At seventeen years of age, Miyamoto Musashi--still known by his childhood name, Shinmen Takezō--was a wild young brute just setting out along the way of the sword.

Real-life figure Miyamoto Musashi was the most celebrated samurai of all time. The quintessential warrior-philosopher, Musashi authored A Book of Five Rings, a classic treatise in the canon of world philosophy and military strategy. But the path to enlightenment is an endless journey, and to get there through violent means--by way of the sword--makes mere survival an even greater challenge. Vagabond is Takehiko Inoue's fictionalized account (based primarily on the classic Japanese novel Musashi) of the most legendary swordsman in all of Japan's history (and perhaps the world's) that's been going on and off for the past 18 years and counting. All in all, they are the most convenient and easiest way to collect Vagabond right now and the cheapest as well. They have incredible print quality and cool design, and they are a great way to enjoy the series! Above) NOT the actual cover for this edition, obviously... it's just a great example of his watercolor work. Besides, this review is an emphatic recommendation of the entire over-sized series, so the artwork below is taken from various junctures in the narrative.] If you are new to Vagabond, the story follows Miyamoto Musashi on his journey to become the greatest swordsman. Because of his brutish and violent ways, a lot of people think he’s something like a demon, but we as the reader, know he’s so much more than that and we really see him develop and grow over the course of the volumes.

I do think that Vagabond would have benefited from an even larger format release, maybe something like the Dark Horse Deluxe Editions. It is a series that deserves that hardcover and sewn-binding treatment, but since we don’t have that right now, the Vizbigs are a good way to go if you are looking to read Vagabond. Final Thoughts: Are the Vagabond Vizbig Editions worth it?

The people he meets along the way add so much to this story too and they not only affect us but Musashi as well. Vagabond is a story based on the real-life swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, but while it has roots in history, it feels like this larger-than-life tale as mentioned previously. Also, as far as samurai stories go, it’s one of the most unique, relatable, and engrossing I’ve ever read.

Table of Contents

In the aftermath of the epic Battle of Sekigahara, Takezō finds himself a fugitive survivor on the losing side of the war. Takezō's vicious nature has made him an outcast even in his own village, and he is hunted down like an animal. At this crucial crossroads in Takezō's life, an eccentric monk and a childhood friend are the only ones who can help him find his way. There is plenty of samurai manga out there, from Lone Wolf and Cub to Blade of the Immortal, to choose from. Under the recommendation of a couple of friends, Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue became the must-read as it is a historical epic that fictionalises the life of Japanese swordsman Musashi Miyamoto, based on Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi. Set in 1600, the two seventeen-year-olds Takezō Shinmen and Matahachi Hon'iden escape from the battlefield of Sekihagara, with the hope of their home village. What immediately stands out from the start, is the dynamic between the two young men as Matahachi seems like the innocent one who is waiting to get married when they return their home, whilst Takezō (who will later be renamed as Musashi) is the roguish one who is hated and feared by the village.

At the age of twenty-one, Takezō (now named Musashi) arrives in Kyōto so that he can fight the swordmasters of the Yoshioka School. Somewhere else in Kyōto, a twenty-one-year-old Matahachi struggles to make money as oppose to his more financially-successful wife Okō, who works in the pleasure quarters. As the first part of the Kyōto arc, much of the storytelling is told through the action within the school as the swordsmen see Musashi as an arrogant youngster who is over his head as he wishes to challenge the man who runs the school, where there is already conflict in terms of who is the true master. Vagabond" tells the story of Shinmen Takezō, a wandering young man searching to become invincibile under the sun. He does this by seeking out the greatest swordsmen in the land with the goal of defeating them or dying by their hand. At seventeen years of age, Miyamoto Musashi—still known by his childhood name, Shinmen Takezō—was a wild young brute just setting out along the way of the sword.However, all it takes is one Buddhist monk who steals the show, and Otsū, who is Takezō’s childhood friend and Matahachi’s ex-fiancée, to help reinvigorate Takezō’s purpose in life. Considering the brutality throughout with the majority of characters being utterly horrible, Matahachi’s mother Osugi is a highlight, Inoue shows genuine emotion towards characters who are more than just hate as the friendly embrace between Takezō and Otsū, who recently learned about her fiancé’s unfaithfulness, but learns to move on. Based on an actual samurai called Miyamoto Musashi, this epic tale of friendship, destiny and the search for purpose is simplistic like a fable or folktale is but still engaging and effective. The dynamic cast of characters make the adventure and fighting even more fun because you actually care what happens to them. Based on the real life experiences of Miyamoto Musashi, who many consider to be the greatest samurai of all time, the character we see here is angry and impatient, seemingly on a path of self destruction. It'll be a fun journey seeing him grow into the great samurai he's destined to be. VIZ Media is currently releasing the translated edition of Vagabond only three months after the Japanese release! It is a critique of the ambition to be the very best in some field of combat. You know, the motivation of so many characters throughout so many Japanese stories, particularly in manga, anime, and video games. It explores the consequences, often negative, of attempting to reach such a goal. The conclusions Inoue typically draws on such individuals throughout the story, on the important ones and the ones who are never more than periphery figures, aren't flattering.

But, to bring things around full circle, it is also a long, arduous coming-of-age tale of a young, violent, severely maladjusted man trying to find self-worth and self-fulfillment through the way of the sword. In spite of himself he does learn there is more to life than competition, and against all odds he does become a legend in the process. All content that you submit may be used at Bookswagon'ssole discretion. Bookswagonreserves the right to change, condense, withhold publication, remove or delete any

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 kiler, 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. Real-life figure Miyamoto Musashi was the most celebrated samurai of all time. The quintessential warrior-philosopher, Musashi authored A Book of Five Rings, a classic treatise in the canon of world philosophy and military strategy. But the path to enlightenment is an endless journey, and to get there through violent means—by way of the sword—makes mere survival an even greater challenge. This manga is an epic tale of Miyamoto Musashi who is considered to be the greatest samurai to have ever lived.