BLITZ (VOL. 3), by Ablaze Publishing on 1/10/24, takes readers on a rollercoaster of victories and losses when the ISS team enters the semi-final round of the tournament. Will they come out on top?
The Details
- Written by: Cédric Biscay, Tsukasa Mori
- Art by: Daitaro Nishihara
- Letters by: Studio Makma
- Cover art by: Daitaro Nishihara
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $12.99
- Release date: January 10, 2024
Is BLITZ (VOL. 3) Good?
Who knew a Manga about chess could be a rollercoaster of excitement? Cédric Biscay and Tsukasa Mori knew, and we’re here to reap the benefits in BLITZ (VOL. 3).
When last we left the ISS team, a critical loss forced the team to pull out all the stops to reach the semi-finals with no room for error. Now, the ISS team faces off against a tougher team in the semi-finals, wherein Harmony pulls off a stunning victory, leading to an even tougher round against Nishimatsu Middle School and Tom’s personal rival, Kou. The path to a national championship will be longer and more difficult than anyone expected.
What’s unique about this volume beyond the surprisingly captivating way it presents a chess match is the authenticity and real-world chess strategies presented. Readers interested in learning about the gambits and strategies used during the story will find a full compendium of chess instructions in the back, which is a great way to get younger readers involved in the game.
What’s great about BLITZ (VOL. 3)? The astounding act of turning chess into a riveting story for readers who don’t play chess is an accomplishment in and of itself. Hats off to Biscay and Mori for finding clever visualizations that make the matches engaging, while crafting a solid hero’s journey for Tom and his teammates.
What’s not so great about BLITZ (VOL. 3)? There are technically no major flaws with this Manga. It’s a fun read from start to finish, whether you’re a chess player or not.
How’s the art? Daitoro Nishihara’s art style is a tried and true Shonen comic. The characters are overly expressive to get the emotional meaning across, the characters are visually distinctive, and the “action” scenes are exciting.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s BLITZ (VOL. 3) About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our BLITZ (VOL. 2) review to find out how Tom managed to exponentially excel at chess in such a short period.
We begin with Tom in the middle of his match. He makes a move that seems impossibly quick and effective, catching the eye of Karl, the incognito chess champion and chess champion. Tom wins his match, along with most of the ISS team, to proceed to the semi-finals.
The semi-finals prove even more challenging, but ISS rises to the occasion. Harmony wins her match, but her opponent, a spoiled girl and social media influencer, takes the loss so badly that she promises to stop playing chess forever.
To win the finals and proceed to the Nationals, ISS must defeat Nishimatsu Middle School, but the ISS finds they’re not prepared for advanced players who use dirty tricks. We conclude the issue with a painful lesson, a second chance, and training.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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BLITZ (VOL. 3) turns up the competition heat when Tom and the ISS team win their way to the finals, but getting to the Nationals will take more than determination. Biscay and Mori’s tale turns a chess tournament into a surprisingly riveting hero’s journey, even if you don’t know anything about chess.
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