Mar 19, 2023
"Baiyaku Kakebachou Kuzuryuu" by Shotaro Ishinomori is a fascinating historical manga that follows the journey of Kuzuryû, a traveling medicine salesman who is also a hitman. It is a very particular work in the bibliography of the author since it is part of his samurai stories, which all have a very good reputation.
Technically, the work is impeccable. The storyboard and the narration of the manga are very well done. The story begins with the first two-three chapters rather banal, but gradually the psychology of the characters as well as the graphic work are enriched considerably. Even the composition of the chapters' scenarios is freer: we
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can have a poetic, contemplative, comic, tension, subtly erotic or action-packed story, which follows the main story of the whole cycle or deviates from it. One feels that the author has freed himself as the story progresses.
The story of a lonely traveler, half apothecary, half hitman is a pretext to pro-pose to the readers a historical manga with didactic vocation. It is a classic and successful process, which allows to discover the history of Japan through the adventures of Kuzuryû. During his journey, the main character meets a blind lute player who predicts his fate. This meeting is one of the most striking moments of the story and offers a moment of reflection on fate, freedom and choice.
To come back to the technical aspect, the manga's plates are extremely worked, in a cinematographic way. The settings are impeccable and varied, offering a total immersion in the universe of feudal Japan. On the other hand, the characters are sometimes difficult to recognize, except for the main ones, and are a bit stereotyped. This is one of the defects of the time when most of the authors were inspired by Tezuka.
Unfortunately, the manga lacks a bit at the end to be really successful. However, this does not take away from the overall quality of the work. This old-school manga is an experience of its own and offers a different and captivating vision of the history of Japan.
I think that Baiyaku Kakebachou Kuzuryuu is an exciting historical manga that deserves to be discovered. With a successful narration and draw style, an incredible graphic richness, captivating characters and a fascinating universe, this manga is a real immersion in the history of Japan. Although the end is not up to the rest of the work, it's a work that deserves to be discovered in addition to its author.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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