Forum - View topicWhich samurai manga would you recommend?
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CarmelO__O
Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles |
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I don't like making these kind of topics, but I am desperate to know which of these 4 mangas do you think is better. I only ask this since they are all such long series and I am going to start collecting one of them.
Blade of the Immortal Lone Wolf and Cub Samurai Executioner Vagabond I doubt this will help (since they are so different from these samurai manga), but a few manga that I enjoy reading are these following: One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, 20th Century Boy, Monster, Death Note and Fruits Basket. Thanks a lot guys! |
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Kagemusha
 Posts: 2783 Location: Boston |
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This is a pretty tough question, as which manga you'd like best is largely based on personal taste.
Lone Wolf and Cub is the quintessential classic that set the standard for everthing to come after it. At 28 volumes, is an epic saga dealing with revenge and honor in feudal Japan. While it's all very well writen and a great read from the very start, it takes a while for the main plot to get going. Filled with philosophy and commentary on Bushido (and of course lots and lots of violence), it can be an extreamly thoughtful read, and the ending is simply stunning. That said, it can get repetative in the middle, and many people are turned off by it's old school art and storytelling (plus, a 28 volume manga is a bit much to jump into). Samurai Executioner is very similar (though much less epic), so it may be a good idea to pick that one up to see if you like it. Blade of the Immortal is a highly stylized story about revenge and human conflict. The first couple of volumes are simply violence and some character growth (very well done violence though), but by the third volume it delves deep into a character study. The manga often raises serious questions about the nature of devotion and revenge, and the characters are amazing. Samura (the author) is an amazing storyteller, able to create gripping action scenes or powerful character drama (and I do mean powerful; much of what happens to characters just breaks your heart). Stunning art as well. Judging on what you've read, I'd recommend this one, though keep in mind it's graphic )no nudity though) and often very depressing. Vagabond is essentially slice-of-life samurai drama. We follow the character Musashi as he grows as a swordsman and a human being. It's superbly told, with amazing art to boot. In addition, it handles violence and sex much less dramatically that Blade, so it's probobly easier to read (even though it is more graphic). I'd also highly recommend this one, though Blade edges it out because it's more similar to things like 20th Century Boys and your other favorites (it has been dragging laterly as well). In any case, all three are exellent, and people could argue all day on which one is better (or which one has more impressive awards), but Blade is just more similar to what you've read. |
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quincyarcher
 Posts: 164 Location: Age of Paranoia |
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Ooh, man, they're all pretty darn good.
If you're leaning toward Lone Wolf and Cub, you might want to pick up Samurai Executioner first. Same team working on it, but the art's a bit cleaner and it's quite a bit shorter. Blade of the Immortal's probably the prettiest artwise, but Vagabond has gorgeous SFX in the JP version(haven't seen the EN version yet). But they're all addicting and good reads. You might also want to check out Samurai Deeper Kyo, which is less historical and more alternate history(cracktacular alternate)/action based. |
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darkhunter
 Posts: 2992 Location: Los Angelas |
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LOL damn, I was going to say the same thing,but it seem Kagemusha beat me to it.
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milcor1
 Posts: 337 |
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Thank god Kenshin isn't stifling the other samurai mangas too much.
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CarmelO__O
Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles |
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Wow, it is going to be really hard to pass up on Lone Wolf and Cub, but I will be picking up Vagabond and Blade of the Immortal. I have a little money to spend so I will get the first 2 volumes of these 2 series soon. Thanks for taking the time to write back guys.
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darkhunter
Posts: 2992 Location: Los Angelas |
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The first 2 volume of Vagabond really compliment each other and set up for the rest of the stories (epecially volume 4 and volume 8, some of the best work).
I haven't read all of kenshin yet (only the first 12 out), but many people say it get really good in the last arc (Samurai X standard) and is the true ending to Kenshin, so I can't wait. Also i heard good things about the Peacemaker Kurogane manga which takes place after the anime. I only got the first volume for this, but have anybody read the all 3 of them? |
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milcor1
Posts: 337 |
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I've read all the Kenshin volumes and while it's good it just doesn't compare to the ones listed above yet is the most popular. But that's understandable, being a manga from Shonen Jump (Japanese version) and all.
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centrax
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Oh, I was under the impression Samurai Executioner was going to run into the 20+ volumes. I would actually recommend starting with Lone Wolf and Cub if only for the simple fact that all 28 volumes are available unlike Samurai Executioner which is only at volume 3 and has I think 2 months per volume assuming they got the volumes out on time which so far hasn't really happened. |
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CarmelO__O
Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles |
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I went to Barnes and Noble for coffee and an opportunity to buy Vagabond and Blade of the Immortal. The thing is they didn't have any volumes of the 4 series listed above.. Anyone know why this is? Is it because it contains extreme violence? I guess I'll just go to Suncoast when I have time.
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milcor1
Posts: 337 |
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I'm guessing it just doesn't sell as well as some other mangas so restocking them is on the low priority list... |
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darkhunter
Posts: 2992 Location: Los Angelas |
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Go to borders. They're running a buy 2 get 1 free deal. I never have any luck at stores. It's annoying when I'm looking for a certain volume and they have everything else except that one volume. Or they have it, but it's hella dirty and torn up because it's been "used" by all the free loaders. |
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CarmelO__O
Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles |
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Do you know how long this deal will go on at Borders? If it goes on for another week or so when I get more money I will take advantage of the deal and purchase like 15 books. The same thing always happens to me, when I found one volume of King of Hell it was torn up and bent all over the place so I just left it there. Edit: Were you talking about this? I found it on their website. 3 for 2: All Graphic Novels Least expensive item is free. Offer valid through 4/24/05, in stores only. |
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darkhunter
Posts: 2992 Location: Los Angelas |
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Yes, that's the one. There's also ecampus.com which has 30% off all book. There's also a 5 dollar off coupon code and free shipping for orders over 50. Not bad since you can get most Vagabond manga for about 6.25 to 7 buck without no tax. |
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Kagemusha
Posts: 2783 Location: Boston |
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Amazon almost always takes 33% off more expensive manga (the $10 ones are unfortunatally less), so that's an option, as they have many hard to find books. As for Kenshin, it's a great series for boys and teens that hold up remarkably well for older readers (I've enjoyed it quite a bit), but like milcor1 said, it really can't compare to the series I listed in terms or depth and maturity. I'd recommend it to anyone though, and if your younger definitally go for it before the older stuff. As for Peacemaker, I've read two of ADV's volumes (as well as 2 of the original series), and I found it to be mediocre. There's far too many characters and none of them are particuarly interesting, nor does the story stick out or posses any flair. Not that it's horrible, but lets just say I regreted taking someone's advice that the series gets good after the second volume. |
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