Shaman King, Vol. 8: The Road to the Tao Stronghold

シャーマンキング [Shaman King] #8

by Hiroyuki Takei

Yoh, a shaman, meaning he has the ability to channel spirits, is training to compete in the "Shaman Fight in Tokyo," a tournament held every 500 years to see who will become the Shaman King and shape humanity's future.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Supernatural, Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Action

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2000

About the author

Hiroyuki Takei (武井宏之 Takei Hiroyuki) is a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of the manga and anime Shaman King. His brother, Hirofumi Takei (武井宏文) is also a manga-ka.

Reviews

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume concludes the revenge battle between Tao Ren and Yoh with a conclusion that will determine their faith in the Shaman King competition. It also announces when the next round begins and how much time they all have left to prepare, to train, and to say goodbye to their loved ones. The volume also includes a Tao-centric event that gives us an opportunity to give him the redemption he seeks as he becomes a quintessential friend to Yoh and the others. While it is a bit scattered in terms of story-telling, it was inevitable as it prepares us to enjoy another fighting sequence filled with surprises.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are getting interesting. Ryu is back and getting stronger, and Yoh, as the main character, is obviously getting stronger. Now, the team is on a mission to save another, so let's see how things pan out, and then Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I have I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and hope always to love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.

[Kiwi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zaczynam kwestionować własną poczytalność

[Maraya21 (The Reading Dragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Read for the 2022 KU Shitathon™ challenge – [Yearly Edition] – at Weaponized Pineapples ✨

♠ Plan C: #4 of 4 — Month: May ♠

[Jena Hemsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deducting one star just because I despise Tao En.

[Doc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaman King rated Teen and deals with death and spirits so if that bothers you then you might want to avoid this series (and seriously why not read reviews of earlier books than volume 8. I put these warning on pretty much every manga review. :) )

The battle between Yoh and Ren continues in this volume and we get to see who will move on but...what is this strange conclusion? If you are curious to find out who moves on in the shaman tournament be ready for a surprise. :)

The rocking Monks known as Boz crash the party after things settle down and Yoh has to stop them or Amidamaru could be in trouble. We also get to see wooden sword Ryu and his new partner when Yoh is at one of his lowest times bringing new life to the shaman fights to come. Before the actual tournament begins Ren has some unfinished business to finish up and returns home and finds himself in trouble. Thankfully Bason was able to escape to find Yoh and the others who agree to assist Ren who has been able to make friends with them all thanks to Yoh. Giants, zombies, and torture Oh my!

My favorite part of the book would have to be when Ryu takes on Boz and ends up slicing their car in half with a single blow with his boken. Way to go pompadour man! :)

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume, again, Ren was great. :) I'm also starting to like Ryu now. xD Which is surprising, I didn't like him very much before.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaman, n. In animistic religion, a person who communicates with (or is possessed by) Gods, Spirits, and the dead, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, and influence events. Shamans act as Medicine Men entering into a special trance to borrow these spirits' powers; guides or mediums, forming links between the physical and the spiritual worlds. In ancient times, they were the centers of society, and still are in some cultures today.

Ever since Amazon linked up with comiXology, so that readers could get comics, graphic novels and manga on their kindles, I have been meaning to check out what they had. Under Amazon Prime Reading you get a number of titles for free and this comiXology original is one such series.

The story revolves around a boy called Manta Oyamada, who, whilst cutting through a cemetery in Tokyo to try to catch the last train home after school, runs into a stranger called Yoh Asakura who is talking to ghosts. The next day in school no one will believe Manta's story, even when a new transfer student arrives and is nonother that Yoh. However, Yoh denies their meeting and laughs at the idea of there being ghosts.

This eighth volume continues the story with Yoh having travelled home to Izumo to have some intensive training. With his mana increased he is in the midst of his final qualifying fight with his arch-nemesis Ren. Can he win the fight and progress to the Shaman Fights proper?

Easy to read and engaging, I enjoyed this and it felt just like reading a paperback manga, even on Kindle, as you have to click through the book backwards. A nice little touch. Another solid 4* and onto the next volume!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've forgotten to point this out the past couple volumes, but Takei has been hinting at Hao for a little while. As of Volume 8, his name has been dropped, and we've semi-officially had a major part of the manga's story set up.

Aside from that, this volume continues the fight against Tao Ren, ending in a manner not unlike Son Goku vs. Tenshinhan in Dragon Ball, with the "villain" learning how to be a good guy through battle with the hero. Further, we get deeper into the subplot about Ren's father, a story that has been hinted at as early as Jun's introduction, if not Ren's own introduction. In a way, it does feel like it may be derailing the central narrative concerning the Shaman Fight, functionally "filler" to pass time in the month between the prelims and the official first round of the Fight, but this was foreshadowed well enough in previous chapters. Despite not being too clearly linked to the manga's "real" story, the content is still integral to the development of Tao Ren's character, especially w/r/t his new friendships, which in turn allows development for Yoh, et al.

I swear the BoZ encounter was a lot longer when I last read this. Now, it just feels like a minor diversion to set up Hao while also showing Ryu with Tokageroh. Even this isn't entirely substantial, as Ryu kinda just flashes in and bisects BoZ's car. He doesn't get to really show off his stuff until he and his buddies storm the Tao palace.

[Tesutamento · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cilt tam ortadan ikiye ayrılıyor. İlk kısımda Yoh ve Ren’in dövüşü sonlanıyor. Artık bir ay vakitleri var turnuva başlamadan önce. Hao’nun iki şarkıcı şamanı Yoh’u sıkıştırıp Amidamaru’yu saf dışı bırakıyor. Günü kurtarmaya beklenmedik yeni bir şaman geliyor.

İkinci kısımda da Ren Çin’e babasıyla yüzleşmeye ve bağlarını koparmaya gidiyor. Bu sırada ablası da babasına yenik düşüyor ve Pyron paramparça oluyor. Ren babasına yenilince Bason kaçıp Yoh’tan yardım istiyor ve ekibimiz ilk macerasına çıkıyor. Arkadaşlıklarının temeli belki de burada atılıyor. Ren’in karakterinde ilk büyük değişim de bu ciltte yaşanıyor. Son birkaç ciltte hikayenin biraz açıldığını, sıkıcı diyaloglar ve uzatılmış dövüşlerden arındığını görüyorum. Umarım devamı da bu şekilde gelir.

[James Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the fight between Yoh and Ren concludes, the preliminary rounds are over. The shamans are told to spend time with their loved ones, as their lives won't be the same after the next round of the Shaman Fight. Ren uses the opportunity confront the vicious path he was forcibly put on, by confronting his father. The menace of him is fantastically conveyed, which sets up the following storyline so very well. It's great to see Ryu back, as he's become more than a plot device now, yet I wish we could've seen his development a bit more, especially as it doesn't fit the timeline which was previously presented. In spite of this, this may be my favourite volume thus far.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yoh and Ren get the results of their preliminary match for the Shaman Fights and the result is life altering for them both! While the result was pretty predictable, the journey was something that one cannot dismiss because it was entertaining and interesting. In this volume enter Boz: The Rocking Monks! They are entertaining enough but the scene stealer of this volume is "Wooden Sword" Ryu! He has been the character that has grown on me the most since starting this series! Definitely has become a pillar of entertainment. Hiroyuki Takei delivers another entertaining volume. While I feel I read it quick...the art style lends to the pacing perfectly, so I feel it is the perfect mix.

[Kira Nerys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume takes the Shaman King story arc in a very different direction than it's been heading. I think it was good to up the stakes, and I really enjoy the middle portion of this volume, but I generally find that transition somewhat awkwardly handled, here. Nonetheless, Takei clearly prioritized new, exciting villains and this volume contains some super cool (read: intimidating) ones.

"Wooden Sword" Ryu has embraced his pompadour! Love the running gag of it, and the way he's beginning to embrace it.

[YoGI · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the volume with which Hiroyuki Takei decided he wants to add more to Yoh's story. Or at least this is the feeling I've got by reading it. I didn't like how Ryu became a shaman. First it was said that next part of the Shamans fights is in one month or so, then - that in this time Ryu had got three months of training. I also would be more happy if his training was better pictured.

[Siegfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally some backstory for Ren.
And out of nowhere, my man Ryu is a shaman AND he's in the Shaman Fight.
He's still the comedic relief but ALSO has utility in the story, even some highlights.
So far, the story is very shonen like, even if sometimes it gets a bit dark for one.
Plot wise, it still very solid and almost no slips.
I know it'll get very convoluted, bit for now it's solid as can be.

[Rissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely eating this series up! I Love the story line and drops of wisdom on many things but mostly reguarding taking things so serious in life and to trust yourself and the process & to be there for the people you care about most. Yohs character & story line is so refreshing. The artwork is so die for & every book leaves me wanting to live life more like Yoh! 💓

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - 5 stars

It’s nice to find out more about Tao Ren this volume. I actually feel bad for him now we’ve seen his father. A misunderstood soul isn’t always inherently bad. I’m looking forward to seeing how Ren’s character progresses and Yoh too of course!

[Jordan Isaacson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that Tao Ren is more humanized in this volume. We see that he isn't just some monster, but just very deeply damaged. At some points, it feels like filler and fluff to spread out the volume, but it is still entertaining nonetheless.

[Gabriela Zambrano A · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️
Este volúmen podría considerarse en el fin y el nuevo comienzo de la historia.🤭
Además la inclusión de nuevos personajes 👀🔥 qué aportan más emoción a la historia.
A seguir leyendo el Volúmen 9 😁

[Zeta_sole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amo este manga, es una lastima que salga tan caro para ser el tiempo que tardo en leerlos. $180 y no me dura la vuelta a casa :(

[Ty Ridgway · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, i recomend

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad manga, just not my favorite. I enjoyed the anime more. This was enjoyable.

[Bones · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
La primera parte fue algo lenta y no muy interesante.
Se pone mucho mejor cuando Ren decide enfrentar a su padre

[Felix Chen]

IIIIIITTTTTT WAS awesome with the whole group of shamans wow bang!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some character development

[Dimitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are getting serious...
I liked the "friendship" theme in this volume, and how the characters are getting affected by every incident etc.

[Ali's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy muy buen tomo!!! Las escenas de pelea espectaculares y me gusta cómo van apareciendo nuevos personajes y villanos y como todos evolucionan 🌟💪🏻

[Pili Aguilera]

this gave me hunter x hunter vibes, i'm soooo excited for the next volume.

[duniamimpigie Anggi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryu sangat menghibur di jilid ini! Suka Ryu!! Ehehehehe

[Jaymin Ewens]

Tao En

I like that this series is so good at continuing with beloved side characters to give them more depth. Plus Yoh deserves more cool friends.