A review by dredadonx
Vagabond, Volume 1 by Takehiko Inoue

dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Not my first work read by Takehiko Inoue, but certainly this book is a testament to the talent that Inoue consistently possesses. I did not read or watch Slam Dunk, but I have read Real, and now Vagabond, and man, am I excited that I picked up this manga. We follow Miyamoto Musashi as he travels as a Vagabond in order to become the strongest swordsman, and we see how he uses violence as a way to overcome his childhood trauma. I feel like this story will become more of a hero’s journey and we see Musashi contend with his life decisions as he gets older, rather than it be solely a “battle seinen”.

Vagabond is set during feudal era Japan and a fictional retelling of Eiji Yoshikawa’s prominent novel called Musashi. 
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