Mugen no Juunin
Blade of the Immortal

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“I just want you to know one thing...I may be the one facing them. I may be the one cutting them down. The one who stands on their graves. But you will be the one that kills them.”

There are a great many stories that revolve around the concept of revenge. A great many writers have written a great many tales about revenge, each expressing their own sentiments towards the topic. Some glorify it, others ridicule it as a fool’s quest and others tell a more sympathetic story. Blade of the Immortal however simply tells it how it is, at no point is the author ... ever forcing his beliefs onto the story. The writer prefers to allow the reader to reflect on the story themselves and come to their own conclusions. An engaging, exhilarating yet quietly contemplative quest for vengeance, Blade of the Immortal is one of the greatest seinen manga ever created. Allow me to explain to you why I believe this is the case...

The story of Blade of the Immortal centres around the young Rin Asano’s journey to avenge the death of her parents at the hands of a sword school whose influence is growing within Japan: the Itto-ryu. Unable to deny her own powerlessness in the face of her powerful foe she seeks out the skills of a swordsman who has been cursed with immortality. A man known as Manji. He has his own aims and beliefs that make him more than just a simple bodyguard. Throughout the series we watch as Manji acts as a sort of mentor to Rin and we also watch as the relationship between the two changes and develops.

The premise is quite simple, chances are you can think up some series with similar plots, and the mention of immortality may seem a little silly to some but you shouldn’t write this series of just because of that. The story is an amazing journey for both characters and readers; it’s a grim tale of blood, violence and complex yet savage emotions, a story filled with political intrigue and numerous rival factions all gunning at one another. The premise may be basic but it is simply a backdrop for a deep, emotive, memorable and epic quest.

The only criticism I have with the story is that the pacing was a little bad. Initially the story didn’t really grab me and I took a little break from reading. In my opinion the story doesn’t really get into its stride until around about chapter 30, but once the story gets going it is a nonstop rollercoaster of pure awesomeness. Similarly at later parts of the story I feel that certain events were dragged on for a little longer than I would have liked, but this is a very small criticism it must be said.

The thing that really makes the story of Blade of the Immortal so captivating is without a doubt the characters. The cast of Blade of the Immortal is simply amazing. I would go as far as to say that this series has the best cast of characters I have ever come across. Over the course of the series the two main characters, Manji and Rin, go through a tremendous amount of development but that’s only to be expected really. While the development of the two main characters is exquisite, it is the side characters that really make this series extraordinary. With most series you can consider yourself fortunate if even a single character receives a good amount of development but in this series there are about are around 5 or 6 characters that receive just as much development and characterisation as you would expect of a main character. Ironically, on a personal level I was more interested in some of the side characters and their struggles than I was in the main characters (and the two main characters are really amazing). This is really a testament to how well written the characters in this series are.

All of the significant characters in this series receive a great deal of development and with this there is no clear divide between which characters are the ‘good guys’ and which are the ‘bad guys’. They all have their own circumstances, ideals, determination and reasons for fighting and because the author shares the limelight equally between all of the significant players there is truly no telling who will come out on top and during some of the fight sequences it becomes near impossible to determine whether a particular character may win or lose which really makes things genuinely tense.

Personally, I always like to see those badass female characters who know how to hold their own as in anime especially female characters are more often than not just waifu bait. So I just wanted to give this series props for having some of the most awesome female characters I have ever seen in Makie and Hyakurin, that being said I did feel that Rin sometimes came across as being a typical damsel in distress but this was really only in the earlier parts of the story.

This amazing story and these spectacular characters are all presented to us in Hiroaki Samura's fantastic artwork. It is a little difficult for me not to start gushing over his artwork because subjectively speaking this series has the best artwork that I have ever seen. I have always had a preference for old school art as opposed to the more moe art style that is prevalent in modern anime and well Blade of the Immortal is just about the least moe thing you will ever find so it gets a big thumbs up from me.

The artwork is just so perfectly styled and this series has the most well drawn action sequences you will see in any manga. Seriously, the fights in this series are absolutely brutal - blood and limbs are seen flying all over the place. There are so many great fights in this series and the flow of action in the panels makes it easy to follow the action, the fights are ridiculously intense and will have you on the edge of your seat. The scenery art in this series is also worth mentioning. The backgrounds are quite well detailed on the whole and the traditional Japanese landscapes that you will see over the course of the journey are all captured perfectly.

With all this being said, I cannot say that the art style will be to everyone’s taste. If you dislike sketchy artwork and prefer clean drawings then you may not like it. I really like it because it matches my personal preferences but that doesn’t mean everyone will think it’s as great as I do.

Also, as I have already alluded to, this series contains a lot of gore so if that is not your thing then this may not be a series for you. This series really doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to violence but unlike similarly violent manga series, such as Gantz and Akame ga Kill just to name two, this series never gave me the impression that there was just violence for the sake of it or that it was being used for shock value. While this series is very visceral I don’t think that it ever became excessive.

In my opinion this series is the pinnacle of the seinen genre. It is dark and it is brutal but it remains human. With a well constructed and deceptively complex plot, one of the most well fleshed out cast of characters you are likely to find and artwork to die for I cannot recommend this series highly enough to anyone who enjoys seinen manga. Although, if you are looking for or are expecting a story that is actually focused on samurai culture then I would point you in the direction of Lone Wolf and Cub instead. Blade of the Immortal is more focused on telling its own story than it is about what life was like in this time period and the way of the samurai and the all that sort of stuff.

Anyways, I hope you found this review helpful. Any and all feedback is welcomed (unless you are going to criticise me that is).

TL DR; If you can bear gore this one is a must read
(I would recommend listening to "sowulo - SOL (2016) album" with your reading for full experience (fits with it like key and lock) )

story 10/10
I won't tell anything about the story so rest assured.

A Gory samurai age story as the cover implies (as the most of this genre) but:

1- with a bit of science fiction and some medical knowledge.
2- many arcs not long few boring ones
... 3-many characters so you are not only following a single protagonist but multiple characters so you not get bored
(and easy to follow don't worry).
4-Things become crazier as you read. Sometimes the roller
coaster slows a bit but then you are near a cliff edge of future excitement in the next chapters.
5-Not the typical samurai wisdom and says you won't get like other ones of this type of stories always contain but
a semi-modern modified type you will enjoy.
6-mind blow ending

Character 10/10
Another special about this Gem is the characters..everyone has their up and downtime and None is invincible
The dialogue is impressive and it what I liked most about the series. (as much as the main story of course)
Also, they are easy to follow from their way of speech and the character art.
Every character with a motive, backstory, principles and enough screen (ehm paper) time :D .

Art 9/10
This one is the best I have seen in art but next to Vagabond.
the manga beats Vagabond in every aspect except for the art can't deny it.
Every character is special and art gets better every chapter.
People look real Japanese and that shading is Gold quality.

Enjoyment 10/10
To describe it in one sentence (one more chapter manga and then I will stop)

Overall 10/10
Read the manga with the album mentioned above and It's a whole new experience

Blade of the Immortal - A Protagonist without flaws

Blade of the Immortal is a manga that stands out for its unique premise, yet it falters in many aspects, particularly in its characterization and presentation. While the story is set in the Edo period of Japan, this historical backdrop often feels underdeveloped. To label this manga merely as a product of its time is a disservice to its potential. A well-crafted samurai manga not only provides a thrilling narrative but also immerses the reader in a vivid and engaging world. It should highlight the historical context, allowing readers to grasp the intricacies of the period, including ... the weapons, social structures, and cultural nuances that define it. For instance, aside from the brief appearance of a kusarigama in the prelude, the weaponry remains vague. We know that the protagonist wields a sword, but the lack of detail leaves a void in the reader’s understanding.
What truly distinguishes Blade of the Immortal from the countless other samurai mangas? The answer isn’t straightforward, as the series grapples with many narrative and thematic issues. One of the primary concerns is the quality of translation, which significantly impacts the reader's experience. Many Western editions suffer from translation problems that obscure the original intent of the dialogue and character development. Furthermore, the Western practice of reversing the panels — contrary to traditional manga reading order — adds an additional layer of confusion that detracts from the storytelling. For a medium that relies heavily on visual storytelling, these alterations will dilute the impact of the artwork and narrative flow, for sure.

The characters in Blade of the Immortal possess complex nuances, but accessing those depths requires an immense amount of patience. Readers must sift through layers of dialogue and interactions to uncover the motivations and personalities of each character. Unfortunately, the emotional connections between Manji, the protagonist, and those around him often feel insignificant and lacking in depth. This emotional detachment can be traced back to the protagonist's unique trait — his immortality. The fact that Manji can die and be resurrected diminishes the stakes of his interactions. When a character can simply return to life, the weight of their struggles and relationships is rendered almost meaningless.
Manji’s quest is driven by the curse that binds him: "This immortality will not go away until I kill 1,000 evil men." While this premise presents a tantalizing goal, it also introduces a significant flaw in his character arc. It raises an important question: does it matter how many enemies he defeats if the very nature of his existence is one of invulnerability?! The sheer existence of his immortality feels like an overpowering advantage that undercuts the tension of the narrative.

Moreover, Manji’s reflections on purpose further complicate his character. In the first chapter, he states, "A person cannot live without objectives, control, vengeance, or atonement," suggesting that he lacks any of these vital motivations. A compelling protagonist should have clear and relatable goals and this is a hallmark of successful works in the genre, such as Vagabond or Lone Wolf and Cub. In those stories, the motivations of their protagonists are well-defined and resonate with the reader — Musashi's philosophical exploration or Ogami Itto's relentless pursuit of vengeance create compelling narratives. In contrast, Manji feels like a vessel for the narrative rather than an engaging character with a purpose. If he himself questions his motivations, how can the reader remain invested in his journey?
This lack of clarity creates a disconnect, making it challenging for readers to root for Manji. The absence of a clear moral compass or motivation leads to questions about his actions: how can we discern whether he is a hero or a villain? This ambiguity can leave readers feeling trapped in a narrative that lacks direction and emotional investment. Instead of being captivated by the story, they may feel compelled to read out of obligation rather than genuine interest.

Another critical aspect to consider is the mishandling of licensing for Blade of the Immortal in the West. The confusion surrounding the publication has resulted in mirrored panels that detract from the reading experience. Manga is a visual medium that relies on a specific layout and flow, and disrupting this flow can hinder the reader's immersion. Additionally, Western editions often feature altered content that does not align with the original work, leading to discrepancies that can alienate readers familiar with the source material. As a reader who enjoys raw manga, I find these changes to be not only frustrating but also an affront to the artistry of the original creation.
Look at the mess with the licenses for the West in this manga. In addition to the panels all being reflected (which in itself ruins the experience of reading a manga, a work that comes from Japan), they also do the incredible disservice of making versions of volumes that do not exist in the original conception of the work. As a reader of raw manga in Japanese, this is considered a crime.
I read the Brazilian edition which is not like that, fortunately it is like the Japanese version, but the colors are not saturated enough, making the colors not visible well. In addition to being an incredibly complicated work to read (and to collect all the volumes), it is also full of graphical problems. What is this for?
In my experience reading the Brazilian edition, I found that it adheres more closely to the original Japanese version, which is a relief. However, it is not without its flaws; the colors in the Brazilian edition are not saturated enough, resulting in a less vibrant presentation that fails to do justice to the artwork. This is especially disappointing for a manga that relies heavily on its visuals to convey mood and atmosphere.

Ultimately, Blade of the Immortal is a complex work that faces challenges not only in its narrative structure but also in its presentation. The reading experience can often feel arduous and frustrating due to its numerous graphical and translation issues. While the concept has the potential to be engaging and profound, the execution leaves much to be desired. One cannot help but wonder what this story could have achieved if it had been presented with more clarity and depth.