Vol. 21 picks up right where 20 left off, with Kyo confessing to knowing Tohru’s mother and seeing her when she died. There’s a lot that happens in 21 (doesn’t there have to be with only 2 volumes left?), but it’s not of the same magnitude as previous volumes. Perhaps 20 was so action/revelation-packed that this one almost feels anticlimactic in comparison. But there are still plenty of important moments here; we begin to see a change in Akito – or at least a desire to change – as Tohru breaks through her barriers. We see the impact that Tohru has made on the Sohma family when they have to deal with potentially losing her. Yuki (with Kakeru’s help) clarifies his relationship with Tohru and he and Machi – well, you’ll have to see! There are some weird moments where it feels like humor was inserted to lighten the tone – Yuki, Uotani, and Hanajima have their moments of pure evil and Haru gets to talk about Rin’s “development.” I wasn’t really for these, except perhaps Hanajima and Uotani’s protection of Tohru – those girls are wicked and I love them. Overall, this volume is continuing to pick up those storyline threads and finish them off; we see some characters who have changed enough with Tohru’s kindness that they are now able to help themselves and others (even when that means kicking the crap out of another character).

Like always, I can’t wait to see what’s next. I need more Kyo!