro a history of Fálaina, the Mud Whale, upon a successful assault of the Skyros. Will the mystery of the prisoners of Fálaina be revealed? Or, are they simply exiled because they chose to keep their emotions over feeding them to the nous? Ouni discovers a new gift (or curse) but pays a terrible price. Beautifully detailed art, as usual, highlights this apocalyptic fantasy. And, just when you thought the Children of the Whales could exhale, another ship appears on the horizon... A must read series!

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

FR
Ce manga m'a peu à peu fait tomber amoureuse de lui ! C'est si beau, que ce soit les graphismes, les relations entre les personnages, la façon de nous faire revivre l'histoire, la vision de la mort. J'adore !

EN
I quickly fell in love with this series! It's so beautiful, be it the illustrations, the characters' relationships, the way the reader is sent in the past to live the story, the vision of death. I love it!

[Ame-lit D’Arroult · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un tome que j'ai eu un peu de mal à lire mais que j'ai beaucoup aimé. J'étais un peu perdu dans ma lecture mais le côté mystique du manga fait que ce n'est pas si grave que cela. J'ai beaucoup aimé voir des personnages plus en détail et la fin laisse supposer qu'il y aura encore plein d'aventure pour notre Baleine de glaise. J'ai envie d'en savoir plus sur les prisonnier et le pourquoi du comment.

[Mabbcha · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai lu les tomes 2 à 4 ces deux derniers jours ... je ne me suis pas trompée, je suis tombée sur une bonne série ! Chaque tome apporte un peu plus d'éléments rendant cet univers plus complexe, la personnalité des protagonistes se dessine un peu plus au fil des pages ... d'un petit bateau de glaise et de sable, on entre dans un monde immense, diversifié ... Vivement les tomes suivants !

[Fiorinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amo questa storia alla follia!
È facile prendersi a cuore i personaggi e la morte di Nibi è stata così triste T.T
D'altra parte era necessaria al "risveglio" di Ouni..
Le illustrazioni sono belle belle belle

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

分からないね。このシリーズは面白いかくだらないかは全く知らない。

一つは前提。おかしい。前提は社会が感情を捨てて変な生き物に拝んで感情を失う。でもその感情を持ったない人は感情で動いている。例えばリクすの兄は政府の人の前で自分の部下を操って打たせた。でも感情がなければ、どうやって操るの？「驚く」は感情。「嫌い」も感情。そもそも感情なしの戦争は不可能だと思う。それから「感情」なしの人は罪人のことを侮辱するの。感情が中ればそれはありかな？

だからkの話は変だ。

[Coralie • spellboundchapters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than volume 3 but my interest is slowly fading... :( We're promised answers at the end of this one, so if we don't get them in the next volume I'm not sure I'm gonna be continuing with this series.

[Abendstern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hier wird der Kampf aus dem Band davor abgeschlossen und ein guter Punkt um Pause zu machen wenn man möchte. Wo die Story genau hinwill kann ich noch nicht einschätzen, werde die Reihe weiterverfolgen.