Claymore, Vol. 14: A Child Weapon

Claymore [クレイモア] #14

by Norihiro Yagi

In their hunt for Galatea, the Organization's former number 3, Clarice and Miata enter the Holy City of Rabona, but what they encounter there is far beyond anything they could have anticipated. Also included in this volume are bonus stories of Priscilla and Isley's first meeting, and of Clare's training at the Organization.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Action

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2008

About the author

Norihiro Yagi (八木教広 Yagi Norihiro) is a Japanese manga writer and artist from Okinawa Prefecture. He started making manga in 1990.

Norihiro Yagi is a successful manga artist, having won the 32nd Akatsuka Award for his very first work, Undeadman. Undeadman appeared in Monthly Shōnen Jump and has had two sequels. Yagi's first serialized manga was his comedy-genre Angel Densetsu, which appeared in Monthly Shōnen Jump from 1992 to 2000. His most recent work, Claymore, has been running in the magazine since 2001.

Reviews

[Caro the Helmet Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for disturbing - call Japan.

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claymore is a manga about Yoma who pretend to be human in order to kill and eat the humans. The Claymore are the hybrid of the two stronger faster but still human with the ability to slay the Yoma which they do for a price. They travel from village to village slaying Yoma with nothing but the sword on their back using the Yoma abilities but slowly turning into a monster that they hunt. When the time comes a Claymore will send a black card to another claymore to be slain before the Yoma takes over and so they die as a human.

In the 14th installment the organizations sent its weakest warrior with the help of its new creation to take care of Galatea who’s left the organization seven years prior. They find her blind working with children in the holy city but before they can finish the mission an Awakened being who’s remained hidden appears forcing them into battle. However Galatea and Miata aren’t a match for Agatha. Will Clare and her team save the day or will they all be destroyed by Agatha?

I like Clare she’s a sword carrying slayer who isn’t afraid to die charging in risking her life. She may not survive every encounter but that doesn’t stop her from doing what has to be done protecting the humans. While most Claymore’s wouldn’t allow Raki to tag along she accepts him and maybe it’s partly because they are kindred but he needs her and she him to keep her humanity. I find Clare to be an intriguing character and can’t wait to see more about her back story as well as what’s going to happen next. We are given a little back story on Clare which introduces us to Teresa a Claymore whose life was changed by Clare.

I’ve seen all of the episodes on Netflix a few years ago actually binge watched them over a long weekend. I love the concept for the Claymore the hybrids created using parts from the monsters that they have been created to fight. While I am familiar with the story it’s interesting to see it play out as I read it. The art is great it gives me just enough to create the story in my head as I read each detailed page. This is only my 2nd manga so I don’t have a lot to go on but so far I’m super exited to read the series. Claymore is a fast paced loaded with action series that is captivating right from the start hard to put down till the last page. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series they just keep getting better. I feel like a voracious Reader because I can’t get enough.

[Roglin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love.

[library ghost (farheen) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

[MajesticalLion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume has some of the coolest fight moments of the series. Galatea is one of my favorite characters, and that last shot gave me chills. Or at least the last shot of actual main story. I hope this trend of having a bunch of Extra One Shot chapters at the end of the volume gets booted ASAP. They're good, but I'd be lying if I said I cared about them anywhere near as much as the actual story.

[Nico · Rating 3 out of 5]

At one point in time, 14 volumes ago, Clare was introduced as a brave Claymore fighting against the dangerous Yoma monsters. Now, they're so much of a non-threat, a single well-trained soldier can take one down.

It also took 14 volumes for five pages of worldbuilding that honestly feels like an Expansion Pack World because it happens in a conversation where Miria simply says, "Oh yeah, there's another continent and stuff's happening over there."

I love the art, but reading this over, I wish they'd paid more attention to building the characters (outside of levelling up), and the plot, and the organization... Claymore is probably 90% fight scenes, to an extent where it makes Bleach and Naruto look like think pieces. I mean, there's zero reason for Clare to be this obsessed with finding Raki and it's honestly kind of sad how half her personality is just "Must Find Raki."

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point we deviate a bit from Clare story to follow others characters even f you know that eventually but storyline will collide. Not so sure how I feel about this new duo, the child sure look powerful, but the other is kind of lame and... don't know, one of my less love character so far... Anyway good story lot of action as always and again extra scene, one presenting the training/initiation of Clare which was awesome!

[Melissa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been missing you a lot, Galatea. You strength, your wisdom and your kindness make you my third fav in this series (Teresa 1st, Clare 2nd).

Btw, Clarice, the part that you bursted into tears and held Miata tight...was so good. What a real human reaction from a technical non-human. You both are too cute hehe!

Finally, welcome back, Clare.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como una pareja que atraviesa las últimas vivencias con el amor muerto y la esperanza en la nostalgia, siento que la larga agonía de este título conmigo va culminando.
No conecto con la trama ni los personajes. El dibujo tiene tantas virtudes como horrores. Hay tremendas escenas de acción que conviven con expresiones faciales que dan como mínimo escozor.
Sostengo. No es una serie mala, no es para mí .

[Ray Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again we see my dear Galatea! She was hiding in the town Clare visited once, but Galatea blinded herself in order to not be detected by any fellow Claymores. Despite this, Mitia and Clarice have the mission to get rid of her and in the middle of the battle, an Awakened shows herself and joins the fight too.

This was an action-packed volume which I’m always thrilled about! Looking at different Awakened ones makes me wonder how Clare and the others would look like if they’d come to that state.

Anyway, the extra chapters were also quite good since we get to see young Clare in her training and how she got the resolve to keep moving forward, so she could avenge Teresa. She’s just one of the best MCs out there. Can’t wait to read the next one!

PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 | Volume 4 | Volume 5 | Volume 6 | Volume 7 | Volume 8 | Volume 9 | Volume 10 | Volume 11 | Volume 12 | Volume 13

[Odo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

[Rubén Moragues · Rating 2 out of 5]

[2.5]

Aquí me quedo. Lo siento, pero ya hace bastante que no disfruto de esta serie y dudo que termine de leerla.

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 4 out of 5]

25 April 2013

Rating: * * * * 1/2

Claymore, Vol. 14: A Child Weapon is one of my favorite volumes in the series thus far. The action is suspenseful, there is a badass nun, and the ending makes my skin tingle! I am dying to read the next volume, so this review will be rushed!

In search of the former Number 3, Galatea, Clarice and Miata follow her trail to the Holy City of Rabona. While walking through the city, guards try to stop the suspicious-looking Clarice and Miata. Luckily, a couple of old familiar faces save them from the guards just in time - good ol' Galk and Sid. Clarice questions them about a warrior that may be disguising herself as a blind woman, and they are led to the church.

Upon arriving at the church, Clarice and Miata discover Galatea, who has been living the life of a nun. Galatea has blinded her own eyes, increasing her abilities to sense Yoma auras. Miata goes in for the attack, and although Galatea has been living as a nun for the past seven years, the girl still gots it going on! I loved when she got down to business and ripped the side of her skirt.

Aww, yeahhh! Galatea kicking ass in a nun's habit!


While their battle begins, an Awakened Being attacks the city. The terrifying monster, "Bloody" Agatha, a former Number Two, annihilates the city's forces. Galatea rushes in to attack Agatha, revealing that she purposely led the Organization to her location in hopes the Claymores would aid her in destroying Agatha. Unfortunately, Galatea's plans work against her since looney Miata is one-tracked minded and sets her sight on Galatea alone.

Busily fighting off both Miata and Agatha, Galatea looks worse for wear. When the unstoppable Miata is almost defeated by Agatha, Clarice takes off running for life. After some debate, Clarice launches a surprise attack on Agatha in hopes to save Miata, but fails. Their doom seems almost certain, until...

Goosebumps!


The Seven Ghosts!! Woohoo! This dramatic cliffhanger ending has me absolutely giddy with excitement. I am looking forward to seeing Miria and Galatea fight on the same side.

There are two bonus stories at the end of this volume. The first one tells of how Isley and Rigaldo found Priscilla, and why he swears fealty to her. The second bonus story gives a taste of Clare's backstory and her start as a young Claymore. The history of her haircut is pretty badass!

These volumes are getting goooood!! Off to read the next one!

[Dorin Lazăr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarice and Miata search for and try to execute Galatea, a former single-digit who retired in a most unlikely place. Unfortunately, there's a big surprise on the horizon. Will they make the right choice?

This book also contains two extra scenes, and they are not important - one of them outshines the other, in my opinion: a story related to Clare's training.

Re-reading: I still feel the series is at a high level, and still the story moves nicely. The spotlight is on Galatea, who does the right thing, and Clarice and Miata, who fail by being too rigid, too obedient. It's a terrible and important lesson, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's frustrating to see Clarice and Miata fight Galatea when their focus should've been completely different.

The extras are pretty good as well - while not really sure about the story of Priscilla and Isley, the story about Clare's training is really nice, a very good standalone story.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, Galatea kicking ass while disguised as a nun is pretty much made of win. Also, the power shot at the end where Clare and the gang show up in their cloaks. And Clare's fanboys.

[Merve Özcan Özkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mıata olayı sıktı ve sen niye hala Teresa'yı bana gösteriyorsun bre vicdansız?!

[MC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claymore is a series that is a times incredibly dark and also very hopeful. It's dark in an Attack on Titan type of way, in that there is a lot of suffering and death, and almost no one seems to be guaranteed to live. It's hopeful in that in the midst of the darkness, folks do win battles, save lives and are there for each other. It's not necessarily an "all for nothing" series as Attack on Titan sometimes seems (I hope that series is not that way, in the end), but real progress is made to defeat bad guys.

As Clare and her group of Claymores who have faked their deaths travel to accomplish their objectives to defeat the organization for which they formerly worked, avenge their comrades and themselves, and locate Raki, the action shifts to the Holy City of Rabona. This is the same city that Clare and Raki had a very dangerous adventure in at the start of these series. Here two Claymores are sent on a mission to eliminate Galatea, a deserter. These are a failed one, and the organization's ultimate fighter so far, who is young girl who is severely psychologically damaged and in a state of constant childhood. This girl has latched onto her older companion as her "mama".

In this very strange and disturbing situation comes an Awakened one who is intelligent and freaking huge. Now, Galatea, and the two Claymore pursuers are in the fight of their lives against this new enemy.

The series a few volumes back had a sudden time-skip. Seven years, quite a time, has passed in-universe, and things are the same as ever. Well, almost the same as ever. In general, the problems are the same and nothing has really improved or gotten worse. What is different is that the organization is proving itself to be even creepier and more disturbing than at first seemed apparent. These are not the good guys.

I think that the reaction I had of disgust and being creeped out was the intended one to have. The world is dark in this series and the organization that claims to protect folks really does not, and really does not even care to do so. If folks die, who cares? It's about the organization's goals, not innocent lives, to them.

While the previous volumes were about Clare and her allies, this one shifted the focus almost entirely until the very end. It made for a less compelling and absorbing read because a) Clare and co. are more interesting, and b) this psychotic Claymore and her guardian are so damned creepy. In fact, in a strange way, that is actually the strength the mangaka brings to this. You can't help being uncomfortable and what not. As you should be.

The art was about the same as always, but I do feel the mangaka has improved in that he used different types of shading and what not to indicate the actions of the Awakened one and other characters. It wasn't so much that I feel the art has improved as that I feel the mangaka began to use the art more cleverly.

A very decent edition to this series. I hope Raki shows up soon again, though, because I would like the two core characters to have some important and juicy stuff again, along with the deuteragonists.

Rating: 4/5 Stars.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the manga and overall, I find the story soooooo entertaining!

My favs are Miria, Deneve, Cassandra, Jean and Galatea. The way they show love for their comrades are different and I like that part about them, specifically.

For Cassandra and Miria, it’s obvious they are on the path of revenge out of love for their fellow comrades. But somehow, they took different initiatives. Cassandra’s way is head-on, and individual oriented while Miria focused on the bigger picture, the mastermind of it all ; the organisation. I don’t think there is any panel that parallels the two ( as far as I’m aware ) but it would be so cool if the author emphasises their differences. Miria spies on the organisation, she knew to break them from inside, and it worked!!!! Although it doesn’t go as smoothly, at least it worked!!! She succeeded. I can’t help but wonder how the story would go if Cassandra and Miria got a chance to meet each other since their core motivation was the same, would they oppose each other because of the different in their initiatives or would they team up? and Cassandra’s strength and fighting technique would save a lot of future problems ( spoiler alert!!! Tabitha’s death ).

As for Deneve, I can’t pinpoint why I like her. I think I just like how straight forward she is. I ship Jeanclare even though I know Clare feels closer to Deneve out of the 7 deserters, because I see her as a big sister figure to Clare. I love how Deneve can also see right through people, with Undine for example. She goes from hating and annoyed by her presence to fighting with her claymore after finding out her struggle 🥹.

I want to write more about Jean and Galatea but I think I wrote too much already hehehe.

However, I’m going to explain why I rate it 4* instead of 5*. I don’t like how it’s hinted that Clare’s feelings towards Raki is romantic towards the end of the series… I am aware Raki grew up and contributed to the plot by the end, but I just can’t brush off the fact that Clare literally looked at Raki’s attachment towards her and reminded by how she was as also like that with Teresa, an obvious maternal figure-like in her life(???). The author thinks Teresa telling the deserters that Clare is still mentally a child and wants to be spoiled like one would clear up everything about her relationship with Raki huh 😭

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on Claymore volume 14: The Child Warrior by Norihiro Yagi. It is the fourteenth the long running Claymore series, you need to have read the first thirteen volumes to understand the story. It is 191 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump Advanced. The cover has Clarice looking at something in horror as she trying to fight. The intended reader is someone who likes dark plots, high action, and strong female characters. There is mild foul language, no sexuality, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

Review- In their hunt for Galatea, the Organization's former number 3, Clarice and Miata enter the Holy City of Rabona, but what they encounter there is far beyond anything they could have anticipated. Also included in this volume are bonus stories of Priscilla and Isley's first meeting, and of Clare's training at the Organization..

Review- A lot happens in this volume with Clarice, Miata, and Galatea. Galatea has been in hiding from the Organization for the past few years in the holy city Rabona for some reason. Clarice is confused and she thinks that something more is going on and she is right. There is a powerful Awakened One living and eating in Rabona. Galatea was trying to the Organization to send someone to fight it. We get a short story about Clare when she was training before she become a full Claymore. It was interesting look into her past and see what she had to deal with because she is different from the other trainees. With lots of action I had a few moments of confusion when the Awakened One with who is fighting who and what is going on but that was fixed by a quick rereading. I am very curious about what Galatea knows about the Organization and what they are really doing in making Claymores.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[OmniBen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review)
Please read my previous reviews for additional context. Whilst disappointed at the drop in quality from the previous volume (I'm used to it by now) the drop off was considerably less than in previous issues, and was mainly due to the final two issues to this volume being one off flashbacks, which filled in a little bit of the backstory which happened outside of the pages of the earlier volumes. Now this would have been fine in and of itself, although the narrative and story telling on display was a massive throwback to the weaker volumes of issues past. It also cut into the middle of an arc that I was actually somewhat invested in, so the added abruption of the sidestep certainly didn't help things, even if It was continuing with the story proper a few minutes later. The series is finally starting to build to something, so I'm glad. The art is getting stronger. The fights are getting shorter and we are finally getting a bit of worldbuilding, over 2000 pages in. Yay! 3/5


OmniBen.

[Wing Kee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy world building again.

World: The art is great as usual with Agatha looking amazing. The world building here is solid. We spend time with the colored hair claymore (I forgot her name) and Miata and also some old people and places. Solid.

Story: I forgot to mention it in my last review but these extra scenes are exactly what this book needs. There are references to events that happen off page and some of it is essential and we get to see them here. Pretty great! The focus of this book shifts to two side characters and it's pretty interesting, an old locale and characters from the second book are a welcome. The emotional arc for colored hair Claymore is expected but effective and the end is just awesome! Great extra scene too!

Characters: We spend time with Miata and her mama and it's done well. It's still pretty creepy but it's developed which is great. The design of Agatha is fantastic and Galatea is great.

Great book.

Onward to the next book!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really come to like Clarice and I can't decide if it's because or in spite of her feeling like she's from a different manga. She's seems to be composed more of tropes from a more typical action manga, and sometimes even a slice of life manga, being thrown into these awkward situations that make her go against both her nature and good sense. It's also amazing to me that with how okay-at-best the art began, that Clarice's design in particular looks like it came from Takeshi Obata (Death Note, Bakuman, Platinum End, etc) who I consider the best in the industry.

We also got two more bonus chapters this go around. The first was excellent, seeing the moment Priscilla and Isley became involved, also it way better established Isley's size than his first fight did. The second extra was also pretty cool, getting to see Clare when she first became a Claymore and how even then she was one of the smarter ones, without anyone really even realizing it.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non parlare di morte tanto alla leggera! A costo di vergognarti, impegnati fino alla fine per sopravvivere!

Con l'arrivo di Miata e Clarice, Galatea esce allo scoperto. Sono proprio contenta che questa claymore sia ricomparsa, mi piace come guerriera. Ma tutto era (o quasi) calcolato, con l'unico scopo di combattere contro qualcosa di ancora più potente... la situazione si complica, ma è tempo per le nostre "paladine" di fare il loro ingresso in battaglia.

Il volume si chiude con due capitoli extra molto interessanti. Il primo incentrato sull'incontro tra Easley e Priscilla, il secondo sull'esame di qualificazione a guerriera claymore per Clare.

I volumi di questa serie finiscono sempre in un batter d'occhio. La storia è scritta così bene ed è così coinvolgente che non si può non voler passare subito al capitolo successivo.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 This volume doesn't really involve Clare and her group at all. Instead it focuses on Clarice and Miata as they hunt Galatea. During the hunt in Robona they come across another awakened one and thing's turn ugly. Fast paced like usual you'll blow through these 4 chapters instantly only to have it end on a cliffhanger.

After you finish the first 4 chapters there are 2 bonus chapters once again. The first focuses on Isley and how he came to meet Priscilla. The second involves Clare's training and final test in becoming a Claymore. They were decent but I really wish we had more of the main plot here again. Looks like starting with volume 15 though we won't have any side story chapters for awhile.

Clarice and Miata on the cover of volume 15.

Read 8/17/2022

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good volume, but a quicker read than what I was expecting. I'm totally down for Galatea masquerading as a nun for seven years whilst the rest of the claymore are in hiding. Though, I am still really not sure about Miata; she's a bit too creepy for my tastes, as creepy children is one of my horror genre fears (which is ironic as my job is literally dealing with teenagers day in, day out). I still like the artwork progression though from the first volume. You can kind of understand the scale of the damage done to the towns and villages after the claymore and yoma fights, because the panels are now even more vividly detailed.

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume features some back stories that are worthwhile. They add more depth to Isley, Priscilla and Clare.

Clarice and Miata are tasked with tracking the traitor Galatea in the city of Rabona. They meet with Sid and Galk who point the two Claymores in the right direction - Galatea has assumed a new identity as a nun. Miata attacks her, but their fight is interrupted by an Awakened One, the former Claymore number 2. The latter wipes the floor with all three Claymores, but then the seven surviving Claymores of the North arrive.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siempre se queda de infarto, caray. Acá Clarice y la morrita andaban rastreando a Galatea y la encontraron en la ciudad sagrada donde Clare hace 7 años conoció a dos soldados y derrotó un yoma. Pero todo fue parte del plan maestro de Galatea para atrapar a la anterior No.2.

También incluye dos extras, en el de Isley vs Priscilla dan a entender que ella estaba en un estado de regresión a la infancia, lo cual es un estado parecido al de la morrita que sigue a Clarice, nuevamente, la línea entre Claymore muy poderosa y yoma es muy delgada y muy frágil, ya quiero que digan más al respecto.

[Frankie Frabizzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to finally give another volume in this series five stars. The conflict is so much more complex after this time-skip, the faction dynamics are super interesting, and those two backstory chapters at the end were great, especially the second one, which was brilliant. The reveal of why Claire keeps her hair short had me reacting audibly. That section is a masterclass in how to write a compelling one-shot chapter. The end of the normal volume, too, was epic. I love love LOVE how much this series dedicates to exploring its characters’ backstories!

[Kristian Dobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best so far. Loved the Awakened One, and nope, not because she spent the whole volume naked. I liked that she seduced people and bathed in their blood. She had a different personality to most Awakened Ones so it felt fresh (no doubt like her blood-showers).

The last two bonus chapters were cool too. More insight into Claymore training and Clare. More Priscilla and Isley backstory.

Overall, just another fun volume.

5/5

[José Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un tomo que mejora considerablemente la historia con respecto al anterior. En este volumen, Clarice y Miata están buscando a Galatea para cortarle la cabeza, y su viaje conduce a Rabona, la ciudad que nos traerá momentos nostálgicos, ya que la conocimos en los primeros volúmenes. Está lleno de acción, de escenas originales que me sorprendieron. Sin embargo, nos encontramos con flashbacks que aunque son más interesantes que los del anterior tomo, se siente como un relleno. No estoy seguro de si aportan más a la historia en este punto.

Me alegro que Claymore se haya puesto más interesante y me motive a continuar con el siguiente tomo.