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arkathulhu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve seen a lot of praise for this manga and I admit my expectations were high. So I am thrilled that not only did I have those expectations met, they were exceeded. This omnibus is fantastic. A brilliant story, complex and deep characters, beautiful illustrations, and sharp, melodic prose. I could not get enough!
Manji is not someone I would want as a friend, but he is the exact kind of morally grey, rugged character I love reading about. I may not agree with everything he says or does, but he has enough heart and wit and tragedy that I genuinely want to know more about him.
Rin’s start as a vulnerable, naive girl is going to be a beautiful story to follow. She is sweet and determined and uncertain about her role in the vengeance she wants, and I am willing to follow her to see what happens next.
The side characters and villains are all rich and complicated. Even ones who have small moments in the spotlight are entirely memorable and haunting.
Each action page and illustration is gorgeously crafted and moves the story quickly. Not every fight is an easy one and no one walks away unscathed.
History buffs will enjoy this look into feudal Japan, as the supernatural element is fairly light. But I am 100% addicted. A must read manga for fans of dark, historical fantasy, manga, and dark storylines!
Manji is not someone I would want as a friend, but he is the exact kind of morally grey, rugged character I love reading about. I may not agree with everything he says or does, but he has enough heart and wit and tragedy that I genuinely want to know more about him.
Rin’s start as a vulnerable, naive girl is going to be a beautiful story to follow. She is sweet and determined and uncertain about her role in the vengeance she wants, and I am willing to follow her to see what happens next.
The side characters and villains are all rich and complicated. Even ones who have small moments in the spotlight are entirely memorable and haunting.
Each action page and illustration is gorgeously crafted and moves the story quickly. Not every fight is an easy one and no one walks away unscathed.
History buffs will enjoy this look into feudal Japan, as the supernatural element is fairly light. But I am 100% addicted. A must read manga for fans of dark, historical fantasy, manga, and dark storylines!
lucashearn1's review against another edition
4.0
There’s something about samurai stories that just tickle the dopamine receptors in my brain. This one is no different. I’m curious to see where they go with the story from here.
scipio_africanus's review
5.0
This is an absolutely gorgeous graphic novel. The artwork is superb, and the story is great too. The characters are well formed, and I am looking forward to the next 9.
Apart from the sword battle violence this is a pretty clean graphic novel in comparison to some of its peers like Berserk. Definitely some adult themes and some horrific events are insinuated but the artist is tasteful enough not to show any of the actual violence.
Highly recommend for the artwork alone.
Apart from the sword battle violence this is a pretty clean graphic novel in comparison to some of its peers like Berserk. Definitely some adult themes and some horrific events are insinuated but the artist is tasteful enough not to show any of the actual violence.
Highly recommend for the artwork alone.
ephemeralbison's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just wow. Set during the Tokugowa period, a young woman seeks revenge for the brutal murder of her parents by allying herself with the crass, tired-of-life Manji, an man cursed with immortality. The story in this book is not much to write home about, especially if you've read some mangas in the past, but the drawings are the reason you should read this book. Each panel is filled with high-contrast sharp drawings that are simultaneously precise and frenzied. Samura's style is defintitely one that I will try to incorporate into my own.
The only critique of this omnibus is that the publisher chose to bind it with a left-hand spine (as opposed to on the right like most manga). While this will certainly keep new American readers happy, they also inverted the text, to make the first thing said in a panel appear on the left. Unfortunately, because the original drawings expected to be read right-to-left, the left-most dialog box is often at the bottom of the page, making it easy to read the dialog out of order. This is a minor gripe, but it was noticeable.
The only critique of this omnibus is that the publisher chose to bind it with a left-hand spine (as opposed to on the right like most manga). While this will certainly keep new American readers happy, they also inverted the text, to make the first thing said in a panel appear on the left. Unfortunately, because the original drawings expected to be read right-to-left, the left-most dialog box is often at the bottom of the page, making it easy to read the dialog out of order. This is a minor gripe, but it was noticeable.
italapas's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An immortal samurai who is working off his past misdeeds agrees to work as a bodyguard for a young woman who seeks revenge on the murderer of her family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
lergoo's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really great read.
This first omnibus of Blade of the Immortal includes the first 3 volumes. The story is quite brutal and doesn't hold back, and neither does the violence that goes on in here. The fights are great, and so are the main characters. I really enjoyed the protagonists as well as the antagonists in this.
Sometimes there are these full art panels and they're simply amazing. The art all-around is superb. It has more detail than most other mangas that I've read. I would recommend it for that alone.
If you're looking for a violence-filled manga that doesn't hold back and/or includes Japanese history or samurai, give this a try. I for one can't wait to pick up the next omnibus.
This first omnibus of Blade of the Immortal includes the first 3 volumes. The story is quite brutal and doesn't hold back, and neither does the violence that goes on in here. The fights are great, and so are the main characters. I really enjoyed the protagonists as well as the antagonists in this.
Sometimes there are these full art panels and they're simply amazing. The art all-around is superb. It has more detail than most other mangas that I've read. I would recommend it for that alone.
If you're looking for a violence-filled manga that doesn't hold back and/or includes Japanese history or samurai, give this a try. I for one can't wait to pick up the next omnibus.
iowasjoe's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished. Great story of revenge and a swordsman who can't die. Like all great stories, the villain of the piece thinks he is the hero. Art goes from beautiful to scratchy and back again. Glorious in black and white. Excited for the next volume.