Waverider

In Waverider, Kibuishi presents the struggle between darkness and light as both an external battle and an internal journey of self-awareness. While the novel includes a traditional conflict between an organized resistance and the shadows, Kibuishi complicates this dynamic by showing how the battle plays out within individual characters as well. The soldiers fighting for the shadows are not simply evil; they are influenced and manipulated by external forces, their autonomy compromised by the darkness they serve. At the same time, those on the side of the light must contend with their own inner fears, doubts, and shame. This duality—where light and dark exist not in opposition but in constant interaction—shapes the novel’s central conflict. Victory is not achieved by overpowering darkness but by understanding it, integrating it, and choosing how to navigate its presence.

This is particularly evident in the novel’s depiction of the series’ overarching antagonist. While IKOL functions as an external enemy, he also serves as a manifestation of Emily’s emotions—her anger, guilt, and fear. He feeds off her shame, growing stronger when she doubts herself and weaker when she acknowledges her past mistakes. Emily realizes that IKOL reflects her own internal struggle, recognizing him as the “result” of her “anger,” “guilt,” and “fear” (188).