A lot of times in storytelling and in life itself, significant themes are strength and power. These two concepts have defined the history of this planet as wars have been fought and blood has been shed repeatedly over the concept of strength.
In the Sengoku Era of Japan, this is interpreted as being the strongest warrior under the sun. Every samurai, ronin and fighter, in general, strives to reach this point, but 99% of them fall along the way.
Shinmen Takezo -- a.k.a Miyamoto Musashi, is no different. His journey is one of self-gratitude and selfishness to satisfy his own desire of being the strongest warrior.
However, along the way, Musashi realizes that true strength is the ability to protect those close to you. Death and violence have no meaning and only end in sorrow.
Musashi's journey of self-discovery that shaped him into the philosopher he was in his later life from the ronin in his younger life is the greatest exploration of character development that this medium has ever seen.
Vagabond is Takehiko Inoue's masterpiece and is a manga that every fan of the medium should read.
