Excel Saga chronicles the efforts of the mysterious organization called ACROSS in their efforts to conquer the city of Fukuoka; then the world! They are led by the enigmatic Lord Il Palazzo, but the star of the series is Excel, his first and most enthusiastic lackey. They're a small organization, three women and a dog; but they've still managed to attract the attention of Dr. Kabapu, a beauracrat in Fukuoka. He assembled his own team of "heroes" under his Department of City Security, although aside from Iwata, they don't seem to enthusiastic. It was just the poor job market. A secret war for the city has begun; but it becomes harder to tell who is in the "right". The series is primarily a comedy, and frequently absurd; child robots, teleporting super costumes, and frankly, some of the craziests protagonists ever abound.
Highlights
In Excel Saga Vol. 20, the long awaited confrontation between the fake Excel and the real Excel finally occurs! Last volume, Kapabu revealed that the headquarters of the Ill coropration (an ACROSS front organization) was rigged to explode! He also revealed that someone else rigged it to explode to, and that in order to keep his bombs from blowing up (they were in reserve!) they needed to go in and disarm THOSE bombs. It wouldn't be easy; the place was ringed by police and the mysterious terriorists had some demands.. Having Kapabu's bombs set off by a chain reaction is the biggest concern..as he puts it, "is it clear if I say that there's now a sixth sub-basement devoted to nothing but explosives?"
At long last in this volume, Excel comes back to herself; but first both Excels need to figure out a way to stop everyone from blowing up. I particularly love how Elgala uses Mince to find Excel by heading in the Opposite direcion he's fleeing in; except this time it leads her to the bomb. At last, something Mince fears more than Excel. Tons and tons of explosives. This is the one we've been waiting for the last few volumes; the end of poor "Teriha", amnesiac Excel's alternate personality. Yet somehow, it's also melancolic. The prevoious volumes suggested that remembering isn't always happy; there's a strange kind of pathos here. While the next couple plot threads in the volume don't cover it, her encounter with Professor Shioji later on is sad and touching.. I'm not ashamed to admit I even shed a tear. I'm looking forward to further drama in that direction, if she meets Shioji's cousin Umi; she was practically a sister to Teriha.
Next, on the run again, Excel and Elgala spend some time as shrine maidens.. to encourage people to worship their Lord Il Palazzo. Of course, any donations collected go right into the ACROSS coffers.. watch as they turn a shrine into a circus. Finally, they rent out an apartment (winter is cold living under a bridge in a box) and discover they got such a good price..because it's haunted! Scooby Doo style shenanigans ensue..sort of.
Overall
It's really hard to completely pin down Excel Saga. Instead of being focused around battle like it sounds, it's usually about the conflicting personalites and witty commentary about "life on the edge"; the edge of your financial means and your sanity. A part of me is seriously going to miss the quiter, sweeter side of Excel that came out in her Teriha personality. In fact, it brings to mind a serious question. We don't even know who she is.
Initially solely gags oriented around Excel continuing attempts to understand Il Palazzo's commands (usually odd jobs were taken and things were destroyed around the city) a more complex plot has begun to form beneath the surface. This means that all the things we once took for granted are now mysteries; who is Il Palazzo really? Why does he leave so often and what does he truly want? Do Dr. Kapabu and him really come from a hidden, advance civilization set in the past called Solaria? What is Shiojio's mother up to? She seems to be playing both ends against the middle; and she knows something about Excel and Hyatt. Hyatt; what was "planted" in her? Is it connected to her weakness..or is it what allows her to return from death? These mysteries and others are buried and obscured and often outright downplayed in the comedic rush of input. This is one series that will not easily unearth its mysteries, but I find myself more and more compelled. Speaking of Hyatt, she hasn't appeared as much lately and rarely shows up in this volume; Rikdo has begun creating more and more interesting characters, and I have to admit to some small concern that he's starting to show a little struggle juggling all their sub-plots. Nothing majorly wrong yet, but it sure whets your appetite to see some of the side characters again.
I'd like to take a short moment to note that the art has really gotten finer and more detailed; at times it's so shiny and perfect looking it could make pin ups. I've heard this is a result of Koshi getting more assistants; and the art does sometimes have a patchwork look. However, it really fits with the patchwork, manic feel of the narriative, so I must approve. Also, there's an extensive section of notes in the back called the "Oubliette". These have translations for the Japanese sound effects as well as fan art, letters and cultural notes. Less just a dry listing of facts and more a conversation about fandom with the editor and translator, it's a very unique and fun addition to the book. However, it would be nice if the manga had page numbers on a more consisten basis. Matching up sound effects and notes to pages can be a herculean, if not impossible task at times.
Uniquely original, Excel Saga is packed with jokes and energy, doing more in one volume than many series do in their entire runs; yet still managing to accomplish very little towards any ultimate conclusion. It's a good thing though; Excel Saga is a series I'd like to continue reading for some time to come. The series continually taunts you with possible dramatic revelations or events, and then deliberately undercuts itself, turning drama into absurdity. As a result, when they do reveal something it's somehow even more exciting.. puzzling but true. I can't put it into more words than this; Excel Saga is one of the best manga I've ever read and you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't read it. Here's hoping Viz comes out with reprints of older volumes; 7 and 8 go for absolutely astronomical prices on Ebay. Fortunately, the deeper plot only really begins in volume 12, so you can still follow along.
ComicsOnline gives Excel Saga vol 20, 5 out of 5 costumed City Security employees.
