Edens Zero Chapter 169 – Declaration And Resolve

That awkward moment you get when the bandage on Shiki’s face that existed since the very first chapter turns out to be surprise reveal. I noticed it yet I didn’t notice it. The bandage blended in with Shiki’s overall design that I never found myself wondering why it was there. The moment Shiki began to remove his bandage, my mind literally arrived at the thought – ‘there was a bandage there?’ For a scar that embodies a major moment in Shiki’s life, Mashima-sensei did an amazing job hiding such a relevance. The revelation was such a discombobulating one that I do feel I hoodwinked myself by failing to acknowledge the relevance of the bandage earlier. Even future Shiki that Rebecca met had the scar. What a rush though. Shiki’s scar not only represents a meaningful moment in his past but the act of him removing the bandage signals his resolve to continue forward with his eyes wide open in regards to Ziggy.

Edens Zero Chapter 159 – Laguna VS Ijuna: Destiny

A heart brought to the point of desperation where the desire for survival constructed the deception that was the affection Ijuna felt toward Shura. It was an escape from the agony washing over Ijuna day after day, cruelty after cruelty, torture after torture. A subconscious defensive mechanism activated alongside her Ether Gear and in the maelstrom of hopelessness and torment, a red string of ether driven by anguish connected Ijuna to Shura. The love binding Ijuna to Shura is but an illusion of emotions conjured by her despair and connection to Ether. What ultimately saved Ijuna were the tears of her heart longing for the bonds she was already connected by. Unbreakable bonds that tied Oasis together in the form of their desire for liberation. Laguna awakened Ijuna’s heart and released Ijuna from the bindings entrapping her allowing her to sever the red thread tying her to Shura. The destiny awaiting Ijuna isn’t Shura but the red destiny of Oasis.

Edens Zero Chapter 158 – Laguna VS Ijuna: Broken

I was not expecting such a dark take on the tragedy existing in Ijuna’s past. To think that what led Ijuna to commit her servitude to the Imperial Empire was not her desire to gain vengeance on Shura but rather the fragility of the human mind being brought to the point of hopelessness and despondency. In the state of perpetual torture, her psyche broke and began being shaped by the twisted narrative of despair. In the pit of darkness, Shura became her light and guided by the desire to end her suffering, her mind warped her perception to conjure illusions of affection. The nature of her pure soul became dyed by such anguish and served to fetter her mind from recalling a reality outside such torment. Ijuna was psychologically broken down and brainwashed by Shura into championing the corrupt and inhumane actions of himself and the Imperial Empire he seeks to shape.

Edens Zero Chapter 157 – Laguna And Ijuna: Oasis

And so they meet. An encounter destined to manifest from the moment the existence of the Oasis Princess was first revealed. The circumstances surrounding her perceived death was not only suspicious but foreshadowing toward this moment. I have championed this encounter and supported Laguna’s role in turning Ijuna into an ally. Ijuna may appear antagonistic but the manner of her actions seem directed toward an end which she conceded would justify her means. Ijuna was not in support of Shura but rather awaiting an opportunity to exact the revenge boiling within her. While physically close to Shura, she emotionally distanced herself from him. All her efforts tempered the axe she wishes to bring down on Shura’s head. Laguna will not only melt the ice freezing her heart and soul but reconnect the thread of family submerged under that ocean of hatred that has frozen over. The clouds of anger blocking the warmth from reaching Ijuna will dissipate allowing the light of joy and freedom to shine through once again. Her Oasis is not lost.

Edens Zero Chapter 140 – Entering The Battlefield

As the battle between the Interstellar Union Army and the Nero fleet unfolds, the Edens Zero and Oasis Rebellion use that commotion to their advantage in order to attempt to sneak through the gaps in the enemy formation to reach Nero 66. The size of the Nero fleet though makes it impossible to approach unnoticed, as such, the Oasis battleship resolves to stay behind so that a path forward can be made for the Edens Zero. Charging through boldly, the Edens Zero penetrates the enemy defenses and successfully manages to slip past the Nero fleet. Shura, aware that the Edens Zero belongs to Ziggy, senses a strange presence that doesn’t match Ziggy. The presence of Shiki has piqued Shura’s interest and momentarily unsettled him. Will Shura move against the Edens Zero or will he wait for them to come to him?

Edens Zero Chapter 137-138 – The Fight For Freedom

Poseidon Nero’s complete reliance on his dice will ultimately be the foundation of his downfall. The fate that once built him up to where he now resides will become the debilitating thorn in his side when he finds himself without possession of his Empire Dice. At that point without a medium to direct his “fate” onto, how will Nero function? Will he even be able to function at that time? Nero has cast his power away to the dice he possesses and contrary to the expected relation, it is the dice that is in the end controlling Nero. What Nero calls “fate” is but a convenient excuse to run away from the consequences of his decisions. Whatever collateral amounts behind him, Nero deludes himself into rationalising such a reality with the conceited idea that him being victorious is all the justice needed in the world. All else is but an aside to be forgotten about. What once seemed like a reasonable ruler has now revealed the extent of his darkened heart devoid of any emotion for those that follow him. Freedom in such eyes is but a meaningless concept irrelevant to his desire for victory.

The war against the Imperial Army has become not just a fight against Shura and his Oceans but also a battle against Nero and his twisted conceptualisation of governance. A mind like his continuing to remain central to the Aoi Cosmos, will keep the notion of freedom non-existent. Change will only be able to be brought about with his gone.

Edens Zero Chapter 136 – The Aoi High Tide

A miraculous natural event that encapsulates the whole of the Aoi Cosmos appears to give the All Link system its functionality. How harrowing it is to have an event inspiring connection with others be used for something as malicious as complete extermination. Even an entity championing robots intends to exploit the wonder that is the Ocean Spread existing across the Aoi Cosmos for selfish and malevolent purposes. Rather than the upcoming event being one of celebration at what is possible within the cosmos, it has become a deadline wrapped in terror, despair and isolation. Even within a universe as open and expansive as the one in Edens Zero, its denizens can still feel completely alone. How tragic.

Edens Zero Chapter 135 – The Oasis Rebellion

As the Edens Zero crew decide to stop Shura (and Ziggy), they now cast themselves into a conflict that has a whole cosmos army behind it. For one ship to take on a hundred thousand battlecruisers, no matter how capable that ship is, the scales are simply too weighted on the side with the numbers. Force attributed to sheer quantity. In order for the Edens Zero to stand a chance against the enemies they now face, the numbers on their side will need to grow substantially. Fortunately, Laguna has former contacts within the Aoi Cosmos that may be able to assist. Contacts that also wish to see the end to Poseidon Nero’s reign. An organisation formed to liberate the Aoi Cosmos. A rebellion called Oasis.

Edens Zero Chapter 127 – Weisz VS Müller

Madness is but a word ill-equipped to define the depths of horror represented by Müller. A mind so nescient in its state, the recognition of the universe has become warped to the point of twisting the characterisation of its actions into an apparition of righteousness. Human the scientist may be but devoid of a “heart” he is. With the assistance of his allies, Weisz extends himself passed his limits in order to cleanse this stain of unconscionability that deems himself integral to the progress of humanity from the association of science.