This review may seem redundant if its primary goal is to promote this series, given the plethora of stellar reviews already available. However, should you happen upon this unremarkable piece; allow me to impart my reflections on << CLAYMORE >>:
It's a remarkable narrative with an ostensibly simple premise, yet intricately woven with psychological depth.
A perpetual conflict between <Body> and <Spirit>, <Logic> and <Passion>. A struggle that as a reader, you cannot evade.
As mentioned, the premise is straightforward. One might even deem it trivial. The storyline predominantly centers around its characters, and the world takes form through their <narrative force>. In essence, the world does not mold or restrict its characters. Each significant character resembles a metaphorical lake. The surface is visible, sometimes the water is clear, but some are as dark and unfathomable as an ocean. Characters possess distinct traits, yet they remain unpredictable, susceptible to slight or radical changes depending on their circumstances.
<Good> and <Evil> do exist, but largely shaped by your judgment as the reader. Every faction gets an equally objective spotlight, sharing their motives and core narrative drive with the reader. It isn't always smooth sailing (Well... It seldom is rosy ^^) and these characters will challenge your moral boundaries and preferred course of action.
Personally, I found short bursts of intense reading more enjoyable and captivating than a slower pace. I believe it’s a story best consumed without lingering too long over each chapter. If you spend too much time pondering each segment, it could start feeling quite burdensome to continue. Nevertheless, the finale is absolutely worth it.
I could ramble on in this disorganized manner for some time, but let's leave it at this. Should you wish to learn more, you know where to find the <message bar>.
This is my first time writing a review for a manga, so I'll make it straightforward. Claymore is an amazing piece of art that manages to cover many story arcs. While comparisons can be made, nothing detracts from its originality.
Story: The story begins with a female warrior (Claymore) fighting humanity's archenemy. Initially, we follow her daily life and interactions. The narrative then splits into two parts. It stays fresh yet true to its origins as it progresses, keeping me eager to see what happens next.
Art: The artwork in Claymore is well-executed, using varying levels of detail appropriately. My only critique is the character design; many Claymores look similar, making it hard to distinguish them at times. However, given the large cast with recurring appearances, this can be forgiven.
Character: The characters in Claymore are well-developed, each with unique goals and motivations while maintaining connections with the rest of the cast.
Enjoyment: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Claymore, much more than I expected. I bought it out of fear it might become unavailable soon. After every volume, I was eager for the next, cursing my tired eyes for closing due to lack of sleep.
Overall: I highly recommend this manga for anyone who enjoys battle/fighting, horror, romance, monster, action, or adventure genres. If you see it in the store, I strongly suggest getting yourself a copy.
Claymore is akin to an epic rollercoaster that you can't get enough of, though it occasionally throws in some unexpected twists. Set in a world teeming with shape-shifting Yoma, it follows Claire, a warrior driven by vengeance, as she slashes her way through monsters, gaining powers from the people she meets and the bonds she forms.
The manga creates a world so dark and gritty, you can almost feel the blood and sweat dripping off the pages. Norihiro Yagi's art is like a twisted ballet, with monster designs growing increasingly wilder as the story progresses.
Towards the end, the story somewhat loses its momentum. Suddenly, there's a parade of super-powered monsters, and you're left thinking, "Really? Another one?" It starts feeling like the mangaka is just pulling things out of a hat, which can be a bit of a buzzkill.
Additionally, Raki remains loyal to Claire through thick and thin, even when they're miles apart for what feels like forever. But why? It's as if the story forgot to give him a reason or something. He deserved more spotlight, especially considering the power he attains towards the end.
Despite its flaws, Claymore still delivers a powerful punch. The characters, particularly Claire, undergo significant development. The overall story is nearly a masterpiece but felt a little too drawn out for what it aimed to convey for me.
So yeah, Claymore has an amazing buildup followed by a lengthy plateau that overstays its welcome a bit, but it's still one heck of a ride. If you're into dark fantasy that's equal parts guts and glory, give it a shot. Just be ready for a few detours along the way.
Plot 7/10 - A standard storyline involving fighting monsters, taking down evil powers, and seeking revenge for losing loved ones to those monsters. As the story progresses, it becomes a bit confusing around the halfway point and towards the end, sometimes not making much sense. Overall, I still found it enjoyable.
Art 8/10 - It was refreshing to see such detailed work put into the Claymores, with each having unique facial designs, hair, ears, noses, eyes, etc. The monsters were also well-designed and distinct, though not mind-blowing. The fight scenes were well-drawn and never looked confusing.
Characters 10/10 - Given the large number of Claymores, each had a distinct personality seen through their demeanor and fighting style. I found the main characters to be very enjoyable and well-developed for the most part. Clare, Teresa, Priscilla, and Maria stood out as central figures with significant character development from start to finish. None of the characters came across as annoying, except perhaps Raki as a kid.
Enjoyment 9/10 - The reading experience wasn't difficult and was quite fun. As mentioned, the artwork was excellent, and the characters were enjoyable. The ending was also a nice surprise.
Claymore offers a breathtaking experience, quite literally. The narrative is heavily driven by events, leaving little room for slower, more reflective moments that allow readers to absorb everything. These calmer intervals mostly vanish after the initial few arcs.
Worse yet, these rapid, significant events are primarily action-packed and laden with exposition walls, even during fight sequences. If you're seeking complex morals, deep character development, and rich character interactions, Claymore isn't the manga for you. Don't be misled by comparisons to "Berserk" as female-centric; such parallels only hold on a superficial level.
What sets Claymore apart is its unique style, imaginative world-building, and visually striking monsters and battles. There's value in the vast array of characters and the camaraderie that develops among them, but this isn't what distinguishes it from other battle shonen series. Relationships often develop solely on the battlefield due to the event-driven nature of the manga. For instance, Clare & Raki and Clare & Teresa’s relationships are crucial to both characters and plot, but receive scant chapter focus. However, their pay-offs are exceptional, especially Teresa and Clare's bond, which is profoundly emotional.
Story: 7
The plot of Claymore, despite numerous twists, remains fairly straightforward. The execution suffers due to the rapid pace, leading to wasted character arcs and anticlimactic endings for some hyped villains (like the Abyssal Beings). Nonetheless, the story presents neat concepts, gradually revealing the world's backstory, providing context. The standout is the ending, built naturally on previous elements and fights, delivering an emotional climax. It's so good it nearly earned an 8.
The manga also features well-executed powercreep, explained thoroughly without making supporting characters obsolete. Some inconsistencies arise from keeping many characters relevant, particularly Miria, whose Phantom technique conveniently allows her to counter opponents too fast to see.
Art: 8
I have mixed feelings about the art. Human characters and backgrounds seem simple and unimaginative. With all Claymores looking similar and fights occurring in dull landscapes, recognition becomes challenging. Yet, I still managed to distinguish the various Claymores easily.
The art scores an 8 thanks to the fantastic designs of most Awakened Beings. They are some of the coolest, creepiest, and most unique monsters in manga, enhancing Claymore's aesthetic with their transformations.
Characters: 6
Most characters are straightforward, relying on archetypes but executed well, fitting the plot-driven style. Clare evolves nicely but lacks personality and charisma. Ophelia and Priscilla are strong villains, showcasing the author's adept portrayal of madness. Unlike cartoonish craziness common in action series, they feel like real, unpredictable psychos. Priscilla's instability is handled excellently, blending her emotionless villainy with human traits. Unfortunately, we see too little of her complexities until the story's end.
Teresa stands out as the best character, almost wasted here. Her charisma and badassery are rare, and her arc flows naturally, overshadowing others. Despite great potential, most characters remain basic, justifying a 6.
Enjoyment: 7
Annoying long expositions during fights and fast pacing didn't ruin my overall enjoyment. Its high points, lore, and style make it memorable, with a nearly perfect climax.
Overall - 7
If you enjoy intense shonen fights, dark fantasy vibes, cool female characters, and creepy monsters, and exposition during battles and fast pacing don't bother you, Claymore will likely appeal greatly.
For the record, this is a slightly altered version of my anime review.
Claymore reminds me of Berserk, but with more boobs and less context. That's how I perceive this series.
The strength of Claymore isn't its story, which is quite linear and straightforward for the most part. The basic premise involves fighting fire with fire, where monsters plaguing humanity are dealt with by humans who possess monster abilities. It sounds intriguing to build something around it, but that only happens in terms of character development rather than world-building. So yes, we have monsters and monster hunters in a Medieval-like world. If you expect anything more, you won’t get much beyond vague explanations like “there is this organization here and that band there.” There’s very little information about why the world is as it is until late in the story when it simply changes most of the main characters instead of filling in the blanks. The pacing can be divided into short arcs, each with its own set of monsters and settings. Each arc adds something to the whole, but as I mentioned, it only does so in terms of characterization, not world-building.
All in all, the story is average and doesn’t go anywhere specific, thus scoring less than the base (4).
Characters, on the other hand, are the meat of the series. Most of the selling point revolves around their psychoanalysis and interactions. Claire, the main heroine, starts off as a heartless killing machine, but along the way, we learn a lot about her, making her far more than just a robot without will, blindly following orders and killing things because she was told to. The same applies to most other main characters, such as the rest of the Claymores and the annoying sidekick Raki.
A noteworthy aspect is that this series reverses gender roles. The Claymores are all women yet behave like brutish males, while Raki is a guy who comes across as a spineless idiot better suited as a daddy’s girl. It feels weird, but it’s not necessarily negative.
What does feel negative are the adversaries, the Yoma, who mostly exist as mooks to be killed or generic bosses. We also get very little background on where they come from. Not only that, but they don’t really feel like monsters most of the time. Instead, they’re shape-shifting cannibals with too much human behavior for the gruesome creatures they're supposed to be, making them seem stupid.
But who cares about them? The story focuses on the Claymores, whose worst enemy turns out to be themselves as they gradually transform into Yoma. It’s a nice idea to build something around it, but since the story is loose, it somewhat ruins it. Plus, Raki is an extremely annoying character, incapable of evoking sympathy. He’s supposed to remind Claire that she’s still human and make her feel cozy emotions, but he ends up being a burden, nagging, making unrealistic remarks, getting in the way, and generally causing more trouble than help. Supposedly, that’s what it means to be human, but come on—monsters are eating people alive every day, and he wants everyone to be one big happy family. This stops being humane and becomes utter bullshit. If humans are so naive, then bring on the cunning, cannibalistic Yoma.
In summary, the main cast is interesting and gets lots of immersion but is left without complete catharsis. Enemies outside the frenzied Claymores are cardboard cutouts, and Raki is an ass. Thus, they score a bit above average (6).
The art is excellent in terms of shapes and backgrounds. High on detail with plenty of visual effects and dark palette colors to convey the feeling of a grim world overrun with dread and death.
I found the character figures rather unappealing, as the way the faces were drawn felt odd. Additionally, all Claymores look too much alike due to their identical uniforms, weapons, hair color, and eye color. Also, the common Yoma are drawn too simplistically and human-like, making it easy to see them as merely brawn-skinned bandits with fangs.
Action scenes are okay but not great. Although there’s a lot of gore, most of it involves limbs flying and fountains of blood gushing everywhere. Internal organ anatomy is way off. Most battles don’t last long either.
All in all, the aesthetics are great, but character figures are kind of identical and simple, and there’s very little actual battle duration for such an action-heavy series. Art gets a rather good mark (7).
I don’t find much reread value in this series, given the story is too linear, simple, and has Raki in it (3). My enjoyment is also low (4) because the negatives outweigh the positives.
If this series had more variety in faces, longer battles, more complete world-building, and if Raki died in the first chapter, I would give it a 10.
Claymore is an incredible manga that everyone interested in any type of shounen manga should definitely read! It's set in medieval times, but that detail doesn't matter much. Whether it took place in 2020 or another era wouldn’t make a significant difference; you barely notice the time period while reading.
Firstly, understanding what a Claymore is crucial. A Claymore refers to a woman – not a man – for reasons explained within the manga. She's a demon with a human mind. These Claymores are created by an organization simply known as "the Organization." I don't remember seeing the heads of this organization, but the primary liaison between the Claymores and the organization is a shady guy dressed in black. He assigns their missions: killing yoma (demons). The Claymores can defeat yoma because their bodies are partly demonic. What distinguishes a Claymore from a yoma is that Claymores possess human minds and can control their thirst for human flesh.
The story centers around a boy named Raki. Interestingly, 'Raki' means lucky in Japanese. His entire family gets eaten by a yoma plaguing his town. In response, the townspeople hire a Claymore from the organization to eliminate the threat. Since Claymores are part-demon, they're seen as a necessary evil and feared by all. A Claymore named Clare is dispatched to kill the yoma. While many people in the town fear Clare, Raki does not; he’s grateful for her presence. Ultimately, Clare kills the yoma, and with no family left and rejected by the village, Raki decides to follow Clare on her adventures. The narrative focuses on Clare, her past, her main goal, and achieving it. Unexpected and ingenious events unfold throughout the series. Among the characters, only Clare's past truly matters, as most have similar backgrounds. The storyline is divided into arcs. Many elements are introduced modestly, keeping readers engaged without overwhelming them.
The plot shifts away from Clare's primary goal towards a larger mystery. Clare unravels this mystery with the help of fellow Claymores. This manga stands out because it isn't just about one person being the strongest Claymore. It further shifts focus from Clare and her objectives to reveal hidden motives of other characters, showing how people betray each other. It's really interesting. Claymore is published monthly, sometimes skipping months, yet each release is worth the wait. The pacing isn't too slow, though there is a frequent shift in viewpoints from character to character. For instance, one issue might be about Clare, while the next switches to another character. That's the only annoying part. Otherwise, it's a must-read!
The artwork is excellent, making it easy to understand what's happening without confusion. There isn't much blood depicted, likely to avoid obscuring important details. Instead, there are intense scenes of limb severing, which I find effective. By the 20th volume, the story intensifies, drawing readers deeper into its world.
I recommend waiting until the series is complete before starting, though, or you'll end up frustrated, eager to know what happens next. Regardless, anyone who reads Claymore will fall in love with it instantly.
Claymore, sadly, comes across as a below-average, uninspiring, and easily forgettable read.
Its cast lacks originality, and the Claymore organization, which should be a standout feature, comprises over 40 female monster hunters who look, fight, and behave identically. They are often hailed for strong female representation, but as you become more discerning as a reader, you'll realize they are nothing but a mockery.
-The protagonist, Claire, fails to distinguish herself, seeming like a reused character from another tale. Her journey centers on transitioning from emotionless to feeling, all while traveling with Raki, arguably the series' worst character.
-Raki's role contributes little to the narrative; he mostly causes problems, lacks depth, and inexplicably ends up in a romantic relationship with Claire. His growth is unsatisfactory, disappearing for training only to return capable of taking on multiple Claymores at once—an "evolution" that occurs offscreen, leaving readers unimpressed.
-The main antagonists are equally underwhelming, one turning evil due to power control issues, defeated through an improbable twist. The revelation about the Yoma's origin ties to an unexplored region, further diminishing the story’s impact.
-The overall regard for the story isn't high. It starts with Claire and Raki battling monsters, revealing the Claymore organization's hidden nature midway.
However, it devolves into a battle frenzy akin to DragonBall Z but featuring nearly identical lesbian sword fighters. The finale lacks strategy, relying on random power-ups and resurrected characters to resolve conflicts set against a mundane medieval backdrop.
In conclusion, Claymore's mediocrity overshadows its potential. For a more engaging experience, consider Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series. The Witcher offers a diverse cast, a mythologically-inspired setting, and various formats (books, games, comics, TV) to enjoy the story. This series includes political drama, emotional family moments, magic, thrilling fights, and much more, far surpassing this unfinished manga painting.
If I could give one piece of advice to people about to dive into this series like I did, it would be: don't expect it to be another Berserk. I got myself hyped up thinking it would be a milder version of Berserk when it came to violence. This mainly stems from seeing members of the Death Battle community hoping for a fight between Clare and Guts (and then being disappointed when Guts fought Dimitri from Fire Emblem). In my opinion, it's not as good, but by no means is Claymore bad.
For starters, and perhaps the biggest reason why comparisons with Berserk were made: the art is PHENOMENAL. There's so much detail in every panel. The landscapes, character designs, and creature designs all look amazing. There are few manga that can boast such incredible artwork. I haven't done this yet, but I plan on creating a tab with some panels from the series that I really like (which will be somewhat small, given the surprising amount of nudity in a series available on Shounen Jump). Easily the best part of this series is how breathtakingly beautiful it looks, which extends to the action scenes.
A lot of the series, especially in the latter half, consists of fight scenes against creatures known as Yoma. With those plentiful fights come plentiful moments of great combat. Each monster has unique ways of attacking the Claymores, and each fight lasts a fair amount of time. They rarely fall into the trope of nearing defeat before revealing a new form or attack; in fact, I think only the final antagonist does something like that. On top of that, each of the Claymores have distinct faces and hairstyles, making them easy to tell apart during combat.
Finally, there are some really fun characters sprinkled throughout the story. My favorites were the Claymores Helen and Deneve, who have a friendship where they tend to butt heads a lot. I'm glad that the two of them were featured prominently as the series progressed. There was one scene I enjoyed where Helen was getting drunk and argumentative, leading to quite a bit of humor.
Unfortunately, not all of the characters were that interesting. While their designs were unique, many of their personalities weren't. Given that there are nearly 50 of these warriors, not all of them are going to be featured, but so many names get thrown at you that they all end up blending together. And with that, many of their personalities get lost, especially compared to other characters.
Also, Clare was pretty disappointing as a central protagonist. She has a good backstory, and a few character moments at the end were interesting, but otherwise she just fell flat. So many other members of the cast stood out over her, whether in personality or in arcs. Even her design was one of the more boring ones. There are several chunks throughout the story that take focus away from her that I found easier to get into because someone else was in the center.
Finally, the story didn't hook me as much as others. There are plenty of cool moments, and when I got to the last stretch it was quick to get through. But when I think of other series I've read, especially my favorites, I think of how gripping they were and how hard it was to set them aside even for important things like eating or sleeping. I started Claymore at the end of last year, and there was a point where I put it down and didn't return to it for a couple months. I don't think I ended up forgetting something that is the major difference between liking and loving the series, but I still lost interest for a while and prioritized other stuff. It also doesn't help that Persona 3 Reload came out during this time, a story I ultimately enjoyed a lot more.
Claymore is a bit of a commitment. By no means is it as demanding as, say, One Piece, but if you want to finish it, you have to dedicate some time. And there may be things you're dissatisfied with. I also thought that a major element of the world could have been explored more, but it quickly became a footnote in what was going on. However, if you're a fan of beautiful art and action, and you can put in the time to see it through, then this is something I'd recommend. Especially if you're a fan of intricate monster designs.
I absolutely adore this manga for its breathtaking artwork, compelling characters, intricate plot development, and the medieval setting. The action scenes are thrilling, and the horror fantasy, revenge, and romantic elements blend perfectly to create an engaging read. I found myself quickly purchasing the entire collection because I couldn't wait to dive into the next book.
The story revolves around Clare, a young Claymore—a half-human, half-Yoma hybrid warrior—who fights to protect humans from the monstrous Yoma on behalf of an organization. It is here that she meets Raki, her future traveling companion and potential love interest, who is a human child (though it seems more one-sided from Raki's perspective).
As the narrative unfolds, we delve deeper into the backstories of various characters, both past and present, including the mysterious organization Clare works for. These additional layers add depth and complexity to the overall storyline.
With all its twists and turns, coupled with the aforementioned elements, this manga stands out as an exceptional read. If you've seen the Claymore anime series, I highly recommend reading the manga as well; it offers an even richer experience.
Even if you haven't watched the anime, if you appreciate stunning artwork and well-developed plots, this could very well be your next great read.
Claymore is a story about female warriors who take on the flesh of demons known as yoma, transforming them into half-yoma beings. These warriors are referred to as Claymores. When a Claymore warrior reaches their limits, their demon flesh overtakes their bodies, turning them into awakened beings. While all yoma look identical, the awakened beings each possess unique and fantastically drawn appearances. The story is full of twists and boasts a great plot. However, there is one aspect I must warn you about: the fantastic characters. This manga is filled with remarkable characters, yet the author has a habit of killing them off. The only character guaranteed safety in this manga is the main character, Clare; everyone else could die at any moment. That's the only thing that bothers me about this manga. Other than that, it is fantastic.
Started off with the anime and stopped when it got bad, and I can confidently say that was the right choice.
Going into the story, I was surprised at how much depth the world and the characters had. What I thought would be a brainless and old-fashioned shounen manga turned out to be a highly likeable seinen story. On top of that, the connection and inspiration for AoT within this manga were a very nice find.
Can't wait to continue reading this manga's big bro - Berserk, so I can keep ramping up the quality.
Characters: 9
Story: 9
Art: 8 (gets better towards the end; can get hard to follow fights)
Popular Reviews
This review may seem redundant if its primary goal is to promote this series, given the plethora of stellar reviews already available. However, should you happen upon this unremarkable piece; allow me to impart my reflections on << CLAYMORE >>:
Content: <Capricious> <touching> <thrilling> <upsetting> <comforting>
It's a remarkable narrative with an ostensibly simple premise, yet intricately woven with psychological depth.
A perpetual conflict between <Body> and <Spirit>, <Logic> and <Passion>. A struggle that as a reader, you cannot evade.
As mentioned, the premise is straightforward. One might even deem it trivial. The storyline predominantly centers around its characters, and the world takes form through their <narrative force>. In essence, the world does not mold or restrict its characters. Each significant character resembles a metaphorical lake. The surface is visible, sometimes the water is clear, but some are as dark and unfathomable as an ocean. Characters possess distinct traits, yet they remain unpredictable, susceptible to slight or radical changes depending on their circumstances.
<Good> and <Evil> do exist, but largely shaped by your judgment as the reader. Every faction gets an equally objective spotlight, sharing their motives and core narrative drive with the reader. It isn't always smooth sailing (Well... It seldom is rosy ^^) and these characters will challenge your moral boundaries and preferred course of action.
Personally, I found short bursts of intense reading more enjoyable and captivating than a slower pace. I believe it’s a story best consumed without lingering too long over each chapter. If you spend too much time pondering each segment, it could start feeling quite burdensome to continue. Nevertheless, the finale is absolutely worth it.
I could ramble on in this disorganized manner for some time, but let's leave it at this. Should you wish to learn more, you know where to find the <message bar>.
This is my first time writing a review for a manga, so I'll make it straightforward. Claymore is an amazing piece of art that manages to cover many story arcs. While comparisons can be made, nothing detracts from its originality.
Story: The story begins with a female warrior (Claymore) fighting humanity's archenemy. Initially, we follow her daily life and interactions. The narrative then splits into two parts. It stays fresh yet true to its origins as it progresses, keeping me eager to see what happens next.
Art: The artwork in Claymore is well-executed, using varying levels of detail appropriately. My only critique is the character design; many Claymores look similar, making it hard to distinguish them at times. However, given the large cast with recurring appearances, this can be forgiven.
Character: The characters in Claymore are well-developed, each with unique goals and motivations while maintaining connections with the rest of the cast.
Enjoyment: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Claymore, much more than I expected. I bought it out of fear it might become unavailable soon. After every volume, I was eager for the next, cursing my tired eyes for closing due to lack of sleep.
Overall: I highly recommend this manga for anyone who enjoys battle/fighting, horror, romance, monster, action, or adventure genres. If you see it in the store, I strongly suggest getting yourself a copy.
Claymore is akin to an epic rollercoaster that you can't get enough of, though it occasionally throws in some unexpected twists. Set in a world teeming with shape-shifting Yoma, it follows Claire, a warrior driven by vengeance, as she slashes her way through monsters, gaining powers from the people she meets and the bonds she forms.
The manga creates a world so dark and gritty, you can almost feel the blood and sweat dripping off the pages. Norihiro Yagi's art is like a twisted ballet, with monster designs growing increasingly wilder as the story progresses.
Towards the end, the story somewhat loses its momentum. Suddenly, there's a parade of super-powered monsters, and you're left thinking, "Really? Another one?" It starts feeling like the mangaka is just pulling things out of a hat, which can be a bit of a buzzkill.
Additionally, Raki remains loyal to Claire through thick and thin, even when they're miles apart for what feels like forever. But why? It's as if the story forgot to give him a reason or something. He deserved more spotlight, especially considering the power he attains towards the end.
Despite its flaws, Claymore still delivers a powerful punch. The characters, particularly Claire, undergo significant development. The overall story is nearly a masterpiece but felt a little too drawn out for what it aimed to convey for me.
So yeah, Claymore has an amazing buildup followed by a lengthy plateau that overstays its welcome a bit, but it's still one heck of a ride. If you're into dark fantasy that's equal parts guts and glory, give it a shot. Just be ready for a few detours along the way.
Plot 7/10 - A standard storyline involving fighting monsters, taking down evil powers, and seeking revenge for losing loved ones to those monsters. As the story progresses, it becomes a bit confusing around the halfway point and towards the end, sometimes not making much sense. Overall, I still found it enjoyable.
Art 8/10 - It was refreshing to see such detailed work put into the Claymores, with each having unique facial designs, hair, ears, noses, eyes, etc. The monsters were also well-designed and distinct, though not mind-blowing. The fight scenes were well-drawn and never looked confusing.
Characters 10/10 - Given the large number of Claymores, each had a distinct personality seen through their demeanor and fighting style. I found the main characters to be very enjoyable and well-developed for the most part. Clare, Teresa, Priscilla, and Maria stood out as central figures with significant character development from start to finish. None of the characters came across as annoying, except perhaps Raki as a kid.
Enjoyment 9/10 - The reading experience wasn't difficult and was quite fun. As mentioned, the artwork was excellent, and the characters were enjoyable. The ending was also a nice surprise.
Claymore offers a breathtaking experience, quite literally. The narrative is heavily driven by events, leaving little room for slower, more reflective moments that allow readers to absorb everything. These calmer intervals mostly vanish after the initial few arcs.
Worse yet, these rapid, significant events are primarily action-packed and laden with exposition walls, even during fight sequences. If you're seeking complex morals, deep character development, and rich character interactions, Claymore isn't the manga for you. Don't be misled by comparisons to "Berserk" as female-centric; such parallels only hold on a superficial level.
What sets Claymore apart is its unique style, imaginative world-building, and visually striking monsters and battles. There's value in the vast array of characters and the camaraderie that develops among them, but this isn't what distinguishes it from other battle shonen series. Relationships often develop solely on the battlefield due to the event-driven nature of the manga. For instance, Clare & Raki and Clare & Teresa’s relationships are crucial to both characters and plot, but receive scant chapter focus. However, their pay-offs are exceptional, especially Teresa and Clare's bond, which is profoundly emotional.
Story: 7
The plot of Claymore, despite numerous twists, remains fairly straightforward. The execution suffers due to the rapid pace, leading to wasted character arcs and anticlimactic endings for some hyped villains (like the Abyssal Beings). Nonetheless, the story presents neat concepts, gradually revealing the world's backstory, providing context. The standout is the ending, built naturally on previous elements and fights, delivering an emotional climax. It's so good it nearly earned an 8.
The manga also features well-executed powercreep, explained thoroughly without making supporting characters obsolete. Some inconsistencies arise from keeping many characters relevant, particularly Miria, whose Phantom technique conveniently allows her to counter opponents too fast to see.
Art: 8
I have mixed feelings about the art. Human characters and backgrounds seem simple and unimaginative. With all Claymores looking similar and fights occurring in dull landscapes, recognition becomes challenging. Yet, I still managed to distinguish the various Claymores easily.
The art scores an 8 thanks to the fantastic designs of most Awakened Beings. They are some of the coolest, creepiest, and most unique monsters in manga, enhancing Claymore's aesthetic with their transformations.
Characters: 6
Most characters are straightforward, relying on archetypes but executed well, fitting the plot-driven style. Clare evolves nicely but lacks personality and charisma. Ophelia and Priscilla are strong villains, showcasing the author's adept portrayal of madness. Unlike cartoonish craziness common in action series, they feel like real, unpredictable psychos. Priscilla's instability is handled excellently, blending her emotionless villainy with human traits. Unfortunately, we see too little of her complexities until the story's end.
Teresa stands out as the best character, almost wasted here. Her charisma and badassery are rare, and her arc flows naturally, overshadowing others. Despite great potential, most characters remain basic, justifying a 6.
Enjoyment: 7
Annoying long expositions during fights and fast pacing didn't ruin my overall enjoyment. Its high points, lore, and style make it memorable, with a nearly perfect climax.
Overall - 7
If you enjoy intense shonen fights, dark fantasy vibes, cool female characters, and creepy monsters, and exposition during battles and fast pacing don't bother you, Claymore will likely appeal greatly.
For the record, this is a slightly altered version of my anime review.
Claymore reminds me of Berserk, but with more boobs and less context. That's how I perceive this series.
The strength of Claymore isn't its story, which is quite linear and straightforward for the most part. The basic premise involves fighting fire with fire, where monsters plaguing humanity are dealt with by humans who possess monster abilities. It sounds intriguing to build something around it, but that only happens in terms of character development rather than world-building. So yes, we have monsters and monster hunters in a Medieval-like world. If you expect anything more, you won’t get much beyond vague explanations like “there is this organization here and that band there.” There’s very little information about why the world is as it is until late in the story when it simply changes most of the main characters instead of filling in the blanks. The pacing can be divided into short arcs, each with its own set of monsters and settings. Each arc adds something to the whole, but as I mentioned, it only does so in terms of characterization, not world-building.
All in all, the story is average and doesn’t go anywhere specific, thus scoring less than the base (4).
Characters, on the other hand, are the meat of the series. Most of the selling point revolves around their psychoanalysis and interactions. Claire, the main heroine, starts off as a heartless killing machine, but along the way, we learn a lot about her, making her far more than just a robot without will, blindly following orders and killing things because she was told to. The same applies to most other main characters, such as the rest of the Claymores and the annoying sidekick Raki.
A noteworthy aspect is that this series reverses gender roles. The Claymores are all women yet behave like brutish males, while Raki is a guy who comes across as a spineless idiot better suited as a daddy’s girl. It feels weird, but it’s not necessarily negative.
What does feel negative are the adversaries, the Yoma, who mostly exist as mooks to be killed or generic bosses. We also get very little background on where they come from. Not only that, but they don’t really feel like monsters most of the time. Instead, they’re shape-shifting cannibals with too much human behavior for the gruesome creatures they're supposed to be, making them seem stupid.
But who cares about them? The story focuses on the Claymores, whose worst enemy turns out to be themselves as they gradually transform into Yoma. It’s a nice idea to build something around it, but since the story is loose, it somewhat ruins it. Plus, Raki is an extremely annoying character, incapable of evoking sympathy. He’s supposed to remind Claire that she’s still human and make her feel cozy emotions, but he ends up being a burden, nagging, making unrealistic remarks, getting in the way, and generally causing more trouble than help. Supposedly, that’s what it means to be human, but come on—monsters are eating people alive every day, and he wants everyone to be one big happy family. This stops being humane and becomes utter bullshit. If humans are so naive, then bring on the cunning, cannibalistic Yoma.
In summary, the main cast is interesting and gets lots of immersion but is left without complete catharsis. Enemies outside the frenzied Claymores are cardboard cutouts, and Raki is an ass. Thus, they score a bit above average (6).
The art is excellent in terms of shapes and backgrounds. High on detail with plenty of visual effects and dark palette colors to convey the feeling of a grim world overrun with dread and death.
I found the character figures rather unappealing, as the way the faces were drawn felt odd. Additionally, all Claymores look too much alike due to their identical uniforms, weapons, hair color, and eye color. Also, the common Yoma are drawn too simplistically and human-like, making it easy to see them as merely brawn-skinned bandits with fangs.
Action scenes are okay but not great. Although there’s a lot of gore, most of it involves limbs flying and fountains of blood gushing everywhere. Internal organ anatomy is way off. Most battles don’t last long either.
All in all, the aesthetics are great, but character figures are kind of identical and simple, and there’s very little actual battle duration for such an action-heavy series. Art gets a rather good mark (7).
I don’t find much reread value in this series, given the story is too linear, simple, and has Raki in it (3). My enjoyment is also low (4) because the negatives outweigh the positives.
If this series had more variety in faces, longer battles, more complete world-building, and if Raki died in the first chapter, I would give it a 10.
Claymore is an incredible manga that everyone interested in any type of shounen manga should definitely read! It's set in medieval times, but that detail doesn't matter much. Whether it took place in 2020 or another era wouldn’t make a significant difference; you barely notice the time period while reading.
Firstly, understanding what a Claymore is crucial. A Claymore refers to a woman – not a man – for reasons explained within the manga. She's a demon with a human mind. These Claymores are created by an organization simply known as "the Organization." I don't remember seeing the heads of this organization, but the primary liaison between the Claymores and the organization is a shady guy dressed in black. He assigns their missions: killing yoma (demons). The Claymores can defeat yoma because their bodies are partly demonic. What distinguishes a Claymore from a yoma is that Claymores possess human minds and can control their thirst for human flesh.
The story centers around a boy named Raki. Interestingly, 'Raki' means lucky in Japanese. His entire family gets eaten by a yoma plaguing his town. In response, the townspeople hire a Claymore from the organization to eliminate the threat. Since Claymores are part-demon, they're seen as a necessary evil and feared by all. A Claymore named Clare is dispatched to kill the yoma. While many people in the town fear Clare, Raki does not; he’s grateful for her presence. Ultimately, Clare kills the yoma, and with no family left and rejected by the village, Raki decides to follow Clare on her adventures. The narrative focuses on Clare, her past, her main goal, and achieving it. Unexpected and ingenious events unfold throughout the series. Among the characters, only Clare's past truly matters, as most have similar backgrounds. The storyline is divided into arcs. Many elements are introduced modestly, keeping readers engaged without overwhelming them.
The plot shifts away from Clare's primary goal towards a larger mystery. Clare unravels this mystery with the help of fellow Claymores. This manga stands out because it isn't just about one person being the strongest Claymore. It further shifts focus from Clare and her objectives to reveal hidden motives of other characters, showing how people betray each other. It's really interesting. Claymore is published monthly, sometimes skipping months, yet each release is worth the wait. The pacing isn't too slow, though there is a frequent shift in viewpoints from character to character. For instance, one issue might be about Clare, while the next switches to another character. That's the only annoying part. Otherwise, it's a must-read!
The artwork is excellent, making it easy to understand what's happening without confusion. There isn't much blood depicted, likely to avoid obscuring important details. Instead, there are intense scenes of limb severing, which I find effective. By the 20th volume, the story intensifies, drawing readers deeper into its world.
I recommend waiting until the series is complete before starting, though, or you'll end up frustrated, eager to know what happens next. Regardless, anyone who reads Claymore will fall in love with it instantly.
Claymore, sadly, comes across as a below-average, uninspiring, and easily forgettable read.
Its cast lacks originality, and the Claymore organization, which should be a standout feature, comprises over 40 female monster hunters who look, fight, and behave identically. They are often hailed for strong female representation, but as you become more discerning as a reader, you'll realize they are nothing but a mockery.
-The protagonist, Claire, fails to distinguish herself, seeming like a reused character from another tale. Her journey centers on transitioning from emotionless to feeling, all while traveling with Raki, arguably the series' worst character.
-Raki's role contributes little to the narrative; he mostly causes problems, lacks depth, and inexplicably ends up in a romantic relationship with Claire. His growth is unsatisfactory, disappearing for training only to return capable of taking on multiple Claymores at once—an "evolution" that occurs offscreen, leaving readers unimpressed.
-The main antagonists are equally underwhelming, one turning evil due to power control issues, defeated through an improbable twist. The revelation about the Yoma's origin ties to an unexplored region, further diminishing the story’s impact.
-The overall regard for the story isn't high. It starts with Claire and Raki battling monsters, revealing the Claymore organization's hidden nature midway.
However, it devolves into a battle frenzy akin to DragonBall Z but featuring nearly identical lesbian sword fighters. The finale lacks strategy, relying on random power-ups and resurrected characters to resolve conflicts set against a mundane medieval backdrop.
In conclusion, Claymore's mediocrity overshadows its potential. For a more engaging experience, consider Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series. The Witcher offers a diverse cast, a mythologically-inspired setting, and various formats (books, games, comics, TV) to enjoy the story. This series includes political drama, emotional family moments, magic, thrilling fights, and much more, far surpassing this unfinished manga painting.
If I could give one piece of advice to people about to dive into this series like I did, it would be: don't expect it to be another Berserk. I got myself hyped up thinking it would be a milder version of Berserk when it came to violence. This mainly stems from seeing members of the Death Battle community hoping for a fight between Clare and Guts (and then being disappointed when Guts fought Dimitri from Fire Emblem). In my opinion, it's not as good, but by no means is Claymore bad.
For starters, and perhaps the biggest reason why comparisons with Berserk were made: the art is PHENOMENAL. There's so much detail in every panel. The landscapes, character designs, and creature designs all look amazing. There are few manga that can boast such incredible artwork. I haven't done this yet, but I plan on creating a tab with some panels from the series that I really like (which will be somewhat small, given the surprising amount of nudity in a series available on Shounen Jump). Easily the best part of this series is how breathtakingly beautiful it looks, which extends to the action scenes.
A lot of the series, especially in the latter half, consists of fight scenes against creatures known as Yoma. With those plentiful fights come plentiful moments of great combat. Each monster has unique ways of attacking the Claymores, and each fight lasts a fair amount of time. They rarely fall into the trope of nearing defeat before revealing a new form or attack; in fact, I think only the final antagonist does something like that. On top of that, each of the Claymores have distinct faces and hairstyles, making them easy to tell apart during combat.
Finally, there are some really fun characters sprinkled throughout the story. My favorites were the Claymores Helen and Deneve, who have a friendship where they tend to butt heads a lot. I'm glad that the two of them were featured prominently as the series progressed. There was one scene I enjoyed where Helen was getting drunk and argumentative, leading to quite a bit of humor.
Unfortunately, not all of the characters were that interesting. While their designs were unique, many of their personalities weren't. Given that there are nearly 50 of these warriors, not all of them are going to be featured, but so many names get thrown at you that they all end up blending together. And with that, many of their personalities get lost, especially compared to other characters.
Also, Clare was pretty disappointing as a central protagonist. She has a good backstory, and a few character moments at the end were interesting, but otherwise she just fell flat. So many other members of the cast stood out over her, whether in personality or in arcs. Even her design was one of the more boring ones. There are several chunks throughout the story that take focus away from her that I found easier to get into because someone else was in the center.
Finally, the story didn't hook me as much as others. There are plenty of cool moments, and when I got to the last stretch it was quick to get through. But when I think of other series I've read, especially my favorites, I think of how gripping they were and how hard it was to set them aside even for important things like eating or sleeping. I started Claymore at the end of last year, and there was a point where I put it down and didn't return to it for a couple months. I don't think I ended up forgetting something that is the major difference between liking and loving the series, but I still lost interest for a while and prioritized other stuff. It also doesn't help that Persona 3 Reload came out during this time, a story I ultimately enjoyed a lot more.
Claymore is a bit of a commitment. By no means is it as demanding as, say, One Piece, but if you want to finish it, you have to dedicate some time. And there may be things you're dissatisfied with. I also thought that a major element of the world could have been explored more, but it quickly became a footnote in what was going on. However, if you're a fan of beautiful art and action, and you can put in the time to see it through, then this is something I'd recommend. Especially if you're a fan of intricate monster designs.
I absolutely adore this manga for its breathtaking artwork, compelling characters, intricate plot development, and the medieval setting. The action scenes are thrilling, and the horror fantasy, revenge, and romantic elements blend perfectly to create an engaging read. I found myself quickly purchasing the entire collection because I couldn't wait to dive into the next book.
The story revolves around Clare, a young Claymore—a half-human, half-Yoma hybrid warrior—who fights to protect humans from the monstrous Yoma on behalf of an organization. It is here that she meets Raki, her future traveling companion and potential love interest, who is a human child (though it seems more one-sided from Raki's perspective).
As the narrative unfolds, we delve deeper into the backstories of various characters, both past and present, including the mysterious organization Clare works for. These additional layers add depth and complexity to the overall storyline.
With all its twists and turns, coupled with the aforementioned elements, this manga stands out as an exceptional read. If you've seen the Claymore anime series, I highly recommend reading the manga as well; it offers an even richer experience.
Even if you haven't watched the anime, if you appreciate stunning artwork and well-developed plots, this could very well be your next great read.
Claymore is a story about female warriors who take on the flesh of demons known as yoma, transforming them into half-yoma beings. These warriors are referred to as Claymores. When a Claymore warrior reaches their limits, their demon flesh overtakes their bodies, turning them into awakened beings. While all yoma look identical, the awakened beings each possess unique and fantastically drawn appearances. The story is full of twists and boasts a great plot. However, there is one aspect I must warn you about: the fantastic characters. This manga is filled with remarkable characters, yet the author has a habit of killing them off. The only character guaranteed safety in this manga is the main character, Clare; everyone else could die at any moment. That's the only thing that bothers me about this manga. Other than that, it is fantastic.
Started off with the anime and stopped when it got bad, and I can confidently say that was the right choice.
Going into the story, I was surprised at how much depth the world and the characters had. What I thought would be a brainless and old-fashioned shounen manga turned out to be a highly likeable seinen story. On top of that, the connection and inspiration for AoT within this manga were a very nice find.
Can't wait to continue reading this manga's big bro - Berserk, so I can keep ramping up the quality.
Characters: 9
Story: 9
Art: 8 (gets better towards the end; can get hard to follow fights)
Enjoyment: 9
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