ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Black Clover,’ Volume 24

Black Clover is an action-adventure fantasy manga written and illustrated by Yūki Tabata. VIZ Media publishes the series as a part of the SHONEN JUMP imprint. The setting of  Black Clover takes place in a fantasy world where the majority of humans are born with magic. The series centers on the story of Asta and Yuno, orphans who find themselves striving for the dream of earning the title of Wizard King.  While Yuno is a prodigy born with an advanced skill of magic, Asta, on the other hand, is born without any magic at all, but that doesn’t stop him from working towards his dream even in Black Clover Volume 24.

In Black Clover Volume 24, following the brief six-month time skip, Asta and his comrades have been training in the Heart Kingdom. Now Asta and his fellow magic knights are ready to show off their improvements and all of the progress they each have made. Even with his newfound strength and abilities, Asta and his friends still face a new challenge as they go up against the devil-powered Spade Kingdom.

The action in Black Clover Volume 24 is superb. The first few chapters of this volume are just panel after panel of action, and I love it. Specifically, it is a great way to re-introduce Asta’s strength and showcases the progress he’s made during the time skip. It is clear to see that Asta has made some huge strides in controlling his power, even to the point that he has the ability to fly. This is a pretty amazing feat since he never thought he would fly due to being born without magic.

I liked the mangaka’s artwork in this manga and how they chose to show growth and change in the characters after the time skip. Typically, I tend not to be a fan of time skips. Usually, I find them to come off as unnecessary tools just meant to speed the story up. Or the characters go through some drastic or mysterious changes that aren’t revealed until the story continues.

However, I will say that I think the time-skip in Black Clover was necessary, and it is very fitting. What helps is that the time skip isn’t that long; only six months pass since the previous volume. Another thing that helps is that the characters don’t look drastically different from how they looked six months ago. Granted, there are some changes. The most notable one is Asta’s character designs with the additional muscle mass he packed on through his training. But again, while the change in his design is noticeable, it doesn’t drastically alter him in a way that makes him look unrecognizable.

Black Clover Volume 24 overall felt like a shift or rather transition for the series. The previous arc felt like it closed a chapter on the series and nearly brought the series to a full circle since there were many reveals and questions answered.

However,  Volume 24 has some elements that feel like they are shifting the series focus toward a new direction. It continues to expand on Asta and the Black Bull squad’s mission to investigate devils and Curse Magic and the Magic Knights training to combat the Spade Kingdom. I like how this shift sets up the arc as it kicks off things with some shocking reveals and insights into long-time characters and how they are connected to the new villains of this arc that.

Additionally, I love how the mangaka, Yūki Tabata, uses themes of camaraderie and “the power of friendship” in this series. Especially with the foreshadowing towards the end of this volume, I am eager to see what other themes they can potentially explore in this new arc and how it will continue in the next volume.

Black Clover Volume 24  overall feels like a shift for the series. The time skip re-introduces the main characters, sets up the scale of power they’ve attained,  and sets the stage for what challenges may come from the new villains in this current arc. I am very eager to see where Yūki Tabata takes the story and the other themes they can explore in this new arc.

Black Clover Volume 24 is out wherever books are sold on January 5, 2021.