This is technically the series finale of Shugo Chara!, the twelfth volume being actually Shugo Chara Encore! but labeled book twelve for English readers. For a finale, Amu ends up going on a magical meta trip through the road of stars to rediscover her guardians – and in essence, herself. It may sound incredibly cloying and ridiculous at first, but like many of the mahou shoujo tropes SC! employs and manages to twist into interesting designs, Amu’s self-realizing adventure is a revealing trip all its own for not only Amu but other certain members of the cast. We see how guardians affect the lives of those who hold them and the true story behind the eggs and the Embryo – and that the egg system runs deeper through the hearts of humans than previously seen before. As a finale and the conclusion of Amu’s character arc into true emotional maturity and discovery of her inner self, volume eleven succeeds on all fronts possible.

Read the rest of my review at Nagareboshi Reviews! ( )

Though listed as the penultimate volume, "Shugo Chara!: The Road to the Future, Vol. 11" is actually the final volume to the series in Japan, followed by an 'encore' series that lasted one volume (which will be released as "Shugo Chara! 12" here). As such, Volume 11 has the feel of a series finale that ends on a very high note, with Amu going on a voyage through time and space for her to rediscover as to how much she has changed from who she was in the beginning, due to the help of her Guardians and friends.

Though it's somewhat sad to see the series draw to a close, Peach-Pit made up for it by going above and beyond with their art direction in this volume. Several of the two page spreads would have made for spectacular posters if they were in color.

I guess if you gotta go, go out in style. ( )