Chobits Recommended

Publisher
Tokyopop
Writer
CLAMP
Artist
CLAMP
Country of origin
Japan
Year
2002

Chobits volume 4

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
30th Oct 04

If you havent read any of the previous volumes of Chobits be aware this review will contain spoliers for them.

Both Chi and Hideki have begun to strugle with their feelings for each other internaly. Chi trys to figure out what this pain in her chest is when Hiedki is not around, while Hideki begins to wonder if Chi is more than just a machine or are these "feelings" she say she has a part of her programming. As we deal with the turmoil our main charcters are feeling our secondary charcters also start becoming more emotional. Hideki comes home from work to find Chi missing and a frantic search for her begins.

As we reach the mid-point of the series the temprature is turned up a few degrees from the previous volume. Untill Chi dissapears it seems as they may come to terms with their feelings for one another. However Hiedki and Chi begin to doubt there feelings when Hiedki belives Chi's memory could be wiped and Chi wonders if Hiedki will find her. Minoru and Ueda are subject of a lrage chunck of volume four, as they deepen their charcter while helping Hideki with his feelings. Yumi is brought in again for one of those mysterious twists in plot that make Chobits so addictive and forcing you to read on.

This volume is more serious and a fair amount darker than the previous ones and theirs a very pessamistic view throughout. Although personaly I prefer more humor in my manga the storytelling is so good that untill going back to review the volume I never realised.

Of course the lack of humor means there's more seriousness and that means this is reflected in the amazing artwork. Which appears more detailed in this volume than the previous ones. We see serious tears for what I'm sure is the first time in the series and this makes you feel genuinely sorry for this charcter. Saying that it's hard not to feel nothing for any of the charcters at this point.

Just as the series starts to seem as if it's going to slow down and let you off, it picks up the pace making for an extremly addictive read that'll have you crying for more.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 30th Oct 04