Book Review: Claymore Vol 24: Army of the underworld

Title - Claymore  Vol 24: Army of the underworld 

Author - Norihiro Yagi

Series - Claymore #24

Genre - Horror Manga

Format - Kindle

Published - June 4th 2013
Publisher - Viz Media LLC

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Priscilla, whose monstrous savagery was reawakened in the previous battle, is bent on absorbing the power of those who fell in her wake and destroying the rebel Claymores. Raki and several former top warriors band together with a defensive plan, but even their skills may be no match against Priscilla’s poisoned wrath. Meanwhile, the terrifying Yoma-based creature coalescing outside of the holy city of Rabona may seek to defeat Priscilla…but it may also be seeking the defeat of the rebel warriors!

Review

Claymore is a manga about Yoma who pretend to be human in order to kill and eat the humans. The Claymore are the hybrid of the two stronger faster but still human with the ability to slay the Yoma which they do for a price. They travel from village to village slaying Yoma with nothing but the sword on their back using the Yoma abilities but slowly turning into a monster that they hunt. When the time comes a Claymore will send a black card to another claymore to be slain before the Yoma takes over and so they die as a human.

In the 24^th volume we have learned about the truth of the yoma and of the betrayal of the organization but they haven’t really had a chance to think about it. Heading off into battle dressed as the warriors they are to fight Cassandra.  However to the awakened beings watching to see how things are going to turn out it’s clear that they need all the help that they can get against her. While the Awakened beings jump in to stop the abyssal she proves that she may just be too powerful for even all of them. Priscilla has her own hands full fighting with an equally matched being. How will it turn out? 

I like Clare she’s a sword carrying slayer who isn’t afraid to die charging in risking her life. She's grown a lot in the last several volumes leading up to the battle in the north. After faking her death along with her fellow claymore's she's returned after seven years to battle the Organization. While she may not be the strongest she's determined and unwilling to give up. She's one of those underdog characters you can't help liking. We've seen a little of Raki having grown up into a man who fights yoma he’s been captured by the organization. Clare and Priscilla have been trapped in a ball of flesh locking them both away from the others.

I’ve seen all of the episodes on Netflix a few years ago actually binge watched them over a long weekend. While it’s been a while I don’t think the anime has gone this far in the series. I don’t remember the girls taking on the organization which is where the story has turned. It’s interesting learning that the organization which has been creating claymores for a long time may not be the good guys after all. I love the concept for the Claymore the hybrids created using parts from the monsters that they have been created to fight against the Yoma that they created. The art is great it gives me just enough to create the story in my head as I read each detailed page. This is only my 2nd manga so I don’t have a lot to base on but I’m super addicted to them. They are perfect for when I have some downtime or when I feel like reading back to back. I already know that the ending is close as I’m about halfway done. I’m anxious to see how it’s all going to play out.