Due to some of the “extras” in the story itself, and the multiple story lines happening at once, things are a little slower than I would have liked, making Asadora!, Volume 8 by Naoki Urasawa a 3.5 or even 3.75 and not a “pure four.” However, this edition shows more of the history of Japan in the 23 years after the war and what the later 1960s looked like. This has not been as explored due to the fact we have been monster hunting up to this point. The monster actually does not make a real appearance, but some clues are around the corner.
With the multiple stories happening (we follow Asa, her friend Yone, the researcher, and have a small look at two other main characters) there were a few story arcs that were predictable (Yone has been trying to break into singing, we see how they have sexualized her, then her movie career comeback, with the “wardrobe malfunction”) and a couple things are not as fully fleshed out as they could have been (why add the reporter and one of Asa’s friends scenes?), but overall reading was enjoyable.
As said, we do not see our monster this time around, but it is never far from the plot, with people talking about it, photographic evidence of a village with possible answers, the plane Asa uses. It is mostly a bridge to the next book as its main point. Several endnotes, pieces of information help give more background that might not be obvious within the story itself. With the slight surprise ending, I am in the mood for more. However, as volume 8 is due in November 2024 (read via an online reader copy), it will be ages before volume 9 is ready.