Vagabond - Takehiko Inoue - SB

 


This is the first anime review that I've done. I realize it's not for everyone but man these things are just too good to not share. This is story about two men that set out from a small village to make a name for themselves through the way of the sword. The setting is ancient time Japan. The two main characters are very contrast. One almost beast like while the other is more human but both have the same goal. Their paths go in various directions with one trying to prove himself but continues to fall short while the other gets swallowed up by killing and death to ultimately be so buried within it that he finally has to completely change his way of thinking in order to understand the meaning of life.  

As crazy as it sounds these characters are so detailed and special that they impact your view of life. If anyone says fictional characters can't impact/motivate you they clearly are an idiot. The one character is so obsessed with getting better with the sword that it's all he does. He continually swings the sword, no matter what. There is something special about someone who is so obsessed with a craft that they can't even begin to live a normal life due to their complete dedication. Part of me wishes I could always do this. The other cool part is that there is inevitably always a set back. So you get to see someone deal with adversity and keep pressing on. It gives you hope. 

Another aspect to manga is the art. The detail that takes place for each of the panels is insane. I feel obligated to talk about it just due to the number of hours that I know the author labored over to create such a book. I can only image his hand after spending the hours drawing each panel. 

Doubt anyone will read it but just know it exists and I've done my due diligence. The other thing is these manga's take years or decades and unfortunately for this author he ended up getting sick and had to take a hiatus. He is still on the hiatus and probably will never be able to finish it. Such a shame, every now and then on reddit someone will talk about having cancer and dying before the manga finishes so they'll never know how it ends but glad they were able to experience it. Incredibly sad but also special of how impactful some of these stories are on peoples lives. Sometimes it's all they have. 

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