GATE (2017)

[ゲート 自衛隊 彼の地にて、斯く戦えり]

Volume 11

Author: Takumi Yanai
Artist: Satoru Sao
Publisher: Alphapolis

Synopsis:
Zorzal's secret police begins rounding up senators from the Peace Faction while the Japanese must decide whether or not to risk to political fallout of getting involved.

Story/Characters:
It's fitting that Sherry is on the cover because she's the one who holds the spotlight for the most part. The current plot thread in the Capital largely revolves around her and she does an impressive job of rising to the challenges she faces. I also want to give a nod to her parents and how they took on the Oprichnina. (As a side note, I think it's interesting that they actually made "Oprichnina" a contraction of the organization's name in the language of the Empire despite obviously being derived from the real-world policy.) I also like how Tyuule exerts so much authority in pursuit of her plot despite being A) a Demihuman, B) a woman, and C) Zorzal's slave. There's something about watching a person who should have no standing in Imperial society ordering around ministers and the like.

Even though Itami is the series protagonist, the situation in Londel seems more like the B plot, but we continue to develop the intrigue around the assassination plot against Lelei. The concept behind the Piper is cool. Something that doesn't get play in the anime but is terribly amusing here is the popularity the gang receives from the fictionalized account of the slaying of the Fire Dragon. Needless to say, some of the details get changed and the affected characters aren't too happy about it.

Art:
There isn't any big action set pieces to show off in this volume, but the quality is consistent and the attack on House Tyueli in particular is rather visually impactful.

Other:
We get a side story about an apparent epidemic among the female Demihumans of Alnus Village in addition to the usual 4-koma.

Conclusion:
If you like the character of Sherry, then you'll be particularly invested in the current arc. However, if you're more interested in Itami and the gang, you may not like how they're somewhat out of focus. Regardless, this is definitely worth reading at the very least.

Rating:
Own It