Samurai Deeper Kyo, Volume 23

Samurai Deeper Kyo #23

by Akimine Kamijyo

Kyoshiro and Kyo--one a peaceful medicine seller, the other a merciless red-eyed samurai--are two spirits fighting for dominance of the same body as they travel with Yuya, a bounty hunter who helps them look for Kyo's true body.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Shonen, Comics, Graphic Novels, Action

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Akimine Kamijyo (上条明峰 Kamijō Akimine?, born September 13, 1975, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating Samurai Deeper Kyo. The name 'Akimine Kamijyo' is merely her pen-name. Her doujinshi work was done under the name 'Meika Hatagashira' (伯明華?).

Her second series was Shirogane no Karasu also known as Silver Crow. It started on May 30, 2007 in Weekly Shōnen Magazine and ended after 3 volumes.

She is currently working on Code: Breaker.

Reviews

[Cecillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's both funny and a bit clever of Akari to use rice buns/dumplings as padding for breasts, since I'd think that would be softer than two balls of fabric or something similar. Also she as access to an emergency snack if need be. On another note regarding Akari, she's such an unmotivated character for anything not to do with Kyo, it's kind of funny.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep seeing references to this "surgery," but I really want to know if it was even possible to have successful transsexual surgeries at this point in time??

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Les 4 sacrés du ciel portent si bien le récit

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 5 out of 5]

18 August 2013

Samurai Deeper Kyo, Volume 23 shows off the impressive powers of the Four Emperors like we have not seen before. This volume is full of non-stop fighting, silly hilarity, and surprisingly gut-wrenching emotions. Although, I love seeing all of the Four Emperors in action, it is Akari who leaves an unforgettable impression upon your heart. Undoubtedly, she is the heart and soul of the Emperors and this volume left me with a profound respect for her and the struggles she's overcome.

The action escalates as Kyo and the gang reach the Four Paths to the Onmyo Shrine. In an effort to find Kyo's body before Nobunaga's resurrection, the group divides themselves into four teams so that they can take one of the four paths. Unbeknownst the them, the Twelve God Shoguns with their newly mutated powers lie in wait to destroy them.

As luck would have it, my favorite three stooges are teamed together. Benitora and Akira reluctantly head off on one of the paths together with Hotaru trailing behind. Their incessant bickering is amusing and provides a nice break from all the bloodshed. Along the journey, Hotaru wanders off on his own and runs into Yun Yun (Yuan - I prefer Hotaru's version better!), one of the Four Elders. The former student and teacher go to blows and my heart nearly stopped when I turned the page and saw this:

EEK! Hotaru's eye!


Meanwhile, Yuya and Akari encounter some trouble along their chosen path. We finally get to see Akari in action and her Air Vampire powers are pretty damn badass. After she annihilates their attackers, the duo encounters Santera. Poor Santera appears too scared to fight, but the Mibu injection forces her to transform into a killing machine. Thankfully for Yuya's empathetic foresight, Akari is able to understand Santera and gives her the one thing she has longed for her entire life.

The scene with Akari and Santera damn near broke my heart. For anyone who has ever felt alone, this moment will resonate deeply with you. It is truly amazing how having just one person can make all the difference in the world. I love how Santera gets attached to Akari. Adorable, but hilarious since Santera burns everything she comes into contact with.

But don't get too comfortable with all that feel-good emotion. Just when you're filled with hope and all seems right in the world, Akimine Kamijô throws a curveball to knock your head out of the clouds. Akari, Yuya, and their new friend Santera come across the malicious Mekira. When Mekira attacks Akari, Santera sacrifices herself to save her. This enrages Akari, who then swears to make Mekira suffer for his actions.

As the story progresses, the volumes get more thrilling and the humor even wittier. It seems with every volume, I'm laughing harder and harder. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with spacey Hotaru and the devilish Akari being added into the mix. The dynamic between Benitora and Akira, Hotaru's blissful ignorance, and everyone's fear/respect of Akari made my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I love how Bon calls Akari Tokichiro when he's upset.

All of the crazy antics and the cliffhanger ending with Akari has me really excited to read the next volume. For a fairly long-running series, it amazes me how every volume continues to be more amazing than the one before it.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 23 by Akimine Kamijyo. It is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 23rd volume in the series you need to have read the first 22 in order to understand the story. The cover has Arika, Akari, Hotaru, and Bontenmaru on it looking cool. There some language, lots of violence and no sex/sexuality in this volume. The story is told from third person god perspective with character’s thoughts added in for plot and character growth. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Akari has returned! Now the Four Emperors are reunited for the first time in four years. Together, they defeat an army of thousands- alive and undead alike. But as they clear a path to the four doors that block the way to the Onmyo Shrine, there is a catch: Only one door actually leads to the shrine…

Review- This volume is really about Yuya and Akari. They are traveling together through one of the doors to the shrine. Akari is really funny but you get to know him/her. She is really more than just some crazy person all about Kyo. And she starts to see why Kyo is the way he is about Yuya. There is of course fighting and talking and saving a bad guy. Sadly there is little Arika but he is there and he is clever but he gets jumped by the other four. Kyo does not have much to say but he goes silent from time to time over the course of the story. Big plot developments with his body and what the Mibu are trying to do. So stuff happens and then we get Yuya/Akari development. Ends with an interesting cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next volume.

I give this series and volume a Five out Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[Dominique "Eerie" Sobieska · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is a bit dull when it starts off with Yuya and Kyoshiro. But as you progress, the plot thickens and newly cast members introduced piece by piece make this manga unique and a bit of a masterpiece. There are two main story lines: 1- Yuya is looking for the man that killed her brother and 2- Kyo is searching for his true body to exact his revenge. Every other plot in between just adds fuel to the story and lets you learn of the diverse background of many characters, friends or foes. The story itself was captivating and it is a shame that many people know of this series.

The art style refined over time, giving the battle scenes flaws execution. The each character had their own torments and demons to deal with but I would have to say that certain individuals needed more evolution or better backstory. The end was well received and left no stone unturned.

I have watched the anime adaptation and I don't recommend it. It doesn't do it justice.

Do I recommend:

Yes! Just not the anime!!