Vagabond

I can't quite put into words what this manga means to me, but all I know is that I adore it with every fiber of my being. While many people consider Berserk their ultimate manga (and yes, I love Berserk too), for me, Vagabond holds the top spot.

When I first picked up Vagabond, I thought it was just a historical action-adventure story. Little did I know, it would teach me profound life lessons and reshape my perspective on life itself. It has helped me feel more at peace with myself and the world, which is why I hold this manga so dear.

Vagabond isn't merely about katanas and samurais; it delves deep into philosophy and the essence of living. The artwork is stunning—I'm not usually a fan of realism, yet I found these illustrations absolutely captivating.

Beyond its philosophical depth, Vagabond also features some incredibly intense action scenes that any fan of dynamic battles will appreciate!

I have a profound affection for the first half of this work. Characters that I adore include Musashi (obviously), Kojiro, and the priest (though I must admit, I've forgotten his name). Inshun is another favorite, but he disappeared after his battle with Musashi, which was quite disappointing. This manga offers numerous lessons about life, many of which resonate deeply with me.

The art is simply phenomenal—amazing in every sense of the word. Initially, I was skeptical about the semi-realistic art style, but it truly stands out. I am a big fan of Inoue's artistic approach; it’s nothing short of extraordinary. The paneling is also well-executed. However, I find the sex scenes to be a bit off-putting, especially since most of them involve Matahachi, a character I despise, so those scenes are particularly irksome.

I rated my enjoyment at 7 because I found Slam Dunk more enjoyable than this manga. During certain flashback chapters, I felt a bit bored, whereas Slam Dunk never ceases to entertain me, even after multiple readings.

Regardless, it is an incredible read.

Honestly, Takehiko Inoue is vastly overrated. His main distinction lies in his realistic drawing style, a rarity among manga artists. However, his work often comes off as stiff, mechanical, and repetitive, lacking vitality, flair, and imagination. It's challenging to articulate, but I'll try. When it comes to depicting action or movement, Inoue falls short, frequently missing the dynamic essence. He excels somewhat in drawing faces, yet the range of expressions he conveys through them isn't particularly broad or impactful—many stares appear blank and hard to interpret. This is why his art lacks life. His reliance on realism with minimal exaggeration or cartooning leads to a lack of distinct style, making his work generally stiff. While he has a unique style, it's far less dynamic and eye-catching compared to, say, Masakazu Katsura. Furthermore, Inoue's work exhibits a dearth of imagination; he sticks primarily to realistic themes and rarely ventures into inventive incidental details. Everything in his illustrations serves a functional purpose, appearing minimalist, with backgrounds that are simple and mostly empty despite the use of numerous small lines.

Vagabond epitomizes the essence of a remarkable manga, blending action, suspense, excitement, drama, and even a touch of romance into its narrative. It faithfully adapts Eiji Yoshikawa's original masterpiece in an engaging way.

However, it may not appeal to everyone. While I personally admire Takehiko Inoue's artwork, some scenes are intensely graphic, verging on grotesque. Limbs, organs, and heads can be seen flying during battles, with drawings so vivid they might disturb those sensitive to gore. If blood isn't your cup of tea, you might want to skip this one.

But for those who don't mind a bit of bloodshed, Vagabond offers much more than meets the eye. At first glance, it appears as another samurai-era manga, but it possesses profound depth that captivates readers.

In many fighting manga and American comics, characters often fall into simplistic categories: heroes and villains. Not so in Vagabond. The characters here have complex emotions, desires, despair, and fears, making the story feel like a meticulously painted portrait. Each character has reasons for their actions, embodying both positive and negative traits, enhancing the realism conveyed through the illustrations.

In typical fighting stories, the demise of "villains" is expected without much reflection. However, when Musashi kills someone in Vagabond, both he and the reader question the morality of his actions. You genuinely empathize with the fallen. As Takuan, the monk in the story, remarks, all killed by Musashi were people with families, dreams, or daily struggles.

The primary reason Vagabond stands out to me is Musashi's journey from a reckless 17-year-old seeking unmatched strength to a mature adult learning to choose his battles wisely.

The contrast between Matahachi and Musashi is beautifully depicted. Starting as friends aiming to become "the best in the land," they soon diverge. Matahachi indulges in fleeting pleasures, while Musashi dedicates himself to self-improvement.

Both encounter mistakes and setbacks, handling them differently. Matahachi sinks deeper into trouble, whereas Musashi overcomes obstacles, becoming stronger.

After surviving numerous duels and internal conflicts (like leaving his true love Otsu to pursue the sword), only one swordsman remains—Sasaki Kojiro, a deaf-mute devoted entirely to the sword.

Though the story drags occasionally (especially the Yoshioka arc), Vagabond is filled with emotional depth and intense sword fights. Dialogue is sparse, but Inoue's visuals speak volumes. This manga proves that a picture is worth a thousand words. Every volume leaves readers pondering long after they've finished reading.

Simply put, there’s no manga I could recommend more highly.

"Vagabond" is a historical fiction manhwa (comic) series penned and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, inspired by the novel "Musashi" authored by Eiji Yoshikawa. The narrative follows the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi on his quest for self-discovery and sword mastery.

The artwork in "Vagabond" is breathtaking, featuring meticulously detailed character designs and awe-inspiring landscapes that whisk readers away to feudal Japan. The creator excels at capturing the intensity and elegance of samurai culture, making it easy for readers to feel the gravity of the characters' actions.

A standout feature of "Vagabond" is its deep dive into the samurai code of honor and the concept of bushido. The series thoroughly examines the cultural and philosophical foundations of the samurai way of life, showcasing both the virtues and flaws inherent in this intricate system. The story unfolds masterfully, with a well-paced narrative that gradually uncovers more about Musashi's character and motivations.

Character development in "Vagabond" is also commendable. Musashi's evolution as a character is gradual yet significant, as he hones his swordsmanship and develops his personal philosophy. Supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each possessing distinct personalities and motivations that make them feel authentic.

One potential drawback of "Vagabond" is its slow pacing, especially in the initial chapters. Some readers might find the lead-up to Musashi's journey overly prolonged, and the series can occasionally feel repetitive.

In summary, "Vagabond" stands as a masterpiece within the historical fiction genre and is essential reading for aficionados of samurai culture and Japanese history. Its stunning visuals, thoughtful exploration of complex themes, and richly developed characters set it apart. The gripping narrative ensures readers remain engrossed from start to finish.

Takehiko Inoue, the acclaimed creator of Slam Dunk, delivers yet another masterpiece to the manga world with Vagabond. Adapted from The Book of Five Rings, this epic recounts the legendary journey of samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Amidst the clashing swords and splatters of blood, there unfolds a profound and deeply satisfying existential quest that Musashi gradually unravels. Inoue meticulously crafts this journey with deliberate pacing and stunning watercolor illustrations; such artistry is rare among the hundreds of manga I have read.

My favorite aspect of this manga is Musashi's character development, transforming from a selfish youth into an enlightened master swordsman.

The combination of story, art, and character makes Vagabond the gold standard for all Seinen manga.

Don't expect ecchi or typical JRPG characters here. Instead, prepare for broken fingers, severed heads flying through the air, and gallons upon gallons of blood.

Happy Reading :)

I truly adored this manga so much. It's heartbreaking that it halted right before Musashi reached Kokura, but I understand the author is on a hiatus; maintaining such ambitious and intricate art isn't easy.

Musashi's character development is genuinely endearing. From the initial volumes where he's beastly, wild, and merciless, to later stages where he starts finding peace and understanding. The first turning point was undoubtedly with Inshun, but the most significant one was the battle against the 70 Yoshioka men. This wasn't just a pivotal moment for Musashi's mental state but also because Ueda's slash at his calf almost forced him to give up the sword.

This turning point really awakened something within Musashi. By then, Kojirou was already on his mind. Another beautiful aspect of this manga is Kojirou's character. All he has is the sword, nothing else, which makes him extremely skilled. He's like flowing water, and Musashi aspires to be like that too.

Another element I loved was Musashi's and Kojirou's connection with nature. Kojirou grew up by the beach, close to the water, while Musashi grew up in the mountains, wild and untamed. They're like two halves of one whole.

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Some other comments about this manga:

Seijuro was so misunderstood by the Yoshioka; he deserved much better and honestly needed more screen time, in my opinion.

I loved Musashi's relationships with the old men. Their interactions were so wholesome and cute.

Matahachi is a crybaby bitch—just kidding, I love him.

And finally, Musashi sweetie, please shave. I miss your bare face.

A manga you can ignore if you're not into it for the art.

Neiru2012 pretty much brought up all of my distaste for this manga, but I think it's unfair to over-simplify Vagabond using spoiler cases.

That is because Vagabond can simply be said to be Shamo set in a samurai period using a famous character like Musashi.

***Skip to the last paragraph for summary***

This isn't so much saying one is a clone of the other or that one came before the other or that others came before these two.

It's simply my way of attempting to provide a low review without taking away what the manga is by focusing on the specific spoiler designs.

Yes, Vagabond has a plot. Yes, Vagabond has characters. Yes, Vagabond's art is on one end great and on the other end requiring a certain taste.

Yet beyond all of these, none of these is what makes or breaks Vagabond.

The plot, while a modified romanticized version, still is stuck with the predictability of who Musashi is as a historical character.

The characters, whether you find them generic or not, are still not about them but about their way of fighting clashing with another way of fighting. While you can say manga/anime generally does this with fight scenes including such things like Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X where it already borders on heavy-handed, Vagabond goes beyond this. Not just subtlety. It only makes the scenes an actual fight scene so that you as a reader will still be excited to read it and it would satisfy those "awesome shiny fight scenes" readers, but it is a true and true manga where the art invades everything and if it's not the art, it's the lack of a plot. It is almost Zen-like in that it portrays the conclusion of each plot as there being no plot.

In fact, if this wasn't even about a Vagabond, the manga would not be seinen and believe it or not is more like Shojo with swords. If you focus too much on the female connotation of Shojo, of course, it's not. However, if you consider Shojo to be more of a genre where the thousand-mile stares and slice of life = tragedy and that all the characters are trapped in a mine of longing, I'm not exaggerating; Vagabond is basically this.

This is both Vagabond's strength and weakness. More so than Shamo although Shamo equally has those unrealistic moments.

When Vagabond is dealing with a fight scene, an upcoming one, the combination wields an engaging plot that would make you curious as to what will happen next. In fact, the later chapters pretty much spell this out with a major character retelling flashbacks more than the manga trying to be an adventure story anymore.

However, when you remove the fight scenes, this is where both the Shojo and Seinen elements fail. Even though one reviewer said they liked that there's not much gratuitous violence compared to other Seinen, the thing is Vagabond's gore and nudity can be more disturbing than traditional gory manga.

Not because there's too much but rather because there's too much stupidity for almost the few times violence, death, and nudity are shown. In its attempt to be philosophical, Vagabond ends up making its characters mere caricatures. Ones where the art and the panel storyline take precedence over the overall storyline.

Don't get me wrong. In many ways, this is why it's a good read. If you've ever wanted a semi-realistic portrayal of a goody imposter, a mute samurai, a horrible old lady that gets her just deserts, a woman who sees a flying chibi ghost, a monk who doesn't know what in the world he is doing and just tries to torture people he randomly comes across - Vagabond is almost comedy gold in that in a subtle manner.

The problem is: that's pretty much the entire manga. Even the violence and nudity fall under that same pattern where one panel is for an action scene that would please many fans who are into manga for the art or the eye candy and then the next panel, same situation, it would be text-heavy and then the next panel there are guys that come off like they get cut down because they think too much. As in literally they get sliced up while they are thinking.

This doesn't mean the manga or the manga's fans just sweep over these flaws. The whole thing is supposed to represent a lightning-fast event happening over an introspective event. It's like an event where someone shoots a bullet at you, and your mind flashes through everything, and it's both a blur and yet after the fight, there's lots of rationalizing and events pouring through your brain.

Unfortunately, again, this is why the manga is both a good read but something you can skip. In many ways, a philosophical textbook has a limited audience and the philosophy has to stand the test of time. Atlas Shrugged, for example, is famous but unless you buy into this idea that Ayn Rand's themes are worth reading, then instead of being an enlightening read, it's just a classic. The same can be said for the Bible. Unless you're curious or got hooked by the flashy effects, a Biblical movie at the end of the day is just a flashy fantasy movie that tries to be philosophical but just ends up not being deep at all except for those people who themselves are shallow but pretends to be philosophical in nature. The type of people that would re-interpret a realistic portrayal as a violently shocking one and be glued to the screen as if they watched a train wreck but then go on and complain about how a realistic scene is too gory or made too shocking because they themselves put on rosy-tinted glasses that got shattered as opposed to the scenes being actually overtly violent.

Nonetheless, I'm not saying Vagabond is a bad manga. Again, it's just a skippable one. If you like the first few chapters, go ahead and continue reading it. But if you start disliking the manga or if you start hoping for more or if you want to read another manga or if you're tired of the artwork, it's skippable. I'm not saying this for the benefit of those who have actually read the manga. Of course, the choice is always there for all manga. I'm merely stating this case for those who haven't read the manga. Some mangas have a big payoff in arcs. Not just in terms of entertainment and philosophy and depth. Vagabond is just not one of those. The only reason it's a 7 because it understands what it is and that's a unique take on familiar characters and it tries to string along that characterization. However, characterization alone is not enough if most of the additional scenes all ultimately fail for feeling like filler rather than philosophy.

To summarize: Philosophically, this does not even match up to Slam Dunk, and Slam Dunk is not that deep of a manga to begin with. It's inspirational but it's not that deep. So imagine Vagabond being this way but trying to shove you more philosophy and less action and ultimately you get a 4 (decent) manga wrapped up in great artwork and historical fiction so it becomes a 7, but the hype for this manga is centered around entirely on the sizzle of Takehiko Inoue improving his artwork to do a samurai manga based on famous characters and not disappointing even though he doesn't break much new ground either.

From the narrative to the characters, everything this manga offers is nothing short of magnificent. Every arc is remarkable, even those lacking intense action scenes, like the farming arc, which stands as one of the finest in all of anime and manga. The character development is extraordinary. Musashi Miyamoto has become my absolute favorite character across the entirety of Animanga. And let's not overlook the art; Takehiko Inoue is a legend when it comes to illustration. The panel structure is exceptional, as are the dialogues. This manga is undoubtedly my favorite of all time, providing more enjoyment than any other anime or manga I've experienced. While Berserk is often regarded as the best anime globally, in my opinion, Vagabond surpasses it—this is just my personal view. Overall, a solid 10/10—a truly magnificent masterpiece.

It's rare for me to be profoundly changed on a spiritual and philosophical level by a piece of media. Sure, I may form certain opinions after consuming a story or movie, but Vagabond is the only narrative that has ever completely altered how I view life.

To absurdly oversimplify it, Vagabond is a tale of self-improvement and finding your place in the world. Before I read Vagabond, I didn't know where to go with my life. But soon after starting it, I realized this wasn't a normal manga; this was different.

By volume 10, I had already been so motivated by Musashi and his journey that my grades at school had improved exponentially. Vagabond taught me what it means to push oneself to your absolute limits. Reaching your potential is important, but more important is realizing life continues after you reach your goals. And that's okay. Life doesn't have an epic conclusion; it is a single long journey from start to end. Though you won't have some Hollywood ending to your story, you can accomplish many goals along the way, and it is crucial to constantly push yourself because when you stop trying, you lose your way.

There will be no spoilers in this review, don't worry.

Story: 10/10 Vagabond follows the journey of Miyamoto Musashi and loosely follows the actual life of Musashi. Over the course of his journey, Musashi learns numerous things from the people he encounters. This taught me to seek knowledge from people I meet. Everyone has stories to tell and things to teach you. Meeting new people and discovering new things is a great way to progress towards your goals. Musashi's development doesn't happen in huge jumps but instead occurs over the course of the story. All his experiences shape who he is.

Art: 10/10 I doubt I need to say much about the art. Vagabond is notorious for having amazing art and is considered by many to have the best art of all manga. Reading a Vagabond chapter generally takes me a lot longer than normal because I find myself staring at each page admiring the beautiful art, only to realize I haven't even read the words yet.

Characters: 10/10 A big part of Vagabond is seeing how each character grows and the anticipation of their eventual duel or interaction. I've found myself wishing some characters didn't have to fight because I enjoy both so much and would be saddened if one were to die. The fact I care so much about characters throughout this story shows how compelling they are. Each Vagabond character feels like their own person, the main character of their own story. It just happens that we are following Musashi's. I am always excited to learn a character's backstory and to find out how they became the person they are. These feel like real people with real emotions, and I hope I find another story that makes me love its characters as much as Vagabond does.

Enjoyment: 10/10 There have been many times over the course of Vagabond where I have literally been on the edge of my seat in anticipation. Excitedly turning the page and trying to keep my cool as I fanboy over how amazing the action scenes and dialogue are. Even arcs that some may consider "boring" are very enjoyable to me. This story is a good example of how to write what seems like boring things in an exciting way. There's literally an arc about farming, and it's one of my favorites in all of manga because of how well it is written and portrayed.

Flaws: The series is currently unfinished, and by the looks of it, won't be finished for a very long time as it's on a long hiatus. That's literally all the flaws I can think of.

Overall: 10/10 I understand that Vagabond isn't for everyone, but I would 100% recommend it to literally everyone. I have become a better person (in my opinion) after reading Vagabond. And if you find yourself lost in the world, in a dark place, or just feeling depressed in general, I urge you to read this story. It helped me in more ways than I can describe, and I hope it can do the same for you.

Vagabond is a manga that narrates the journey of a man named Shinmen Takezo, later known as Musashi Miyamoto, one of Japan's greatest swordsmen, revered as the "Sword Saint" Kensei.

The story begins in Miyamoto Village, his birthplace. Since childhood, he possessed an extraordinary physique and was considered unbeatable even as an adult, causing the villagers to shun him, labeling him as a demon child. However, there were some who still sought his friendship, namely Matahachi and Otsuu. In their teenage years, amidst a war, Takezo and his best friend survived battles, after which they parted ways.

From then on, the saga follows Takezo's quest to become the invincible warrior under heaven. He challenged various dojos and formidable opponents like Yoshioka Seijuurou, a renowned swordsman from the Yoshioka family. Later, he encountered Sasaki Kojiro, a deaf swordsman whose life revolved around swords and women.

The manga also delves into the stories of Matahachi and Otsuu, alongside unveiling the past of Sasaki Kojiro and how he crossed paths with Musashi. The artwork is spectacular, capturing the scenery, battles, blood, and nudity with remarkable finesse. The pacing of the narrative is well-executed, although there are sections that required a second read for better comprehension. It is deeply regrettable how the manga concludes, but overall I immensely enjoyed reading it over two days and nights.

I still hold hope that someday the author will resume the manga, and perhaps an anime studio will be willing to create an animated adaptation of this magnificent work.

A disappointing read...

Despite its promising start and beautiful art style, I found myself quite bored by this 300+ chapter story. The narrative attempts to explore typical themes for a ronin tale, such as what true strength is and how one can become an honorable person. These are decent topics, but they were handled without much originality and suffered from poor pacing. More importantly, I couldn't get invested in the story due to the lack of compelling characters that grabbed my attention.

The story doesn't have a central plot, focusing instead on the personal journeys of several characters trying to find their path and purpose in life. This approach could work if it led to satisfying character development. Unfortunately, none of the characters stood out to me. While I felt pity for them given their difficult lives, I didn't like any of them. All the main characters are obsessed with fighting for various reasons, which is fine, but none displayed interesting personality traits or ambitions beyond becoming "strong" or "honorable." The protagonist is impulsive and rather selfish, understandable given his childhood, but still boring to read about.

In summary, I think this story might still be enjoyed by fans of typical ronin stories, but don't expect anything extraordinary from this read.

How I rated this:

Story: 4/10. There isn't really an interesting or complex political plot that could've been exploited in this setting, but that's okay.

Art: 9/10: Truly great, in terms of semi-realistic manga drawings, I haven't come across many artworks that are better.

Character: 4/10. None of the characters is particularly bad, but none of them gained my interest.

Enjoyment: 2/10. I felt there were way too many chapters than necessary for this story.

Overall: 5/10.