2002.9.14 Some 500 years ago, a group joined together to protect their lands. And an evil shadow arose, only known as Kage. They battled against each another, but the outcome is unknown as only their weapons were left behind. Time has passed and wars have filled the land. One man, Shogun KURODA is attempting to bring everything under his control and maybe that will end the wars. However, a new evil arose - human hunters who kill only for the joy of it. It is into this world that five teens are born and destined to meet again. The mercenary samurai Kazuma SYUDOU meets the monk Shiranui who tells about reiryoku (spirit power) and helps him defeat an enemy. They decide to travel together as Shiranui chases after demons to find out why the world is going mad and why his master was killed. On their way, they meet the playful, female-loving ninja Fuwa, the sharp witted and mouthed archer Mizuki, and the silent, childlike black knight Gouki. I brought one volume on a total whim and at the urging of my friend. I read and went crazy. A few days later I was back and bought the other three volumes. What I like? Is everything. ^.^ I like the drawing style - the attention to detail like the rip in Shiranui's sleeve for the entire volume, the silly moments where the eyes get all round with surprise/disbelief/silliness, the fluidity of movement, simple yet not really style... The story is good, flows well and doesn't seem to get slow at al. It helps that a lot of the story revolves around my favorite character, Shiranui. All the characters aren't bad at all. Don't hate any, though is that a good or bad thing? Shouldn't hate the enemy, Kage? But I can't with the connection between Kage and Gouki. All the main characters have something interesting about them. The side characters have potential, already curious about the other two black knights - Ranmaru and Rikimaru. Everyone's got personality. =P All in all I can say that I'm obsessed at the moment and shouting for more.
Translation: Volume 1 - Part 1/3, Part 2/3 & Part 3/3 Images |
