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Helck #3
Helck, Vol. 3
After the demon lord is slain at the hands of a lone human warrior, humans rejoice over the end of his reign of terror. But an intense tournament of powerful fighters hoping to be crowned the next Demon Lord has drawn in the unlikeliest of contestants—Helck, who claims to hate humans but is one himself! How will Helck change the course of the war between demons and humankind?
With Vermilio and Helck gone, Azudra of the Four Elite Lords steps in to defend Castle Urum from the seemingly invincible winged soldiers. Meanwhile, Vermilio and Helck meet a witch who just might be the key to getting back to the Demon Realm.
With Vermilio and Helck gone, Azudra of the Four Elite Lords steps in to defend Castle Urum from the seemingly invincible winged soldiers. Meanwhile, Vermilio and Helck meet a witch who just might be the key to getting back to the Demon Realm.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 15, 2023
The humans trying to conquer the demons are pretty demonic themselves, so where does that leave the poor demons? Up against it, that’s where. And, to make things worse, their best hope is stranded on a desert island with their other best hope. Plus the world’s most obnoxious bird.
In a complete inverse of something I said in a recent review, I like Helck, the series, a lot more than I like Helck, the character. When I looked at the first volume I definitely compared it to Slayers and that’s really the silly/serious space that this is inhabiting for me.
And it’s growing on me the more it leans into its plot while having the odd joke thrown in. Not all of them work, I am very picky about my comedy as a rule (unless it’s The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, but even I can’t explain that one), but if both comedy and story are good enough they’ll both lift each other. And I would be lying if I said the comedic timing and reactions aren’t on point more than once here.
I can’t go much further without specifically mentioning Piwi, the kiwi bird that seems set to be the most obnoxious scene-stealer in history. Piwi spends a lot of time being dumb and shouting and yet this weird alchemy combines with his very basic design to make him really funny. His “help” with a missive from the other demons is pure idiot perfection.
Most of this volume is focused on Annie (I mean Anne, I mean Vermikins, I mean…) and Helck’s journey to get back to the demon realm they’ve been forcefully ejected from. This turns out to be a smart pairing and I think what forms the basis of why this volume works, in tandem with their circumstances.
Annie and Helck are a classic double act, as she gets outraged that he just violates all sorts of basic rules of common sense. They give a little more lip service to the darkness that hides behind Helck’s smiling, brawny facade, but he’s still not great. As a gag machine for Annie’s reactions however, absolutely perfect. Her begrudging respect for this human is a nice change of pace from the first volume too.
And so the story ranges around from perilous sea voyages to ravaged villages to a pair of kingdoms that don’t really exist, as serious stuff and silly stuff come around in near equal measure. It’s your classic road trip conceit, but it lets them do a bunch of odd things and get some action in. Paired with that really lovely art and it’s a good time.
The central premise at the moment is also some kind of genius - if humans are basically fodder when fighting demons, minus the great hero, why not just make everybody the great hero?
As it turns out, the sacrifice for your individuality might be your humanity, which is probably a bigger statement than the mangaka intends, but I like that reading of it. It’s not exactly subtle that the humans are all very generic, but the demons are the ones who have unique personalities and abilities.
Can Helck maintain this level of quality? Good question, but it was super silly at first, then okay, and now this volume hits a balance that I’m quite happy with. I was really pleased to see it find a middle ground and I hope it stays that course for a while longer.
4 stars - nah, it’s good, seriously. I was ready to kill Piwi, and I still am, but that’s basically part of the joke. And when both plot and jokes are existing together this well, that’s a manga giving signs of figuring itself out.
In a complete inverse of something I said in a recent review, I like Helck, the series, a lot more than I like Helck, the character. When I looked at the first volume I definitely compared it to Slayers and that’s really the silly/serious space that this is inhabiting for me.
And it’s growing on me the more it leans into its plot while having the odd joke thrown in. Not all of them work, I am very picky about my comedy as a rule (unless it’s The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, but even I can’t explain that one), but if both comedy and story are good enough they’ll both lift each other. And I would be lying if I said the comedic timing and reactions aren’t on point more than once here.
I can’t go much further without specifically mentioning Piwi, the kiwi bird that seems set to be the most obnoxious scene-stealer in history. Piwi spends a lot of time being dumb and shouting and yet this weird alchemy combines with his very basic design to make him really funny. His “help” with a missive from the other demons is pure idiot perfection.
Most of this volume is focused on Annie (I mean Anne, I mean Vermikins, I mean…) and Helck’s journey to get back to the demon realm they’ve been forcefully ejected from. This turns out to be a smart pairing and I think what forms the basis of why this volume works, in tandem with their circumstances.
Annie and Helck are a classic double act, as she gets outraged that he just violates all sorts of basic rules of common sense. They give a little more lip service to the darkness that hides behind Helck’s smiling, brawny facade, but he’s still not great. As a gag machine for Annie’s reactions however, absolutely perfect. Her begrudging respect for this human is a nice change of pace from the first volume too.
And so the story ranges around from perilous sea voyages to ravaged villages to a pair of kingdoms that don’t really exist, as serious stuff and silly stuff come around in near equal measure. It’s your classic road trip conceit, but it lets them do a bunch of odd things and get some action in. Paired with that really lovely art and it’s a good time.
The central premise at the moment is also some kind of genius - if humans are basically fodder when fighting demons, minus the great hero, why not just make everybody the great hero?
As it turns out, the sacrifice for your individuality might be your humanity, which is probably a bigger statement than the mangaka intends, but I like that reading of it. It’s not exactly subtle that the humans are all very generic, but the demons are the ones who have unique personalities and abilities.
Can Helck maintain this level of quality? Good question, but it was super silly at first, then okay, and now this volume hits a balance that I’m quite happy with. I was really pleased to see it find a middle ground and I hope it stays that course for a while longer.
4 stars - nah, it’s good, seriously. I was ready to kill Piwi, and I still am, but that’s basically part of the joke. And when both plot and jokes are existing together this well, that’s a manga giving signs of figuring itself out.
July 30, 2023
Castle Urum (azudra & co) — 3 chapters
Island — 2 chapters
Sea — 2 chapters
Tothman tribe — 3 chapters
Cooking village — 2 chapters
The art has improved. The comedy is better, too. Piwi, the ridiculous chicken creature, is hilarious, largely because of his perpetual facial expression — a blank, clueless cheeriness bordering on insanity. He’s another dim-witted and overly enthusiastic character, like kenros and Helck but much funnier. His little backpack is a nice touch.
There are more hints that Helck harbors a hidden dark side. The island witch warns Vermilio that he might one day spell her doom. This ongoing mystery adds depth and interest to Helck’s character, the prophecy a sharp contrast to his benign exterior.
The first three chapters are set at castle Urum and feature Azudra, Hyura, kenros, Ista, asta, and force field guy, i.e. most of the secondary cast. Azudra offers mercy to the last of the winged warriors but their comrades execute them and their bodies dematerialize. It seems they cannot be killed; instead they respawn at their base, each time stronger than the last. We get a couple chapters of sequel as the heroes try to figure out their next move, finally formulating a plan to take out the human king whom Azudra believes is responsible for the reincarnation magic. This section is a lot of talk and exposition and could have been streamlined.
The rest of the book is about Helck and Annie and their quest to return to the demon empire. The adventure moves quickly, with stops in a variety of locations offering different challenges. They meet a witch, battle a sea monster, rescue a tribe of pig people (in a save the cat moment), and enter a cooking competition. Plot wise, the most significant thing on the journey might be that they meet another tribe who has recently gained new powers, similar to the winged humans, suggesting a wider menace.
The chemistry between Annie, Helck, and Piwi and the fast-paced variety of settings with simple self-contained plots make these chapters fly by.
Island — 2 chapters
Sea — 2 chapters
Tothman tribe — 3 chapters
Cooking village — 2 chapters
The art has improved. The comedy is better, too. Piwi, the ridiculous chicken creature, is hilarious, largely because of his perpetual facial expression — a blank, clueless cheeriness bordering on insanity. He’s another dim-witted and overly enthusiastic character, like kenros and Helck but much funnier. His little backpack is a nice touch.
There are more hints that Helck harbors a hidden dark side. The island witch warns Vermilio that he might one day spell her doom. This ongoing mystery adds depth and interest to Helck’s character, the prophecy a sharp contrast to his benign exterior.
The first three chapters are set at castle Urum and feature Azudra, Hyura, kenros, Ista, asta, and force field guy, i.e. most of the secondary cast. Azudra offers mercy to the last of the winged warriors but their comrades execute them and their bodies dematerialize. It seems they cannot be killed; instead they respawn at their base, each time stronger than the last. We get a couple chapters of sequel as the heroes try to figure out their next move, finally formulating a plan to take out the human king whom Azudra believes is responsible for the reincarnation magic. This section is a lot of talk and exposition and could have been streamlined.
The rest of the book is about Helck and Annie and their quest to return to the demon empire. The adventure moves quickly, with stops in a variety of locations offering different challenges. They meet a witch, battle a sea monster, rescue a tribe of pig people (in a save the cat moment), and enter a cooking competition. Plot wise, the most significant thing on the journey might be that they meet another tribe who has recently gained new powers, similar to the winged humans, suggesting a wider menace.
The chemistry between Annie, Helck, and Piwi and the fast-paced variety of settings with simple self-contained plots make these chapters fly by.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
With a fresh take on the human in the demon realm manga, Nanaki Nanao has created a unique hero in Helck. He isn't a wimp out of place and hiding his humanness in the demon realm. Helck is a powerful hero stronger than the demons around him. He doesn't hide or apologize that he is human. He is here in the country that the "demons" live in to take part in the contest to be the next demon lord.
Helck says he was betrayed by his human friends and he wants to be the next Demon Lord to settle things. He is a man of few explanations. The demons are wary of him though. When Helck and Anne are sent through a gate in volume 2, Anne learns to trust Helck. First on a seemingly desert island that actually has a village and a witch living on the mountain. Once they two build a boat they get to a village that is being terrorized by newly powerful bullies. Helck saves the villagers and is given directions to a town that may have a map to the Empire. One fun adventure after another that Helck takes in stride, also gets on Anne's nerves but she is learning to go with the flow and to also trust in the hero.
Back in the demon's Empire though, new information has been uncovered on the human's plot. It seems the King has used a spell to advance some humans to the level of heroes. The Heroes are then made to sign a resurrection pact that forces them to always support and king and to be resurrected for his purpose never to die and to continuously evolve until they are no longer human. A horrible and barbaric pact, that shows how truly vile this human king is.
The demon's work to find a way to break the resurrection magic and stop the king from causing more harm.
Helck says he was betrayed by his human friends and he wants to be the next Demon Lord to settle things. He is a man of few explanations. The demons are wary of him though. When Helck and Anne are sent through a gate in volume 2, Anne learns to trust Helck. First on a seemingly desert island that actually has a village and a witch living on the mountain. Once they two build a boat they get to a village that is being terrorized by newly powerful bullies. Helck saves the villagers and is given directions to a town that may have a map to the Empire. One fun adventure after another that Helck takes in stride, also gets on Anne's nerves but she is learning to go with the flow and to also trust in the hero.
Back in the demon's Empire though, new information has been uncovered on the human's plot. It seems the King has used a spell to advance some humans to the level of heroes. The Heroes are then made to sign a resurrection pact that forces them to always support and king and to be resurrected for his purpose never to die and to continuously evolve until they are no longer human. A horrible and barbaric pact, that shows how truly vile this human king is.
The demon's work to find a way to break the resurrection magic and stop the king from causing more harm.
September 1, 2023
It's so cool seeing another side to the firecracker who is Lady Vermilio (AKA Anne) let her guard down long enough to truly care about her friends. Even if she doesn't know it yet, Helck is her friend. Piwi is, too! He's the adorable penguin beastie, whom I love so much as more than just a tag along character. I can't wait to see how he develops in the later books! If he dies in the next book, I'll cry for days! I don't care who dies; let Piwi live!
August 2, 2023
4/5
Helck flourishes during the times when it is Helck and Vermilio. They work as foils to one another which Helck doesn't even understand because he has such a pure heart. This volume sees them having to work together to try and get home, which was a lot of fun. The more time we spend with Vermilio and Helck, the more I like this series. This volume also ends on quite the cliffhanger.
Helck flourishes during the times when it is Helck and Vermilio. They work as foils to one another which Helck doesn't even understand because he has such a pure heart. This volume sees them having to work together to try and get home, which was a lot of fun. The more time we spend with Vermilio and Helck, the more I like this series. This volume also ends on quite the cliffhanger.
December 11, 2023
Helck continues its greatness streak.
The same great story but the artwork is getting more refined. I don't know what to say that one wouldn't already know by the third volume of the series, though.
Maybe appreciating that it never stays too long on one side story. It's nice the mangaka doesn't drag it out.
The same great story but the artwork is getting more refined. I don't know what to say that one wouldn't already know by the third volume of the series, though.
Maybe appreciating that it never stays too long on one side story. It's nice the mangaka doesn't drag it out.
July 22, 2023
Conan if foolish but maybe hiding a dark secret
It's a silly fantasy travelogue the super powerful human hero and the powerful demon elite that isn't sure she can trust him. Together can they make their way back home?
It's a silly fantasy travelogue the super powerful human hero and the powerful demon elite that isn't sure she can trust him. Together can they make their way back home?
August 5, 2023
I’m really appreciating this series more and more, I can tell there’s a lot of thought put into it. The Witch who appears in this volume gives her note of caution to Vermilio, and hints that Helck is suppressing significant negativity that could effect all, and to stay on her guard.
May 7, 2024
This volume was better. It started to dive more into the fantasy world there was some good action in this one. The humor in this series does nothing for me. The two chapters with the cooking contest fell flat for me.
August 22, 2019
Please head to volume 1 for my overall review of Helck.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 20, 2023
It was good. The travel around the water and then the battle with a mini boss. At the end there was even intrigue for the next volume! So far, it is the best volume in the series.
July 26, 2023
Decently solid. Starts out as a comedy and grows into a shonen adventure as the characters form a meaningful friendship. Helck didn't deserve the shit that happened to him fuck humans.
August 28, 2023
Just how OP is Helck?
April 25, 2024
3.5 stars.
August 24, 2021
咦？這不是搞笑漫畫？
搞笑成分怎麼減了80%
搞笑成分怎麼減了80%
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews