Status Updates From Kaya, Vol. 3

The story is starting to drag. It’s still king of interesting, but Kaya and Jins journey fells like it’s been going on for too long without revealing some important plot points like who kind parents actually are, what the hell is going on with his powers, and how this this world become like this

Notes:
(1) We get a bit of a callback here. Near the start, Phaedra the cat is afraid of water and refuses to swim. Near the end, Varia the fox rescues Kaya by fearlessly diving to the bottom of a well.
- Apart from the obvious bookend, I can't say if it means anything.
(2) This volume felt entirely transitional, like a side-quest.
- Time will tell if it ends up being more.

Notes:
(1) On the surface, this is a traditional "rescue the princess" premise. Though, it employs the very modern trope of the princess being a kind of rebel warrior and/or the one doing the saving.
- A notable example being Princess Leia in "The Force Awakens."
(2) Reading this all at once, you feel more presence from the demon (I guess) that haunts Jin in the dreamworld.

Notes:
(1) Rereading has already paid dividends. I'd totally forgot about the Atrian robot virus and Phaedra the cat warrior.
- Given how the arc ends, I'm sure Phaedra, at least, will factor into the new arc. She's too much of a loose thread to just disappear after one issue.
(2) We find out that Atria is modeled after the Roman Empire.
- So, definite "Hunger Games" vibes.

Notes:
(1) The new arc's just started. As has become tradition, I've put off reading the latest trade until now so it can act as a kind of refresher.
- It's less of a necessity with this series, as it doesn't really take breaks between arcs.
(2) This collects issue #18, which isn't listed in the retail blurb.
- I guess they felt they needed an extra issue to tell the story.