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Okko #7-8
Okko: The Cycle of Fire
The fourth and final volume of Archaia's lusciously illustrated samurai series is printed in English for the first time.
Originally published in France, OKKO is the story of a ronin warrior and his band of demon hunters as they travel from village to village during the age of the fictitious Pajan Empire (similar to medieval Japan). When two of Pajan's great clans covertly agree to a marriage between their heirs to form a powerful alliance, Okko the ronin and his group of demon hunters are recruited to insure the security of the ceremony in the long-awaited fourth volume of the series that blends the fantasy and samurai genres.
Originally published in France, OKKO is the story of a ronin warrior and his band of demon hunters as they travel from village to village during the age of the fictitious Pajan Empire (similar to medieval Japan). When two of Pajan's great clans covertly agree to a marriage between their heirs to form a powerful alliance, Okko the ronin and his group of demon hunters are recruited to insure the security of the ceremony in the long-awaited fourth volume of the series that blends the fantasy and samurai genres.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published December 5, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 9, 2022
The final volume of the Okko series published in English is the best of the bunch, wisely dialing down the earlier emphasis on combat and martial acrobatics in favor of a more complex, layered story that is visually richer than its predecessors. Okko still presents a very westernized version of Japanese culture, but it's done with a more sensitive touch in The Cycle of Fire, and that serves the story well.
The highlight of the book is a long sequence in the Winter Garden, culminating in a chase scene through snowy pathways that seems to riff on Hergé's Tintin in Tibet, leveraging expanses of white space to achieve visual focus that really brings out each character's unique traits. It's very well done, and a highlight of the overall Okko series.
To my knowledge, the last volume in the series (Le Cycle du vide) was never published in English, and that's a shame, since all indications are that the creators were improving their skills as they went along.
The highlight of the book is a long sequence in the Winter Garden, culminating in a chase scene through snowy pathways that seems to riff on Hergé's Tintin in Tibet, leveraging expanses of white space to achieve visual focus that really brings out each character's unique traits. It's very well done, and a highlight of the overall Okko series.
To my knowledge, the last volume in the series (Le Cycle du vide) was never published in English, and that's a shame, since all indications are that the creators were improving their skills as they went along.
August 2, 2015
This is the fourth and final book in the Okko series. Actually the end of this book states that there will be a 5th trade paperback, but the synopsis on the book says that this is the final volume...so whatever. I continue to enjoy the lush drawing and asian themed storyline to these graphic novels.
In this volume of Okko two of Pajan’s clans strike a marriage agreement between their clans in hopes of forming an alliance. Okko and his companions are hired to secure the area for the ceremony; however the young bride to be doesn’t want to get married and has plans of her own.
As with all the volumes of Okko the story is a beautiful blend of Asian influence and fantasy world. There is a lot of action and intrigue as well.
The illustration continues to be very detailed and just absolutely top notch; I love looking at the detailed pictures throughout.
I enjoyed this volume a lot. However this was never a 5 star graphic novel series for me because at times I have a bit of trouble following the story; there are a lot of characters and a lot of them look very similar.
Overall this was another well done installment in the Okko series. There is a lot of action and intrigue and some beautiful illustration. I really love the world building in these novels and the wonderfully quirky characters. However, at times the story is a bit hard to follow. I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fantasy graphic novels.
In this volume of Okko two of Pajan’s clans strike a marriage agreement between their clans in hopes of forming an alliance. Okko and his companions are hired to secure the area for the ceremony; however the young bride to be doesn’t want to get married and has plans of her own.
As with all the volumes of Okko the story is a beautiful blend of Asian influence and fantasy world. There is a lot of action and intrigue as well.
The illustration continues to be very detailed and just absolutely top notch; I love looking at the detailed pictures throughout.
I enjoyed this volume a lot. However this was never a 5 star graphic novel series for me because at times I have a bit of trouble following the story; there are a lot of characters and a lot of them look very similar.
Overall this was another well done installment in the Okko series. There is a lot of action and intrigue and some beautiful illustration. I really love the world building in these novels and the wonderfully quirky characters. However, at times the story is a bit hard to follow. I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fantasy graphic novels.
May 25, 2017
this is really really gorgeous. the visuals are like nothing else out there and the story, though it really gets close to the line between homage and cliche, is saved by it.
now I enter the confused crowd that will apparently never get an answer - where's the final cycle? the book says there is a single cycle to follow, the insert indicates there is one more as well, but descriptions that are more recent say this is the end. what's the truth? I'll let you know if I figure it out.
now I enter the confused crowd that will apparently never get an answer - where's the final cycle? the book says there is a single cycle to follow, the insert indicates there is one more as well, but descriptions that are more recent say this is the end. what's the truth? I'll let you know if I figure it out.
February 18, 2015
The final part of Okko is now firmly at the top of my most wanted list. Hurry up Hub.
April 27, 2024
Very boring. Overly complicated plot which lacks both action and supernatural elements, making it far less visual than any of the prior volumes. A bunch of talk and political intrigue that amounts to nothing in the end.
SPOILER
A ton of time is spent on setup, most of which never pays off. The reasons and methods behind the princess’ plot were obvious, so no mystery there, though they are treated as a revelation. The identity of the poisonous advisor — some random Ataku actor — is underwhelming and out of left field. I don’t care about this character.
Nor is it clear why any of this should absolve Okko and friends, given than 100 samurai had committed seppuku for a failure in which they had no part.
The general concept behind the story wasn’t bad. There is one scene which is very good — the pivotal scene wherein Okko decapitates the young lord and flees through a burning wood before jumping off a waterfall. That scene is where the book should have started. Instead it falls on page 50, roughly half-way through. Throughout all those pages Okko has no compelling goal; he’s just waiting around.
After Okko’s outrageous crime, one would expect tons of high-stakes action as the ronin runs for his life across Pajan. Yet the pursuit is low key/nonexistent. We’re told that the emperor has ordered an all-out search but we never see it. Instead, scenes of irrelevant maneuvering by various bit players. There is no climax as the book ends with exposition and a whimper.
Also, the fire theme is abandoned after the first half.
/SPOILER
Hub outsmarted himself with this one, going beyond his capabilities and away from his strengths, and the result is a cluttered and forgettable goose chase.
SPOILER
A ton of time is spent on setup, most of which never pays off. The reasons and methods behind the princess’ plot were obvious, so no mystery there, though they are treated as a revelation. The identity of the poisonous advisor — some random Ataku actor — is underwhelming and out of left field. I don’t care about this character.
Nor is it clear why any of this should absolve Okko and friends, given than 100 samurai had committed seppuku for a failure in which they had no part.
The general concept behind the story wasn’t bad. There is one scene which is very good — the pivotal scene wherein Okko decapitates the young lord and flees through a burning wood before jumping off a waterfall. That scene is where the book should have started. Instead it falls on page 50, roughly half-way through. Throughout all those pages Okko has no compelling goal; he’s just waiting around.
After Okko’s outrageous crime, one would expect tons of high-stakes action as the ronin runs for his life across Pajan. Yet the pursuit is low key/nonexistent. We’re told that the emperor has ordered an all-out search but we never see it. Instead, scenes of irrelevant maneuvering by various bit players. There is no climax as the book ends with exposition and a whimper.
Also, the fire theme is abandoned after the first half.
/SPOILER
Hub outsmarted himself with this one, going beyond his capabilities and away from his strengths, and the result is a cluttered and forgettable goose chase.
December 28, 2017
These volumes ties for the best book in the series along with the previous installment. As such one does not need to read previous volumes as what has happened in them is clearly told at the start of this volume and really bears no connection with the present plot and storytelling. Also, the series never gets into past stories of the characters, the non-development of the characterization could be said to be the only weak point in the series.
The setting is a medieval-themed Japanese style country, full of mystic arts, magic & daemons. We follow a group of adventures on how they face great odds at defending themselves. In the process, they unravel a deeper agenda behind what may have seen to be a straightforward plot. The book is full of intrigue, action and entertainment.
The art is the highlight of the series, it was already great at the start of the series but is still able to evolve and go up a notch higher with each volume. The art is refreshing and got a unique signature style of its own, a bit of mix of French Comic, Japanese Manga and Korean Webtoon or it just may be its own style. Each of the illustration is clean and clear, the colors really beautiful.
The series ends with this volume but it says there was another one to come out. Still not a big miss as they never did develop personal backstories of our heroes.
The setting is a medieval-themed Japanese style country, full of mystic arts, magic & daemons. We follow a group of adventures on how they face great odds at defending themselves. In the process, they unravel a deeper agenda behind what may have seen to be a straightforward plot. The book is full of intrigue, action and entertainment.
The art is the highlight of the series, it was already great at the start of the series but is still able to evolve and go up a notch higher with each volume. The art is refreshing and got a unique signature style of its own, a bit of mix of French Comic, Japanese Manga and Korean Webtoon or it just may be its own style. Each of the illustration is clean and clear, the colors really beautiful.
The series ends with this volume but it says there was another one to come out. Still not a big miss as they never did develop personal backstories of our heroes.
June 6, 2025
Well its over. I dont think they will put out a English version of the last installment and honestly im not mad. Whomever was translating and editing the English versions was just horrible. They may have possibly ruined something amazing. Or maybe the writer just sucks🤷🏽 the paneling was just a train wreck, the fight scenes were not good. Not that im a fight expert its just the physics of it didn't make any sense.
Tragic ending to some amazing art and a fun concept. This reminds me of a Netflix production 😂
Tragic ending to some amazing art and a fun concept. This reminds me of a Netflix production 😂
March 26, 2018
The story of rónin Okko is epic. It starts humble with first book and then steps up with each one book, adding serious progress to each character and reveals important bits of history. Even some side-characters have their firm place in this word and I shouldn't be surprised to see them again. But I am. As with this whole series. Amazing. Thought trough, absorbing and utterly fascinating.
April 8, 2018
Great art and a nice story. Still wondering about the moving cocoons... Recommend reading the entire series. Next is Okko: The Cycle of Emptiness. I don't know why it's not here, in Goodreads. This could be a good tv series for those who enjoyed The Legend of Korra. I hope they decide to adapt it someday.
September 19, 2018
Fortsetzung der großartigen Samurai (bzw. Ronin) Saga. Erneut entspinnt sich ein Netz aus Intrigen, in deren Mittelpunkt Okko und seine Gefährten - eher unfreiwillig - geraten. Nur etwas blöd, dass man über die HIntergrundgeschichte wiederum nur wenig erfährt.
May 22, 2018
I am in love with this art and the plot and ever so lovable irritable Okko!
June 14, 2020
Je l'ai trouvé confus ce cycle. Mais j'aime bien comme le passage du temps est interprété dans la saga. Okko est le rônin le plus mystérieux de tous ! Et Noburo, on en parle ? C'est qui ?
August 7, 2020
The story and characters are page turners, and the illustration is beautiful, this series is easy to like.
July 1, 2022
Continues to amaze me! Love the art. Naburo is so visually stunning. A favorite for sure.
March 1, 2017
I love this series, and the fourth volume brought more of what I enjoy about it. There are strange logic gaps involved in character motivation in one or two places, but on the whole it's a great book and a lot of fun.
June 27, 2016
Review to come!
October 26, 2016
I missed the first 3 TPBs in this series, and now should try to find them. Very good art and story set in feudal Japan. Loved it.
September 11, 2021
Retroactive Review (11 Sep 2021): Please see my review of the series
here
under the first volume.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews