The long-running shonen series Flame of Recca by manga-ka Nobuyuki Anzai focuses around sixteen-year-old Recca, who dreams of becoming a ninja. He vows to always protect Yanagi, his classmate and girlfriend who has the ability to heal any injury, with the powers he has inherited from the Hokage bloodline. Recca is able to use items called madogu, which allow him to manipulate the elements, especially the element of fire. With his friends — all weapon-wielding warriors like himself — Recca is out to stop the villian Mori from acquiring the madogu Tendō Jigoku, which will grant him eternal life!

Highlights:

In the last volume of the series, Yanagi is dead, her body in Recca's arms and Mori is close to receveing the Tendō Jigoku and becoming immortal — or is he? Kurei bursts onto the scene, intent on both fighting Mori and snapping Recca out of his catatonic state. Recca's teacher informs the young man that there is one way to save Yanagi, and that is to summon the final flame type spirit, Resshin, and make Yanagi his flame. If Yanagi's soul completely leaves her body and merges with Tendō Jigoku, then Mori will achieve immortality, and Yanagi will disappear forever. It is revealed that Oka was the flame dragon Resshin, protecting Recca the whole time from the inside, as well as the fact that Kurei did the same to create his own flame, Kurenai.

Heart heavy with his task, Recca gets ready to summon Resshin — but it is not an easy task. All seven of the previous flame types must be summoned before Recca faces the eight and final one, the one that is his father — a sight which moves Recca's mother to tears. Oka tells Recca the story of how he couldn't protect Princess Sakura but that the same fate will not happen to her reincarnation, Yanagi. Kurei holds off Mori as Recca literally goes inside himself to reach the soul of Yanagi and lure her away from Tendō Jigoku. In a stunning two-page spread, a new and final flame is born, and the final battle is begun, one between Mori and Recca/Yanagi, one that will decide the fate of all involved, as well as the future of the Hokage.

Whether Recca triumphs over Mori or if Mori gains his much-wanted immortality is something you'll have to read the book for to find out.

Overview:

I'll admit it, I am heavily biased when it comes to this series. Flame of Recca is probably one of my favorite shonen manga series of all time, up there with such hits as Slam Dunk and Yu Yu Hakusho. Over thirty volumes of heart-pounding action and drama by one of the most vibrant casts of characters to date. So, for the final volume of the series, did the hard-hitting comic deliver? Oh yes, a hundred times over. The series is concluded in a most spectacular fashion: a wonderfully drawn battle between fighters, culminating in some of the most beautiful art in the series as Recca and Yanagi come together to fight evil itself.

The one downside to the series ender is that, with such a great big cast, it's hard to give everyone a proper ending. The last two chapters gives us glimpses into some of the main cast's future, but it might not be enough to satisfy the most hardcore fan. (But then, who doesn't want to see more of Domon and Fuuka? I certainly do!) For the last book, however, what it does it does well — and every fan will probably close the book content with what they've found.

For those fans of the series who will be disappointed by the series ending, Viz is releasing a shonen series currently running in Japan by the name of Kekkaishi. Full of action and drama and cool techniques worthy of the Hokage themselves, the series will certainly strike a favorable chord with Flame of Recca fans looking for a new fix.

ComicsOnline gives Flame of Recca Volume 33 4 out of 5 flame dragon spirits.