Sidooh

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Sidooh is a manga about two brothers and their lives as samurai during the chaos of the Bakumetsu period. The manga starts off with them as orphans simply trying to survive, with this ultimately leading them to join a cult. However, they end up betrayed by the cult and then go on a journey to get stronger in order to obtain revenge. Up to and at this point, the manga is pretty character focused. It focuses on each of their personalities, their bonds with each other, and their desire to survive and go stronger. The associated themes its trying to convey also come across pretty ... well.

However, their goal of obtaining revenge seems to go by the wayside and instead the brothers basically just become samurai serving the Tokugawa Shogunate. At this point it doesn’t really feel like it’s their story so much as the story of Japan with the two just being along for the ride. The two play key parts in conflicts, but beyond that there isn’t really anything special about them. They’re just following orders while fighting for their lord, the same as anyone else. The both still have side stories in a sense related to bonds between them and various others, such as both of them getting married eventually. However, these are pretty rushed and the key emotional beats aren’t very strong. The portrayal of Japanese history was also somewhat rushed, with it showing a lot of key events but not really providing all that much context. The narrative doesn’t flow well and is hard to follow unless you’re already familiar with the history surrounding the events that are taking place or perform research to become familiar. The ending to the manga is fitting but nothing too special. I wasn’t particularly satisfied or dissatisfied with it.

I didn’t like the art style much and found it far too rough. There is some good action and landscape focused art, but when focusing on characters emotions or them speaking it’s pretty mediocre. Still, even with that caveat, the fights are still pretty great due to being carried by great paneling and a good sense of flow.

tl;dr: A manga that’s pretty rough in terms of its characters, plot, and art, but that has great action.

This manga was a blast of a read and I genuinely recommend it to anyone who enjoys seinen samurai manga! Sidooh is your average 'rags to riches' tale of two Yukimura brothers navigating the winding world of 1800s Japan in wake of America's intrusion in to the country. This story was packed with heavy and fluid action and quieter more intimate moments, this series' art carries itself to insane heights and the writing although nothing too special is captivating and tugs at your heart strings, especially in the end. Beautifully illustrated in a unique art style similar to Vagabond, Sidooh is a thrilling read.

I really ... enjoyed reading this manga and It got me fixated on it since chapter one!! This manga's writing isn't 'brilliant' so to say, but it keeps me invested in the story and the characters. It's not bad!

Pros
- The art style is incredibly beautiful, Takahashi's way of stylization while still resting a foot in realism is beautiful and though the art style can be hit or miss, especially in the faces—the manga still remains appealing to look at.
- The presenting of Japanese culture and history in this manga is simply wonderful. From the art to the dialogue and setting, Sidooh represents a fracturing Japan in a time of revolution amazingly.
- As I've stated before, Sidooh's action and storyline never misses to keep the reader interested in the story and stimulated while they read. I personally was never bored while reading this manga.

Cons (disclaimer: these are just mostly personal nitpicks)
- Some parts of the plot (especially deaths) is a bit rushed, not too bad but I just feel like these points could've been dragged out a little longer as so us—the reader—could develop more of a connection to what is happening and so on feel more touched by the series.
- As I've stated before, the writing is not bad but it's noting too revolutionary, in my opinion a lot of plot points are forgotten or shelved early (like Shoutaro and Gentarou's mom's words only occurring sporadically when in the first chapter it is presented as something important while their dad's sword ends up getting proven as useless when it was also set up as something important).

Sidooh is a manga I've been waiting to finish, as it's a masterpiece in the work of Tsutomu Takahashi, one of my favorite authors. The plot appealed to me enormously, as I appreciate samurai works, and also everything that makes up the author's bibliography. His very raw style, the way he tells stories and the ideas he uses in his manga ... He's really one of the authors who helped me deepen my knowledge of manga. So I had high expectations of Sidooh, and I might as well tell you that they were truly met. Before even starting the review: you've got to give this ... manga a try.

The story's setting is rather catchy, and will be familiar to fans of Samurai manga. We're at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in Japan, and foreigners are gradually starting to arrive. We are quickly drawn into the brutal and obscure daily lives of two orphans, whose parents have died of disease. By a twist of fate, they end up becoming samurai, and their actions have repercussions for the whole region. The review won't contain any more spoilers, so I'll just cut to the chase.

The first thing I appreciated was the atmosphere of the story. As usual with the author, you can feel that there's a permanent tension, with a sustained rhythm where events follow one another without concession. In the case of Sidooh, the author shows us without detour the violence of the world in which the orphans have landed. The story is full of conflict and twists and turns. I was really into it while reading, and the pace didn't bother me. This proves, I think, that the storytelling is perfectly mastered.

Secondly, I really enjoyed the character development. I tend to find that the author doesn't always go all the way on this level, but it seems that in Sidooh he really went all the way with what he wanted to do. No character is left by the wayside, and every time we get a backstory associated with them that really adds depth. These developments are perfectly matched to the masterful narration. In fact, there's no exaggeration, and everything remains truly realistic, unlike other works that go off in all directions. The development of the antagonists is particularly successful in my opinion, especially in the finale.
Still on the subject of development, I really appreciate the fact that the author has chosen not to make any concessions and to stick to pure brutality. He doesn't hesitate to sacrifice certain characters in order to advance others, or to pause the story.

On the technical point, as usual with the author, I thought it was brilliant. His drawing style is as magical as ever. His unmistakable line gives his work a truly enchanting quality. I find it even more fitting in a samurai work!
There are some magnificent double-page spreads, and certain dazzling cuts and dialogues that hooked me more than usual in his work. Everything is meticulous; from the simple lines of dialogue of the secondary characters to the idealization of key moments.

It'll be hard to go any further without giving away key elements of the story. In any case, I enjoyed catching up with the author once again. Sidooh is an uncompromising work, which touched me at times because it's still a rather complicated story that I found sad at heart. Against a backdrop of family drama, we follow two orphans as they try to make their way in the most ruthless world of the time. It's the kind of story I enjoy reading, and one that proves to me every time that I can go further in discovering manga.

You should consider discovering this manga and Tsutomu Takahashi.