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子連れ狼 [Kozure Ookami] #23
Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 23: Tears of Ice
Holy hand grenades! Edo is flooded, and by flooded, we mean crazy-flooded. Bridges are crumbling, rivers are washing past retaining walls, and everything in Edo is floating away, including our vengeful ronin, his foe, and his little boy. In an ironic show of samurai respect, little Cub Daigoro gets saved by the conniving Retsudo Yagyu. And proving he can lend a hand, too, Lone Wolf Ogami pulls someone to safety as well -- but maybe he should have let him drown. Eventually, the two opposing master swordsmen dry off and go head to head in a sword fight of a thousand stances and couple of days length. This seems like it could be the deciding bout between the two, unless that nasty, Abeno Kaii gets in the way, and he seems to do that a lot lately.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2002
About the author
Kazuo Koike
385 books302 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 3, 2022
[9/10]
Only a disaster of unprecedented severity could postpone the final confrontation between Ogami Itto and Retsudo Yagyu. This is exactly what happens when a criminal hand opens the floodgates that protect Edo in the middle of a hurricane. [see album 22]
Two katana swords buried point down on the field of battle symbolize a promise to return to the task of killing each other, but for the moment the Lone Wolf and his adversary join forces in order to stop the flooding, using the explosives that were so painstakingly gathered by Itto for his son Daigoro.
Frozen Edo presents the aftermath of the storm, with most of the city flooded and people struggling to salvage something from the disaster. The Shogun and his daimyo are watching powerless from the height of the Edo palace.
To make matters worse, the rain and wind may have abated, but a wave of frozen air and snow replace them, while Ogami and Retsudo are thrown into the turbulent waters by the explosion they hope will block the flood. Each man meets with his Fate in these frozen waters, a test of their adherence to the samurai code of honor as they save their enemies: Retsudo brings the almost dead Daigoro to his own house for treatment, while Ogami Itto brings the ‘dead’ body of the poisoner Kaii to a Buddhist temple for last rites and prayers
Tears of Ice is a moment of introspection and preparation for the return to battle. Retsudo and Lone Wolf go back to the field of battle with shovels, to bury the dead, but there is a third player who is also fascinated by the two swords that dominate the desolate landscape: Abe Tanoshi, the despicable poisoner who has seriously overstayed his welcome to the series. I guess the authors needed someone other than Retsudo to be the focus for negative vibes, with the Yagyu leader now cast as the honourable adversary for Lone Wolf. This Tanoshi is right now the sole reason I contemplated lowering the overall rating, after the sixth or seventh apparent death that he recovers from and the cartoonish ‘evil overlord’ quality of his plans.
Kaii’s role in the preparation for battle is to sabotage the bushido code by poisoning the waiting swords, so that both adversaries will die from minor cuts, leaving him as the sole contender for the power behind the Shogun’s throne position.
The Day of Meeting , Death in the Moonlight and Silent Snow cover the ultimate duel between the best swordsmen of their age, something I expected to come a few albums later. I cannot imagine how the authors will draw this sword battle over five more books, although they do a magnificent job here over three episodes that graphically capture an improbable continuous battle that lasts a whole day and night.
I know from Kurosawa historical movies that normally such confrontations last less than a minute, but by the time these two samurai actually meet, they have been built up to superhuman feats of endurance and skill. Their mythical status is spelled out plainly in the captions to the action panels, in between suggestive descriptions of the sword moves each samurai has in his arsenal and esoteric interpretations of mental preparation.
Daigoro is present as a silent witness, understandably taking a passive role in this duel between giants, but offered his own immortal status by his endurance of the bitter cold and exhaustion.
The adults themselves are showing signs of wear and tear as the undecided bouts of action result in the minor cuts and bleeding that the poisoner had hoped for.
But can even poison, ice and time be stronger than the will of these implacable adversaries? And can we really be rid of this annoying Kaii once and for all?
I guess I have to turn to the next album in order to find out.
Only a disaster of unprecedented severity could postpone the final confrontation between Ogami Itto and Retsudo Yagyu. This is exactly what happens when a criminal hand opens the floodgates that protect Edo in the middle of a hurricane. [see album 22]
Two katana swords buried point down on the field of battle symbolize a promise to return to the task of killing each other, but for the moment the Lone Wolf and his adversary join forces in order to stop the flooding, using the explosives that were so painstakingly gathered by Itto for his son Daigoro.
Frozen Edo presents the aftermath of the storm, with most of the city flooded and people struggling to salvage something from the disaster. The Shogun and his daimyo are watching powerless from the height of the Edo palace.
To make matters worse, the rain and wind may have abated, but a wave of frozen air and snow replace them, while Ogami and Retsudo are thrown into the turbulent waters by the explosion they hope will block the flood. Each man meets with his Fate in these frozen waters, a test of their adherence to the samurai code of honor as they save their enemies: Retsudo brings the almost dead Daigoro to his own house for treatment, while Ogami Itto brings the ‘dead’ body of the poisoner Kaii to a Buddhist temple for last rites and prayers
Tears of Ice is a moment of introspection and preparation for the return to battle. Retsudo and Lone Wolf go back to the field of battle with shovels, to bury the dead, but there is a third player who is also fascinated by the two swords that dominate the desolate landscape: Abe Tanoshi, the despicable poisoner who has seriously overstayed his welcome to the series. I guess the authors needed someone other than Retsudo to be the focus for negative vibes, with the Yagyu leader now cast as the honourable adversary for Lone Wolf. This Tanoshi is right now the sole reason I contemplated lowering the overall rating, after the sixth or seventh apparent death that he recovers from and the cartoonish ‘evil overlord’ quality of his plans.
Kaii’s role in the preparation for battle is to sabotage the bushido code by poisoning the waiting swords, so that both adversaries will die from minor cuts, leaving him as the sole contender for the power behind the Shogun’s throne position.
The Day of Meeting , Death in the Moonlight and Silent Snow cover the ultimate duel between the best swordsmen of their age, something I expected to come a few albums later. I cannot imagine how the authors will draw this sword battle over five more books, although they do a magnificent job here over three episodes that graphically capture an improbable continuous battle that lasts a whole day and night.
I know from Kurosawa historical movies that normally such confrontations last less than a minute, but by the time these two samurai actually meet, they have been built up to superhuman feats of endurance and skill. Their mythical status is spelled out plainly in the captions to the action panels, in between suggestive descriptions of the sword moves each samurai has in his arsenal and esoteric interpretations of mental preparation.
Daigoro is present as a silent witness, understandably taking a passive role in this duel between giants, but offered his own immortal status by his endurance of the bitter cold and exhaustion.
The adults themselves are showing signs of wear and tear as the undecided bouts of action result in the minor cuts and bleeding that the poisoner had hoped for.
But can even poison, ice and time be stronger than the will of these implacable adversaries? And can we really be rid of this annoying Kaii once and for all?
I guess I have to turn to the next album in order to find out.
January 28, 2019
Big showdown here. Which is perhaps a little more drawn out that it should be but, perfectly matches the style set forth by the series. With only 5 more volumes left, my fingers tremble for the inevitable end of it all.
March 26, 2020
It seems like we’ve reached the end (but don’t be fooled, there are still five volumes of the story of Lone Wolf and Cub remaining). Retsudo and Itto have done what they can to help Edo in the disaster precipitated by Abe’s foolish actions, and what ensues is basically one long fight sequence spread across five stories.
‘Frozen Edo’: Edo is flooded and the disaster is compounded by the onset of cold weather, but due to their quick actions, and surprising ability to work together, Itto and Retsudo managed to make it less than a complete disaster. Separated by the flood, Itto comes across the body of Abe and pulls it from the water, leaving it in the hands of a monk for final rites; meanwhile Retsudo rescues the drowning Daigoro and takes him back to his compound as a prisoner, hoping that he has at last managed to draw the fangs of the Lone Wolf. Managing to cheat death yet again, Abe revels in his salvation and assumes the gods are on his side in his battle with the old tiger Retsudo and the wolf Itto.
‘Tears of Ice’: Retsudo and Itto return to the place of their duel, but before hostilities can resume they both first bury the Yagyu retainers that had been slaughtered on the site by Itto. Meanwhile Abe also returns to the duel site and hatches a nefarious plan utilizing his special knowledge of poison in the hopes of ensuring the death of both of his foes.
‘The Day of Meeting’: Finding a hiding place from which he can watch, Abe relishes the return of the two fighters to their dueling ground. What ensues is a day long contest, sometimes with both fighters merely shifting position incrementally, as each looks for a weakness in his opponent. Whose skill will reign supreme?! We’re not going to find out today.
‘Death in the Moonlight’: As the duel continues into the night Abe, and perhaps the reader, is beginning to wonder just when this fight will end. Itto and Retsudo (and Daigoro who placidly watches) seem to have an inhuman endurance as each attempt by one fighter to kill his rival is thwarted by the other. Each proves to be a match for his opponent as their techniques are slowly expended, but for how long can they keep this up...and what of Abe’s secret weapon that has been unleashed unbeknownst to the two fighters?
‘Silent Snow’: Snow comes and with it fatigue finally begins to set in for the fighters (and Abe, long since having succumbed, has a possibly fatal accident). Despite this it is also a hidden blessing, washing away the full potency of Abe’s evil plot. In the end, while they are both wounded by their opponent, neither Itto nor Retsudo is able to strike the killing stroke and each man (along with Daigoro) collapses into the falling snow.
‘Frozen Edo’: Edo is flooded and the disaster is compounded by the onset of cold weather, but due to their quick actions, and surprising ability to work together, Itto and Retsudo managed to make it less than a complete disaster. Separated by the flood, Itto comes across the body of Abe and pulls it from the water, leaving it in the hands of a monk for final rites; meanwhile Retsudo rescues the drowning Daigoro and takes him back to his compound as a prisoner, hoping that he has at last managed to draw the fangs of the Lone Wolf. Managing to cheat death yet again, Abe revels in his salvation and assumes the gods are on his side in his battle with the old tiger Retsudo and the wolf Itto.
‘Tears of Ice’: Retsudo and Itto return to the place of their duel, but before hostilities can resume they both first bury the Yagyu retainers that had been slaughtered on the site by Itto. Meanwhile Abe also returns to the duel site and hatches a nefarious plan utilizing his special knowledge of poison in the hopes of ensuring the death of both of his foes.
‘The Day of Meeting’: Finding a hiding place from which he can watch, Abe relishes the return of the two fighters to their dueling ground. What ensues is a day long contest, sometimes with both fighters merely shifting position incrementally, as each looks for a weakness in his opponent. Whose skill will reign supreme?! We’re not going to find out today.
‘Death in the Moonlight’: As the duel continues into the night Abe, and perhaps the reader, is beginning to wonder just when this fight will end. Itto and Retsudo (and Daigoro who placidly watches) seem to have an inhuman endurance as each attempt by one fighter to kill his rival is thwarted by the other. Each proves to be a match for his opponent as their techniques are slowly expended, but for how long can they keep this up...and what of Abe’s secret weapon that has been unleashed unbeknownst to the two fighters?
‘Silent Snow’: Snow comes and with it fatigue finally begins to set in for the fighters (and Abe, long since having succumbed, has a possibly fatal accident). Despite this it is also a hidden blessing, washing away the full potency of Abe’s evil plot. In the end, while they are both wounded by their opponent, neither Itto nor Retsudo is able to strike the killing stroke and each man (along with Daigoro) collapses into the falling snow.
April 24, 2016
Are you kidding me? Since the sad Kurokuwa chapter, that volume has been my most favorite yet, until this. And it is not even the last chapter. The last volumes of The Lone Wolf and Cub is simply unstoppable.
The epic one-on-one fight between Ogami Itto and Retsydo Yagyu has finally happened, and this is a fight between two true samurais, it is way more than a battle for revenge nor a display of techniques but a fight between two warriors who have become one with their swords - no motives, no temptations. This fight is just otherworldly and more than human.
This manga series is a serious monster. It is perfection.
The epic one-on-one fight between Ogami Itto and Retsydo Yagyu has finally happened, and this is a fight between two true samurais, it is way more than a battle for revenge nor a display of techniques but a fight between two warriors who have become one with their swords - no motives, no temptations. This fight is just otherworldly and more than human.
This manga series is a serious monster. It is perfection.
January 19, 2024
Enishi, iki insan arasındaki güçlü kader bağıdır.
Uzun anime ve mangaların ortak özelliği var; sabır. Nasıl ki bir çocuğun bir günden diğerine büyüdüğünü ya da karakter olarak olgunluğunuzdaki farklılıkları sezinliyemezsiniz, onlar da hikayeyi ve kurguyu öyle ince ince işliyorlar ki gelişimin farkını ancak geriye dönüp bakınca anlayabiliyorsunuz. Ben bunu ilk önce Naruto'da görmüştüm. Artık genç bir delikanlı olarak görünen Naruto, akademideki zamanını gösteren bir flashback yaşayınca gerçekten çocuk görünümündeydi, ve ben ergenliğe geçerkenki halini basit çizgilerle bile farkedememiştim.
Bunu niye söylüyorum? 23 ciltte 100'ün üzerinde bölüm okudum ve bu ciltten başlayan biri, çocuğunu bulamayan Ogami Itto'nun "Hayatta kal Daigoro, baban yaşıyor ve senin için geri dönüyor" demesini veya Daigoro'nun her kılıç çarpışında "Babaa" diye çığlık atmasını gayet doğal karşılayabilir. Halbuki öyle değil. Okuyun, ne demek istediğimi anlayacaksınız.
Daigorocuğum Retsudo'nun kollarında. Her ne kadar babasının baş düşmanının elinde olsa da o aşağılık Abe gibi değil. Bu yüzden herhangi birinin bulmasındansa Retsudo'nun bulması çok daha iyi oldu.
Sessiz Kar ve ilerleyen bölümler daha çok duruş değiştirme, bakışma ve tekniklerin çarpışmasıyla geçiyor. Retsudo ve Itto'nun her düellosunda bir doğa olayı olması pek olası gelmiyor ancak selden sonra kar bastırınca benim minik yavrum Daigoro artık heykel oldu ve bayıldı.
Aslında her satırın tek tek incelenmesi ve üzerinde düşünülmesi gerekiyor. Bu satırlardan biri de aşağılık zehirci pislik sümsük Abe'nin "Ben bunu hakedecek ne yaptım?" diye kendine sormasıydı. Bu biraz da her kötünün kendini kötü olarak nitelendirmemesine çıkıyor. Hayat maalesef sadece siyah ve beyazdan ibaret değil.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
Uzun anime ve mangaların ortak özelliği var; sabır. Nasıl ki bir çocuğun bir günden diğerine büyüdüğünü ya da karakter olarak olgunluğunuzdaki farklılıkları sezinliyemezsiniz, onlar da hikayeyi ve kurguyu öyle ince ince işliyorlar ki gelişimin farkını ancak geriye dönüp bakınca anlayabiliyorsunuz. Ben bunu ilk önce Naruto'da görmüştüm. Artık genç bir delikanlı olarak görünen Naruto, akademideki zamanını gösteren bir flashback yaşayınca gerçekten çocuk görünümündeydi, ve ben ergenliğe geçerkenki halini basit çizgilerle bile farkedememiştim.
Bunu niye söylüyorum? 23 ciltte 100'ün üzerinde bölüm okudum ve bu ciltten başlayan biri, çocuğunu bulamayan Ogami Itto'nun "Hayatta kal Daigoro, baban yaşıyor ve senin için geri dönüyor" demesini veya Daigoro'nun her kılıç çarpışında "Babaa" diye çığlık atmasını gayet doğal karşılayabilir. Halbuki öyle değil. Okuyun, ne demek istediğimi anlayacaksınız.
Daigorocuğum Retsudo'nun kollarında. Her ne kadar babasının baş düşmanının elinde olsa da o aşağılık Abe gibi değil. Bu yüzden herhangi birinin bulmasındansa Retsudo'nun bulması çok daha iyi oldu.
Sessiz Kar ve ilerleyen bölümler daha çok duruş değiştirme, bakışma ve tekniklerin çarpışmasıyla geçiyor. Retsudo ve Itto'nun her düellosunda bir doğa olayı olması pek olası gelmiyor ancak selden sonra kar bastırınca benim minik yavrum Daigoro artık heykel oldu ve bayıldı.
Aslında her satırın tek tek incelenmesi ve üzerinde düşünülmesi gerekiyor. Bu satırlardan biri de aşağılık zehirci pislik sümsük Abe'nin "Ben bunu hakedecek ne yaptım?" diye kendine sormasıydı. Bu biraz da her kötünün kendini kötü olarak nitelendirmemesine çıkıyor. Hayat maalesef sadece siyah ve beyazdan ibaret değil.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
October 31, 2024
La lluvia ha cesado pero Edo quedó semi destruida por las aguas del río Sumida, además ha comenzado a nevar y Daigoro está en manos de Retsudo. ¡El destino es extraño sin duda!
Tanome Abe parece ser el consentido de los dioses o de los demonios, ¡simplemente no muere!
Las espadas y sus dueños están frente a frente. Como testigos de este enfrentamiento: Daigoro, Tanome Abe y su veneno esparcido en las espadas, y las tumbas de los samuráis del clan Yagyu.
Las dos fieras salvajes miden sus fuerzas, ambas están heridas y lamen sus heridas. Las técnicas se van agotando y los ataques no han podido quebrar las defensas. Las fuerzas van desapareciendo. Adelantan, retroceden, tastabillan… no se descifran.
Tanome Abe parece ser el consentido de los dioses o de los demonios, ¡simplemente no muere!
Las espadas y sus dueños están frente a frente. Como testigos de este enfrentamiento: Daigoro, Tanome Abe y su veneno esparcido en las espadas, y las tumbas de los samuráis del clan Yagyu.
Las dos fieras salvajes miden sus fuerzas, ambas están heridas y lamen sus heridas. Las técnicas se van agotando y los ataques no han podido quebrar las defensas. Las fuerzas van desapareciendo. Adelantan, retroceden, tastabillan… no se descifran.
February 27, 2026
The longest sword fight in the world – and it's not over yet. Logically, I should throw this book out the window and ask the authors how much they are messing with me by stretching this sequence out over literally hundreds of pages.
But Kojima's narrative art combines with Koike's to hypnotise the reader and plunge them into this battle of wits and steel, where the two antagonists transcend themselves, clash their blades and project their will against an equally strong will.
And poor Daigoro... How can anyone remain unmoved?
But Kojima's narrative art combines with Koike's to hypnotise the reader and plunge them into this battle of wits and steel, where the two antagonists transcend themselves, clash their blades and project their will against an equally strong will.
And poor Daigoro... How can anyone remain unmoved?
September 3, 2020
Retsudo is an excellent villain. Greedy and ambitious, yet he still has great honour in him.
The story is really starting to draw out at this point, though.
The story is really starting to draw out at this point, though.
July 18, 2023
4.5 stars. Damn, was not expecting old man Yagyu to be such a badass! He’s totally still gotta go and everything, but I have a lot more respect for the guy after this volume. A formidable opponent indeed, underneath it all.
August 22, 2021
Finally found the series' low point. There's simply no way that Retsudo and Itto's fight was going to live up to 22 volumes, especially when you include a simpleton poisoner in the mix, the antithesis of Yagyu and Ogami both. Seemingly out of nowhere, Retsudo heavily clings to shido and respects meifumado with the same will as Itto, when all this time he has shown nothing of it. Similarly, his skill with a sword has not been shown to the same godlike level as Itto before, yet here, they are suddenly a match. Extra star for the art as always.
March 7, 2026
Lobo 23
Tras una tregua por los eventos del inicio, finalmente tenemos el enfrentamiento de Itto (el Lobo) y Retsudo (el jefe del clan Yagyu)
Que debido al gran nivel de ambos, será un combate que se extenderá mucho, y mas una batalla de posiciones yvoluntades, que un intercambio de espadas.
Muy buen volumen
5 stars
Tras una tregua por los eventos del inicio, finalmente tenemos el enfrentamiento de Itto (el Lobo) y Retsudo (el jefe del clan Yagyu)
Que debido al gran nivel de ambos, será un combate que se extenderá mucho, y mas una batalla de posiciones yvoluntades, que un intercambio de espadas.
Muy buen volumen
5 stars
March 29, 2014
This book involves Itto and Retsudo staring at each other. They sometimes even wave their swords a little bit and shout incoherently.
February 1, 2021
I kinda feel like I should be annoyed at the slowness/length of this feud but it feels more like the accumulation of weight/epicness.
October 19, 2025
If you thought the last volume was a tease . . .
Ogami Itto and Yagyu survive the flood. Yagyu even rescues Daigoro. They take a beat, and then resume their duel. Which takes multiple chapters to complete. I wouldn't mind if we had illustrations of detailed sword fighting techniques, but mostly they pose dramatically in the wind, then the snow, daring the other one to move first.
Ogami Itto and Yagyu survive the flood. Yagyu even rescues Daigoro. They take a beat, and then resume their duel. Which takes multiple chapters to complete. I wouldn't mind if we had illustrations of detailed sword fighting techniques, but mostly they pose dramatically in the wind, then the snow, daring the other one to move first.
March 12, 2020
Three-and-a-half? For the first time in a long time, I was...a bit bored. The start of the long-awaited final showdown between Ogami Itto and Retsudo Yagyu was underwhelming and drawn out. Hoping (and knowing) things will pick up.
March 15, 2020
Esta entrega estuvo bastante buena, con un uso bastante prolongado de las escenas mudas. Pero el duelo tan esperado se tuvo que suspender, dos veces, para ser exacto; pero de todas formas, ya que me queda poco para terminar la serie, se está poniendo bueno lo que queda
March 15, 2022
There is a fight of 140 pages in this volume. I repeat, there is a fight of...140 pages in this volume. Two characters, two witnesses. The warriors become the wind. Emptiness can not be tempted by emptiness. Only the real can strike the real. In Mu, they fight.
July 3, 2025
My thoughts here echo that of what I included for the last volume. This fight is certainly a slow burn, but it is tense and has earned the time. However, I can't fathom how there are still 5 volumes left to read.
November 15, 2018
This issue was so intense. Cliffhanger ending with four characters possibly dead. I've got to read on...
May 9, 2020
This book had one of the best sword fights in a graphic novel I ever read.
April 2, 2021
the final showdown begins
August 22, 2021
Same as the first. Fantastic art, engaging action stories, not much to the characters.
March 13, 2022
İtto ile Retsudo nün yüz yüze savaşı başladı artık.
March 18, 2022
So much done with so little. I’ve now ready 22 volumes to come to this moment, and the author knows how to make it worth every panel.
Read
July 19, 20234.5 stars
July 12, 2025
Another great one! The action is just progressing.
December 3, 2025
Sona doğru yaklaşıyoruz ve bu kitap hem Çok heyecanlı hem de böyle duygusal ve sinematikti. Off sonu çok fena :( Daigoro bebeğim ...
March 23, 2026
(spolier)
The longest showdown I have ever witnessed. And it's not even concluded...
The longest showdown I have ever witnessed. And it's not even concluded...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2024
Another superb entry in the franchise as Itto Ogami and Retsudo Yaygu return to their duel, only to have interference from the master poisoner. Koike keeps the tension up as Yaygu has emerged as a true man of honor, who still vows to kill Itto and his son, Diagoro, but will finally do it within the codes of honor, restoring his place as a samurai. Itto's turn is equally fascinating, as while he still intends to kill Yaygu, is pleased to see him return to an honorable path. It is matched by Kojima's gorgeous art, depicting feudal Japan and the brutal action perfectly. A true epic in manga.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews