Negai no Astro: Nono reunites with her mother while Torazo suffers another blow from Shio

On Monday, July 8, 2024, the twelfth chapter of Negai no Astro, titled Four-Leaf Clover in Bloom, was released in Japan. This installment follows the Hibaru Faction and Torazo as they assist Nono in visiting her mother in the hospital. Unfortunately, their happiness is short-lived as Torazo receives concerning updates.

In the previous chapter, readers witnessed Hibaru’s group as they traveled to Roppongi to confront Shio. Along the way, they encountered Nono, who aided Hibaru. However, their journey was interrupted by the Hawk Faction, who worked for Shio.

Please be aware that this article includes spoilers.

Chapter 12 of Negai no Astro Hints at Shio’s Sinister Plan

Chapter Highlights

Torazo as seen in Negai no Astro chapter 12 (Image via Ken Wakui/Shueisha)

In the twelfth chapter of Negai no Astro, Torazo successfully defeated all the members of the Hawk Faction at a checkpoint with the assistance of Senei. Nono was deeply appreciative of his actions, as it enabled her to see her mother in the hospital. In the meantime, Hibaru requested that they continue on without him.

At Akasaka Hospital, Nono was finally able to reunite with her mother, who had been deeply concerned after receiving news from Nono’s grandmother that she had gone missing. Despite the police being notified and a missing person report being filed, Nono could not be located.

Nono as seen in Negai no Astro chapter 12 (Image via Ken Wakui/Shueisha)

Nono and Torazo formed a fast friendship, and Nono’s mother observed her daughter’s newfound joy, a feeling she had not witnessed since her husband’s passing. Nono, who had been emotionally withdrawn and had not cried since then, was now beginning to express her emotions.

Upon returning, Hibaru was covered in mud as he had spent his time searching for the four-leaf clover that Nono had gifted him. Nono’s desire to give one to her mother was hindered by her lack of powers to create them. This, combined with her mother’s comforting words about expressing happy tears, prompted Nono to finally let her emotions flow.

Gido as seen in Negai no Astro chapter 12 (Image via Ken Wakui/Shueisha)

In the 12th chapter of Negai no Astro, Torazo was contacted by one of his subordinates who informed him that Shio intended to destroy the Roppongi branch. Shio had assigned Kiyochika Gido to carry out this task as part of his mission to eradicate the Torazo Faction and hunt down Astros. It seemed that Shio was searching for a specific type of energy, although the specifics were not disclosed.

Meanwhile, Gido utilized his Astro to generate a series of branches, quickly reducing the Roppongi branch building to rubble. As soon as Torazo received word of this, he swiftly made his way to Babel in Nishi-Azabu, the enemy’s hideout.

Negai no Astro: Chapter 12 Review

Shio as in Negai no Astro chapter 12 (Image via Ken Wakui/Shueisha)

The twelfth installment of Negai no Astro focuses on the development of its post-meteor strike world. Despite the chaos and turmoil that ensued, the world is slowly but surely progressing. Many characters, including Kuran, have been forced to become stronger and stifle their emotions in the face of tragedy, such as the loss of loved ones. Nevertheless, amidst the chaos, they have managed to find outlets to express their emotions and find solace, much like Nono does in this chapter.

Despite its criticism for being shallow in terms of plot and character development, the series may see a change in this aspect when Hibaru confronts Shio. It remains to be seen if the upcoming chapter delves deeper into Shio’s character motivations, as the story has been largely focused on the paternal force. However, there is potential for Shio’s mother to become a significant character in the series.

Recap of Chapter 11 of Negai no Astro

Hibaru as in Negai no Astro (Image via Ken Wakui/Shueisha)

In the preceding chapter, Torazo and the Hibaru faction set out on a trip to Roppongi in order to discipline Shio. However, while Hibaru was meant to keep a lookout from the roof of Torazo’s jeep, he ended up dozing off and tumbling off the car.

Upon waking up, he was greeted by a young girl named Nono who presented him with a three-leaf clover. Using her Astro, she magically transformed it into a four-leaf clover.

Nono informed Hibaru of her task to see her mother, but her conversation was interrupted when Senei Kariyazaki, an Astro Hunter employed by Shio, cut her Astro link – a bookmark – with a blade that extended from his fingertip.

Senei fled when Hibaru’s group came searching for him, but he was quickly located at a checkpoint established by Shio’s Hawk Faction. The group was conducting a search for Astros and Torazo, who had naturally thick skin, stepped out of the vehicle to confront Senei. However, when Senei attempted to strike him with his blade, it shattered upon contact due to Torazo’s tough skin.