I usually don't write reviews but as there are no reviews at all on the final sequel of this spectacular novel series, I will try it anyway. To keep it short: I think the No.6 Series draws an impressive dystopian perspective on how greed and power but also ideals and hatred can manipulate a person's mind. On the other hand it also doesn't hide the positive sides of each character. It is no black/white dystopia where one side is entirely evil and the other godlike, which I really enjoyed. But more to that later. And that story bound with a non-cliche romance that is not based on dependencies, adds the last bit needed for an almost perfect novel.
Story: I will not include a full sum-up of the series and will just jump to No.6 Beyond. I rated the story a 10. Almost any missing pieces I searched after finishing Vol. 9 were cleared up in this spin-off. How the "Reunion" is being executed with all it barriers (such as Yoming), how the society within and out of the wall proceeds to live after its removal, how the relationship between Shion and Nezumi continues (even if the end is still open) etc. Sure, there are still open questions but this time it feels like an open-ending which is made with consideration and purpose - Not like the ending of Vol.9 which felt to abrubt and rather "out of pages" than open-ended.
Character: I also rated this category a 10/10. As mentioned in the introduction the author has a great talent in displaying different facades of every character. Especially by dedicating whole blocks of the story including past and present to particular characters is a good solution for this ending. It is no black and white novel - Even the greedy alcoholic can have its ideals and a thoughtful side and even the most bright and honest person can get manipulative if it's beliefs are being challenged. This also includes not too important figures such as Karan and Rikiga-San without getting superficial or artificial. Sometimes this character traits are also frustrating but at all times you have to admit that it fully matches up with the story throughout the story. Especially regarding the main protagonists: Yes, I would also have enjoyed a happy-end considering the relationship between Nezumi and Shion. But this "like from a picture book"-ending would not match the character traits built up in the first 9 Volumes, neither does a brutal split up. In my perspective the solution presented in this spin-off matches the characters perfect. Same thing can also be said about the "side-characters" as described before.
Enjoyment: I've been torn regarding this part of the review but I decided to give it a 8/10. It definitely was emotionally involving and captivating after reading the full series. The story lines and characters lining up so perfectly also felt great. On the other hand, as it is a spin off it can't compete with the excitement in previous volumes and the outcome of the relationship in particular might be dissatisfying for some even though it is fitting. So it won't be fair to rate the enjoyment as outstanding, neither does a bad rating feel right as "it can't be helped" (as it would be said in No.6).
Overall: Even though it wasn't as captivating as the previous series, it is only right to also rate it a 10/10. No.6 Beyond fulfils it's purpose perfectly and fixed the rushed ending of the previous volume. It connected the story strings perfectly and is dedicating enough time to particular characters without wasting time for unnecessary "side-facts". In my perspective this is a dignified ending for one of the best dystopian series (and my favourite novel series overall).
That was it, my first try on a review. It might be mixed up to some part but maybe you can still get some idea of what I appreciate so much about this novel. I tried it with a similar structure as seen in other reviews. There might be some grammatical errors as English is not my native language, I hope you can forgive that :)
- IR0K.
