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子連れ狼 [Kozure Ookami] #6
Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 6: Lanterns for the Dead
The legend of Lone Wolf and Cub continues to grow in this latest chapter of Koike and Kojima's epic samurai masterpiece chronicling the wanderings of Japan's deadliest assassin, Itto Ogami, and his infant son, Daigoro. In this volume, Ogami takes on the most dangerous killer of the countryside, foils the plans of a deceptive gambling troupe, tricks an evil lord into exposing his weak underbelly, and pits himself against the Shogun's dangerous and deadly Kurokawa ninja! Drawing extensively from Sun Tzu's The Art of War, and featuring the saddest puppy-dog story ever published, this must-have volume is packed with action and emotion.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 1997
23 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Kazuo Koike
562 books292 followersKazuo Koike (小池一夫, Koike Kazuo) was a prolific Japanese manga writer, novelist and entrepreneur.
Early in Koike's career, he studied under Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito and served as a writer on the series.
Koike, along with artist Goseki Kojima, made the manga Kozure Okami (Lone Wolf and Cub), and Koike also contributed to the scripts for the 1970s film adaptations of the series, which starred famous Japanese actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. Koike and Kojima became known as the "Golden Duo" because of the success of Lone Wolf and Cub.
Another series written by Koike, Crying Freeman, which was illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, was adapted into a 1995 live-action film by French director Christophe Gans.
Kazuo Koike started the Gekika Sonjuku, a college course meant to teach people how to be mangaka.
In addition to his more violent, action-oriented manga, Koike, an avid golfer, has also written golf manga.
Early in Koike's career, he studied under Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito and served as a writer on the series.
Koike, along with artist Goseki Kojima, made the manga Kozure Okami (Lone Wolf and Cub), and Koike also contributed to the scripts for the 1970s film adaptations of the series, which starred famous Japanese actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. Koike and Kojima became known as the "Golden Duo" because of the success of Lone Wolf and Cub.
Another series written by Koike, Crying Freeman, which was illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, was adapted into a 1995 live-action film by French director Christophe Gans.
Kazuo Koike started the Gekika Sonjuku, a college course meant to teach people how to be mangaka.
In addition to his more violent, action-oriented manga, Koike, an avid golfer, has also written golf manga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 19, 2020
[9/10]
Book six in the epic journey of a renegade samurai through the savage lands of Tokugawa period in Japan. This story feels as fresh to me, fascinating and informative, beautiful and scary, as if I have just started on my own journey following in the footsteps of Ogami Itto and his son right now. I might have taken year long pause in my perusing of the albums, but I’m real glad I’ve come back to them.
Lanterns for the Dead is an introductory sketch about the dangers of not paying close attention to the rules of politeness and respect towards those paranoid killers wearing pairs of very sharp swords. When a new servant at a roadside inn makes a careless Yakuza hand sign in the street, he pays with his life as the samurai who notices him mistakes the servant for a local mob boss.
Ogami Itto gets involved in the incident as he passes through the small village, searching for an artisan to prepare a pair of floating lanterns as an offering to gods. The homage to the dead that Lone Wolf intended for his own family is now derailed in order to include the imprudent servant and his closest friend.
Mostly, the story reminded me of an old quote from Robert E Howard, about how barbaric societies were a lot more polite than our modern ones, mostly because the slightest insult could end in bloodshed. It also reinforces a recurring theme of the Lone Wolf acting primarily not as a force of chaos, but as an angel of Justice.
Deer Chaser presents to us another sort of secret society in a country that is lousy with such organizations:
The Shika-Oi worked in teams to trick the marks
‘We’re Deer Chasers! Master Impersonators!
No one works the sting better than us!’
If you’ve seen the Robert Redford / Paul Newman classic movie, you might get an idea of the kind of sting these itinerant actors engage in. The deer are the peasants who need to be relieved of their money, the chasers are the actors creating the scene that convince the marks to bet on a sure thing.
Once again, Lone Wolf gets involved by accident, as the Shika-Oi come across one of his painted demons images that advertise Ogami Itto services as a highly paid assassin. The leader of the troupe decides to impersonate a samurai in order to get paid by the next client searching for Lone Wolf. They even manage to get their hands on a kid to play the role of the Cub in the incoming transaction. What could go wrong?
This episode, together with the next, fall within the category of a very cruel, merciless society, a place where the rot begins right at the head, with samurai and lords who forget their wows of honor and consider themselves above the common law:
As monstrous as a samurai heart! How can inferiors understand?!
Hunger Town starts with a couple of cute images of a small boy playing with a dog, but pretty soon the game becomes nauseous, as Ogami Itto apparently tortures the dog by shooting arrows at him, day after day. I already knew Ogami as a hard case, ready for any sort of murder, but why the animal cruelty?
An explanation might come from the next valley the creaking cart carrying his son passes through. The whole emaciated population rises up of their porches like zombies, stretching their hands adoringly towards the puppy : Food! Food!
But Lone Wolf has a different plan for the dog, and I will stop now with the reveals, in order to let readers discover the outcome on their own.
The Soldier in the Castle might be the key piece of this sixth volume. It starts with a meeting in a clearing graced by the statues of six Buddhas. As Ogami Itto prays to the six versions of a path to redemption, all closed to he who walks the devil’s path (Meifumado), he is attacked by a group of samurai in the service of the local landlord. Apparently they need his help in overturning a complicated political plot by the Shogun himself, who tries to steal their castle for his own use.
Choosing the path of honorable battle might mean the end of the road for Ogami Itto, since the odds are all but impossible. One man against a carefully guarded caravan, to be followed immediately by another single handed battle against the Shogun’s own Takuza assassins. But for a true samurai there isn’t really any choice!
One Stone Bridge is the most lyrical, emotional closure possible for the album. A small boy takes on the whole burden of the world on his own shoulders as his father lies at death’s door, following grave injuries in the previous battle. Yet, when the bells are tolling once again the call of the assassin, Itto must rise once more from his sick bed and confront his destiny on the bridge.
Amazing artwork and storytelling! I can’t wait to start on the next album.
Book six in the epic journey of a renegade samurai through the savage lands of Tokugawa period in Japan. This story feels as fresh to me, fascinating and informative, beautiful and scary, as if I have just started on my own journey following in the footsteps of Ogami Itto and his son right now. I might have taken year long pause in my perusing of the albums, but I’m real glad I’ve come back to them.
Lanterns for the Dead is an introductory sketch about the dangers of not paying close attention to the rules of politeness and respect towards those paranoid killers wearing pairs of very sharp swords. When a new servant at a roadside inn makes a careless Yakuza hand sign in the street, he pays with his life as the samurai who notices him mistakes the servant for a local mob boss.
Ogami Itto gets involved in the incident as he passes through the small village, searching for an artisan to prepare a pair of floating lanterns as an offering to gods. The homage to the dead that Lone Wolf intended for his own family is now derailed in order to include the imprudent servant and his closest friend.
Mostly, the story reminded me of an old quote from Robert E Howard, about how barbaric societies were a lot more polite than our modern ones, mostly because the slightest insult could end in bloodshed. It also reinforces a recurring theme of the Lone Wolf acting primarily not as a force of chaos, but as an angel of Justice.
Deer Chaser presents to us another sort of secret society in a country that is lousy with such organizations:
The Shika-Oi worked in teams to trick the marks
‘We’re Deer Chasers! Master Impersonators!
No one works the sting better than us!’
If you’ve seen the Robert Redford / Paul Newman classic movie, you might get an idea of the kind of sting these itinerant actors engage in. The deer are the peasants who need to be relieved of their money, the chasers are the actors creating the scene that convince the marks to bet on a sure thing.
Once again, Lone Wolf gets involved by accident, as the Shika-Oi come across one of his painted demons images that advertise Ogami Itto services as a highly paid assassin. The leader of the troupe decides to impersonate a samurai in order to get paid by the next client searching for Lone Wolf. They even manage to get their hands on a kid to play the role of the Cub in the incoming transaction. What could go wrong?
This episode, together with the next, fall within the category of a very cruel, merciless society, a place where the rot begins right at the head, with samurai and lords who forget their wows of honor and consider themselves above the common law:
As monstrous as a samurai heart! How can inferiors understand?!
Hunger Town starts with a couple of cute images of a small boy playing with a dog, but pretty soon the game becomes nauseous, as Ogami Itto apparently tortures the dog by shooting arrows at him, day after day. I already knew Ogami as a hard case, ready for any sort of murder, but why the animal cruelty?
An explanation might come from the next valley the creaking cart carrying his son passes through. The whole emaciated population rises up of their porches like zombies, stretching their hands adoringly towards the puppy : Food! Food!
But Lone Wolf has a different plan for the dog, and I will stop now with the reveals, in order to let readers discover the outcome on their own.
The Soldier in the Castle might be the key piece of this sixth volume. It starts with a meeting in a clearing graced by the statues of six Buddhas. As Ogami Itto prays to the six versions of a path to redemption, all closed to he who walks the devil’s path (Meifumado), he is attacked by a group of samurai in the service of the local landlord. Apparently they need his help in overturning a complicated political plot by the Shogun himself, who tries to steal their castle for his own use.
Choosing the path of honorable battle might mean the end of the road for Ogami Itto, since the odds are all but impossible. One man against a carefully guarded caravan, to be followed immediately by another single handed battle against the Shogun’s own Takuza assassins. But for a true samurai there isn’t really any choice!
One Stone Bridge is the most lyrical, emotional closure possible for the album. A small boy takes on the whole burden of the world on his own shoulders as his father lies at death’s door, following grave injuries in the previous battle. Yet, when the bells are tolling once again the call of the assassin, Itto must rise once more from his sick bed and confront his destiny on the bridge.
Amazing artwork and storytelling! I can’t wait to start on the next album.
November 26, 2014
The Lone Wolf & Cub series is well-known for the amount of research that went into allowing a lifelike picture of the historical era to be faithfully presented. This definitely adds to my enjoyment of the series, but added to this is the fact that while each individual story is generally self-contained there is a wider story arc that informs each of them both within and across volumes. Best of all is when specific details from previous tales make their way into later installments and not only add to the full picture we see, but show how Ogami Itto and Daigoro are growing and changing as they follow their bloody quest.
“Lanterns for the Dead”: One of the things I really like about the Lone Wolf & Cub series is the inside view it gives to the many facets of Tokugawa-era Japan. In this story we see a little bit more from Yakuza society as a low level member unwittingly offends a fearsome superior and pays the ultimate price. His grief-stricken friend tries to achieve a hopeless vengeance with obvious results. Along the way, however, his path intersects with that of Lone Wolf & Cub and the fearless Yakuza killer may not be as free from the arm of vengeance as he thinks.
“Deer Chaser”: Another side of the underbelly of feudal Japan is shown as we meet a party of ‘deer chasers’, grifters who play roles in order to con rich fools into rigged gambling dens. When they come across an abandoned temple displaying the call-signs of Meifumado and the map markings of Lone Wolf & Cub’s prospective clients their leader, who harbours his own dark secret, understands what is going on and decides to try the ultimate impersonation in order to make the score of a lifetime. Does anyone think this is going to end well?
“Hunger Town”: A rich noble has bled his Han dry of resources in order to feed his obsession with dog hunting. Ogami somewhat heartlessly trains his own dog in order to gain access to the noble who is also his next mark. Along the way he sees the poverty and starvation that are left in the wake of the noble’s selfish and venal ways and there may be more than just a deadly assassin waiting to pay him back for his crimes.
“The Soldier in the Castle”: Six nobles fear that their Han is being threatened by a ruse of the Shogunate when they hear that a regular gold shipment has been diverted through their territory for no good reason. They turn to Lone Wolf & Cub for aid in destroying the convoy before it can reach their land so they cannot be implicated in its loss. Ogami accepts and uses an old war tactic to both destroy the Shogun’s forces and draw out the Kurokuwa ninjas who are complicit in the plan, thereby creating yet another powerful enemy in his quest to destroy those that destroyed his family.
“One Stone Bridge”: Daigoro is left to tend for his father who is still suffering from the wounds he received in his last mission. A husband and wife who have lost their own child come across the boy and are enchanted by the boy’s devotion and resolute ways. They find the ill Ogami and try to help him with a doctor, but even while suffering Ogami has enemies he must fight. The Kurokuwa find him and declare their own war against the enfeebled assassin. Luckily Ogami has a few tricks up his sleeve from past adventures that might help him to survive this fight.
“Lanterns for the Dead”: One of the things I really like about the Lone Wolf & Cub series is the inside view it gives to the many facets of Tokugawa-era Japan. In this story we see a little bit more from Yakuza society as a low level member unwittingly offends a fearsome superior and pays the ultimate price. His grief-stricken friend tries to achieve a hopeless vengeance with obvious results. Along the way, however, his path intersects with that of Lone Wolf & Cub and the fearless Yakuza killer may not be as free from the arm of vengeance as he thinks.
“Deer Chaser”: Another side of the underbelly of feudal Japan is shown as we meet a party of ‘deer chasers’, grifters who play roles in order to con rich fools into rigged gambling dens. When they come across an abandoned temple displaying the call-signs of Meifumado and the map markings of Lone Wolf & Cub’s prospective clients their leader, who harbours his own dark secret, understands what is going on and decides to try the ultimate impersonation in order to make the score of a lifetime. Does anyone think this is going to end well?
“Hunger Town”: A rich noble has bled his Han dry of resources in order to feed his obsession with dog hunting. Ogami somewhat heartlessly trains his own dog in order to gain access to the noble who is also his next mark. Along the way he sees the poverty and starvation that are left in the wake of the noble’s selfish and venal ways and there may be more than just a deadly assassin waiting to pay him back for his crimes.
“The Soldier in the Castle”: Six nobles fear that their Han is being threatened by a ruse of the Shogunate when they hear that a regular gold shipment has been diverted through their territory for no good reason. They turn to Lone Wolf & Cub for aid in destroying the convoy before it can reach their land so they cannot be implicated in its loss. Ogami accepts and uses an old war tactic to both destroy the Shogun’s forces and draw out the Kurokuwa ninjas who are complicit in the plan, thereby creating yet another powerful enemy in his quest to destroy those that destroyed his family.
“One Stone Bridge”: Daigoro is left to tend for his father who is still suffering from the wounds he received in his last mission. A husband and wife who have lost their own child come across the boy and are enchanted by the boy’s devotion and resolute ways. They find the ill Ogami and try to help him with a doctor, but even while suffering Ogami has enemies he must fight. The Kurokuwa find him and declare their own war against the enfeebled assassin. Luckily Ogami has a few tricks up his sleeve from past adventures that might help him to survive this fight.
July 9, 2012
Once again, I'm impressed with how each individual story focuses on some completely different aspect of Japanese life and history. It's impossible to predict what will come next, and unlike many longrunning series, we don't see the characters in the same situations over and over again, but in strange, new positions all the time. Especially impressive since this is still a book about an assassin traveling and doing his dark work. The duels are often similar, but they're just set pieces, the real story is in the world and the people, which are never the same thing twice. It's like a master class in how to keep a story fresh without completely changing its formula.
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January 18, 2019
Taking a decidedly curvy approach to things, the first half actually places Long Wolf and his titular Cub mostly in the back seat. Playing something of a one-man cleanup crew, our Ronin acts more of a closer than the central engager in these first few tales. From a face saving series of slaughter and revenge to a zombie-esque tinged tale of famine alongside that of a hidden temple, the atmosphere favoring of the last builds up energy and allows the environs and erstwhile ancillaries to speak their pieces to a strongly contextualized effect.
The second half of the stories while still strongly focusing on others, ever so slowly bring Lone Wolf back to the forefront, albeit slowly. Building tension, tricksters, a defaced samurai, and sword wielders of all varieties play host to a bevy of tales that continually favor the subaltern. Again, by vigorously populating the second half not just with erstwhile secondaries and tertiaries but general peasant and middle class folk alike, Koike has evoked a richly complex essence of Japan’s post-medieval period.
Just bordering on the cusp of the gunpowder era, Long Wolf and Cub has earned another explosive two thumbs up.
The second half of the stories while still strongly focusing on others, ever so slowly bring Lone Wolf back to the forefront, albeit slowly. Building tension, tricksters, a defaced samurai, and sword wielders of all varieties play host to a bevy of tales that continually favor the subaltern. Again, by vigorously populating the second half not just with erstwhile secondaries and tertiaries but general peasant and middle class folk alike, Koike has evoked a richly complex essence of Japan’s post-medieval period.
Just bordering on the cusp of the gunpowder era, Long Wolf and Cub has earned another explosive two thumbs up.
May 3, 2021
Her zamanki gibi muhteşemdi. Bu seri belki Çizgi Romanlar rafında olabilir ama yerini çok hakeder bir biçimde Tarih raflarında da olabilirdi. Dönem Japonya'sına mükemmel bir şekilde ışık tutuyor. Çizimler her zamanki gibi şahane. Bazen hızlı geçtiğimi düşünüp tek tek sayfaları inceliyorum. Ya komik gelecek ama bazen çizer kalemi kaldırmadan yuvarlak karalamalar şeklinde desenler oluşturmuş. Ancak o bile bütüne baktığınızda o kadar harika ki..
Yalnız Ogami, Kıtlık Kasabası hikayesinde Daigoro'cuğumu üzdün bilesin. Bir önceki kitabın sonunda ateşli silahlarla ilgili bir bölüm vardı. İşte onun devamı ne oldu diye çok merak ettim ama Savaşçı Kaledir bölümüyle çıktı ortaya. Piyuuv.
Şiddetle tavsiye ederim.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
Yalnız Ogami, Kıtlık Kasabası hikayesinde Daigoro'cuğumu üzdün bilesin. Bir önceki kitabın sonunda ateşli silahlarla ilgili bir bölüm vardı. İşte onun devamı ne oldu diye çok merak ettim ama Savaşçı Kaledir bölümüyle çıktı ortaya. Piyuuv.
Şiddetle tavsiye ederim.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
October 28, 2015
There is so much amount of Japanese culture preserved in every Lone Wolf and Cub book, but this one seems to top the previous five. Ogami and his son Daigoro continue their quest for revenge as they walk the meifumado, or way of the demons.
The core story is the same for each chapter: go to contract place, look for the target, kill the target and walk away from the camera while looking badass. Yet the perspective and the approach focus on the side characters rather than the Lone Wolf. Like there's one chapter which focuses on two friends in a yakuza, Ogami's presence is scarce.
There's one chapter here that really broke my heart. I'm used to human assassinations and killings in the series, but murdering dogs? Oh man that's cruel. Effective, yes, because the hatred I felt was completely captured in Daigoro's deathstare of pure bloodlust that I wish he could have personally killed the scumbag dog murderer.
Then there's the one-page panels and two-page spreads of Goseki Kojima which blew me away! The poetry in his art is soulfully embedded in these pages. Just wow.
To think that volume six is already this good, what more will the next volumes be.
The core story is the same for each chapter: go to contract place, look for the target, kill the target and walk away from the camera while looking badass. Yet the perspective and the approach focus on the side characters rather than the Lone Wolf. Like there's one chapter which focuses on two friends in a yakuza, Ogami's presence is scarce.
There's one chapter here that really broke my heart. I'm used to human assassinations and killings in the series, but murdering dogs? Oh man that's cruel. Effective, yes, because the hatred I felt was completely captured in Daigoro's deathstare of pure bloodlust that I wish he could have personally killed the scumbag dog murderer.
Then there's the one-page panels and two-page spreads of Goseki Kojima which blew me away! The poetry in his art is soulfully embedded in these pages. Just wow.
To think that volume six is already this good, what more will the next volumes be.
August 4, 2019
The series is really hitting its stride now! I feel like Ogami is showing a bit more agency despite his dedication to the assassin way. Also the book has begun to explain a lot more things and often finds natural ways to do it. I'm becoming fully committed to Ogami Itto and his cause now. He is really showing off how awesome he is. Plus, just listen to this:
Kurokuwa ninja: "Your feud with the Yagū was no concern to the Kurokuwa...and thus we watched in silence! But now you interfere with the shogunate! You make enemies of us all!
Ogami Itto: How unfortunate.
That story was pretty awesome. I also find it interesting that Ogami Itto has never been injured by a weapon in his fights, but twice now he's been waylaid with fever. He may seem invincible, but the author reminds us he's not. His reminder is all the more powerful because it has nothing to do with weapon skill.
Lastly, one of the stories made me burst into tears unexpectedly for Daigoro. I guess that kid is really making his way into my heart.
Kurokuwa ninja: "Your feud with the Yagū was no concern to the Kurokuwa...and thus we watched in silence! But now you interfere with the shogunate! You make enemies of us all!
Ogami Itto: How unfortunate.
That story was pretty awesome. I also find it interesting that Ogami Itto has never been injured by a weapon in his fights, but twice now he's been waylaid with fever. He may seem invincible, but the author reminds us he's not. His reminder is all the more powerful because it has nothing to do with weapon skill.
Lastly, one of the stories made me burst into tears unexpectedly for Daigoro. I guess that kid is really making his way into my heart.
January 2, 2020
The Lone wolf and cub stories are still great. In this book, the mix of the stories worked for me perfectly. The revenge story about dumb yakuza wannabe, the story about an imposter-swindler gang, a story with dog bow hunting are great, but the final story about golden dust caravan is the most epic. Cunning, morals, duty and epic fight what do you want more from the "feudal japan samurai story"? But the greatest story is the follow-up to the epic one. Daigorō tending his wounded father Ittō, who despite his state must listen to the bells of meifumadō when they rang. Daigorō is an awesome character, Kazuo Koike (and Goseki Kojima) are exceptionally good at capturing a believable child in very special condition (raised as samurai & assassin's child on the road) and it's always a joy to read a story with him. With Six books finished, twenty-two ahead, I wonder how long I will be utterly joyful from this comics. But do far its great. Really great.
October 26, 2015
Every volume just get's better and better. All these short stories, each of them adds just a small piece to a bigger story. What a smart structure.
Though this one had more sad and emotional stories then the rest. First story with lanterns, then with Diagoro's dog and last story was so heartbreaking and if I had child of my own I think i would wept like a... you know who. :] (don't want to be a sexist:p)
Though this one had more sad and emotional stories then the rest. First story with lanterns, then with Diagoro's dog and last story was so heartbreaking and if I had child of my own I think i would wept like a... you know who. :] (don't want to be a sexist:p)
March 29, 2021
Historia de las linternas, al final en spoiler comento, pero estuvo nice
Luego lo de la banda de estafadores, buena historia
Sigue la historia del perrito, y esta si no me gusto, maltrato de perritos, y si el Lobo Solitario es mas malvado que el villano de esta historia.
La historia de los Jizo interesante, pero no se, como que su estrategia me suena a que va a ser contraproducente , tanto para los que lo contratan, como para el.
La historia del puente, es confirmación de que sospechan de el por lo de la historia anterior y convierte alguien neutral a su causa en un enemigo. Y quizá lo veamos después o quizá no, pero si dedujeron que fue el, también podrían deducir quien lo contrato, e irse contra ese clan, en efecto un mal trabajo.
4 stars, menos 1 por maltrato de perritos
Luego lo de la banda de estafadores, buena historia
Sigue la historia del perrito, y esta si no me gusto, maltrato de perritos, y si el Lobo Solitario es mas malvado que el villano de esta historia.
La historia de los Jizo interesante, pero no se, como que su estrategia me suena a que va a ser contraproducente , tanto para los que lo contratan, como para el.
La historia del puente, es confirmación de que sospechan de el por lo de la historia anterior y convierte alguien neutral a su causa en un enemigo. Y quizá lo veamos después o quizá no, pero si dedujeron que fue el, también podrían deducir quien lo contrato, e irse contra ese clan, en efecto un mal trabajo.
4 stars, menos 1 por maltrato de perritos
August 26, 2020
There is a lot to learn about the criminal element in the EDO period and this volume gives a few example of the Gambling Houses and the people who work there. A group of con artist take up the plot in one comic. Excellent art .
May 15, 2023
The sixth volume of Koike's and Kojima's masterpiece Lone Wolf and Cub further accentuates the legend of Ogami Ittō, a man who walks the assassin's road with his young son, Daigorō. While not my favorite volume thus far, the stories collected in the volume take a nice variety of approaches to illustrating the challenging lives of the Lone Wolf and Cub.
The first story, "Lanterns for the Dead", presents another multifaceted view of the Tokugawa-era Japan in which the story takes place. The story highlights the Yakuza of the period, and how Ogami's road of vengeance is intricately tied into that of the amoral elements of the time. It wasn't my favorite Lone Wolf yarn, but it does demonstrate how well Koike and Kojima understand the need to not pontificate Ogami's journey as being one of a moral cause. The parallel of the lowly Yakuza's journey towards violence and Ogami's own is pretty subtly done, though I did feel it was a little too loosely connected to get the point across efficiently.
"Deer Chaser" follows a group of traveling performers who are essentially grifters looking to make a quick buck. Things go wrong for them quickly when they recognize the assassin markers on the road being left for Ogami, and decide that they will impersonate the deadly Lone Wolf and Cub. This was a fun story for sure, and the most unique one of the bunch.
"Hunger Town" features Ogami on the hunt for a rich noble who starves his own people while simultaneously relishing in hunting for sport. Daigorō adopts a dog which Ogami then heartlessly trains as a means to get close to his target, and the story shows just how much of Daigorō's innocence is lost on the assassin's road. Probably not a story for animal lovers since there is a fair amount of cruelty in this story.
"The Soldier in the Castle" has a group of nobles hiring Ogami to intercept a shipment of gold and hinder the Shogunate. Ogami puts on a masterclass of military tactics to accomplish the mission, and it's beautifully rendered in the energetic style of Kojima's kinetic linework. The story ends with yet another foe in Ogami's ever growing list of enemies.
The final story, "One Stone Bridge", has Daigorō taking care of a wounded Ogami. Despite the myriad of injuries, Ogami takes the fight to the Kurokuwa forces showing yet again that the willpower of the Lone Wolf is not to be matched.
The varying stories of Lone Wolf and Cub do a great job building the mythical nature of the characters, while never feeling stale throughout. This was yet another solid entry into the mythos.
The first story, "Lanterns for the Dead", presents another multifaceted view of the Tokugawa-era Japan in which the story takes place. The story highlights the Yakuza of the period, and how Ogami's road of vengeance is intricately tied into that of the amoral elements of the time. It wasn't my favorite Lone Wolf yarn, but it does demonstrate how well Koike and Kojima understand the need to not pontificate Ogami's journey as being one of a moral cause. The parallel of the lowly Yakuza's journey towards violence and Ogami's own is pretty subtly done, though I did feel it was a little too loosely connected to get the point across efficiently.
"Deer Chaser" follows a group of traveling performers who are essentially grifters looking to make a quick buck. Things go wrong for them quickly when they recognize the assassin markers on the road being left for Ogami, and decide that they will impersonate the deadly Lone Wolf and Cub. This was a fun story for sure, and the most unique one of the bunch.
"Hunger Town" features Ogami on the hunt for a rich noble who starves his own people while simultaneously relishing in hunting for sport. Daigorō adopts a dog which Ogami then heartlessly trains as a means to get close to his target, and the story shows just how much of Daigorō's innocence is lost on the assassin's road. Probably not a story for animal lovers since there is a fair amount of cruelty in this story.
"The Soldier in the Castle" has a group of nobles hiring Ogami to intercept a shipment of gold and hinder the Shogunate. Ogami puts on a masterclass of military tactics to accomplish the mission, and it's beautifully rendered in the energetic style of Kojima's kinetic linework. The story ends with yet another foe in Ogami's ever growing list of enemies.
The final story, "One Stone Bridge", has Daigorō taking care of a wounded Ogami. Despite the myriad of injuries, Ogami takes the fight to the Kurokuwa forces showing yet again that the willpower of the Lone Wolf is not to be matched.
The varying stories of Lone Wolf and Cub do a great job building the mythical nature of the characters, while never feeling stale throughout. This was yet another solid entry into the mythos.
March 15, 2024
From Hoopla:
Lanterns for the Dead
Deer Chaser
Hunger Town
The Soldier is the Castle
One Stone Bridge
Glossary
Creator Profiles
Art Gallery
From the Omnibus
Lanterns for the dead - don't do special dances in public. This story seems to show a level of built in unfairness in the time period - lots of reasons why someone can call you. And in the end the idea of the lanterns doesn't really sail.
Deer chaser - the first part of this has the con-man doing their job - but at first it is not clear that's what's happening. And then you've got greed. And then you've got death. But I want to know is how (apparently) taking the money but not doing the job would effect Lone Wolf's reputation. This also made it clear that he keeps on getting paid a lot of money that would take up a lot of bulk. I wish they were seen dealing with that money afterwards.
Hunger town - another first part which is all about training/hurting a dog. And then the second part which is the actual assassination. And the peasant uprising - which could have been explained to be in typical thing. We do see how much Cub wants something more.
The soldier is the castle - And then we are back to Guns of Sakai in which Lone Wolf uses the mounted gun. The idea on this one is that the people would get away with defending themselves without it being known. And they do, but Lone Wolf doesn't. So maybe this will be a through story. There was a framing device around some statues that I got nothing from.
One stone bridge - a nearly direct continuation from the soldier is in the castle. And another framing device, this one a song and a bridge. Cub is the more important part of this one - and we see that him as a compelling figure from prospective adoptive parents. But also as damaged goods.
Not quite as good without a couple of the framing stories. But basically works. 3.5 of 5
Lanterns for the Dead
Deer Chaser
Hunger Town
The Soldier is the Castle
One Stone Bridge
Glossary
Creator Profiles
Art Gallery
From the Omnibus
Lanterns for the dead - don't do special dances in public. This story seems to show a level of built in unfairness in the time period - lots of reasons why someone can call you. And in the end the idea of the lanterns doesn't really sail.
Deer chaser - the first part of this has the con-man doing their job - but at first it is not clear that's what's happening. And then you've got greed. And then you've got death. But I want to know is how (apparently) taking the money but not doing the job would effect Lone Wolf's reputation. This also made it clear that he keeps on getting paid a lot of money that would take up a lot of bulk. I wish they were seen dealing with that money afterwards.
Hunger town - another first part which is all about training/hurting a dog. And then the second part which is the actual assassination. And the peasant uprising - which could have been explained to be in typical thing. We do see how much Cub wants something more.
The soldier is the castle - And then we are back to Guns of Sakai in which Lone Wolf uses the mounted gun. The idea on this one is that the people would get away with defending themselves without it being known. And they do, but Lone Wolf doesn't. So maybe this will be a through story. There was a framing device around some statues that I got nothing from.
One stone bridge - a nearly direct continuation from the soldier is in the castle. And another framing device, this one a song and a bridge. Cub is the more important part of this one - and we see that him as a compelling figure from prospective adoptive parents. But also as damaged goods.
Not quite as good without a couple of the framing stories. But basically works. 3.5 of 5
April 24, 2020
All the Lone Wolf & Cub books up to this point have been excellent and this volume is no different; both story and art are on top form the juxtaposition of the bloody violence and (sometimes brutal but always caring) relationship between the two continues.
I just thought I need to comment on the awful artwork that has been placed on the front cover; as with the rest of these volumes it's provided by Frank Miller but unlike the previous volumes (well #5 was pretty bad too) it's just terrible and comes across as some fan art that was found on some random DeviantArt page. Seriously it looks nothing like Daigoro and to add insult to injury there's a beautiful painting of him on the back from Kojima himself as well as two full size paintings in the back of the book under the guise of Art Gallery. I'm astonished why neither of these where chosen and why they continued with Miller's out of place cover art.
This however doesn't effect the final rating as the contents is top notch five star material. Can't wait to start the next volume.
I just thought I need to comment on the awful artwork that has been placed on the front cover; as with the rest of these volumes it's provided by Frank Miller but unlike the previous volumes (well #5 was pretty bad too) it's just terrible and comes across as some fan art that was found on some random DeviantArt page. Seriously it looks nothing like Daigoro and to add insult to injury there's a beautiful painting of him on the back from Kojima himself as well as two full size paintings in the back of the book under the guise of Art Gallery. I'm astonished why neither of these where chosen and why they continued with Miller's out of place cover art.
This however doesn't effect the final rating as the contents is top notch five star material. Can't wait to start the next volume.
April 16, 2019
Um dos atrativos da série (o que me trouxe até ela, por sinal) é a maneira como as histórias dialogam com as tradições do Japão medieval. Este volume é um exemplo disso, na medida em que a primeira história resgata a tradição do mandou-nagashi (de homenagear os mortos atirando lanternas ao rio) como pano de fundo para um conflito motivado por desavenças internas na yakuza. Outra tradição vista aqui é a do inoui, uma espécie de caça esportiva feita com cães, praticada por um senhor de terras responsável pela fome de uma aldeia adjacente à sua fortaleza. A melhor seção, no entanto, é aquela dedicada a uma história na qual um grupo de golpistas assume o lugar de Itto Ogami a fim de extraviar os 500 ryus de recompensa pelas suas atividades. Há ainda, ao final do volume, um valioso artigo sobre a galeria de armas utilizadas por samurais. Costumo gostar bastante das capas do Frank Miller, mas nesta o pobre Daigoro está parecendo um pókemon obeso, sinceramente...
June 5, 2025
This has been my favorite volume so far, beginning with interesting stories and then ending with three straight chapters I consider very well-done. "Hunger Town" is a sad, growing pains story continuing to highlight historical traditions, "Soldiers in the Castle" is a more action-oriented tale showcasing strategy and tactics, and "One Stone Bridge" is touching, building Daigoro's character and presenting a somewhat uncommon instance of follow-through, as it directly continues from the events of "Soldiers in the Castle."
My only true critical complaint would be that, in moments of high emotion, the words tend to get in the way a little, almost telling the reader what to think rather than letting the art do its job. However, this is a translated work, so occasional disruptions to the narrative are kind of expected (but that may have been how it was originally penned).
My only true critical complaint would be that, in moments of high emotion, the words tend to get in the way a little, almost telling the reader what to think rather than letting the art do its job. However, this is a translated work, so occasional disruptions to the narrative are kind of expected (but that may have been how it was originally penned).
July 8, 2019
Si bien al principio esta obra me pareció un poco repetitiva. Tenemos cinco volúmenes atrás, impresionantes, inmersivos y muy profundos, si, pero aún así se puede hacer cansado para un lector tener eso una y otra vez.
A medio volumen, el tomo mejora considerablemente y nos da una historia profunda sobre el budismo, la de los Jizo, y nos da otra historia de Daigoro y unos actores donde podemos ver al niño en aprietos.
Nuevamente las capacidades de crear una atmósfera de los autores, es lo que hace que esta sea una obra imperdible. Cada página es como estar en una película de Akira Kurosawa, los personajes, las escenas de acción y lo demás crea una atmósfera tensa y preocupante donde no puedes dejar el libro.
Una obra reflexiva e impresionante. Lleva 6 tomos impecables.
A medio volumen, el tomo mejora considerablemente y nos da una historia profunda sobre el budismo, la de los Jizo, y nos da otra historia de Daigoro y unos actores donde podemos ver al niño en aprietos.
Nuevamente las capacidades de crear una atmósfera de los autores, es lo que hace que esta sea una obra imperdible. Cada página es como estar en una película de Akira Kurosawa, los personajes, las escenas de acción y lo demás crea una atmósfera tensa y preocupante donde no puedes dejar el libro.
Una obra reflexiva e impresionante. Lleva 6 tomos impecables.
September 8, 2020
In addition to previously mentioned excellencies, this series is consistently teaching me new things about it's historical setting. Once I have finished, I expect I'll need a re-read to see how knowledge gained latter on illuminates earlier incidents.
However, this is a story about an assassin in a time when sudden violent death is common, even without killings for hire. Suicide is honoured. Private vengeance is not only legal and expected, but required. So there's a lot of blood. A lot of stories end badly. A lot of visuals could have inspired Tarantino. I deal much better with the death of humans, no matter how tragic, then animals. The casual slaughter of horses is hard. Daigoro losing his dog is worse.
However, this is a story about an assassin in a time when sudden violent death is common, even without killings for hire. Suicide is honoured. Private vengeance is not only legal and expected, but required. So there's a lot of blood. A lot of stories end badly. A lot of visuals could have inspired Tarantino. I deal much better with the death of humans, no matter how tragic, then animals. The casual slaughter of horses is hard. Daigoro losing his dog is worse.
November 30, 2021
some guy: hewwo sir may i please buy your two lanterns
ogami: can you buy a person's heart and soul? when you release a lantern upon the water, you do so remembering your loved ones in the land of the dead. swallowing your tears, you set your heart adrift. these lanterns carry my spirit in them already, lest i enter the buddhist hell of meifumado. would you buy my death, one destined by the six paths the demons have driven me down?
guy: dude i just wanted to buy a lantern
ogami: can you buy a person's heart and soul? when you release a lantern upon the water, you do so remembering your loved ones in the land of the dead. swallowing your tears, you set your heart adrift. these lanterns carry my spirit in them already, lest i enter the buddhist hell of meifumado. would you buy my death, one destined by the six paths the demons have driven me down?
guy: dude i just wanted to buy a lantern
January 29, 2022
Another superb volume that finds Lone Wolf & Cub on another series of adventures, fighting everything from deadly ninja to conmen. Koike continues with his starkly realistic and brutal take on samurai life, especially in the lengths Lone Wolf & Cub do to accomplish there missions (one with a dog is especially tragic). It is matched by Goseki Kojima's equally realistic yet brutal art, making feudal Japan never look better. Probably one of the best manga series ever.
May 11, 2024
Still not a lot of focus on our main characters(getting better)and way too much historical info dumping.
Otherwise a good read, the stories more focused on the cub were much better than the historical info dump, I teared up at one point.
I hope we get more characters developed and less info dumps going forward.
Otherwise a good read, the stories more focused on the cub were much better than the historical info dump, I teared up at one point.
I hope we get more characters developed and less info dumps going forward.
July 27, 2017
Fascinating
The Yaygu feud has expanded to include members of the Shogunate directly and Lone Wolf's sense of purpose becomes clearer and clearer. Explorations of Jizo worship in Buddhism and Edo period accuracy makes this series shine more and more as I read.
The Yaygu feud has expanded to include members of the Shogunate directly and Lone Wolf's sense of purpose becomes clearer and clearer. Explorations of Jizo worship in Buddhism and Edo period accuracy makes this series shine more and more as I read.
June 24, 2018
Mais uma vez o roteirista Kazuo Koike mostra como contar histórias poderosas mesmo nos momentos de calmaria, entre um combate e outro. E a arte ora poética, ora tensa de Goseki Kojima é de uma expressão incomparável. Novamente, o pequeno Daigoro se revela um personagem fascinante.
July 29, 2020
The chapter with the puppy and the last story with Diagoro caring for his sick father made this one jump from a 4 to a 5 star. I really enjoy when they focus the story on Diagoro once in a while. I love this series.
December 24, 2021
The continued adventures of Lone Wolf and Cub involving con artists, gamblers, and the Kurokawa along with more Buddhist philosophy. Daigoro has two major stories here, including a chance to leave Ogami, and they are the most memorable of the collection.
December 4, 2023
One of the best volumes yet. The charecters realt came to life in this one. And - lo and behold! Continuity! Coonected stories! Pay off!
Great artwork, brutal story (the episode with the puppy was too much for me) which I plan to follow through to the end.
Great artwork, brutal story (the episode with the puppy was too much for me) which I plan to follow through to the end.
February 8, 2024
Another volume which feels like Kazuo Koike had a piece of Japanese history he wanted to tell and insterted Lone Wolf and Cub into it. But the plot also advances. More people know who Ogami Itto is and about his quest. He starts rubbing people the wrong way in other parts of the country.
February 6, 2025
Jag är så glad att jag blev rekommenderad den här serien. Efter sex volymer är detta fortfarande en trevlig läsning. Uppriktigt sagt, med den precision och omsorg som visas för berättelsen och karaktärerna, känner jag att detta skulle kunna fortsätta i 20 volymer utan att bli tråkigt.
December 14, 2017
Hikaye çok güzel gidiyor ama Ogami İtto'nun sürekli onlarca kişiyi doğraması biraz can sıkıcı oluyor, biraz daha gizli ve planlı işler yapsa keşke.
January 24, 2020
Same as the first. Fantastic art, engaging action stories, not much to the characters.
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