I'll miss this series... I really enjoyed reading this, and giving context in the weekly discussion threads. It definitely did not deserve the U19 axe.
This chapter was about the best axe ending we could have gotten: I haven't read something this wholesome in a while. The character dynamics really solidified as well; I assume the characterization of Huazi, Kou, and Chiyou's dynamic would have happened slower without the axe, but at least we got a glimpse of what could have been.
I like how Taotie basically is cursing Jump for axing Kaedegami... "Now go and live your lonely life without me. Forever lamenting how you abandoned me."
And, as usual, here's some context, one last time...
The parallels between Chiyou and Taotie might allude to how Chiyou and the
taotie are both identified by Chinese historians as being possibly connected to the
taotie motif on ritual bronze vessels (鼎,
ding). To explain, Chinese ritual bronze vessels from prehistory often depict a creature called the
taotie (饕餮); more specifically, only the head of the
taotie. Chinese historians have been puzzled by what this thing is for millennia; one interpretation suggests that the taotie
is Chiyou, since Chiyou's head was cut off by the Yellow Emperor. The two mythological beings share many characteristics in terms of appearance as well; this may be why Chiyou looks so similar to Taotie does in
Kaedegami.
Fly high,
Kaedegami; we didn't deserve you. I wish Jun Harukawa all the best in his future endeavors.
