This is unequivocally the finest manga out there. The narrative revolves around girls wielding massive swords, known as Claymores, on a mission to eradicate Yomas—malevolent demons that torment the world. Its intense violence and gore are nothing short of spectacular. The intrigue deepens significantly with the arrival of the Teresa Arc, which delves into Teresa, the mightiest Claymore ever, and her encounter with Clare, the protagonist. This tale captivates through its myriad conflicts and unexpected twists, compelling readers to revisit it time and again. There's also some mild nudity, but it's tastefully done.
This review will primarily focus on what makes Claymore a battle manga, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. I'll briefly share my thoughts on the story, art, and characters.
Story: It's fairly standard and doesn't deviate much from other series with similar structures. The plot is adequate to keep the series moving forward. 7/10.
Art: While the base character designs in Claymore leave something to be desired—many of them look too alike to distinguish—the landscapes are somewhat generic, and the male character models often feel off. However, the awakened beasts' designs truly shine. Each one is uniquely crafted, and I haven't come across an awakened form design that I didn't appreciate. Seeing a creature like Isley's awakened form is genuinely a work of art. 8/10.
Characters: Despite being a character-driven series, none of the characters particularly captivated me or drew me in. In fact, there were more characters I found indifferent towards than those I genuinely liked. The designs and backstories felt rather run-of-the-mill. 6/10.
Now, let's dive into what I really want to discuss. At its core, Claymore is a battle manga, meaning it's a character-driven story structured around the protagonist becoming stronger to achieve their goal. For this reason, the power levels among characters must remain consistent. The main character, Clare, incorporates Teresa's flesh, the most powerful warrior in the series. Within the story, this makes Clare quarter yoma (considering Teresa was half yoma). This ensures Clare cannot surpass Teresa's power at any point, which the story adheres to. It wouldn't make sense for Clare to miraculously become overwhelmingly powerful without reaching her limit.
The scaling of power and progression had been fairly consistent until the latter half of the series. A significant issue in a battle manga is maintaining consistent, believable, and reasonable power levels between characters. My main criticism is that the primary antagonist is excessively overpowered. The hierarchy among the Abyssal Ones was well-established within the series, yet Priscilla has the ability to easily defeat all three of these top-tier fighters, undermining the buildup and making them seem trivial. This is problematic, especially considering Alicia and Beth, who were appropriately comparable to the Abyssal Ones. Introducing even stronger beings beyond the Abyssal Ones diminished my enjoyment and consistency. This issue can be likened to the second half of Part 2 of Naruto, where a select few characters became disproportionately powerful in an uninspired way, disregarding many established characters and their strengths.
This anime is absolutely flawless. No further words are necessary. Every scene in this manga captivates the reader, leaving no room for boredom. Each chapter delivers an unparalleled level of excitement and perfection. What truly stands out is the impeccable balance of power during fights. The strategies are brilliant and never cliché or over-the-top like shouting, "I'm angry, so I'm unleashing my hidden power!" While there might be some moments of sudden strength, they're well-justified and not cheesy. Compared to this, even the battles in Naruto seem dull. The fight scenes here are genuinely thrilling and unmatched.
There's a lot to discuss about this manga, ranging from its narrative to its characters. Initially, I had watched the anime before diving into the manga. I found myself disappointed with the character development and the confusing storyline. Moreover, it felt like the anime was rushed.
At that point, I hadn't touched any manga because I thought reading was a chore, and looking at black-and-white images would bore me to death. Consequently, I was left unsatisfied, wondering what Claymore could have been...
Then one day, I asked myself, "What do you have to lose?" and decided to give it a try, just to see how far I could go before boredom took over.
It never did.
The beginning started off slowly, quite similar to the anime when Claymores were still somewhat mysterious to us. However, that didn't matter to me because the more I read, the more engrossed I became.
The art, though somewhat dated, is incredible. The dialogue and the mysterious atmosphere are perfect for something as dark as Claymore. I couldn't help myself; I wanted to keep reading more and more.
Moving on to the characters, this is where the manga truly shines. There are so many different characters with various distinct traits that it's hard not to feel anything for them. They're wonderfully developed.
Clare initially appeared like any other Claymore on the surface. But as we delve deeper into her story, we realize just how special she is to the plot. She endured a horrific childhood and was abused by Yoma. Then comes Teresa, one of the most powerful Claymores ever, who saves Clare on a whim. Their relationship starts cold and harsh, with Clare desperately wanting to stay with Teresa, even following her for days without food or water. Gradually, their bond evolves into a beautiful mother-daughter relationship...only for it to tragically end with Teresa's sudden murder.
Yep, you guessed it, Clare must seek revenge! But it doesn't start immediately. No, it gradually builds up until Clare is consumed by the feeling.
I focused on Clare because she is my favorite protagonist. Her story is unique and insightful.
Raki was an irritating character both in the manga and the anime initially. However, he soon transforms into a reliable ally for Clare on her journey. He trains to become strong and not rely on Clare, since she saved his life. His character undergoes an even more drastic change later, all for the better.
To reiterate, Claymore has too many characters to cover them all.
Priscilla...that name. If you haven't read the manga, remember that name—it means A LOT. She is the most powerful Awakened Being I've ever seen. The shocker was that she didn't seem like the type. She seemed righteous...with an unstable desire to eliminate all Yoma.
The action in this manga is intense, sometimes making you wonder if the good guys will win, especially when facing someone as ridiculously strong as Priscilla.
I enjoyed every page of it. The first half resembles any action/horror-oriented manga, but the second part is where things get extremely interesting. The Seven Ghosts—that's a name I'll never forget.
It's a must-read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the genre. However, if you're looking for ONLY romance, this WILL disappoint you.
I'll make this review brief. Every aspect of this manga was exceptionally well-crafted, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Occasionally, the time-skip and storyline were somewhat confusing, but I managed to grasp enough to appreciate Claymore. Ultimately, Clare's peace with Raki provided a fantastic conclusion. Though I haven't watched the anime version, I feel this manga is the ideal medium for Clare's tale.
Congratulations to the author for creating such an amazing and enjoyable read. It was simply awesome.
I found "Claymore" to be one of the more enjoyable series I've both read and watched. After falling in love with the anime, I was compelled to read the manga to discover what happened next. It was a rewarding decision as the story and world continued to expand and evolve logically. Although I'm not an artist, I appreciated how each Claymore maintained consistent silver hair and eyes yet possessed unique, recognizable, and often memorable designs. The character growth and power scaling, alongside the battles, were well-paced and mostly felt natural. Throughout the series, I felt that I gained a solid understanding of each character's and group's ideals and motivations. While the ending could be seen as somewhat predictable, the journey there made it thoroughly worth the read.
Monsters known as Yoma roam the world, disguised as humans to blend in while preying on them. However, female warriors called Claymores are fighting to destroy these Yoma. They are humanity's only hope, but they are also half-Yoma themselves, condemned to a life of suppressing their savage urges. Along with this condition, they possess supernatural speed and power, aiding them in their battle against the Yoma.
Claymores do more than hunt down Yoma; they act as a police force for themselves, constantly keeping their Yoma side in check with their human heart. Despite their efforts, they sometimes succumb to their monstrous side, leading to their demise at the hands of another Claymore. This harsh reality is something the main character, Raki, comes to understand, realizing how lonely a Claymore’s life must be.
The storyline of Claymore is dark, yet the artwork is crisp and realistic. Clare is one of my favorite characters in manga, with an impressive personality and appearance. The background art is perfect, light and open, reflecting the society worn down by continuous Yoma attacks. Both the art and story blend wonderfully to create an image of a dark, fantasy world. Claymore isn’t a feel-good story; it portrays a brutal, chaotic world ruled by violence and power-hungry souls.
In my opinion, Claymore is a lighter read compared to Death Note or Fullmetal Alchemist but provides a good mental break from those intense stories. The author isn't afraid to show the dark side of humanity, illustrating how fear and judgment can make us as dark and brutal as the Yoma themselves.
A thrilling adventure through the series. The narrative can be divided into two parts: Part 1 focuses on backstory, character introductions, and setting up for what's to come. Part 2 sees the story flourish from its roots as Clare embarks on a path of vengeance.
I first encountered this manga in an issue of Shounen Jump and was immediately drawn to its unique art style. That’s how I got hooked on the series. Initially, the opening chapters felt slow, and Clare came off as somewhat of a Mary Sue. If not for stumbling upon it in Jump Magazine, I might have thought the manga lacked direction. However, knowing better action was ahead, I kept reading. The deeper I delved, the more addicted I became.
Norihiro Yagi sensei truly showcases impressive talent. The artwork was intricate from the start, and with each new character introduced, it grew even more beautiful. It's remarkable how much diversity Yagi sensei managed to create among light-haired females clad in identical armor. Even though some yoma are grotesque, the meticulous details and fine lines made them fascinating rather than repulsive.
I highly recommend this manga. It offers a fresh take on familiar themes. Its dark atmosphere, stunning art, and well-crafted storytelling make it a must-read. Give it a try! :D
Damn, this story was such a blast. I watched anime ages ago and liked the whole idea, but the messy ending made me hesitate to pick this up.
I've noticed people labeled it as "Female Berserk," but this is a whole different story, and such a comparison somewhat hurts the quality of Claymore. Yes, it is gory, yes, it has messed-up "demons," and yes, the main character seems unable to get a break from suffering. However, the story is driven toward a whole different path.
The premise is that there is a world where sometimes demons pop up and slaughter innocents. As their countermeasure, there are Claymores, silver-eyed witches that share demonic blood and hunt these vile creatures down. Initially, the manga did give off a vibe that it wouldn't kick off in the way it should; the beginning felt slightly drawn out (pace-wise) and characters were harder to connect with (mostly due to a looooot of deaths).
Claymore is a story about accepting yourself, knowing your limits, figuring out your strengths, and finding how not to isolate ourselves due to our flaws. At times, it can be brutal, quite wholesome, or comedic, and I believe the author portrayed the characters' relationships fairly realistically (with a few tropes that hurt this portrayal, but hey... not all tropes are meant to be dodged).
The art style is gorgeous, it goes hand in hand with the creative display of powers/abilities. Characters tended to seem bland at first, but once they are given enough attention, we can see depth in most of them. The story is a blast. I was worried about how it would all wrap up and imagined all the ways it could go bad, and I am thrilled I didn't guess any of them.
The only reason I am dropping the rating by one is the slow start and slightly messy early stage of the final battle(s).
STORY: 6
Claymore tells the tale of "Silver-Eyed Witches," beings who are half-human and half-demon, battling man-eating monsters known as Youma. The central character is a warrior named Claire, and much of the narrative revolves around her quest for vengeance. Although the premise starts simply, it grows more intricate over time. Ultimately, I found the story to be Claymore's weakest link, as it remains fairly predictable. There is one significant twist that introduces unexpected elements, but these aren't utilized effectively throughout the manga (i.e., some things are mentioned but never or barely shown), leading to disappointment, especially since some explanations seem incoherent and more aimed at confusing readers than anything else. There are surprising moments, mainly connected to the fights rather than the plot. Fortunately, everything else is quite good.
ART: 8 - CHARACTER: 7
The artwork is satisfying, with excellent character design making each warrior distinct despite their similarities due to plot reasons and sheer numbers. The monster design is also impressive, featuring some truly menacing demons. It's unfortunate that the environments are not drawn to their full potential, as they could have been more varied and detailed (the medieval setting had so much potential). The fact that landscapes are always destroyed in fights doesn’t help either. As for the characters, they don’t have the deepest characterization but remain enjoyable. Each has nuances that make them interesting, especially the seven main Claymores who are the manga’s protagonists. The villains are hit-and-miss; some are charismatic while others are too cliché with their standard arrogant attitudes stemming from immense power.
ENJOYMENT: 8
Claymore excels in balancing action scenes and plot development. Fights are lengthy and immersive, often resolving just when you're about to get bored, allowing you to catch your breath with explanations, strategies, and more. The pacing is very engaging, keeping you motivated to continue reading. The battles are often dramatic, filled with tension and a bit more blood and dismemberment than your average action manga (not Berserk-level gore, but still notable); they frequently employ strategy, making them less predictable, though sometimes resolved with convenient power-ups in shonen fashion. This was one of my biggest dislikes: despite being a seinen, Claymore uses too many shonen tropes (numbered warriors, convenient power-ups, classes of stronger demons) which limit its overall potential. I wished it were more mature and unconventional in these aspects, given its potential.
Overall, Claymore is a fantasy action manga that doesn't excel particularly in any single aspect, although some are great. The combination works well enough to keep you hooked if you enjoy the genre. I considered giving it an 8, but considering all the flaws, I opted for a 7, better reflecting my overall perspective.
It begins quite impressively. The action sequences are somewhat difficult to follow, though. The plot remains engaging up until around the middle of the series, after which it becomes repetitive and feels more like filler content rather than story progression. Interestingly, it's not as frustrating as my experience with Demon Slayer. The artwork is appealing, and the action scenes are well-drawn, but the series could have been shorter if the author had run out of creative ideas.
Story: 7
Art: 8
Characters: 6
Overall: 7.5
Overall, I would recommend this manga. Personally, I found it more enjoyable compared to Tokyo Ghoul or Demon Slayer. Despite feeling that this manga is longer than necessary, it wasn't as tedious to read as some of the other mentioned series.
How disappointing. I truly hoped this would turn out to be an epic tale. The concept was decent, Claire's background story was captivating, and the artwork was stunning, but the manga as a whole just didn't have that spark or originality.
I wasn't particularly invested in most of the characters, and the battles kept coming one after another without much sense of urgency or stakes. Too many characters looked nearly identical, which made it hard for me to root for them. Some of the powers didn't make sense, and even if the fights had felt worthwhile, I could overlook it. But I was so disengaged from the story that the battles lacked meaning. I wasn't so turned off that I stopped reading, and I did want to see it through to the end. Overall... it was okay.
Popular Reviews
This is unequivocally the finest manga out there. The narrative revolves around girls wielding massive swords, known as Claymores, on a mission to eradicate Yomas—malevolent demons that torment the world. Its intense violence and gore are nothing short of spectacular. The intrigue deepens significantly with the arrival of the Teresa Arc, which delves into Teresa, the mightiest Claymore ever, and her encounter with Clare, the protagonist. This tale captivates through its myriad conflicts and unexpected twists, compelling readers to revisit it time and again. There's also some mild nudity, but it's tastefully done.
A must-read for any manga enthusiast.
This review will primarily focus on what makes Claymore a battle manga, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. I'll briefly share my thoughts on the story, art, and characters.
Story: It's fairly standard and doesn't deviate much from other series with similar structures. The plot is adequate to keep the series moving forward. 7/10.
Art: While the base character designs in Claymore leave something to be desired—many of them look too alike to distinguish—the landscapes are somewhat generic, and the male character models often feel off. However, the awakened beasts' designs truly shine. Each one is uniquely crafted, and I haven't come across an awakened form design that I didn't appreciate. Seeing a creature like Isley's awakened form is genuinely a work of art. 8/10.
Characters: Despite being a character-driven series, none of the characters particularly captivated me or drew me in. In fact, there were more characters I found indifferent towards than those I genuinely liked. The designs and backstories felt rather run-of-the-mill. 6/10.
Now, let's dive into what I really want to discuss. At its core, Claymore is a battle manga, meaning it's a character-driven story structured around the protagonist becoming stronger to achieve their goal. For this reason, the power levels among characters must remain consistent. The main character, Clare, incorporates Teresa's flesh, the most powerful warrior in the series. Within the story, this makes Clare quarter yoma (considering Teresa was half yoma). This ensures Clare cannot surpass Teresa's power at any point, which the story adheres to. It wouldn't make sense for Clare to miraculously become overwhelmingly powerful without reaching her limit.
The scaling of power and progression had been fairly consistent until the latter half of the series. A significant issue in a battle manga is maintaining consistent, believable, and reasonable power levels between characters. My main criticism is that the primary antagonist is excessively overpowered. The hierarchy among the Abyssal Ones was well-established within the series, yet Priscilla has the ability to easily defeat all three of these top-tier fighters, undermining the buildup and making them seem trivial. This is problematic, especially considering Alicia and Beth, who were appropriately comparable to the Abyssal Ones. Introducing even stronger beings beyond the Abyssal Ones diminished my enjoyment and consistency. This issue can be likened to the second half of Part 2 of Naruto, where a select few characters became disproportionately powerful in an uninspired way, disregarding many established characters and their strengths.
This anime is absolutely flawless. No further words are necessary. Every scene in this manga captivates the reader, leaving no room for boredom. Each chapter delivers an unparalleled level of excitement and perfection. What truly stands out is the impeccable balance of power during fights. The strategies are brilliant and never cliché or over-the-top like shouting, "I'm angry, so I'm unleashing my hidden power!" While there might be some moments of sudden strength, they're well-justified and not cheesy. Compared to this, even the battles in Naruto seem dull. The fight scenes here are genuinely thrilling and unmatched.
There's a lot to discuss about this manga, ranging from its narrative to its characters. Initially, I had watched the anime before diving into the manga. I found myself disappointed with the character development and the confusing storyline. Moreover, it felt like the anime was rushed.
At that point, I hadn't touched any manga because I thought reading was a chore, and looking at black-and-white images would bore me to death. Consequently, I was left unsatisfied, wondering what Claymore could have been...
Then one day, I asked myself, "What do you have to lose?" and decided to give it a try, just to see how far I could go before boredom took over.
It never did.
The beginning started off slowly, quite similar to the anime when Claymores were still somewhat mysterious to us. However, that didn't matter to me because the more I read, the more engrossed I became.
The art, though somewhat dated, is incredible. The dialogue and the mysterious atmosphere are perfect for something as dark as Claymore. I couldn't help myself; I wanted to keep reading more and more.
Moving on to the characters, this is where the manga truly shines. There are so many different characters with various distinct traits that it's hard not to feel anything for them. They're wonderfully developed.
Clare initially appeared like any other Claymore on the surface. But as we delve deeper into her story, we realize just how special she is to the plot. She endured a horrific childhood and was abused by Yoma. Then comes Teresa, one of the most powerful Claymores ever, who saves Clare on a whim. Their relationship starts cold and harsh, with Clare desperately wanting to stay with Teresa, even following her for days without food or water. Gradually, their bond evolves into a beautiful mother-daughter relationship...only for it to tragically end with Teresa's sudden murder.
Yep, you guessed it, Clare must seek revenge! But it doesn't start immediately. No, it gradually builds up until Clare is consumed by the feeling.
I focused on Clare because she is my favorite protagonist. Her story is unique and insightful.
Raki was an irritating character both in the manga and the anime initially. However, he soon transforms into a reliable ally for Clare on her journey. He trains to become strong and not rely on Clare, since she saved his life. His character undergoes an even more drastic change later, all for the better.
To reiterate, Claymore has too many characters to cover them all.
Priscilla...that name. If you haven't read the manga, remember that name—it means A LOT. She is the most powerful Awakened Being I've ever seen. The shocker was that she didn't seem like the type. She seemed righteous...with an unstable desire to eliminate all Yoma.
The action in this manga is intense, sometimes making you wonder if the good guys will win, especially when facing someone as ridiculously strong as Priscilla.
I enjoyed every page of it. The first half resembles any action/horror-oriented manga, but the second part is where things get extremely interesting. The Seven Ghosts—that's a name I'll never forget.
It's a must-read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the genre. However, if you're looking for ONLY romance, this WILL disappoint you.
I'll make this review brief. Every aspect of this manga was exceptionally well-crafted, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Occasionally, the time-skip and storyline were somewhat confusing, but I managed to grasp enough to appreciate Claymore. Ultimately, Clare's peace with Raki provided a fantastic conclusion. Though I haven't watched the anime version, I feel this manga is the ideal medium for Clare's tale.
Congratulations to the author for creating such an amazing and enjoyable read. It was simply awesome.
I found "Claymore" to be one of the more enjoyable series I've both read and watched. After falling in love with the anime, I was compelled to read the manga to discover what happened next. It was a rewarding decision as the story and world continued to expand and evolve logically. Although I'm not an artist, I appreciated how each Claymore maintained consistent silver hair and eyes yet possessed unique, recognizable, and often memorable designs. The character growth and power scaling, alongside the battles, were well-paced and mostly felt natural. Throughout the series, I felt that I gained a solid understanding of each character's and group's ideals and motivations. While the ending could be seen as somewhat predictable, the journey there made it thoroughly worth the read.
Monsters known as Yoma roam the world, disguised as humans to blend in while preying on them. However, female warriors called Claymores are fighting to destroy these Yoma. They are humanity's only hope, but they are also half-Yoma themselves, condemned to a life of suppressing their savage urges. Along with this condition, they possess supernatural speed and power, aiding them in their battle against the Yoma.
Claymores do more than hunt down Yoma; they act as a police force for themselves, constantly keeping their Yoma side in check with their human heart. Despite their efforts, they sometimes succumb to their monstrous side, leading to their demise at the hands of another Claymore. This harsh reality is something the main character, Raki, comes to understand, realizing how lonely a Claymore’s life must be.
The storyline of Claymore is dark, yet the artwork is crisp and realistic. Clare is one of my favorite characters in manga, with an impressive personality and appearance. The background art is perfect, light and open, reflecting the society worn down by continuous Yoma attacks. Both the art and story blend wonderfully to create an image of a dark, fantasy world. Claymore isn’t a feel-good story; it portrays a brutal, chaotic world ruled by violence and power-hungry souls.
In my opinion, Claymore is a lighter read compared to Death Note or Fullmetal Alchemist but provides a good mental break from those intense stories. The author isn't afraid to show the dark side of humanity, illustrating how fear and judgment can make us as dark and brutal as the Yoma themselves.
A thrilling adventure through the series. The narrative can be divided into two parts: Part 1 focuses on backstory, character introductions, and setting up for what's to come. Part 2 sees the story flourish from its roots as Clare embarks on a path of vengeance.
I first encountered this manga in an issue of Shounen Jump and was immediately drawn to its unique art style. That’s how I got hooked on the series. Initially, the opening chapters felt slow, and Clare came off as somewhat of a Mary Sue. If not for stumbling upon it in Jump Magazine, I might have thought the manga lacked direction. However, knowing better action was ahead, I kept reading. The deeper I delved, the more addicted I became.
Norihiro Yagi sensei truly showcases impressive talent. The artwork was intricate from the start, and with each new character introduced, it grew even more beautiful. It's remarkable how much diversity Yagi sensei managed to create among light-haired females clad in identical armor. Even though some yoma are grotesque, the meticulous details and fine lines made them fascinating rather than repulsive.
I highly recommend this manga. It offers a fresh take on familiar themes. Its dark atmosphere, stunning art, and well-crafted storytelling make it a must-read. Give it a try! :D
Damn, this story was such a blast. I watched anime ages ago and liked the whole idea, but the messy ending made me hesitate to pick this up.
I've noticed people labeled it as "Female Berserk," but this is a whole different story, and such a comparison somewhat hurts the quality of Claymore. Yes, it is gory, yes, it has messed-up "demons," and yes, the main character seems unable to get a break from suffering. However, the story is driven toward a whole different path.
The premise is that there is a world where sometimes demons pop up and slaughter innocents. As their countermeasure, there are Claymores, silver-eyed witches that share demonic blood and hunt these vile creatures down. Initially, the manga did give off a vibe that it wouldn't kick off in the way it should; the beginning felt slightly drawn out (pace-wise) and characters were harder to connect with (mostly due to a looooot of deaths).
Claymore is a story about accepting yourself, knowing your limits, figuring out your strengths, and finding how not to isolate ourselves due to our flaws. At times, it can be brutal, quite wholesome, or comedic, and I believe the author portrayed the characters' relationships fairly realistically (with a few tropes that hurt this portrayal, but hey... not all tropes are meant to be dodged).
The art style is gorgeous, it goes hand in hand with the creative display of powers/abilities. Characters tended to seem bland at first, but once they are given enough attention, we can see depth in most of them. The story is a blast. I was worried about how it would all wrap up and imagined all the ways it could go bad, and I am thrilled I didn't guess any of them.
The only reason I am dropping the rating by one is the slow start and slightly messy early stage of the final battle(s).
STORY: 6
Claymore tells the tale of "Silver-Eyed Witches," beings who are half-human and half-demon, battling man-eating monsters known as Youma. The central character is a warrior named Claire, and much of the narrative revolves around her quest for vengeance. Although the premise starts simply, it grows more intricate over time. Ultimately, I found the story to be Claymore's weakest link, as it remains fairly predictable. There is one significant twist that introduces unexpected elements, but these aren't utilized effectively throughout the manga (i.e., some things are mentioned but never or barely shown), leading to disappointment, especially since some explanations seem incoherent and more aimed at confusing readers than anything else. There are surprising moments, mainly connected to the fights rather than the plot. Fortunately, everything else is quite good.
ART: 8 - CHARACTER: 7
The artwork is satisfying, with excellent character design making each warrior distinct despite their similarities due to plot reasons and sheer numbers. The monster design is also impressive, featuring some truly menacing demons. It's unfortunate that the environments are not drawn to their full potential, as they could have been more varied and detailed (the medieval setting had so much potential). The fact that landscapes are always destroyed in fights doesn’t help either. As for the characters, they don’t have the deepest characterization but remain enjoyable. Each has nuances that make them interesting, especially the seven main Claymores who are the manga’s protagonists. The villains are hit-and-miss; some are charismatic while others are too cliché with their standard arrogant attitudes stemming from immense power.
ENJOYMENT: 8
Claymore excels in balancing action scenes and plot development. Fights are lengthy and immersive, often resolving just when you're about to get bored, allowing you to catch your breath with explanations, strategies, and more. The pacing is very engaging, keeping you motivated to continue reading. The battles are often dramatic, filled with tension and a bit more blood and dismemberment than your average action manga (not Berserk-level gore, but still notable); they frequently employ strategy, making them less predictable, though sometimes resolved with convenient power-ups in shonen fashion. This was one of my biggest dislikes: despite being a seinen, Claymore uses too many shonen tropes (numbered warriors, convenient power-ups, classes of stronger demons) which limit its overall potential. I wished it were more mature and unconventional in these aspects, given its potential.
Overall, Claymore is a fantasy action manga that doesn't excel particularly in any single aspect, although some are great. The combination works well enough to keep you hooked if you enjoy the genre. I considered giving it an 8, but considering all the flaws, I opted for a 7, better reflecting my overall perspective.
It begins quite impressively. The action sequences are somewhat difficult to follow, though. The plot remains engaging up until around the middle of the series, after which it becomes repetitive and feels more like filler content rather than story progression. Interestingly, it's not as frustrating as my experience with Demon Slayer. The artwork is appealing, and the action scenes are well-drawn, but the series could have been shorter if the author had run out of creative ideas.
Story: 7
Art: 8
Characters: 6
Overall: 7.5
Overall, I would recommend this manga. Personally, I found it more enjoyable compared to Tokyo Ghoul or Demon Slayer. Despite feeling that this manga is longer than necessary, it wasn't as tedious to read as some of the other mentioned series.
How disappointing. I truly hoped this would turn out to be an epic tale. The concept was decent, Claire's background story was captivating, and the artwork was stunning, but the manga as a whole just didn't have that spark or originality.
I wasn't particularly invested in most of the characters, and the battles kept coming one after another without much sense of urgency or stakes. Too many characters looked nearly identical, which made it hard for me to root for them. Some of the powers didn't make sense, and even if the fights had felt worthwhile, I could overlook it. But I was so disengaged from the story that the battles lacked meaning. I wasn't so turned off that I stopped reading, and I did want to see it through to the end. Overall... it was okay.
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