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Black Cat [ブラックキャット] #20
Black Cat 20
R to L (Japanese Style)
Train Heartnet, also known as "Black Cat," was an infamous assassin for a secret organization called Chronos...until he abandoned that cold-blooded existence to live on his own terms as an easygoing bounty hunter. But is Train's past as far behind him as he thinks?
A Carefree TomorrowTrain faces Creed in a final showdown. Train is determined to follow the Sweeper's Code and take Creed alive. But now that Creed has become virtually indestructible, Train may have finally met his match. Will he come out of this in one piece, or has luck finally run out for the Black Cat?!
209 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2006
About the author
Kentaro Yabuki
155 books146 followersAlso known as 矢吹健太朗.
He is a Japanese manga artist. His mentor was Takeshi Obata, the illustrator of Death Note, Hikaru no Go and Bakuman.
Yabuki is best known for his series Black Cat which ran from 2000 to 2004 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and later adapted into an anime. Since 2004, he has only been working as illustrator to works written by other authors. Most notably on the series To Love-Ru alongside his former assistant Saki Hasemi.
He is a Japanese manga artist. His mentor was Takeshi Obata, the illustrator of Death Note, Hikaru no Go and Bakuman.
Yabuki is best known for his series Black Cat which ran from 2000 to 2004 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and later adapted into an anime. Since 2004, he has only been working as illustrator to works written by other authors. Most notably on the series To Love-Ru alongside his former assistant Saki Hasemi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 7, 2014
FINALLY! THIS IS IT! We have finally come upon the final volume of Kentaro Yabuki’s “Black Cat” series and this is definitely one volume that you should check out whenever you can!
In this volume, Creed and Train finally battle it out to the death and Train is having a hard time trying to break through Creed’s god like new powers. Meanwhile, Eve and Sven started fighting a new powerful force from Creed’s Apostles of the Stars, the Demon Star Force and it seems that these new androids are much more powerful than Sven and Eve could ever imagine!
Can Train defeat Creed and finally bring an end to Creed’s reign of terror?
Read this volume to find out!
Whew! I thought that I would never get to the final volume of Kentaro Yabuki’s “Black Cat” series! I have been enjoying this series ever since the first volume came out and it has been an honor to read through this series and appreciate the characters’ efforts in stopping Creed’s war against Chronos and the world, while also developing each character along the way. I really loved the way that Kentaro Yabuki tied up everyone’s story lines in this volume as it is a perfect way to end a series and I really loved the fact that the characters came a long way (especially Eve and Train) from their original goals in the first few volumes to changing their goals as their characters progressed throughout the stories. I really enjoyed the fighting sequences between the characters, especially between Train and Creed, as they were all intense and they really raised the stakes for the characters. I was quite surprised that this is the most action-packed volume of the entire series as the series as a whole managed to balance both action and character development in the same panels, while the majority of this volume was focused on the fighting sequences. Kentaro Yabuki’s artwork is as usual gorgeous to look at as the expressions shown on the characters’ faces whenever they are angry or frightened are extremely realistic and they made me feel so much emotion for the characters themselves.
The biggest problem I had with this volume was that I felt that the ending was a bit too anticlimactic, meaning that I wish that more was done with the characters after the big battle with Creed and how their lives had changed after that event. I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed as we do not see much of what happens to the Apostles of the Stars and Chronos after Train’s battle with Creed and I would have liked it if they had explained more about how Chronos and the Apostles of the Stars had gotten on with their lives after the battle with Creed.
Overall, “Black Cat: A Carefree Tomorrow Volume 20” is a truly fantastic finale to the “Black Cat” series and anyone who is a huge fan of Kentaro Yabuki’s “Black Cat” series should definitely give this volume a whirl!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
In this volume, Creed and Train finally battle it out to the death and Train is having a hard time trying to break through Creed’s god like new powers. Meanwhile, Eve and Sven started fighting a new powerful force from Creed’s Apostles of the Stars, the Demon Star Force and it seems that these new androids are much more powerful than Sven and Eve could ever imagine!
Can Train defeat Creed and finally bring an end to Creed’s reign of terror?
Read this volume to find out!
Whew! I thought that I would never get to the final volume of Kentaro Yabuki’s “Black Cat” series! I have been enjoying this series ever since the first volume came out and it has been an honor to read through this series and appreciate the characters’ efforts in stopping Creed’s war against Chronos and the world, while also developing each character along the way. I really loved the way that Kentaro Yabuki tied up everyone’s story lines in this volume as it is a perfect way to end a series and I really loved the fact that the characters came a long way (especially Eve and Train) from their original goals in the first few volumes to changing their goals as their characters progressed throughout the stories. I really enjoyed the fighting sequences between the characters, especially between Train and Creed, as they were all intense and they really raised the stakes for the characters. I was quite surprised that this is the most action-packed volume of the entire series as the series as a whole managed to balance both action and character development in the same panels, while the majority of this volume was focused on the fighting sequences. Kentaro Yabuki’s artwork is as usual gorgeous to look at as the expressions shown on the characters’ faces whenever they are angry or frightened are extremely realistic and they made me feel so much emotion for the characters themselves.
The biggest problem I had with this volume was that I felt that the ending was a bit too anticlimactic, meaning that I wish that more was done with the characters after the big battle with Creed and how their lives had changed after that event. I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed as we do not see much of what happens to the Apostles of the Stars and Chronos after Train’s battle with Creed and I would have liked it if they had explained more about how Chronos and the Apostles of the Stars had gotten on with their lives after the battle with Creed.
Overall, “Black Cat: A Carefree Tomorrow Volume 20” is a truly fantastic finale to the “Black Cat” series and anyone who is a huge fan of Kentaro Yabuki’s “Black Cat” series should definitely give this volume a whirl!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
May 9, 2009
Loved it, but I'm sad that its the last one. A great ending to a great manga.
March 20, 2021
It's the big cliche shonen ending you expect but god damn it, it hits hard all the same. Power of friendship, I keep my ideals, good triumphs over evil, yadda yadda yadda. I fall for it every time, and it works so well. The art is great, Creed goes full mad supervillain and looks the part, and as we go into the epilogue life moves on and our characters keep doing what they do best.
January 4, 2026
I actually need 10000 volume more of this Manga
September 15, 2019
Oh my gosh, this had an amazing flashback scene, bringing up characters I had forgotten! I could just see this executed perfectly in the anime.
I loved the message at the end.
I can't deny, the battle scenes were epic but they really did drag out. Other than that, it was a great ending, one of which I couldn't guess what the outcome would be!
I will miss these character! I didn't realise how much I would love them and their story!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I loved the message at the end.
I can't deny, the battle scenes were epic but they really did drag out. Other than that, it was a great ending, one of which I couldn't guess what the outcome would be!
I will miss these character! I didn't realise how much I would love them and their story!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
January 24, 2011
An amazing ending to one of my all time favorite series!
Read
July 27, 2023Chiariamoci: Kentaro Yabuki ha 4 anni meno di me e ha piazzato non una ma TRE serie di successo su Shonen Jump: 20 volumi di Black Cat, 36 di To Love-Ru (col seguito To Love-Ru Darkness) e adesso ha in corso Ayakashi Triangle che è già al 14° tankobon.
Una colonna portante di Shonen Jump e della Shueisha, quindi, e non si discute.
Detto questo: incredibile che una serie scialba come Black Cat sia arrivata a 20 volumi.
Il talento del sensei nel disegno - elegantissimo - è indiscutibile, ma si tratta davvero di una serie di stereotipi del jumpismo senza che ci sia mai un guizzo o una trovata originale.
Il percorso è quello stabilito nel "manuale del battle manga": eroe, amici, arcinemico, vittoria grazie a una superiore forza di volontà e all'amicizia (o all'amore, il manga è stranamente pudico sull'argomento).
I potenziamenti e i colpi speciali non vengono setuppati, a tal punto che a volte pare di stare dalle parti di Otoko Juku (senza la stupidità demenziale che rendeva il manga di Miyashita esilarante - che sia arrivato anche quello a 20 volumi di pubblicazione è proprio una di quelle cose che possono succede in un mercato così peculiare come quello giapponese).
L'umorismo c'è, ma raramente, e non viene mai sfruttato a sufficienza il deformed (forse Yabuki non ci si trova a proprio agio), col risultato di rendere tutto molto mono-tono.
E le emozioni dei personaggi, così fondamentali per il manga e per il suo successo mondiale... beh, qui sono tutte artefatte, preconfezionate, stereotipate.
Ripeto: un grande maestro, con una carriera invidiabile.
E un manga che ai suoi tempi ha raggiunto un successo inspiegabile: ma forse non è un caso che come per molti titoli di quel periodo di Jump (penso a Psyren, Belzebuub, Toriko - 43 volumi... - , Tutor Hitman Reborn - 42 volumi...-, Sket Dance o Nurarihyon no mago) oggi sia stato quasi totalmente dimenticato se non da pochi cultori.
Ma intanto Yabuki i manga continua a farli, e con successo.
Beato lui.
Una colonna portante di Shonen Jump e della Shueisha, quindi, e non si discute.
Detto questo: incredibile che una serie scialba come Black Cat sia arrivata a 20 volumi.
Il talento del sensei nel disegno - elegantissimo - è indiscutibile, ma si tratta davvero di una serie di stereotipi del jumpismo senza che ci sia mai un guizzo o una trovata originale.
Il percorso è quello stabilito nel "manuale del battle manga": eroe, amici, arcinemico, vittoria grazie a una superiore forza di volontà e all'amicizia (o all'amore, il manga è stranamente pudico sull'argomento).
I potenziamenti e i colpi speciali non vengono setuppati, a tal punto che a volte pare di stare dalle parti di Otoko Juku (senza la stupidità demenziale che rendeva il manga di Miyashita esilarante - che sia arrivato anche quello a 20 volumi di pubblicazione è proprio una di quelle cose che possono succede in un mercato così peculiare come quello giapponese).
L'umorismo c'è, ma raramente, e non viene mai sfruttato a sufficienza il deformed (forse Yabuki non ci si trova a proprio agio), col risultato di rendere tutto molto mono-tono.
E le emozioni dei personaggi, così fondamentali per il manga e per il suo successo mondiale... beh, qui sono tutte artefatte, preconfezionate, stereotipate.
Ripeto: un grande maestro, con una carriera invidiabile.
E un manga che ai suoi tempi ha raggiunto un successo inspiegabile: ma forse non è un caso che come per molti titoli di quel periodo di Jump (penso a Psyren, Belzebuub, Toriko - 43 volumi... - , Tutor Hitman Reborn - 42 volumi...-, Sket Dance o Nurarihyon no mago) oggi sia stato quasi totalmente dimenticato se non da pochi cultori.
Ma intanto Yabuki i manga continua a farli, e con successo.
Beato lui.
October 11, 2021
The final chapter is absolutely lovely. It's the ending that Black Cat deserves, and truly embodies the thesis Kentaro Yabuki set out with. I have a lot of thoughts about Black Cat, notwithstanding its place in manga history, but also as a series that ran/runs much shorter than most popular Shonen manga. 20 volumes feels just right, but it also leaves a lot of things under-baked, particularly characters who are introduced and not given much time of day. This is especially true for the Chronos numbers, who all have wildly different personalities but don't get much room for growth, even in the climax where they're kinda supposed to be a main proponent. Rinslet, for one, becomes an afterthought in the final quarter of the series. Jenos is a silhouette, Belze does nothing, and I swear there are Chronos numbers left unrevealed. Even Charden and Kyoko, who, um, just vanish from the story entirely, are great characters. That said, Black Cat was a seminal manga for my childhood, and although there are fairly apparent narrative issues, there are also many more apparent reasons why the series became so iconic and why it will be remembered as a piece of classic early 2000s comics.
March 5, 2024
Black Cat may not be the best manga out there, I find the anime more to my liking, still one cannot help admire the nobility in its story. It’s a story about redemption. It’s not ironic that the Chronos no. I uses a weapon dubbed ‘Christ’. It’s a story about growing up and finding your own path. It’s about adventure, principle, living carefree and living true to you. I think Black Cat does an excellent job of delivering on its themes.
Sure it gets a little weird, the powers and techniques used might feel outta place, and honestly that makes it feel more like comics than anything else does. I don’t mind the setbacks. I feel like Creed is a good villain, and while I wished some of the others stepped up to the plate, it’s all good. It’s not all black and white anyway.
So, I like Black Cat. It packs up at 20 volumes and settles most accounts. I’m gonna grab the anime here soon and see if it’s everything I remembered. Even if it falls a little short of my expectations like tha manga slightly did these characters and this story have a special place in my heart and memories :)
Sure it gets a little weird, the powers and techniques used might feel outta place, and honestly that makes it feel more like comics than anything else does. I don’t mind the setbacks. I feel like Creed is a good villain, and while I wished some of the others stepped up to the plate, it’s all good. It’s not all black and white anyway.
So, I like Black Cat. It packs up at 20 volumes and settles most accounts. I’m gonna grab the anime here soon and see if it’s everything I remembered. Even if it falls a little short of my expectations like tha manga slightly did these characters and this story have a special place in my heart and memories :)
June 1, 2018
Unfortunately, Deus Ex Machina swoops in to save the day, in a volume that spends an equal amount of time on unnecessary filler as it does the ultimate battle - which is engaging, but ultimately not satisfying. The ending comes quickly afterwards, with little shed on Chronos, the remainder of the side characters, or last minute mysteries. Black Cat ends on the note that was always expected - however low that may be.
January 1, 2019
A fantastic end to a fantastic series. I haven’t read many manga series for a second time. Black Cat still holds up very well. The final battle between Train and Creed is one of the great manga battles of all time. I only wish Kentaro Yabuki would stop wasting his talents on a manga like “To Love Ru” and give us another classic action adventure.
July 16, 2023
I did it, I finished it!!! Party in the house!!!
I liked the ending. I mean I'm glad that it ended with Creed, because that's what this whole series has been about since volume 2. I would not have kept reading if the author had made up a new villain to replace Creed, honestly.
This is the longest series I've read to date. Whew! Otsukaresama deshita!
I liked the ending. I mean I'm glad that it ended with Creed, because that's what this whole series has been about since volume 2. I would not have kept reading if the author had made up a new villain to replace Creed, honestly.
This is the longest series I've read to date. Whew! Otsukaresama deshita!
July 29, 2025
It’s a good story, some areas needed more of a storyline in order to understand some areas like the main character and his enemy met and fought together (never mentions how these guys became partners in the organization) but other than that it’s a good a read.
June 30, 2021
There is no way to write about black cat, without spoilers so, all I can said is , it was perfect, so perfect that I went straight to watch the anime after finishing the manga, I just loved it
July 14, 2021
Wajar jika Black Cat menjadi salah satu serial fave.
Artwork yang baik serta alur cerita yang terjaga intens dari awal sampai akhir.
Overall 8/10
Artwork yang baik serta alur cerita yang terjaga intens dari awal sampai akhir.
Overall 8/10
April 18, 2016
Train left underground organization Chronos to live his life on his own terms - two years later, he's working with his partner Sven as a sweeper. The action scenes are well-choreographed, the art is great, and the plot is easy to follow and (mostly) believable. Another cool cover -- Yabuki's art has undergone an amazing transformation over the course of this series.
Endings are super tough -- this one was a bit cliche. Not much of what happened surprised me. Echidna's role in the ending made me wonder what her relationship with Creed was. I like that their relationship is understated; it leaves a lot to the imagination, but at the same time, I also wish we knew a little bit more!
I really liked Train's final words. Anyone can relate to Train's words, and that's why it was such a fantastic note to end on.
Overall, a fun series. I enjoyed the action scenes, but I do wish women had played a less sexualized role in the series. Perhaps I'll check out work by Yabuki in the future as well.
Endings are super tough -- this one was a bit cliche. Not much of what happened surprised me. Echidna's role in the ending made me wonder what her relationship with Creed was. I like that their relationship is understated; it leaves a lot to the imagination, but at the same time, I also wish we knew a little bit more!
I really liked Train's final words. Anyone can relate to Train's words, and that's why it was such a fantastic note to end on.
Overall, a fun series. I enjoyed the action scenes, but I do wish women had played a less sexualized role in the series. Perhaps I'll check out work by Yabuki in the future as well.
September 25, 2014
Overall, I found myself enjoying this Shonen title more than I anticipated. A lot of people got put off by the "Tao" weapons thing, but I liked it well enough. There weren't many surprises and the female characters (Eve, Saya, Sephiria) were completely BA.
I wasn't huge on the way this ended, though, simply because I didn't like and also the need to "save" everyone including enemies. Like I get it, you're the good guys but some of these people need to get the ax dropped on them. Sorry!
Also, lack of awesome Sven action in the last few chapters made me sad. MORE GRASPER EYE plz.
But give it a shot (oh, pun!). If you don't like it by book 5, odds are you won't like it at all. But if you can understand the Tao weaponry/powers and think they're kinda neat, this series is for you. Lots of action, fighting, one-liners, flashbacks, and some general goofiness to lighten the mood (some of my absolute favorite parts come from Train/Eve's or Sven/Train's verbal sparring).
Solid 4/5.
I wasn't huge on the way this ended, though, simply because I didn't like and also the need to "save" everyone including enemies. Like I get it, you're the good guys but some of these people need to get the ax dropped on them. Sorry!
Also, lack of awesome Sven action in the last few chapters made me sad. MORE GRASPER EYE plz.
But give it a shot (oh, pun!). If you don't like it by book 5, odds are you won't like it at all. But if you can understand the Tao weaponry/powers and think they're kinda neat, this series is for you. Lots of action, fighting, one-liners, flashbacks, and some general goofiness to lighten the mood (some of my absolute favorite parts come from Train/Eve's or Sven/Train's verbal sparring).
Solid 4/5.
January 23, 2014
The battle is pretty good. Train and Creed clash and pretty much destroy everything around them. It is obvious that the good guy wins, but his reasoning for his sentence is actually something quite admirable. I will admit that the wrap-up is a bit of a let down.
June 17, 2014
This was a really good series but I was disappointed that they didn't show what some of the other characters were up to at the end...the ones we hadn't heard much about for a while like Kyoko. Also I was hoping to see some of the former Apostles of The Stars (like Shiki) join up with Train.
March 25, 2015
I didn't really want Black Cat to end, there's a quite a few more questions in the air...But all in all it ended with a bang, a rail gun bang ;)
It was a really good ending to a really great series. :D I loved it~!
It was a really good ending to a really great series. :D I loved it~!
April 2, 2016
Spoilers!!!
It's all over. I've made the executive decision that I must own this series. So I am off to the bookstore.
I cried when Hades was destroyed. How awesome does Eve look with the short hair? Sven getting Hades fixed. Oh the feels.
I love Creed's punishment. Suffer you jerk.
It's all over. I've made the executive decision that I must own this series. So I am off to the bookstore.
I cried when Hades was destroyed. How awesome does Eve look with the short hair? Sven getting Hades fixed. Oh the feels.
I love Creed's punishment. Suffer you jerk.
December 27, 2011
Overall, a very enjoyable series and fun to read. I also found the conclusion satisfying and spot-on in terms of allowing characters to stay true to their natures, etc...
July 4, 2012
great ending!
January 26, 2013
I really liked this series.
February 15, 2014
So sad that it is over. Though it ended nicely, it feels like there is still so much more story left to tell.
April 24, 2014
I loved the series a lot storyline was good and was very humorous
August 4, 2014
I wished there was a sequel
October 17, 2014
The Finale of Black Cat :'(
Creed's blade is just disgusting.
Sven and Eve toast their foes.
And Saya's spirit gives Train a helping hand.
AWESOME!
Creed's blade is just disgusting.
Sven and Eve toast their foes.
And Saya's spirit gives Train a helping hand.
AWESOME!
January 11, 2015
I really loved this series but a bit disappointed it wasn't longer. I really loved train and Eve. <3
September 7, 2016
At first i didn't think i would like it. But as i kept reading it turned out to be a great series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews