No. 5, Vol. 3

ナンバーファイブ 吾 [Number 5] #5-6

by Taiyo Matsumoto

A powerfully imagined vision of the future from Taiyo Matsumoto, creator of the Eisner Award–winning Cats of the Louvre and Tekkonkinkreet.

In a world where most of the earth has become a harsh desert, the Rainbow Council of the Peace Corps has a growing crisis on its hands. No. 5, one member of a team of superpowered global security guardians and a top marksman, has gone rogue. Now the other guardians have to hunt down No. 5 and his mysterious companion, Matryoshka. But why did No. 5 turn against the council, and what will it mean for the future of the world?

The old allegiances and friendships have been broken and the Rainbow Brigade now faces disbandment. No. 5 has eluded or killed every member of the Rainbow Brigade that has come after him so far, but now No. 3 closes in on him and is determined not to let any sentiments for his former comrade cloud his judgment. Elsewhere, No. 1, missing for over a month and struggling to understand what to do with his power, heads for a fateful meeting with No. 2.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comics Manga, Seinen, Fantasy

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2005

About the author

See also: 松本大洋 and 松本 大洋

Although Taiyo Matsumoto desired a career as a professional soccerplayer at first, he eventually chose an artistic profession. He gained his first success through the Comic Open contest, held by the magazine Comic Morning, which allowed him to make his professional debut. He started out with 'Straight', a comic about basketball players. Sports remain his main influence in his next comic, 'Zéro', a story about a boxer.

In 1993 Matsumoto started the 'Tekkonkinkurito' trilogy in Big Spirits magazine, which was even adapted to a theatre play. He continued his comics exploits with several short stories for the Comic Aré magazine, which are collected in the book 'Nihon no Kyodai'. Again for Big Spirits, Taiyo Matsumoto started the series 'Ping Pong' in 1996. 'Number Five' followed in 2001, published by Shogakukan.

Source: Lambiek website bio .

Reviews

[Boy Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot continues to split at the seams, it just can't hold Matsumoto's boundless imagination. One wonders if this would make some more sense with kaleidoscope glasses on.

[Rob Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant masterpiece.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fight with Number 3 was really, really great.

[HowardtheDuck95 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up right where the last volume left off, the third of four volumes of Taiyo Matsumoto’s Moebius inspired tale about superheroes, military power, and natural spirituality continues.

This time the main focus of the first half is a conflict between No 5 and No 3. 5, Yuri, the rugged super soldier sniper up against 3, who relies on mechanical tools so heavily some think he’s a robot. This fight is in multiple parts, clearly delineated by chapter title, and is quite fascinatingly presented. 3’s limitations are clear, and almost realistic in a sense, giving weight to the conflict. Yuri’s abusive human, but it becomes quite the knock down drag out battle between the two.

The second half is mostly about the (clearly corrupt) government’s growing unease about the influence of No 1, Mike. He’s taking more power, but by bit, wether it’s publicly as a heroic (one might say almost alluding to fascist in some ways) figure, or privately deftly maneuvering his way around their attempts to take power from him and the other numbers.

What can be said about this that I haven’t in the other volume’s reviews. It’s still as well presented as ever, and clearly moving towards some sort of interesting conclusion. The imagery here is as sharp as ever, wether it’s a big conversation between small figures juxtaposed by large cattle in the foreground, giant figures that may or may not be there, or even a grisly detailed wreck, it’s all here. Read it.

[Matty Dub · Rating 4 out of 5]

No. 5 volume 3 shifts away from the title character and focuses on Mike most of the time. I struggle to discern his motivations but I think I’m suppose to see hubris and megalomania there. Overall it’s still beautiful and very ephemeral. Matryochka still seems super important and eats a lot and I still don’t know why she’s there most of the time, I don’t know much of anything about this series but I still can’t stop reading once I start a volume. One left!

[Faith Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second to last volume in this manga series and I’m so excited to read the last one, despite the plot being slightly hard to follow at points the art style is so enchanting it makes up for it. The mangaka also created the manga Blue Spring, which the film was based on, and I can’t wait to dive into more of his work, as even comparing the subject matter of these two; Blue Spring and No.5, they are so so different.

The no.5 series is completely fantasy and focuses on a lot of the politics of this fantasy world, breaking down the power system where typical humans are the main inhabitants of the planet but a small group of people with specific powers - almost godly powers, have their own defence force. It’s really interesting seeing how the author reflects the opinions of the humans in power about the people with powers, since because of their abilities they are granted huge positions without working for it.

Anyways, I’m so so excited to read the last volume, every time I have begun reading a manga from this series it feels like such a great because the production of the books them selves is wonderful and that paired with the art style of the mangaka it makes reading these books such a amazing sensory experience!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third installment of Taiyo Matusmoto's No. 5 is visually wonderful, as is always the case with Matsumoto's work. Story-wise it's a bit less rewarding, as the narrative begins to drift in the direction of Alan Moore's Watchmen, constructing a dilemma around the emerging obsolescence of a group of superheroes (in this case known as The Rainbow Brigade). The mythology of that group developed in the first two volumes takes a pause here, and there is much more explicit action as the Rainbows fight with each other over their changing roles.

I'm committed enough to move onto the fourth and final volume in the series, but here's hoping for better things in the conclusion.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The juxtaposition between the action and downtime here is as stark as ever- the violent, frenetic, chaos of man vs. dolphin-man leading into the melancholic meditation of every passing man, woman, child, animal, and flower's inner monologue. ("I wanna go back to the womb...") I still have no idea where this all is going.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely one of those series where you have to reread preceding volumes to reorient yourself. I will admit, however, this volume represents a greater clarity in plot and character motivation (at least for No. 1). The art remains fluid, dynamic, and absolutely compelling!

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful 3.5 stars!!!!!!!!!

[putri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still confused af with the whole story. But I don't mind, I enjoyed the art and the mess.

[Ronin Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars

Definitely one of the better volumes. I enjoyed the first couple chapters, and a decent amount of stuff that led to the climax.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea what happened in this volume except for that chase scene. That chase scene was cool.

[Nicolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There must be some highbrow deeper meaning I'm just not picking up on

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

[Ally Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

[2023.03.16_32]
【Maya】

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a fascinating read. The chase and fight sequence was incredible. One more volume to go.

[Ganesh Sreeramulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles grand vision is slowly unveiled . And it is one that I wasn’t prepared for

[Ry Eto · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought that it was a little confusing but fun

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think im more interested on wtf was going on with the writer when he wrote this and was the editor on the same drugs.

3.2🌟✨

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is the best one, like all the fight scenes. Less confusing.