The Return of the Genius Farmer

Chapter 38-42, Same Logic, Same Explanation, Same Word. Is The Novel Writing Person Is Totally Idiot. A Whole Important Train Is Going To Other City, Which Taking The Future Of Chinese Child. But It Simply Attacked By Ork. What The People Were Doing, No One First Investigate The Route Is Safe Or Not, If This Was There Regular Travelling Route. 2. And No Any A Grade Or S Grade Person Was On The Train, If By Mistakes Some One Attack The Train, To Save The Child. This Is Totally Shitty Point, Author Just Skip This Chapter, No Need To Write, A Very Shitty Experience. And Almost 10-20 Novel Same Situation Happen, I am Tired From Reading Same Plot Again and again.

Holyshit lmao!? Am just noticing this☠️

Are there guns and bullets in this novel or is this a translation error for bows and arrows?

I just wanna say thank you so much for another amazing book! I absolutely loved the Bully's series. I love this book and can't wait for more to come out. Again thank you for the books you write and letting us have a chance to read them can't wait for more

wahh bagus ceritanya, semangat yaa lanjut nulisnya

The aesthetics of cruelty...  

Mangas often tend to deteriorate as they progress. Even the most celebrated works within the genre are frequently marred by a decline in quality, plot, or originality as their lengths extend. The reasons for this vary—from the ordinary to the peculiarities of Japanese storytelling styles, and sometimes idiosyncrasies that even the author cannot control. However, Shigurui defies this trend, expanding in scope, intensity, and remarkably, focus as the narrative unfolds. I found myself becoming increasingly engaged, surprised, and ultimately captivated by the tale Takayuki Yamaguchi weaves through both exquisite storytelling and stunning artwork. Without a doubt, what we have here is a masterpiece that not only sets out but successfully unravels a story concerning violence, sensuality, birth, death, the human form, and so much more, delving into the very essence of human existence itself. Shigurui represents the author's attempt to capture fleeting meaning—an endeavor rarely acknowledged, let alone pursued, and even more seldom achieved. It resembles a blossoming flower in this regard, and the manga is one of the few works that can be attributed to pure genius.  

If I were to try to explain this "truth" in detail, even though the task is doomed to fail from the outset—since words are merely a human attempt to standardize experience—there exists a grand, unifying "spirit" that envelops all of existence. This connection is felt in everything, from the tangible to the metaphysical, the metaphorical to the ideal. Human beings, due to their intellect, are the only part of this system capable of recognizing it, though they are entirely unable to grasp or comprehend it in its entirety. The best we can do—and indeed, what we should aspire to—is to temporarily align ourselves with this grand truth. The way to achieve this is through absolute dedication to a combination of skill and an ideal, which merge in practice, allowing the ideal to be expressed through the skill. Since this is a manga, and more specifically a manga about swordsmen, this becomes the philosophy of bladesmanship, with our protagonists being distinct individuals striving toward the same ultimate goal.  

Shigurui uses conventional elements to establish its foundation for a metaphysical exploration of typical Japanese fascinations: honor, skill, beauty, and more. The narrative and concept are intricately woven together in a manner that flows effortlessly, never feeling like a chore to follow. You get the sense that the ideas being explored are ones the mangaka has pondered for a long time. There is a maturity and depth rarely seen or felt in the medium. Its emphasis on anatomy, violence, sex, ritual, death, age, and other expansive themes makes it clear that this is a manga dedicated to conveying something profoundly real—the core aspects of our experience that are the most meaningful yet also the hardest to confront. It can be described as the cutting edge of reality, where moments of extreme intimacy are interwoven with moments of extreme cruelty, seemingly suggesting a correlation between the two that we cannot fully grasp.  

The more I feel compelled to write about Shigurui, driven by a desire to share something great and underappreciated, the more I realize it's a futile effort. The experience is one that must be personally encountered, much like the grand truth itself.  

Couldn't recommend it more, if you couldn't tell from the rambling.  

9.5

Shigurui is one of my all-time favorite stories, but I almost passed on reading it because I didn't enjoy the anime and its execution. Ultimately, I decided to give the manga a chance, and I ended up loving every moment of it.

The plot revolves around two legendary swordsmen: one is blind and crippled, while the other has lost an arm. They are sworn enemies who despise each other with great intensity.

The story or plot is truly excellent, gradually building immense tension between these two main characters, which the reader can tangibly feel. Fujiki and Irako, the swordsmen, share striking similarities and were both raised in a world marked by hardship and cruelty until they became disciples of Iwamoto Kogan—at different times—the greatest swordsman. Let me clarify, though, being disciples at this dojo is no easy feat for these young swordsmen. Their master, Kogan, is a sick, twisted monster who becomes a father figure to both Irako and Fujiki.

So, who will succeed Kogan as the master? Irako or Fujiki? How did they end up with such crippling injuries? All these questions are answered in the manga.

The art is fantastic; the answers to my previous questions are beautifully depicted in the manga. One reason I disliked the anime was its animation style, which I didn't care for, along with the narration. However, when I read the manga, I was thoroughly impressed by the art and illustrations, especially during the action scenes, blood, and gore sequences.

Character development is what the plot heavily relies on, and it was executed brilliantly. I've already discussed the two swordsmen, Irako and Fujiki, but what makes their development so special is that you can't fault them for their actions nor take sides on who is more right. In the end, all you can do is wonder if these two could have been friends under different circumstances. So far, the only other character I've mentioned is the master, Kogan. He, along with the other side characters (other disciples, lovers, politicians, etc.), plays a significant role in the story and is a major reason why these two young men slowly transform into monsters and come to hate each other. I won't elaborate on the other characters since it would take too long, but trust me, the author of the manga does them justice by developing them exceptionally well.

Enjoyment-wise, I couldn't put this manga down after every chapter. As you can tell from my profile, I don't read many mangas. The only reason I pick one up is if the anime I liked had more story left or if I thought it had potential—the latter was the case with Shigurui. This manga does contain nudity and some blood and gore, sometimes combined, which might disturb some readers. However, the nudity isn't fan service-related; it genuinely contributes to the story.

Overall, this is a fantastic manga, especially for those into blood and gore. Fans of Berserk might really appreciate this. If you notice any spoilers or have suggestions to improve my review, please comment on my page, and I'll do my best. Thanks for reading. Hopefully, I can inspire at least one person to read this manga.

<p>

This manga is a masterpiece.  

I will write my review for each aspect, trying my best to explain my reasoning:  

**Story (9):**  
It's incredibly rare to find a manga that truly deserves the title of "masterpiece" or an "S-grade" work. Shigurui is one such manga. The story unfolds precisely when you need it to, delivering a narrative that is raw, beautiful, and tinged with elements of fantasy yet grounded in realistic epic proportions. From the very beginning, the tale presents something intriguing, leaving you thinking, "That's curious." As the chapters progress, the mangaka crafts an exceptionally well-written story—deep, action-packed, filled with brutal moments, psychological insights during battles, and complex character interactions. The ending might be slightly unexpected given what unfolds throughout the series, but this doesn't detract from its quality.  

The story aligns perfectly with the genre, characters, art, and every other element of the manga. It’s easy to follow while remaining intricate in certain ways, likely due to the excellent character development, the visual artistry, and the intellectual stimulation provided by key moments. Simply put, the story is flawless for this manga. While improvements are always possible, this one excels overall—it strikes a balance between simplicity and complexity, incorporating numerous elements that enhance its development. The storyline avoids predictability; although you may have an idea of where it's headed, uncertainty keeps you engaged. There's no reliance on clichés like "the power of friendship"—instead, it focuses on skill, instinct, and suffering.  

Note: With fewer than 90 chapters, the mangaka ensures each installment counts significantly. Undoubtedly, this is a great achievement.  

**Art (8):**  
Shigurui's artwork is exactly what one would expect from a manga of this nature—it complements the story beautifully and enhances the overall enjoyment. It effectively captures the intensity of violent scenes, showcasing superb drawing skills that make reading comfortable even during graphic moments. Fights, bloodshed, and detailed depictions of characters and environments contribute to making the experience unique.  

Note: The artistic style here is nothing short of brutal and impressive. It satisfies anyone with high standards for manga art and illustration. Truly remarkable.  

However, the art occasionally feels overly focused on specific aspects, which can make some elements seem repetitive. In a few instances, the drawings might fail to fully convey certain important details, but the overall style suits the story, characters, and essence of the manga perfectly.  

**Characters (10):**  
One fascinating aspect of this manga is the strong connection between the two main protagonists. Their relationship embodies the "force of destiny," revolving around their rivalry and shared journey. Their lives, beliefs, duels, and fights represent opposing sides united by fate.  

The way these characters integrate into the story and harmonize with the art creates a seamless flow during combat sequences and mental confrontations. Both endure hardships, adapting to challenges as they evolve into distinct individuals. You witness their growth, struggles, and uniqueness unfold across various dimensions.  

- Character development shines brilliantly—not just for the leads but across the board. The synergy between Character → Story → Art delivers everything a reader could desire:  
  - Excellent Action  
  - Compelling Story  
  - Stunning Art  
  - Blood → Crude Moments → Rude Moments → Beautiful Moments → Epic Moments  
  - A Hint of Forbidden Romance  

**Overall: 9.3:**  
There isn’t much more to say—it’s a masterpiece. Still, deep down, I feel the ending could have taken a different turn (which does NOT imply the conclusion was bad).  

**TL;DR:** Must-read. One of the finest seinen mangas and among the best I’ve had the pleasure of reading, viewing, and enjoying. While it may not appeal to everyone (as being a crude seinen entails), it stands out as one of the most meticulously written historical mangas. Additionally, it's already completed, ensuring readers don’t face prolonged waits for resolutions. A BRUTAL martial arts manga. My heart tells me it deserves a perfect 10 too.