This obviously constitutes a major transitional chapter for Otoyomegatari.  If there were any doubt about that, Mori-sensei putting “END” after the final panel should dispel it.  This isn’t the end of course, but it may very well be the end of Henry Smith’s role in the story.  Otoyomegatari is moving to a new publication, Aokishi, starting in March.  That in itself is an interesting topic, because Aokishi is slated to be a magazine unbound by genre and demographic (a very rare thing indeed in manga).  It’s also going to include Irie Aki’s Hokuhokusei ni Kumo to Ike, which I talked about in my recent manga sampler video.

How long Mori has known this was in the works I don’t know, but it does seem as if A Bride’s Story is going into a several-month hiatus by finishing part of its story.  In fact this final chapter (for now) focuses on the pair left behind, Niklovsky and Ali.  With time and money and nothing urgent to spend either on, they reminisce about the “scatterbrained” but kindly Henry and shop for some souvenirs (Niklovsky has actual people to give them to, not just theoretical wives-to-be) before saying their goodbyes.  These two are extremely likeable, and made excellent supporting players for Henry’s storyline.

Niklovsky gets quite a surprise when he goes to report the news of Henry sailing for England to Mr. Hawkins.  He too plans to return home, and is intent on giving his estate to Niklovsky as payment for services rendered (and very well).  At first the great bear of a man refuses to accept, only relenting when Hawkins changes tack and calls it a gift to a friend.  It’s a quietly moving way to bring this part of the story to a close, and I’ll miss all of these characters, not just Henry.  But the focus now turns to where Mori plans to take the story next, and it’s going to be a long season of waiting before we get our answer.