Black Clover, Vol. 23: As Pitch-Black As It Gets

Black Clover volume 23, titled As Pitch-Black As It Gets, was originally published in Japan by Shueisha in 2020 before being localized for English-speaking audiences by VIZ Media. The series, created by Yūki Tabata, debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2015 and centers on Asta, a young boy born without magic in a world where magical prowess defines social standing. This volume continues the intense narrative arc concerning the Spade Kingdom, further deepening the dark, high-stakes lore that Tabata established early in the series.

Tabata’s design and illustrative style are heavily influenced by classic shonen tropes, yet he distinguishes the series with dynamic, chaotic battle choreography and detailed character designs that reflect the various elemental magic attributes found within the Clover Kingdom. Volume 23 features cover art that highlights the series' shifting tone, moving from the lighthearted beginnings of Asta’s journey toward the grittier, more consequential conflicts involving the Dark Triad. The volume was received as a pivotal installment that escalated the existential threat posed to the series’ protagonists.