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Vagabond Definitive Edition, Vol. 3
- GenresManga
616 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Takehiko Inoue
318 books1,593 followersTakehiko Inoue (井上雄彦) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for Slam Dunk and Vagabond.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 30, 2025
The journey of Miyamoto Musashi continues, and boy was this volume an amazing read. Inoue dives deep into the mindset, and psyche of Musashi. Rather then illustrating another violent, and action packed duel with Inshun; he guides us through each of the characters minds, and to me, makes this final duel all the more impactful. How does Inshun's upbringing ultimately decide his fate? Has Musashi truly learned from his recent training in the Mountains? Both these questions are answered in profound, and satisfying ways. The first half of this volume was amazing, and while the last half is more set up for what's to come-I overall am loving everything Inoue is doing in this series.
January 18, 2026
I really want to love this, I do. I am obsessed with samurai culture and the art is good in this, I also feel awful for how fast I’m reading the pages and not appreciating the detail however, I’ve came to the realization that it’s so poorly written; I just want to be over and done with it.
Perhaps the translation from Japanese isn’t as accurate or what not but, the writing is beyond dull in this manga thus far. There’s a new character introduced on every page and you get lost with the names and the faces and the duels and the rah rah. It becomes tedious and boring as you keep reading. I’m trying to capture the same feel I had for when I read Berserk and I’m just not seeing it in other manga’s. I’ve heard such great things about this story and perhaps I’m not seeing what others are seeing or I’m just bored by the storyline, I have one more of these definitive editions to read and then I’m going to decide whether or not I’ll continue spending my money on these definitive editions or if I’ll sell them altogether but something tells me, volume 4 will not change my view on the writing.
People keep mentioning how there’s a deeper meaning in all of these duels, but not if you truly digest the writing, there’s nothing deep in any of it. Same ol’ recycled bullshit that we’ve learned as children.
Perhaps the translation from Japanese isn’t as accurate or what not but, the writing is beyond dull in this manga thus far. There’s a new character introduced on every page and you get lost with the names and the faces and the duels and the rah rah. It becomes tedious and boring as you keep reading. I’m trying to capture the same feel I had for when I read Berserk and I’m just not seeing it in other manga’s. I’ve heard such great things about this story and perhaps I’m not seeing what others are seeing or I’m just bored by the storyline, I have one more of these definitive editions to read and then I’m going to decide whether or not I’ll continue spending my money on these definitive editions or if I’ll sell them altogether but something tells me, volume 4 will not change my view on the writing.
People keep mentioning how there’s a deeper meaning in all of these duels, but not if you truly digest the writing, there’s nothing deep in any of it. Same ol’ recycled bullshit that we’ve learned as children.
June 3, 2025
Compared to the previous version of the Vagabond Definitive Edition, volume 3's action is more character-driven than sword-driven. Please note that this volume does contain depictions of sexual violence and the offscreen killing of a pet, on top of the usual violence amongst swordsmen. It's fascinating to see Musashi's growth as a warrior during his rematch with Inshun. Matahachi is featured in this volume under a different name, living a fairly good life based on identity theft, until his grandmother finds him. Otsu appears to be in a good place as the caretaker of an old headmaster who fancies himself a matchmaker, and it looks an awful lot like her past will be catching up to her very soon as well. I cannot wait to read the next volume. [ I received a free ARC of this volume from Viz via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. ]
January 30, 2026
I'm really enjoying this series so far. I know it is considered one of the greats, and I've not read enough to hold it in such high regard, but I look forward to what is coming soon.
The book does an impressive job of drawing out seemingly incredibly small lengths of time. While this can create a drag sometimes, it also makes everything incredibly tense. You don't know what page turn will result in the climactic moment of a duel or showdown. I'm not sold yet that this story is going to deliver one of the best character arcs I've ever read, but I'll wait and see. I enjoyed Musashi many years ago and like this as an adaptation so far.
As for the art, it really is terrific. I feel bad for the lack of time I spend on some pages, and the detail is so intricate I feel like I'm an observer standing there at the many scenes. This is a beautiful, beautiful book.
The book does an impressive job of drawing out seemingly incredibly small lengths of time. While this can create a drag sometimes, it also makes everything incredibly tense. You don't know what page turn will result in the climactic moment of a duel or showdown. I'm not sold yet that this story is going to deliver one of the best character arcs I've ever read, but I'll wait and see. I enjoyed Musashi many years ago and like this as an adaptation so far.
As for the art, it really is terrific. I feel bad for the lack of time I spend on some pages, and the detail is so intricate I feel like I'm an observer standing there at the many scenes. This is a beautiful, beautiful book.
October 10, 2025
This is well-written, and the art is amazing, but I think this was my last volume for a couple of reasons:
1 - I found out it’s unfinished and might never be completed,
2 - at its core it is another “I must become STRONGER so that I can defeat So-and-So” manga, and boy are there a lot of those,
3 - I’m having a damn hard time keeping track of all the characters appearing and who wants to defeat who.
Again, it’s well-done and I can see why it’s considered one of the greats, but I’ve decided it’s just not for me.
1 - I found out it’s unfinished and might never be completed,
2 - at its core it is another “I must become STRONGER so that I can defeat So-and-So” manga, and boy are there a lot of those,
3 - I’m having a damn hard time keeping track of all the characters appearing and who wants to defeat who.
Again, it’s well-done and I can see why it’s considered one of the greats, but I’ve decided it’s just not for me.
January 1, 2026
I’m not going to lie that it’s been a minute since I picked up the last definitive edition of Vagabond - these editions are both beautiful and expensive. That said, the conclusion of the Inshun fight was excellent, a psychological battle of the mind rather than an extended action scene. Not to sound like a broken record but Inoue is just so masterful in his art and panel pacing. I can’t wait to pick up the next volume though the next arc has mighty big shoes to fill coming from an opponent like Inshun.
September 21, 2025
Maybe my reviews for Vagabond will start to become shorter, but only because each volume keeps what's best from the previous ones, while improving the narrative as Musashi's journey continues.
Highlights from this one, besides the art: the conclusion to the duel against Inshun and Musashi's epiphanies are one. On the other hand, the sequence where Master Sekishusai passes on his sword school to his grandson really brought me to tears.
Expecting Vol 4 for October/November.
Highlights from this one, besides the art: the conclusion to the duel against Inshun and Musashi's epiphanies are one. On the other hand, the sequence where Master Sekishusai passes on his sword school to his grandson really brought me to tears.
Expecting Vol 4 for October/November.
September 22, 2025
The first half is outstanding. From the pacing leading up to the rematch with Inshun to the dream sequences and, of course, the art, everything blends together splendidly. The second half, while still great, fell off for me a slight bit, maybe because of the pacing, or maybe because the story starts to feel a bit cyclical, not unlike Dragon Ball Z (fight, defeat, power up, fight, victory, wash rinse repeat). Also, no spoilers for the end, but booooo Jotaro booooo!
August 12, 2025
I didn’t mention it before but the definitive editions of these books are so beautiful, I need to install a shelf to display them soon.
Volume 3 covers Musashi’s new journey in his life where he tries to make a name for himself. Art is always amazing and you can see it get better, which is hard to believe. Can’t wait for the next edition!
Volume 3 covers Musashi’s new journey in his life where he tries to make a name for himself. Art is always amazing and you can see it get better, which is hard to believe. Can’t wait for the next edition!
October 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews