Samurai Executioner, Vol. 8: The Death Sign of Spring

首斬り朝 [Kubikiri Asa] #8

by Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima

Spring is a season of rebirth, or new life springing forth, a time of cherished blooming and delightful scents. But for Kubikira Asa, there is no spring delight. The Edo-era samurai crime drama by Lone Wolf and Cub creators Koike and Kojima continues down its path of heinous crime and diligent, bloody justice.

Spring may come to the innocent, but to those condemned to lose their heads to Asa's sword, it will be their last.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Japan

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2006

About the author

Kazuo 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.

Reviews

[Jedi JC Daquis]

Still a great volume, yet there are some panels which felt a bit rushed, dialogue (or translation?) and art-wise. The ultra-violence is contrasted with Yamada Asaemon's well-maintained composure and unexpected compassion.

Samurai Executioner volume 8 doesn't hype thing up, considering that there are two volumes left in the series.

[47Time]

A disgruntled customer cuts up a brothel. Yamada himself takes care of the man. It turns out he has a disease that also impacts his intellect.

A fanatical police commander gets it in his head that the only way to truly fight crime is to attack first and attack hard. He wants to create a special force of policemen named 'demons' who hide their identity and are authorized to kill wrong-doers. His superiors understand the idea, but worry about the repercussions. An Edo ruled by torture, fear and bloodbaths is dangerous. The bad guys counter the demons by using their uniforms to commit crimes. With the demons' failing, the police commander commits seppuku.

The tragic tale of a painter ends the volume. He was sentenced to death for attempted murder. The official records show him as a disgruntled employee who got it in his head to live life as the rich folk do. He stole some money, wounded some shop owners and spent his small fortune on clothes, drink and women. His last act before being arrested was to force himself on a geisha and cut her up with a broken bottle. The case was cut and tried, but the tragic part of it is revealed by the victim. She spoke to the painter last. His assault was stopped by her words - she never intended to insult him and only refused his advances because she was married. The man opened up and revealed that his whole life was a failure. He had opportunities to lead a better life, but always 'messed up' one way or another. This trend was kept right up to the moment of death. Instead of clapping 3 times, as was his tradition, he clapped once more after death. This is what Yamada saw as strange and now he knows something that might explain it.

[Michael]

Excellent series. Amazing research into the feudal era of Japanese history, re-created in exquisitely believable manner. The codes of conduct and ways of life are presented fairly and honestly, and the art is terrific.

[Oscar]

Manga de calidad superior, la imagen de la sociedad Edo que crea es vivida, una gran dupla creativa

[Nick Nguyen]

3.5 stars

[Hugo]

A great show of japanese culture of the period as usual, especially liked one more story about Sakane Kasajiro and his wife.

[Eric]

Great graphics as always, conpelling stories, and maybe a bit of history & culture.

[Alex Sarll]

Obviously, given the name and the creative team, Samurai Executioner has never been a fluffy series. But this volume is especially dark, opening with a hostage situation at a brothel before moving on to a story in which Edo suffers under a newly zero-tolerance policing regime. In places it skirts close to nastiness for nastiness' sake, yet never quite crosses that line. It's the humanity that saves it - not just Asaemon's (though he does get one especially good speech here) but all the villains and victims who cross his path. Quite the achievement to produce such a humane work about a professional decapitator.

[Angel]

What can I say? I continue to enjoy this series. Some moving pieces, and yes, a lot of heads do roll. Shinko makes a reappearance. I definitely like the character development in this series.

[Víctor Segovia]

Me encantó esta entrega, realmente completa la obra. Pero, me aterra pensar que aún no haya desarrollado un hilo argumental que sirva para darle el esperado final a la obra en general.