When the new gang starts to control the town and really crunches down on the cats, Shiro is stabbed badly and taken to the hospital. During the entire time Kuro gets very still and waits, a quiet waiting, not moving until Shiro returns. Shiro once commented… Black is broken but I have all the screws he needs. After this close encounter Kuro sends Shiro off to be with the police as he thinks they will take better care of Shiro. At this point Kuro gets very dark and the balance that the two had is lost. No longer holding back Kuro easily kills and becomes taken over by the minotaur. Battling himself Shiro calls out to Kuro at his darkest moment and reaches him in thought. The two brothers stop at nothing to care for each other, and discover that their strength comes from the bonds forged between them, a perfect match, Kuro and Shiro, Black and White. Symbolism is at the root of each event and the pattern unfolds as the lives of each character and their connections are developed and revealed. The brutal honesty of life revealed with no sugar added is what makes this manga so appealing.
PRESENTATION
Taiyo Matsumoto uses a wonderfully unique style that’s every bit as wild, untamable and appealing as the characters. Ignoring anatomical correctness and going for a completely expression filled exciting new look I was surprised at how quickly the style grew on me. A graduated art student myself, I have seen many styles and attempts at originality, but it seems that when you really get in touch with that inner child or beast of angel that is really you, that’s when your work starts to stand out. Perfectly appropriate for Neverland meets New York city on a bad day, the art work allows the entire concept of Tekkonkinkrete to engulf you and whisk you up to the roof tops of another whimsical and demonically wonderful world.
OVERALL
Deeply vulgar and sadistic but equally gentle and delicate this twisted tale of two boys discovering themselves, finding peace and balance, is so emotionally charged that you will have trouble returning to earth once you’ve visited this Treasure Town.