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Lone Wolf and Cub Deluxe Edition Volume 1
720 pages, Hardcover
Published December 9, 2025
10 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Kazuo Koike
563 books296 followersKazuo Koike (小池一夫, Koike Kazuo) was a prolific Japanese manga writer, novelist and entrepreneur.
Early in Koike's career, he studied under Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito and served as a writer on the series.
Koike, along with artist Goseki Kojima, made the manga Kozure Okami (Lone Wolf and Cub), and Koike also contributed to the scripts for the 1970s film adaptations of the series, which starred famous Japanese actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. Koike and Kojima became known as the "Golden Duo" because of the success of Lone Wolf and Cub.
Another series written by Koike, Crying Freeman, which was illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, was adapted into a 1995 live-action film by French director Christophe Gans.
Kazuo Koike started the Gekika Sonjuku, a college course meant to teach people how to be mangaka.
In addition to his more violent, action-oriented manga, Koike, an avid golfer, has also written golf manga.
Early in Koike's career, he studied under Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito and served as a writer on the series.
Koike, along with artist Goseki Kojima, made the manga Kozure Okami (Lone Wolf and Cub), and Koike also contributed to the scripts for the 1970s film adaptations of the series, which starred famous Japanese actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. Koike and Kojima became known as the "Golden Duo" because of the success of Lone Wolf and Cub.
Another series written by Koike, Crying Freeman, which was illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, was adapted into a 1995 live-action film by French director Christophe Gans.
Kazuo Koike started the Gekika Sonjuku, a college course meant to teach people how to be mangaka.
In addition to his more violent, action-oriented manga, Koike, an avid golfer, has also written golf manga.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2025
(Zero spoiler review) 4.5/5
For me, finding a manga I love is rarer than finding positive representation of a straight white man in western media, but thank the comic gods, Lone Wolf and Cub has delivered. Mature, thoughtful and introspective, not to mention fantastically written (most manga are written terribly by artists of various talent), though with little to no ability when it comes to the actual writing). When I saw that LW&C was a writer and artist duo, that raised my hopes significantly, and it turns out I was right. The art is glorious, the writing occasionally solid, but usually sublime. Bringing it all together into a must read manga. now Dark Horse just needs to release one of these bad boys a week, so I don't have to wait multiple months for the next one. Don't think I'm asking too much. 4.5/5
OmniBen.
For me, finding a manga I love is rarer than finding positive representation of a straight white man in western media, but thank the comic gods, Lone Wolf and Cub has delivered. Mature, thoughtful and introspective, not to mention fantastically written (most manga are written terribly by artists of various talent), though with little to no ability when it comes to the actual writing). When I saw that LW&C was a writer and artist duo, that raised my hopes significantly, and it turns out I was right. The art is glorious, the writing occasionally solid, but usually sublime. Bringing it all together into a must read manga. now Dark Horse just needs to release one of these bad boys a week, so I don't have to wait multiple months for the next one. Don't think I'm asking too much. 4.5/5
OmniBen.
December 14, 2025
one of the masterpieces of graphic fiction in its best format. I bought these when they originally came out back in the late 90s or early 2000s and this new version is just perfection. I can't wait to buy the other one.
December 31, 2025
Incredible. This is basically Feudal Japan Samurai - The Manga.
This Manga was created in the 70s, yet it aged like fine wine. The artwork is incredible and the stories still hold up until today. There are so many breathtaking panels in this book and the dialogue and narration is on point. I can't believe this book is more than 50 years old especially compared to what American Comics were published at the time.
I wish I've had this book when I was in my late teens, when I was reading every single Samurai novel I could find. This Manga has it all: The bloodthirsty battles, the conflict between honour, life and morality, the beautiful landscapes and architecture of Japan, the philosophical aspects and more.
The stories in here are basically anthologies; they stand on their own and could be read out of order. However, the background and motivations of the protagonist and why he is taking a child on his journey are briefly touched upon here and there, linking the stories with a thin thread.
I love the contrast that is presented here: The protagonist is an assassin, yet he retains his honour more than any other character in the book. His principles are rock solid and he defends at every pass, even if he or his child gets in trouble.
There are some drawbacks, but they feel like minor nitpicks. The book needs a few chapters to get going. The first few pages are quite confusing, but all is explained quickly. The child is very creepy and the things he can do often don't make sense. It seems like the child doesn't age at all. I suppose, the story doesn't work if the child grows, but that remains to be seen. Then there is the protagonist. He is an unstoppable killing machine. It's a trope that is hard to work around, which is way many Superman stories are difficult to sell. Here it does work, because of the previously mentioned code of the Samurai to which protagonist adheres to.
Fully recommended of course, especially for Samurai fans.
This Manga was created in the 70s, yet it aged like fine wine. The artwork is incredible and the stories still hold up until today. There are so many breathtaking panels in this book and the dialogue and narration is on point. I can't believe this book is more than 50 years old especially compared to what American Comics were published at the time.
I wish I've had this book when I was in my late teens, when I was reading every single Samurai novel I could find. This Manga has it all: The bloodthirsty battles, the conflict between honour, life and morality, the beautiful landscapes and architecture of Japan, the philosophical aspects and more.
The stories in here are basically anthologies; they stand on their own and could be read out of order. However, the background and motivations of the protagonist and why he is taking a child on his journey are briefly touched upon here and there, linking the stories with a thin thread.
I love the contrast that is presented here: The protagonist is an assassin, yet he retains his honour more than any other character in the book. His principles are rock solid and he defends at every pass, even if he or his child gets in trouble.
There are some drawbacks, but they feel like minor nitpicks. The book needs a few chapters to get going. The first few pages are quite confusing, but all is explained quickly. The child is very creepy and the things he can do often don't make sense. It seems like the child doesn't age at all. I suppose, the story doesn't work if the child grows, but that remains to be seen. Then there is the protagonist. He is an unstoppable killing machine. It's a trope that is hard to work around, which is way many Superman stories are difficult to sell. Here it does work, because of the previously mentioned code of the Samurai to which protagonist adheres to.
Fully recommended of course, especially for Samurai fans.
January 2, 2026
fistful of rice
January 16, 2026
★★★★★ | One of the seminal treasures of world graphic fiction and a jewel in the crown of the "global comics genome", here at long last in prestige OHC format.
January 8, 2026
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Ōgami Ittō once worked as an esteemed court executioner. Now, he lives in exile with his son, Daigoro, and is known as the fearsome assassin, the "Lone Wolf and Cub." This collection of loosely connected stories follow Ittō as he journeys across Japan, takes on many jobs, and searches for a way to clear his name. Lone Wolf has inspired generations of manga creators and has been a highlight of manga fans for decades. This large format in a beautiful leather binding is perfect for long-time fans who want something that will last a lifetime. This is definitely an adult read, as there is frequent nudity and lots of violence.
Full review in Booklist Magazine.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Adult
Ōgami Ittō once worked as an esteemed court executioner. Now, he lives in exile with his son, Daigoro, and is known as the fearsome assassin, the "Lone Wolf and Cub." This collection of loosely connected stories follow Ittō as he journeys across Japan, takes on many jobs, and searches for a way to clear his name. Lone Wolf has inspired generations of manga creators and has been a highlight of manga fans for decades. This large format in a beautiful leather binding is perfect for long-time fans who want something that will last a lifetime. This is definitely an adult read, as there is frequent nudity and lots of violence.
Full review in Booklist Magazine.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Adult
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews