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Vagabond747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOxqHxZHXE
This is a manga that I just recently picked up, and holy wow. I hadn't realized until a few weeks ago how apparently infamous this manga was. After a bit of research, I'm surprised I hadn't ever come across it before. Anyway, now that I've finished all there is currently out for it, I really wanted to sit down and do a review. So without further ado...here we go!747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7gzFxRWys
Summary:747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkotDvdrm3
Growing up in the late 15th century Sengoku era Japan, Shinmen Takezo is shunned by the local villagers as a devil child due to his wild and violent nature. Running away from home with a fellow boy at age 17, Takezo joins the Toyotomi army to fight the Tokugawa clan at the battle of Sekigahara. 747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvvfrt1Ads
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WHAT TO EXPECT747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUibnl7sZvk
To preface this, I wanted to start by saying that this is a Seinen manga. The topics addressed will be more mature than that of your average Shonen title as it is meant for an older audience. I would definitely only recommend it if you are ok with depictions of violence, mentions of sexual acts and abuse, adult themes, and darker tones. That being said, should you choose to give it a try, here's what you might expect to get from it.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrbT2K4kXi
Vagabond is, in essence, a tale of self-discovery and personal growth. It follows the tale of Shinmen Takezo, an aggressive and ambitious teen wanting to become 'Invincible under the sun.' This means becoming the strongest swordsmen he possibly can be, and the challenges and trials he faces on the journey to do so.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYuI21OE1c
Sounds pretty typical and 'done-before,' right? Well, Vagabond approaches it from a very human and more serious nature. The 15th century is a dangerous and brutal time during Japan's history, beginning on the tale end of an extremely significant battle. And the consequences of Takezo's actions as he continuously seeks to obtain this title of strength is fully explored on a deep and emotionally disturbing level. Despite it's seemingly slow pace and frequent philosophical teachings, I found I still couldn't put this manga down. I was able to read through all 300+ chapters in about 3 days without feeling like I wanted to put it down.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCectWUay6
Vagabond takes pleasure in exploring the human condition, what it means to be human, and the mental and emotional toll of what life back then could bring you. You'll be immersed in this beautiful, flowing world that the mangaka creates.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEcMgZ7xg7
PLOT / STORYLINE747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTMyfnP4b6
As stated above, the general plot of this manga is Takezo seeking to become invincible under the sun, his definition of becoming unparalleled in swordsmanship, to become the strongest samurai without equal. It follows his journey, fighting those he must defeat in order to reach higher on that ladder of strength.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38cryz5lF7
If you're a fan of Shonen anime or manga, then this probably appeals to you. The premise is simple, perhaps overdone and lacking originality from a purely objective standpoint, but the setting in which it plays out makes it something really unique. (Of which will be addressed later in this review.)747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67iVlSblg3
As Takezo becomes stronger, he slowly begins to question his ambition. Why does he want to be the strongest? And what does that mean exactly? What is the cost of a human life, and is it worth continuing to pursue this goal? While the manga has got some great fight scenes, predominantly in the first half, it spends a lot of time making you consider these points, just as Takezo does. It wants you to stop and think about what our character is doing.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ZYIDmRKe
Most arcs, when not engaging in important fights, can seem rather mundane, but the author has a way of making even those moments interesting. Seeing 15th century Japan, and how the people (presumably) lived their lives during this time always kept my attention. It is real for the sake of fascinating you, of seeing everyone in a very human way. Every small action has value, even when not directly pursuing the goal of becoming the strongest man alive.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzcGP7wE0M
I wouldn't say the story is dialogue-heavy, but what dialogue there is brings a lot to the story itself. It will give you aspects of the world and the characters that are important, but for the most part, it will give you the information you need before moving on. I didn't find a page where I had to slow down and reread something to understand who was who and how they related to the plotline.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAxUFbepGs
And while the manga narratively spans a considerable length of time, nothing feels too slow or even rushed. It moves exactly at the pace it needs to.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1E68ODgfS
CHARACTERS747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7puwzimL1
If there is one thing I love above all else in this manga, it is the amazing character development. Takezo, our main protagonist, begins as a 'demon child.' An aggressive, unyielding young man who refuses to let anyone or anything come in between himself and his goal. Watching him slowly and subtling grow and learn as a person is fascinating. Experiencing his victories and his defeats is so satisfying to read.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyFbVVDEYA
I do not wish to say too much about his particular changes as a character, as I feel experiencing them for yourself is a markedly personal and moving thing. His character change made me think, made me genuinely sad and just...numb for a little while. But in that good way that you are fully aware that this character has so much depth and is just so perfectly fleshed out that you just wanna...UGH. You know what I mean? That was his character for me.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFZ43dQGlD
Vagabond also trains its eye predominantly on two childhood friends of Takezo, Otsu and Matahachi. Despite not sharing as much page space as the main protagonist, I still felt like they grew well over time. Matahachi's cowardly personality, and Otsu's devotion to a man she loves is as interesting as Takezo's journey is. Lessons of strength and self-identity, they do bring more to the manga than what Takezo would bring alone.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9drzCfpu5
There are several other recurring characters, too many to name here, that also bring a great importance to the story. Each person you meet has a purpose to being there, and each person you meet you will learn intimately. Takuan, for example, the traveling monk who comes around at various points of the story, and always has something wise to tell our protagonist. I always enjoyed when he came around.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshPwx5fVHE
Or Kojiro, who has several volumes of the story dedicated to his back story, that fills the role of rival to Takezo later on. You feel a strong emotional attachment to him just as much as you do Takezo.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbykQEq5HPn
From their upbringing to their motivations for what they do, you learn a whole lot about each and every 'named' character that appears in the story. You will begin to see that Takezo, despite being the main protagonist, is not necessarily on the side of saints. No one is necessarily on the side of saints. The world of Vagabond is a lovely, blanket shade of gray that really fleshes out the world and the time period.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbCauWXGiX
STYLE / PACING747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFbLOt22zr
There is definitely something about the style of this manga that is just something special to me. I suppose I should begin with talking about the art style, which in of itself is probably what Vagabond is most known for. I'll include a few example pages, so you can perhaps see what I'm talking about:747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSp1cNZOLC
Need I say more? If you're familiar with manga, then surely you can recognize just how stunning and realistic this artwork is. Especially when you consider that while it was still in publication, it consistently kept to a WEEKLY release schedule.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY8NJKlu5N
The fantastic art design aside, everything in Vagabond feels as though it is meant solely to immerse you in this finely crafted world. Right from the beginning you're treated as if you've lived in the time period since birth. I suppose being unfamiliar with Japanese history perhaps left me with this wonder and curiosity at the way of life that this manga portrays. I was just struck by the cultural difference, and the sense of honor and loyalty and duty that pervaded the social lives of these people. While it's fun to watch a protagonist experience a journey or a quest, Vagabond definitely makes you feel as if you are experiencing it right beside Takezo.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy5IM5EgA9
In comparison to most popular Shonen manga (and I'm only using this as a comparison because it would be the most commonly read genre), this is a much slower pace to what you're used to. Takezo's tale spans several years, and progresses only as it needs to in the timeline. It is not rushed, definitely, and towards the later half of the manga when fight scenes begin to appear less frequently, the pacing does slow as compared to it's initial half. But the storytelling quality does not slow in any regard, instead focusing its attention to the less violent and more 'human' aspect of growth as a person. I quite enjoyed the second half just as much as I did the first.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw80WDe9xD
As mentioned, philosophy has a strong presence in the story. That sort of subject matter I can understand becoming a bit of a burden to some readers. Not everyone likes exploring the really vague and conceptual value of metaphors that the teachers and masters like to flaunt. I totally get that. Philosophy as a subject isn't everyone's cup of tea. But there are some interesting ideas in there if you find that you do enjoy critically thinking about those topics. And seeing Takezo heed their words and grow from them is a plus.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvk4NzyhRG
I really can't gush about the style enough. It is rare that I get so invested in a story as I did with this one, thanks to it's amazing ability to put you right there beside the main character. But I've run out of words to be able to express that any further.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZYuvQpuTA
FINAL GRADE747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQxEkyCo27
10 out of 10747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJRDKVFNGW
There is no question to me that Vagabond is a literal masterpiece, from it's artwork to it's story and character exploration...If you have never heard of Vagabond, I'm very glad I was able to be the first one to introduce it to you. And now that you know about it, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend going to read it. Right now. I seriously mean it.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDMC5haNpN
Although currently on a hiatus during what is believed to be it's final arc of the series (since 2015, mind you), it is still an incredible read and a fascinating tale about what being human is all about, and about the consequences of unrelenting pursuit of something like being 'above all else.'747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4f74PfF30
I really hope you do give this story a chance, because I can't praise it enough. And maybe that's the normie opinion of it, but I don't care. Go read Vagabond.747Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qeKXE1BL9
