A review by bhall237
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 12 by Yuji Kaku

5.0

“AT LAST, MY LONG-AWAITED…
...TRYST OF BLOOD!”

“THIS
BRINGS
ME BACK.”

This volume was perfect, so much happened and all of it was flawless. Asaemon Jikka is absolute badass in this volume, and while it was played for laughs previously, I think he might be one of the strongest fighters on the island. The character arc of Aza Chobe comes to a close, and I was so satisfied with the sacrifice, he made to help his fellow convicts and Asaemon, a far cry from who we saw in volume one. Seeing him come to terms with the life he lived, and acknowledging he did nothing but wrong except for being a good big brother to Toma was devastating to read. And for as much of a villain as he was in the previous volumes, Asaemon Shigen being able to switch his Tao throughout his fight with Rein was crazy to witness. We finally learn of the grand plan of Rein, in which bringing the plants to the mainland of Woguo and making Tan of all humans there to revive the Grand Master, and that Rein has died, too, and an illusory Rein has been crafted. And the reveal of only having 3 survivors making it off the island based off the I Ching ritual, with 2 men and 1 woman surviving, I can only guess as to who it will be. Mei’s transformation at the end was insane, and was so unexpected to see, and her helping everyone get to the ship to escape was another chapter that left me distraught after finishing. And the fight between Tamiya and Shugen was just perfect, so much emotion behind both sides clashing. I am ecstatic going into the final volume, and I have no idea what’s to come next.