Blade of the Immortal, Volume 14

November 15, 2005
The swordsman Manji was unwillingly made immortal, but he can die if he kills a thousand evil men. He's been hired as a bodyguard by the 16-year-old girl Rin, who has sworn to avenge her parents' murder at the hands of the Itto-ryu, a band of maverick swordfighters out to destroy all other sword schools and the traditional discipline they represent. But when she meets Anotsu Kagehisa, the Itto-ryu's charismatic leader, he spares her life, and Rin's feelings become conflicted. In this volume, while Anotsu is ill with tetanus, Manji ends up defending him against a band of killers who are after both Anotsu and Rin. This riveting saga of revenge and honor, full of complex and compelling characters, will definitely appeal to fans of other samurai manga such as "Lone Wolf and Cub". But this series distinguishes itself with a nihilistic punk edge that turns samurai conventions on their head. Samura's highly accomplished, realistic art can be rough and brutal when depicting the savagery of swordfighting, but it can also be exquisitely beautiful in quieter moments. Highly recommended; with much explicit violence, some nudity, and disturbing themes, this is one for adult collections.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.