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Shigurui #15
シグルイ 15
藤木源之助、伊良子清玄…長きに亘る2人の戦いについに決着が！！ 生き残るのはどちらか…！？ 残酷無惨時代絵巻、堂々完結！！
218 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Takayuki Yamaguchi
77 books15 followersTakayuki Yamaguchi (山口 貴由, Yamaguchi Takayuki, born in Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. He is the creator of Apocalypse Zero and Shigurui.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 26, 2013
Now that I've finished the final volume of this exquisite manga, I can write down my impressions.
Shigurui is essentially a brutal and venomous critique of the hierarchical feudal society of Japan during the Tokugawa era but for that matter it is also a condemnation of any unjust, patriarchal I might add, society that is based on exploitation and manipulation of a large number of subjects based on corrupt authority and downright force. Remember how the samurai caste with its bushido code was often portrayed in a romanticized fashion in works of art? Well you can forget about that here, and expect a sobering dissection of the famous 'virtues' of humility, obedience and respect towards authority. The whole moral of people dying needlessly at the whims of bored and/or crazy rulers and figures of authority is hammered through so relentlessly here that it's sickening at times. And I just can't express enough how strongly I sympathize with Yamaguchi's intentions in creating something like this.
The story revolves around the rivalry between two swordsmen, both exceptional individuals but with opposing ideologies, and them being fated to fight each other to the death in a whirlwind of social intrigue where both are ultimately victims.
The main story is narrated expertly, there are plenty of exciting sword-fights, violent confrontations and brutal scenes of torture but there are also some unnecessary sub-plots that have not even been followed through but instead just left to hang in the air. All in all, a must-read for manga lovers!
Shigurui is essentially a brutal and venomous critique of the hierarchical feudal society of Japan during the Tokugawa era but for that matter it is also a condemnation of any unjust, patriarchal I might add, society that is based on exploitation and manipulation of a large number of subjects based on corrupt authority and downright force. Remember how the samurai caste with its bushido code was often portrayed in a romanticized fashion in works of art? Well you can forget about that here, and expect a sobering dissection of the famous 'virtues' of humility, obedience and respect towards authority. The whole moral of people dying needlessly at the whims of bored and/or crazy rulers and figures of authority is hammered through so relentlessly here that it's sickening at times. And I just can't express enough how strongly I sympathize with Yamaguchi's intentions in creating something like this.
The story revolves around the rivalry between two swordsmen, both exceptional individuals but with opposing ideologies, and them being fated to fight each other to the death in a whirlwind of social intrigue where both are ultimately victims.
The main story is narrated expertly, there are plenty of exciting sword-fights, violent confrontations and brutal scenes of torture but there are also some unnecessary sub-plots that have not even been followed through but instead just left to hang in the air. All in all, a must-read for manga lovers!
March 12, 2016
Shigurui is the tale of two swordsmen-Gennosuke Fujiki, the loyal and stoic star pupil of the Kogan Ryuu dojo, and Seigen Irako a charming and naturally talented outsider who challenges him. They become bitter rivals for the secrets of their master’s sword style. Eventually they both end up crippled and disfigured.
The climax is a bloody and gruesome samurai tournament arranged to satisfy the blood lust of a tyrant overlord. Their final battle is an artistry of violence where none is more beautiful than the kill.
If you can stomach depictions of graphic violence & sexuality, I highly recommend this manga series. It's one of my top faves.
The climax is a bloody and gruesome samurai tournament arranged to satisfy the blood lust of a tyrant overlord. Their final battle is an artistry of violence where none is more beautiful than the kill.
If you can stomach depictions of graphic violence & sexuality, I highly recommend this manga series. It's one of my top faves.
April 9, 2020
Okay I finished all 15 volumes but didn't want to crowd my friends' timelines so I'm only putting the beginning and the ending.
It was one of the literary works I've enjoyed the most in my life (manga, book or otherwise). Shigurui is probably not for everyone, but for me it was perfection. I had watched the anime first and I was exhilarated to find out the manga was so "long" and there was much more to the story. The style, the vibe, the language, the drawings, the translation, everything was top notch. I will never forget Shigurui and will come back to it from time to time.
It was one of the literary works I've enjoyed the most in my life (manga, book or otherwise). Shigurui is probably not for everyone, but for me it was perfection. I had watched the anime first and I was exhilarated to find out the manga was so "long" and there was much more to the story. The style, the vibe, the language, the drawings, the translation, everything was top notch. I will never forget Shigurui and will come back to it from time to time.
January 7, 2024
Bila je to šuma koja je pojela nebo
šuma iz koje kad izađoh videh
da nisam izašao da su me zveri pojele...
Ovo putovanje se nije nikako drugačije ni moglo završiti nego ovako kako ga je Yamaguchi završio - otrovom i sunca bez.
Ovih 15 tankobona je natopljeno mržnjom, osvetom, spletkama, korupcijom, dvoličnošću, dokolicom moćnika, krvlju i nadasve tugom. Jasno nam je da su tminom obavijene sudbine glavnih aktera, čijim životima nema ko se nije igrao, jer u nekim očima ne vrede ama baš ništa do jebene zabave od par minuta.
I dobro dođe da se otreznimo svi mi koji smo romantizovali samurajštinu od malih nogu i da vidimo kako su završili oni koji su u to vreme u tu istu samurajštinu verovali - obezglavljeni ili pojedene duše. Ništa više od toga nisu dobila ni dva glavna lika (kako je navedeno "samuraja nižeg ranga"), mlada, poletna, puna entuzijazma, dakle glupa. Sistem se ne menja, sistem melje. Svako to sazna na ovaj ili onaj način. Neko plati glavom, neko dušom, a neko obrazom.
O jao jao vama duše uklete
s balsamovanim rukama i usnama od krvi
videh videh videh čuh i padoh mrtav
šuma iz koje kad izađoh videh
da nisam izašao da su me zveri pojele...
Ovo putovanje se nije nikako drugačije ni moglo završiti nego ovako kako ga je Yamaguchi završio - otrovom i sunca bez.
Ovih 15 tankobona je natopljeno mržnjom, osvetom, spletkama, korupcijom, dvoličnošću, dokolicom moćnika, krvlju i nadasve tugom. Jasno nam je da su tminom obavijene sudbine glavnih aktera, čijim životima nema ko se nije igrao, jer u nekim očima ne vrede ama baš ništa do jebene zabave od par minuta.
I dobro dođe da se otreznimo svi mi koji smo romantizovali samurajštinu od malih nogu i da vidimo kako su završili oni koji su u to vreme u tu istu samurajštinu verovali - obezglavljeni ili pojedene duše. Ništa više od toga nisu dobila ni dva glavna lika (kako je navedeno "samuraja nižeg ranga"), mlada, poletna, puna entuzijazma, dakle glupa. Sistem se ne menja, sistem melje. Svako to sazna na ovaj ili onaj način. Neko plati glavom, neko dušom, a neko obrazom.
O jao jao vama duše uklete
s balsamovanim rukama i usnama od krvi
videh videh videh čuh i padoh mrtav
November 22, 2023
I started reading this manga when someone recommended it to me by saying it's just hits different seeing japanese samurai committing seppuku/harakiri but apart from that it is beautifully written and drawn with a great story of two rivals trying to get better of each other by any means necessary.
March 8, 2024
Who'd have thought you'd be able to read the soul of poetry in manga? Truly an unforgettable read Shigurui surpassed my expectations and might possibly one of the greatest manga I've ever read.
August 30, 2019
Masterpiece
July 2, 2020
Wtf is with the cover? Anyway, excellent narration for such a simple plot. Have some cringe elements but I'm overlooking them
January 24, 2021
Really loved this series, great swordsman manga! The story is pretty good but really love the sword fights and really gruesome manga😻😻👌⚔️
May 12, 2021
Read the Chinese translation version, definitely not for all readers. Once again, many innocent lives lost for no good reason. Interesting artwork.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2023
Stunned. I’ve never read anything like this in my life.
May 18, 2023
5 stars for the whole series.
August 28, 2025
Everything is a sham. Death is the only sincerity.
https://www.tumblr.com/blackrainbowbl...
https://www.tumblr.com/blackrainbowbl...
April 17, 2021
You can read my general review here
June 26, 2014
I hate the cover (no, except there are many homoerotic themes, the story itself has nothing to do with homoeroticism), but 100% love this graphic novel. If you ask me any book about realistic portrayal of samurais, Shigurui is.
Mr. Yamaguchi has brought Japanese samurai drama back to life. The story is very simple-the rivalry between two pupils from the same master for the mastery of the swordsmanship. However, this story have succeed in its superb style. Its fighting style is gory and savage; you will never forget its style once you have read it.
Other than the its wild depiction of violence, Mr. Yamaguri has taken a lot of efforts to narrate the society samurais lived in 400 years ago. Its social hierarchy, laws, samurai rituals, training, gender rules, etc, are all narrated in detailed. They even discuss some topics that many samurai fiction writers didn't depict, like "how samurais get fund-raising"
The only thing I don't like is the fact that there is a very strong homoerotic theme. Anyway, it is a great story and Yamaguri deserves to be on the A-list of all the artists in the world of graphic novel. I will give this book 5-star.
Mr. Yamaguchi has brought Japanese samurai drama back to life. The story is very simple-the rivalry between two pupils from the same master for the mastery of the swordsmanship. However, this story have succeed in its superb style. Its fighting style is gory and savage; you will never forget its style once you have read it.
Other than the its wild depiction of violence, Mr. Yamaguri has taken a lot of efforts to narrate the society samurais lived in 400 years ago. Its social hierarchy, laws, samurai rituals, training, gender rules, etc, are all narrated in detailed. They even discuss some topics that many samurai fiction writers didn't depict, like "how samurais get fund-raising"
The only thing I don't like is the fact that there is a very strong homoerotic theme. Anyway, it is a great story and Yamaguri deserves to be on the A-list of all the artists in the world of graphic novel. I will give this book 5-star.
September 5, 2016
Una historia muy buena para entender lo que pasa por la cabeza de un samurai, retratando una época donde el honor y el bushido son una forma mas de disfrazar la arbitrariedad y el poder absoluto sobre la vida y la muerte en una sociedad altamente jerarquizada e inmovilista, y en la cual la única forma de ascenso es el camino de la espada.
Es la historia del enfrentamiento entre dos enemigos que tiene el tinte del amor no correspondido (homoerótico) típico de las obras japonesas, una importante cantidad de gore y pocas concesiones.
El único problema, a mi parecer, es que se nota que la obra fue estirada artificialmente, presentando líneas narrativas e historias que quedan inconclusas y que no tienen relación con la historia principal (o sólo tangenciales). Lo mismo me sucede con el final, donde me quedé con la sensación de que fue muy brusco y le faltó mas desarrollo.
Aún así, una muy buena obra de manga para adultos. Recomendada totalmente.
Es la historia del enfrentamiento entre dos enemigos que tiene el tinte del amor no correspondido (homoerótico) típico de las obras japonesas, una importante cantidad de gore y pocas concesiones.
El único problema, a mi parecer, es que se nota que la obra fue estirada artificialmente, presentando líneas narrativas e historias que quedan inconclusas y que no tienen relación con la historia principal (o sólo tangenciales). Lo mismo me sucede con el final, donde me quedé con la sensación de que fue muy brusco y le faltó mas desarrollo.
Aún así, una muy buena obra de manga para adultos. Recomendada totalmente.
November 17, 2020
Capolavoro manga, da leggere assolutamente
December 1, 2020
3 for this volume because this is one of those series that feels rushed after the most intense climax and leave you « what ? THATS IT ? »
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2016
http://mangafox.me/manga/shigurui/c07...
What an anti-climax!
What an anti-climax!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews