ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Black Clover,’ Volume 23

Black Clover Volume 23, is an action-adventure fantasy manga with story and art by Yūki Tabata. VIZ Media publishes the series as a part of the SHONEN JUMP imprint. Black Clover takes place in a world where nearly every human is born with magic and tells the story of orphans Asta and Yuno. While Yuno is a prodigy born with an advanced skill of magic, Asta, on the other hand, is born without any magic at all.

Black Clover Volume 23 consists of chapters 218 through 228. Following the aftermath of the previous arc, the devil was finally defeated, and the Magic Knights are working tirelessly to rebuild the damage done to the Clover Kingdom. Unfortunately for Asta, all the blame is being pinned on him, and he’s set to be executed. Asta is in the most trouble he has ever been in, but thankfully his loyal comrades, the Black Bulls, come to his aid. Now it becomes the Black Bull squad’s mission to investigate devils and Curse Magic to reveal the mystery behind this dark magic. Their investigation eventually leads the Magic Knights’ training to combat the Spade Kingdom.

As usual, the mangaka, Yūki Tabata, continues to deliver great artwork in Black Clover, Volume 23. While I typically enjoy their artwork for the action scenes, this volume doesn’t have too many of those kinds of scenes. However, I will say I really liked taking my time to admire the background artwork in this volume. Tabata ads a great amount of detail to their background work. Whether it is a cluttered wizard’s kitchen, a dreamworld dimension, or a new landscape, they are all beautiful and interesting to look at.

Throughout the series, the mangaka Yūki Tabata has continually touched on the theme of camaraderie. It is one of my favorite things about this series because it shows that friendship and having people in your life can rely on help to make you stronger. In Black Clover, Volume 23, Asta’s comrades, the Black Bulls, are great examples of this.

In Volume 23, when Asta is on trial and facing certain execution, his comrades come busting down the courtroom walls to rescue their friend. This moment in the volume goes to show how the Black Bulls embody the theme of camaraderie. Whether it’s their reputation or their lives, they will put it on the line for one of their own.

This volume has some great comedic moments. I especially enjoyed the comedic moments with Yami, captain of the Black Bulls, and Charlotte, captain of the Blue Rose magical knights, most of all. Charlotte is a tsundere, a character with a tough and cold personality that later changes to gentle affection. Whenever Yami is around Charlotte, she tries to put on this tough exterior, but internally, she is awkward, shy, and wants to profess her feelings to him. I find it hilarious whenever Charlotte tries to tell Yami about her feelings, and it just ends up with her being awkward and running away.

Volume 23 is a great example of how far Noelle has become a character and has more confidence in herself. Noelle is Asta’s comrade and a fellow Black Bull, who lacked confidence and control over her powers when she was first introduced in the series. It is thanks to the positive influence from the Black Bulls, Asta, in particular, that contributed to her having more confidence in herself and her own powers.

This confidence boost has helped her be more courageous and willing to go up against even the toughest opponents. In this volume, Noelle goes up against some enemies that have magic that she has never seen before and can hold her. It is moments like these that continue to impress me with how far Noelle has come as a character.

Lastly, in my opinion, Black Clover Volume 23 feels like it marks an end of an era for Black Clover. The previous arc brought a lot of the story full circle as it revealed some mysteries and gave answers to questions that many readers had from the beginning of the series. I even wonder if the creator considered ending the series at this part.

Thankfully that is not the case because I am not ready for this series to be over yet. So while this volume does feel like an end of an era, that doesn’t mean it is the end series. This volume takes Black Clover into its Overseas Arc. A story arc that is sure to be full of fierce magic battles, formidable enemies for Asta and his friends to face off against, and more adventures to come. Additionally, the volume ends on a time skip that leaves me eager to see what’s in store for the next volume.

Black Clover Volume 23  is a great read, and I highly recommend picking it up. As usual, the mangaka, Yūki Tabata, delivers beautiful artwork and a great story to carry the story onto the next big arc. While slightly light on the action, Volume 23 is full of some great comedic moments. In some way, this volume felt like it was an end to an era for the series. However, that doesn’t mean the series is anywhere near ending. This volume’s ending hints there are more adventures and excitement instore for Black Clover. 

Black Clover Volume 23 is out wherever books are sold November 3, 2020.