Grimgar Volume 7 Review: A Dark Fantasy Masterpiece

Dive into our deep review of Grimgar Volume 7 – a thrilling dark fantasy adventure with survival, character growth, and a haunting new world.

Grimgar Volume 7: A Dark Fantasy Survival Epic

If you"re a fan of dark fantasy with intense survival elements, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Volume 7: The Rainbow on the Other Side delivers one of the series" most gripping arcs yet. This installment throws Haruhiro and his party into a nightmarish new world called Darungar, where every day is a struggle for survival against monstrous inhabitants, undead horrors, and their own crumbling morale.

Welcome to Darungar - A World of Darkness

The volume picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of Volume 6, with Haruhiro"s group abandoned by Nana and Nono in this terrifying new realm. Darungar is a world of perpetual twilight where:

• Humanoid creatures range from crab-people to fish-like humanoids
• Basic survival requires constant scavenging for mysterious black coins
• Magic is weakened - even Mary"s healing Sacrament takes twice the effort

The opening chapters establish the desperate tone when Yume suffers a brutal throat injury from a monkey-like creature. This shocking moment sets the stage for a volume where death feels constantly imminent.

Survival Mechanics at Their Best

Fans of the series" early survival-focused volumes will appreciate how this installment returns to those roots. The party must:

• Learn to trade with a crab merchant (who Haru jokingly calls his "new god")
• Navigate cultural norms like mandatory mask-wearing in Well Village
• Develop strategies against the "Dead Ones" - intelligent undead that fight each other

One particularly effective sequence involves the party manipulating Dead Ones into battling each other before finishing off the weakened survivor - a clever tactic that shows how far they"ve come as fighters.

Character Growth in the Darkness

While the survival elements shine, the character development is equally impressive:

Haruhiro"s Self-Sacrificing Nature

Haru repeatedly risks himself to protect others, culminating in a heart-wrenching moment when Shihoru asks who he"d save between himself and Ranta. His immediate choice to sacrifice himself shocks even him.

Kuzaku"s Coming of Age

The would-be knight finally admits his unrequited feelings for Mary while grappling with imposter syndrome about replacing Mogzo as the party"s tank.

Shihoru"s Magical Awakening

In a pivotal scene, Shihoru reveals she"s accessing "True Magic" - an advanced mage ability allowing elemental summoning. This power boost comes at a perfect narrative moment.

The Mysterious Unjo - A Highlight Character

The introduction of Unjo, a human stranded in Darungar for a decade, provides fascinating insights:

• He"s forgotten much of his native language
• Shows how prolonged isolation changes a person
• Has fully adapted to Darungar life, including a fish-like wife

Unjo serves as both guide and cautionary tale - showing what Haru"s group could become if trapped long-term.

Dark Souls Inspiration & Worldbuilding

Darungar feels ripped from a FromSoftware game with its:

• Oppressive atmosphere
• Monster-filled ruins
• Protective bell mechanic (reminiscent of Dark Souls" sound cues)
• Orc city guarded by a dragon

The final escape sequence across a lava-filled battlefield while pursued by orcs and a dragon is particularly cinematic.

Final Verdict: A Series High Point

Grimgar Volume 7 succeeds by:

1. Returning to the survival roots that made early volumes compelling
2. Introducing an fascinating new world with clear Dark Souls influences
3. Delivering meaningful character development for the entire party

The theme of "home being where your loved ones are" resonates powerfully as the group debates whether to stay in Darungar or risk everything to return to Grimgar. With its perfect blend of tension, character growth, and inventive worldbuilding, this volume earns an easy A+ rating.

For fans of dark fantasy anime and novels that don"t shy away from brutal realism, this is Grimgar at its absolute best.