Since my last review of Wistoria: Wand and Sword, the anime adaptation has come and gone, but fans can look forward to a Season 2. In the meantime, the manga continues to unfold the story of our protagonist, Will.
Volume 8 picks up after the attack on the Terminalia festival, with Will and his Magic Academy classmates graduating. Despite failing his final exam, Will is given a second chance by the headmaster, who reveals that creating a new spell can also earn him the privilege of advancing to the Tower. This leads Will and his friends into a new arc filled with challenges and obstacles.
As they enter the Tower, Will and his peers are faced with the reality that they must prove themselves to belong to a faction within the Tower. Those who haven’t earned their place are stuck on the first floor, unable to advance. Will finds himself in this predicament, along with his rival Julius, who has also fallen short of expectations.
The volume sets the stage for future developments, introducing new characters and placing familiar faces in different factions. While this may seem like a slow build-up, author Fujino Omori’s careful character development has paid off in the past. The artwork by Toshi Aoi continues to impress, especially in the intense battle scenes towards the end of the volume.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword Volume 8 maintains its quality in translation by Alethea and Athena Nibley, with the story flowing smoothly. However, the lack of extras in the release, apart from character profiles and a bonus manga, may disappoint some readers.
With the series already up to Volume 11 in Japan, English readers will have to wait until May for Volume 9. The anime adaptation has received positive reviews, making it a must-watch for fans of the manga.
Overall, Volume 8 of Wistoria: Wand and Sword marks a new chapter in Will’s journey, filled with uncertainty and challenges. While the volume may primarily set the stage for future events, it remains an engaging read for fans of the series.
