Vagabond, Volume 2 Book

Shinmen Takezo is destined to become the legendary sword-saint, Miyamoto Musashi--perhaps the most renowned samurai of all time. For now, Takezo is a cold-hearted killer, who will take on anyone in mortal combat to make a name for himself. This is the journey of a wild young brute who strives to reach enlightenment by way of the sword--fighting on the edge of death.

Library Journal

This remarkable manga series is loosely adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa's Musashi, a novel that recounts the life of famed 17th-century Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, author of the martial arts treatise The Book of Five Rings. (The novel was also filmed in the series The Samurai Trilogy.) Musashi is a powerful, untutored fighter who with the guidance of the monk Takuan overcomes his nihilistic attitude and decides to test himself against the best fighters in Japan. In this volume, Musashi accepts an orphaned young boy as his companion and meets an old man who unnerves him with insight into his character. Inoue's extraordinarily detailed artwork is a wonder, and his storytelling packs great punch. The opening pages of two chapters are reproduced in full color, a common practice in Japanese serialization not often carried over into American collections. Inoue is also the creator of the manga Slam Dunk, a Japanese best seller now being serialized in America in Raijin Comics. Explicit violence and occasional nudity make this adult material. A masterly achievement, this series is highly recommended, especially for fans of Dark Horse's Lone Wolf and Cub and Blade of the Immortal. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.