Mugen no Juunin

TL;DR: If you can handle gore, this is a must-read. I recommend listening to "Sowulo - SOL (2016) album" for the full experience—it complements the story perfectly.

Story 10/10
I won't reveal anything about the plot, so don't worry.
It's a gory samurai-era tale as the cover suggests, but with a twist:

1. A touch of science fiction and medical knowledge.
2. Multiple arcs, few boring ones.
3. Many characters—no single protagonist, which keeps things interesting and easy to follow.
4. The excitement builds up like a roller coaster, slowing down occasionally before hitting thrilling peaks in upcoming chapters.
5. Not your typical samurai wisdom; instead, it offers a semi-modern take that’s enjoyable.
6. Mind-blowing ending.

Characters 10/10
This gem shines through its characters. Everyone has highs and lows, no one is invincible. The dialogue is impressive, and it's what I loved most about the series, alongside the main story. Characters are easy to follow from their speech patterns and artwork. Each character has a motive, backstory, principles, and sufficient screen (paper) time.

Art 9/10
The art is among the best I've seen, second only to Vagabond. This manga excels in every aspect except for the art, which still can't be denied. Every character feels unique, and the art improves with each chapter. People look authentically Japanese, and the shading is top-notch.

Enjoyment 10/10
To sum it up in one sentence: "Just one more chapter, then I'll stop."

Overall 10/10
Read the manga while listening to the mentioned album, and it becomes a whole new experience.

Blade of the Immortal - A Protagonist without Flaws

Blade of the Immortal stands out for its unique premise, yet it stumbles in various aspects, particularly characterization and presentation. Set in Japan's Edo period, the historical backdrop often feels underdeveloped. Labeling this manga merely as a product of its time undermines its potential. A well-crafted samurai manga should immerse readers in a vivid world, highlighting the period's intricacies like weapons, social structures, and cultural nuances. For instance, aside from a brief appearance of a kusarigama in the prelude, weaponry details are lacking. The protagonist wields a sword, but the lack of specifics leaves gaps in understanding.

What sets Blade of the Immortal apart? The answer is complex due to narrative and thematic issues. Translation quality significantly impacts the reader's experience. Many Western editions suffer from translation problems that obscure dialogue and character development intent. Additionally, reversing panels contrary to traditional manga reading order adds confusion, diluting the artwork and narrative flow.

The characters possess nuanced depths, but accessing these requires immense patience. Readers must sift through layers of dialogue to uncover motivations and personalities. Emotional connections between Manji, the protagonist, and others often feel insignificant and lacking depth. His immortality diminishes the stakes of interactions. When a character can return to life, their struggles and relationships lose weight.

Manji’s quest is driven by his curse: "This immortality will not go away until I kill 1,000 evil men." While this presents a tantalizing goal, it introduces a flaw in his character arc. If his existence is invulnerable, does defeating enemies matter? His immortality feels like an overpowering advantage undercutting narrative tension.

Moreover, Manji’s reflections on purpose further complicate his character. In the first chapter, he states, "A person cannot live without objectives, control, vengeance, or atonement," suggesting he lacks vital motivations. A compelling protagonist needs clear and relatable goals, seen in successful works like Vagabond or Lone Wolf and Cub. Musashi’s philosophical exploration or Ogami Itto’s relentless pursuit of vengeance creates compelling narratives. In contrast, Manji feels like a vessel for the narrative rather than an engaging character with purpose. If he questions his motivations, how can readers remain invested?

This lack of clarity creates a disconnect, making it challenging to root for Manji. Absence of a clear moral compass leads to questions about his actions: hero or villain? This ambiguity can leave readers feeling trapped in a directionless narrative, compelled to read out of obligation rather than genuine interest.

Another critical aspect is the mishandling of licensing for Blade of the Immortal in the West. Confusion surrounding publication results in mirrored panels disrupting the reading experience. Manga relies on specific layout and flow; disrupting this hinders immersion. Western editions often feature altered content, leading to discrepancies alienating readers familiar with the source material. As a raw manga reader, I find these changes frustrating and disrespectful to the original creation.

In my experience reading the Brazilian edition, it adheres closely to the Japanese version, which is a relief. However, it has flaws; colors are not saturated enough, resulting in a less vibrant presentation failing to do justice to the artwork. This is especially disappointing for a manga relying heavily on visuals to convey mood and atmosphere.

Ultimately, Blade of the Immortal faces challenges in narrative structure and presentation. Reading experiences are often arduous due to graphical and translation issues. While the concept has potential, execution leaves much to be desired. One wonders what this story could have achieved with more clarity and depth.

"Did anything change? Even the tiniest bit? I wanted someone to witness it if it did. Be it 10 years from now or even a 100 years from now, that's all I ask of you."

Story-(9/10)

Manji, our protagonist who is infamously known as "hundred man killer" for killing 100 innocent men, is granted immortality by a mysterious old hag using blood worms. In return, Manji pledges to kill 1000 evil men to atone for his past deeds. On his journey, he meets Rin, who seeks Manji's assistance in avenging her parents' murder. The journey is yours to read, but I can tell you this is not just your average revenge plot. It's beautiful to witness how this develops into a more complex story using only revenge as its base. The people they meet, the dilemmas they face, and the separations they endure make this a thrilling read worthy of every second of your time.

Art-(10/10)

This is one of those manga where you can see the mangaka's growth as the chapters progress. The development in his art is astonishing, and the transformation from pencil sketches to digital art is breathtaking. It's as clean as ever with top-notch detailing. Volume covers and chapter banners are stories of their own; I looked forward to them every time I finished a chapter, hoping to start the next one with mesmerizing art, and I was never disappointed, not even a bit.

Character-(10/10)

For me, characters are the most important aspect in an anime-manga. They are the soul epicenter of any story, no matter how great the art is. If the characters aren't up to that standard, then everything is wasted. Be it million-dollar animation or out-of-this-world artwork, a great character cast will carry anything. And this manga provides you that. Our protagonist Manji, despite being immortal, is not presented as an overpowered character but portrayed as very much killable. This manga has one of the best antagonists/side characters called Shira, whom you'll hate every part of, I can bet on it. As for our main character Anotsu, I wasn't even sure if I should hate him or side with him till the end. The mangaka has poured his heart and soul into writing this manga, and it shows. Each character is on their own journey, and you will follow them all in their quest.

Enjoyment and Overall-(10/10)

I don't care if I sound biased, but genuinely, I enjoyed each and every page reading this. For which this is one of my favorite manga right now. Hate me for this, but I rate it among the ranks of Vagabond and Berserk. I would recommend this to anyone who is into the samurai genre and isn't bothered by gore and tortures. If you can't stand it, then maybe this isn't for you. Blade of the Immortal is a journey, so remember to enjoy it at your own pace. Also, just realized this is my first manga review, haha.

"For endless life to witness endless death"

Thank you for reading!

“The greatest part of revenge isn't for the person who died. It's for oneself.”

Wow. What an intense ride "Blade of Immortal" was for me. I got interested in the manga through the 13-episode anime, based on the first 44 chapters. But the anime adaptation didn't resonate with viewers and the show was cancelled, so I decided to pick up the manga to see what happened to Rin, Manji, and Anotsu. If you are a bit sensitive, this manga is certainly not for you. It contains a lot of detailed violence, deaths, blood, gore, torture, and rape in a very realistic way (tip: see the Seinen tag). To say the least, this is a very dark and non-uplifting story. Why did I give it a 10 then? Because even if the story is very dark, it is also very, very good. It's detailed, well thought through, and has very human and gripping characters. And the art... WOW. I will give a more detailed version below of why "Blade" made such a huge impression on me.

Story: 10/10

Revenge stories aren't new and are often used as plot bases in many mediums. Some are pretty empty, some are good, and then we have the amazing ones. "Blade" definitely belongs to the latter. In a historical and very believable setting, we get to follow Rin on her quest for revenge for her brutally murdered parents. To her help, she has Manji, the 100-man-slayer. The ones responsible are an outlawed samurai clan named Itto-ryu led by Anotsu Kagehisa. Itto-ryu's members aren't happy about how weak and bigoted the art of the sword and war have become in that time and age. So they are on a quest to destroy all dojos still practicing old sword techniques and rules to build a new era with their rules. Rin's father and mother were murdered for that reason. And Rin's path for revenge and pursuit of Anotsu is far from straight, which makes this story so much more believable and heart-gripping to me.

The best part with the story is that it isn't one-sided. We get to know all sides of this revenge and historical drama, and what motivates all characters. So what first may appear as a very black-and-white story soon blurs out to a wide grey area. Actions always get consequences. The setting, the politics, and the characters and their relationships are all very realistic. I can imagine that that era in Japan was much like the one we are shown (minus immortal humans, that is). We get a lot of Japanese history, geography, and culture in the story - in an interesting and story-filling way. It never felt boring or out of place; it just made the whole scene so much deeper and vivid. It was a hard and unforgiving climate during this era, where small crimes could be a reason for execution, and the strong ruled the weak.

Art: 10/10

I can definitely understand why it took Hiroaki Samura 19 years to finish "Blade." The art is freaking awesome - and original. Each panel is so rich in detail and shadowing that sometimes it could have been mistaken for a black-and-white photo. Hiroaki has even taken his time to draw single hair strands - that says something. The character designs are very realistic, characteristic, and detailed (no oversized boobs, eyes, or disproportionate bodies here) - each individual has been given personal memorable traits. I think that made the story so much more believable and hardcore. Facial and body expressions are in most cases flawless - I could really feel their pain, sadness, etc. And extra credit for the unreal good fighting panels. No shortcuts taken. Body and weapon movements are so detailed and technically correct that it outclasses most mangas so much it's not even funny. Some of these panels can be a bit "shadowy," but it's meant to be so. It showcases the speed of the movement, often without you missing out on what happens. Brilliant. Speaking of the weapons. Wow.. Such detail and variation. Many characters have their own weapons of choice (you can read about the weapons in more detail in an appendix to the manga), which Hiroaki has displayed in a very impressive manner. The backgrounds are a masterpiece in themselves. Unbelievable details and shadowing. How often do you feel like you are in a winter landscape in a black-and-white print? Not often, but here you can almost feel the snowflakes land on your cheek. By far the best art I have seen so far in a manga.

Characters: 10/10

I think I have mentioned that all characters felt very realistic and believable. The way they reasoned, the way they expressed emotions, and the way they acted felt.. in lack of better words.. very human. From inexperienced teenagers to ice-cold serial killers. It made me feel something for all the characters, and many times it was hard for me to pick sides (ok, in some cases it was pretty clear who you wanted to be sliced up - looking at you Shira). All characters had well-developed personalities and character developments. I could really feel what kind of person they were, and the reasons behind their actions. All main and supporting characters are getting detailed backgrounds and own chapters dedicated to them, so most of them are really well fleshed out.

Rin starts out with a very naive idea of how strong she is and how she is going to get her revenge. Throughout her journey, she learns how powerless she is, and she starts to get doubts about her way to get revenge. A lot of people get hurt in her wake, and that makes her question the purity of her motives. Most of all, Manji, who gets hurt a lot throughout their journey, much due to her bad choices. Rin's frequent encounters with Anotsu also give her doubts about whether she is actually going to kill him; a lot of what he says makes a huge impression on her. All those things make her waver in her righteousness and decision to take revenge.

Manji takes it upon himself to be Rin's bodyguard much due to guilt over his little sister's death (Rin resembles his dead sister a lot) and as redemption for all the innocent lives he took. Even though his character doesn't develop so much, I like him more for his personality. Manji is a roughie with a good heart. He goes out of his way to protect Rin and give her revenge. He trains her in fighting skills and the way of life she has chosen. He smokes his pipe and drinks sake, and loves his naps. More than naps, he loves sword fights. Always entering a battle, he has this crazy evil happy smile. I love it. Even though he is immortal, Manji feels pain. And he gets a lot of heavy punishment throughout the story - sometimes I was like, "come on Hiroaki, give the guy a break." But he takes it all and goes into the next battle with the same crazy evil happy smile.

"Blade" has so many interesting and captivating characters. Anotsu (who I really wanted to see dead in the beginning) really grows on you. You get to know his past and the reasons he's doing things the way he does. It doesn't make the things he does right or good, but more understandable. He also feels love and compassion, which are shown mostly in his relationship with Makie. Speaking of Makie. One of the most badass fighters in manga history. She uses a kind of double-edged three-way-split spear that she can take out half a dojo within no time at all, without getting a drop of blood on her. Her fighting scenes are freaking awesome. Makie is one of the characters that moved me the most. Her past and her life are just too sad, and because she is that good at killing, she doesn't enjoy it at all. She always (battles and otherwise) has this sad face and eyes that just make your heart ache. Taito, Hyakurin, and Giichi are also all fantastic characters, with fleshed-out backgrounds and character developments. Just amazing to follow them throughout the manga. Shira can be the most sick and evil character I've ever encountered. He makes many lives a living hell for many of the characters. He is a psychotic sadistic serial killer who really enjoys slowly and painfully killing his victims. If you happen to be a woman, rape during those sessions is highly likely. I have never wanted a character dead more than him. Credit to you, Hiromaki, you really created a character that evokes feelings of pure hate and disgust.

Enjoyment: 10/10

Even though the story many times grows really, really dark, it was awesome. The details in the story (credit for all the research in history, swordsmanship, martial arts, and politics), amazing characters and character developments, and the fantastic art made this a lifetime memorable experience for me. Yes, I needed to take some breaks to collect myself after an extra intense sequence, but I was soon back on it again because I just had to know what was going to happen next. Not for a moment was it dull, boring, or uninteresting for me. I enjoyed all of it in its hardcore dark design.

Overall: 10/10

An incredible and fascinating revenge saga, with a heavy focus on the characters and what happens to them. All of it felt original and unique. I could really feel the characters' emotions and struggles; they all really gripped me. I'm going to buy this and keep it in my collection for sure. I can really recommend this to those of you who are into good revenge stories with a lot of blood and fighting, emotional rides, and complex and interesting characters. You absolutely won't regret it.

Rather than viewing this as a historic seinen, it's more fitting to consider it a gory action shounen set in a generic feudal Japan. Almost none of the characters or events depicted are real, and even the weapons they use lean towards fiction.

Looking at it from this perspective, the story becomes very engaging and well-rounded. Its only downside, aside from a somewhat clumsy first volume, is the unnecessary cruelty displayed by one character. Even if you aim to portray a crude world, there's no need to intentionally create the most sadistic character imaginable...

I'll be direct - Blade is an action-packed samurai manga with stunning art and cool concepts fitting its setting. Read it only if this appeals to you.

Now, let's dive into the details:

One of the most impressive aspects, making it feel like a rich samurai tale set in Japan's Edo period, is how the story spans various locations and explores numerous relevant concepts. You can easily spot these little advanced and smart elements that elevate it beyond a typical action manga. I appreciate seeing all four seasons throughout the manga, with my favorites being autumn and winter during the third and fourth acts (the final one). The last act, taking place amid heavy snowfall, was particularly enjoyable - something I'd love to see more of in other manga.

Plot: The storyline is straightforward but features strong plotting due to conflicts among multiple characters and factions, each with compelling reasons for their opposition. Rin and Manji are our protagonists pursuing Anotsu Kagehisa, the main antagonist. Anotsu's faction is hunted by a special secret group led by someone who opposes both Anotsu and our protagonists, adding more layers and drama to the mix.

Characters: This is another standout aspect, alongside the artwork. Blade boasts a great cast with well-developed backstories and motivations. When they clash, you don't want them to die, and I found myself rooting for many of them. The female characters are especially strong; none are useless or mere damsels in distress. In fact, the most skilled fighter is a woman named Makie. Anotsu Kagehisa makes for a fantastic antagonist, embodying the "end justifies the means" philosophy. His character arc is filled with great moments from start to finish, and his relationship with Makie adds depth, making him even more likable.

Artwork: It's no exaggeration to say Blade has some of my top five favorite art in manga. It starts off strong and evolves into something breathtaking in the latter half, featuring excellent panel flow, beautifully choreographed action sequences, and some of the best perspective shots.

Enjoyment: The manga has a slow start, requiring around 30 chapters to truly engage as side characters are introduced. However, each subsequent act surpasses the previous one in quality. For fans of samurai-themed manga, once you get past the initial weak phase, you're likely to enjoy it immensely.

This is the very first manga I've ever read, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. After returning from a long break, I'm almost done collecting the deluxe editions.

I adore the entire storyline and how everything came together towards the end. Each story arc plays a crucial role in developing the main characters. I give a solid 10/10 for both the characters and their designs.

The art style is particularly impressive, especially during the fight scenes. The choreography makes every battle thrilling, unlike some other series where fights can feel dull and rigid. There are even fighters stronger than Manji, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the battles.

The chemistry and dynamics between various characters are fantastic, especially between Kagehisa and Makie.

This manga is incredibly badass. If you enjoy a compelling story, well-developed characters, and plenty of action, while being okay with some gore, you're sure to love this manga too.

This manga is truly exceptional. Although I'm not typically into samurai stories—I prefer sci-fi and fantasy—the striking artwork immediately caught my eye. The clean, precise lines create stunning, intricate drawings that are both beautiful and complex. However, there are moments where the action can be a bit confusing to follow. What really surprised me was the sheer amount of violence and gore in this manga. To be honest, it's quite intense.

At first, the storyline didn't seem particularly special, but as I kept reading, the plot began to take shape and introduce us to Rin and Manji. Their personalities are polar opposites, which leads to plenty of conflicts between them. I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this manga, and overall, it’s an incredible piece of art. Just make sure you have a strong stomach for it!

Happy reading! ;)

It's a fantastic series, but is Hiroaki Samura gay? His self-insert character Shira seems to be. He mentioned that he doesn't find the female body sexually arousing but rather finds facial expressions and voices more appealing. Shira couldn't feel anything physically, but he could still hear and see. That's suspicious. But it's this uniqueness that makes the series stand out, just like the artwork. I started reading this manga because of Love of the Brute. While I'm not a fan of torture porn, Samura's pencil work is exceptional. The characters felt like real adults compared to the typical teenage protagonists in most manga today. They were realistic, and I think you'll enjoy this.

Trigger Warnings: Sexual Violence (implied/shown), gore (seriously, it gets gruesome at times), torture

Story: 10/10
Brilliant, masterfully crafted narrative. The manga features numerous distinct plot threads that gradually converge into an epic conclusion. This is not your standard revenge tale; there were moments when I genuinely couldn't decide whom to root for. Character-driven storytelling reaches its zenith here, where each action has far-reaching consequences propelling the next arc. The story pulls no punches, showing characters permanently damaged both physically and mentally, adding gravity to their decisions. Expect nail-biting tension. Minor pacing issues aside, this remains a solid 10/10.

Art: 9/10
Superb artwork with intricate details, especially during the snowy winter scenes of the final arc, which felt natural and never cartoonish. Panels flow smoothly, making for a pleasurable read. Fight scenes are beautifully illustrated and well choreographed. However, sometimes the panels became too cluttered, detracting from the clarity of the action. Character designs are distinct yet realistic, essential given the recurring cast. Dark Horse Comics' English translation adapts the reading direction without significantly impacting the experience.

Characters: 10/10
All characters are well-written and believable, with realistic personalities and motivations driving the plot. No forced actions here. Even those committing heinous acts have clear goals, making them more than just evil for evil's sake. Though most characters are despicable, they remain believable, crucial for the tragic "Beware the Cycle of Revenge" message. Fights are tense as you struggle to pick sides. The author excels in character development, slowly building up a large cast throughout the manga. This makes every side of the conflict sympathetic. As others noted, this manga thrives on its characters, forming a strong foundation.

Overall: 10/10
A masterpiece within the samurai manga genre, boasting a complex plot and well-crafted characters. If you can handle gore and extreme violence, this is highly recommended.

Good
• Exceptional fight scenes. Tense and unpredictable.
• Complex plot with multiple interwoven subplots.
• Deeply developed characters.
• Shifting alliances due to changing circumstances.
• Innovative use of panel formats, such as a 4koma-like style for fast-paced sequences.
• Balanced with lighter chapters and comedy relief to prevent overwhelming gloominess.

Bad
• Occasionally confusing fight scenes.
• At times, it feels overly dark and edgy with excessive gore and sexual violence.
• Every female character suffers from damsel-in-distress syndrome, even supposed bad-asses.
• Initial pacing problems, resembling a "villain of the week" format before the main story takes over.

Extra Subjective
• Initially, stylized splash pages ended fight scenes but quickly ceased, improving the manga's overall tone. While the art is great, these pages felt like posters rather than manga panels, giving an uncharacteristic cartoony feel to otherwise dramatic chapters.

When Rin seeks vengeance for the brutal murder and rape of her family by the Itto-Ryu, a rival sword school, she enlists the help of Manji, an immortal swordsman. However, the situation is far from straightforward. As Rin witnesses how her quest for revenge impacts the lives of others and learns more about her adversaries, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to rationalize her objectives. The story's most compelling aspect lies in its character development, masterfully blurring the lines between "good" and "evil." Truly, nearly every character is so relatable that you find yourself without a clear side to support or oppose, which can be quite maddening!

Beyond this intricate character work, the manga offers a rich tapestry of political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and intense drama, alongside copious amounts of action. Some of the fight scenes are among the bloodiest I've ever encountered, and that's saying something for someone who reads Berserk! Despite his immortality, Manji is far from invincible; in fact, his condition means he endures significantly more damage than the average fighter. Adding to the mix, the artwork is simply stunning.