Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5 Review
Writer & Artist: Yako Gureishi
Cover Artist: Yako Gureishi
Publisher: Titan Manga
Price: $12.99
Book Length: 112 Pages (Black & White)
ISBN: 9781787743663
Release Date: June 9, 2026
They have braved the dangers of walking among the Fantastical creatures. Somali and her "Dad" have safely traversed the Osuna Desert. Along the way, the Human girl and the Golem have made friends. And as the old librarian in the Witch Village said, they have let their light inside them shine.
Yet there are always new things to discover. After reuniting with their friends Shizuno and Yabashira in Chompers' Row, Somali and the Golem find themselves in Bygone City. A Snow Crossing fills the inns, and thieves and gangs rule the streets. Yet an innkeeper has hired the Golem and his assistant Yabashira to protect his guests. How long will they remain in the town where the locals prey on the travelers? And can they procure provisions to continue their journey? Let’s strap on our snowshoes, leap into Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5, and see!
Story
Shizuno and his assistant Yabashira were some of the first people the travelers met after the Golem bid goodbye to his forest. Recognizing that he needed Shizuno’s expertise to care for Somali, the Golem asked Shizuno to teach him how to make salves and treat wounds. When they meet in Chompers’ Row, Shizuno is learning about dental care. Shizuno is perceptive and caring. So, when Shizuno realizes that Somali is a Human, the Golem tells him how they met.
Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5 returns to the beginning of the series, when the Golem discovers the Human child shackled in the forest. But while the Golem and child meet and then swiftly depart the forest in the first book, the Golem treats Shizuno to the entire story. The Golem’s tale recalls Haitora’s tale in the fourth book, and how his tragedy led the Human to care for Uzoi, the Noble Harpy orphan. Yet it also addresses why Fantasticals revere Golems. After explaining how they met and what prompted him to care for Somali, the Golem and Yabashira begin their work at the inn, leaving Shizuno to safeguard Somali. Yet danger lurks in this town where locals prey on visitors, and people don’t get along.
While focusing on the quartet, Yako Gureishi provides insights into the people who bring the Golem and Somali together or would tear the two apart. The story also shows how different the Golem and Somali were when they first met and the camaraderie they have since forged. Each is constantly in the other’s thoughts. Yet despite their exceptional bond and the love they have for each other and everyone around them, the shadow of the past still threatens. Not everyone is as perceptive as Shizuno. But the war between the Fantasticals and Humans is still fresh in people's minds. Relying on the old ways of staving off danger seems safer than risking another war in Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5.
Art
When he finds Human corpses in cages within a wrecked covered wagon, a cat directs the Golem to a shackled child. Despite his orders to leave, she follows him. Her wide eyes differ from his central eye that opens when he exerts extraordinary power. Yet the Golem cannot resist them. Nor can he forget how Somali smiles at him. So, he leaves food for her. And despite his programming to preserve the order of nature, the Golem builds a fire for her at night.
Shizuno’s features and height suggest he is a child like Somali. And like the Golem, Yabashira cares for his master. He washes him, cooks his meals, and smiles at the Golem’s protectiveness of Somali. Yabashira nudges the Golem like he would a friend or brother, prompting the Golem to act or overcome its surprise. Yet when danger threatens, the Golem doesn’t hesitate to protect Somali. And as in the desert, when he protected Haitora from death, each use of his extraordinary abilities weakens the Golem in Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5.
At their first meeting, Shizuno asked for a piece of the Golem's skin. Shizuno was surprised when the Golem promptly sliced off a section of his skin in return for teaching him. Yako Gureishi's latest tale explains the Golem's lack of hesitation. Creaking and crackling fill the air when the Golem uses his powers. Air currents erupt as plants burst into rapid growth. And while a local sings, music notes attend a song that reminds the young how dangerous Humans will always be. Thanks to Titan Manga for providing a physical review copy.
Final Thoughts
The Golem may regard supporting others as the most efficient course of action. Yet the people he and Somali meet act on their fear of others. Economic concerns force the population to prey on each other. And as the Golem realizes its final days are approaching, the greatest threat to its Human ward's life arises in Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my preview of Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 5.
For how they crossed the Osuna Desert, see my review of Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 4.
For how they met Haitora and Uzoi, see my review of Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 3.
For how they learned where more Humans live, see my review of Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 2.
For how this series started, see my review of Somali and the Forest Spirit Vol 1.
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