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Following her debut on the English market with "Apple Children of Aeon" in 2022, "King in Limbo" is the second work by Ai Tanaka to be published by Kodansha. Unlike the first release, this work will also be published as a print edition.
How was King In Limbo?
Adam Garfield serves as a non-commissioned officer in the navy. The loss of his father to a contagious virus that caused "sleeping sickness" marked a deep turning point in his life. Since then, he has been responsible for his siblings.
After the disease had seemingly been eradicated for eight years and life had resumed its normal course, Adam suddenly finds himself in hospital after a mine explosion. The arrival of the Vice Admiral forces him to confront reality: Adam has lost a leg and his military pension is nowhere near enough to support his family. He is faced with the decision of either finding a new career or continuing to work for the military. However, his ability to lucid dream opens up new possibilities. He is now tasked with helping to combat another impending pandemic of "sleeping sickness".
During the first wave of the infection, it was discovered that the only cure was based on the use of diving technology. This technique allows a diver to enter the mind of an infected person while another person stabilizes the diver. The diver can then carefully remove the infected memories. The procedure is dangerous and requires a lucid dreamer who has control over their dreams. Since Adam has this ability, he is perfectly suited for the position of companion diver. And even better: it matches the most successful diver of all - a man known as King - 97% of the time. A value that could contribute significantly to the success of the missions.
In her latest work, Ai Tanaka once again presents a story that is rooted in reality but cleverly enriched with fictional elements. At first glance, the world in which the characters of "King in Limbo" live resembles our own, apart from the fictional illness and its treatment method. The idea of immersing oneself in the mind of another is not new, but Tanaka gives this idea enough life of its own to create a multifaceted story.
One of the key elements of the plot is the use of dreams. Over the course of the story, scenes from Adam's own dreams are repeatedly presented, which must be deciphered and point to traumatic experiences from his youth. In addition, the mangaka explores how trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder can affect a person's subconscious world and how this affects those around them.
Tanaka takes her time to introduce us to this world, gradually revealing more details about the setting and characters. She skillfully shows the intricacies of the diving process and the characters' talents and approaches.
There is also a mystery aspect to Tanaka's work that keeps the tension high. Adam's acceptance of the Admiral's offer leads him to discover the darker side of the government and military complex. He is confronted with attempts to cover up the re-emergence of the disease and blackmail his diving partner. Adam is torn between his naval training and his moral compass as the extent of the situation becomes increasingly clear.
It is implied that something went wrong on a previous dive and Rune distrusts the government. He begins his own investigation to find out how the disease could reoccur. The only person he shows affection for is his adopted daughter, whose protection is very important to him. Rune seems to know more about the origins of the first pandemic than he would like to admit, and this adds to his overall mysteriousness. In a way, he's both working with and against the government, an ambivalence that drives the plot forward, especially as Adam learns more about what Rune already knows and has to decide which people around him he can trust and who he should tread carefully with.
The drawing style and panel layout also contribute to the unique atmosphere of the first volume. Tanaka's style is characterized by a clear aesthetic. The strokes are fine and almost sketchy, while the characters have a realistic, down-to-earth design. Their facial structure as well as their physique and body language appear authentic, almost taken from life.
The panels are kept rather simple, with the actions and expressions often divided into several smaller panels, creating a cinematic narrative style. Larger panels or full-page illustrations are rather rare, but draw you into the volume with plenty of detail when they do occur.
Despite its thickness, the King in Limbo Omnibus is pleasant to read.
Conclusion
All in all, with "King in Limbo", Ai Tanaka succeeds in combining various elements and genres into a story that is told intensively, but at the same time without a hectic pace. Fans of thrillers and political intrigue paired with light science fiction elements will particularly enjoy this volume.
King In Limbo Omnibus 1 (Vol. 1-2)
€19,79
€21,99
From the creator of Apple Children of Aeon comes a gripping, six-volume thriller manga about trauma, healing, friendship, and what it means to be "sick" or "healthy." A must for fans of suspenseful, complex manga like Naoki Urasawa’s Monster and… read more
