Black Cat, Volume 06

Black Cat [ブラックキャット] #6

by Kentaro Yabuki

Train Heartnet, also known as "Black Cat," was an infamous assassin for a secret organization called Chronos...until he abandoned that cold-blooded existence to live on his own terms as an easygoing bounty hunter. But is Train's past as far behind him as he thinks?

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2004

About the author

Also known as 矢吹 健太朗.
He is a Japanese manga artist. His mentor was Takeshi Obata, the illustrator of Death Note, Hikaru no Go and Bakuman.
Yabuki is best known for his series Black Cat which ran from 2000 to 2004 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and later adapted into an anime. Since 2004, he has only been working as illustrator to works written by other authors. Most notably on the series To Love-Ru alongside his former assistant Saki Hasemi.

Reviews

[I'mogén · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave this a slightly lower rating but I think its being affected by how I'm reading it, so I ignored that variable! I do find that I enjoy them more when I read them in one sitting (or as good as), otherwise it starts feeling more episodic and I feel a bit hazy over the last scenarios... even though the space I've been leaving in between is only a matter of hours xD.
Nevertheless this was another enjoyable volume. I enjoyed seeing more individuals from the Apostles of the Stars and it seems like there is tension rising between them. It'll be interesting to see how that story line plays out, as well as seeing the next move of Chronos.
I missed seeing Rin in this volume, but there seems to be promise of her soon...
I'm loving Sven, Eve and Train's relationship, more than ever!

Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén

[Rena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few more odd jobs for the sweepers to take care of. The story is slowly progressing, but it is kind of dying down a little. There is some action, but not very much. I am still waiting to be introduced to some more of the characters. I know that there should be some really awesome ones coming up soon.

[Dilan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fantastic don't get me wrong,but I believe it was a filler to get ready for the Apostles of the Stars and Chronos fight. Also if they were going to take Eve out then I would have let it continue and build the suspense for another book or two.

[clara[iloveaaron:] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is pretty graphic, but very very very good.

[Francine · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same, still really engaging.

This volume is mostly about Durham, one of Creed's Apostles of the Stars. He shoots Eve, which makes Sven realise how dangerous his and Train's job is and how unsafe Eve really is. Sven decides to leave Eve behind, because "it is best for her". It made me think about what is most important: for a child to be in a safe environment, for a child to be surrounded by people who love them/family, or a child's wishes and emotions. It's not always easy to make a decision like this. From a story perspective, I think they made the right decision when Eve rejoins the party after a few chapters; in real life, however, I think the child's safety should be priority number one!
I'm not a bounty hunter, though, so what do I know.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite manga series. Not my first, but second or third at the least.

~~

Re-read for fun; still one of my favorite manga series.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was Sweet.
I thought it was sad when they left Eve behind... but i was so glad thar Train told where there at.

It was cute when Eve give a thank you gift to him

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking. Then when Eve gives Train a gift and he thinks it's a bomb... Hilarious!

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve is a sweeper once again, and the first of these new enemies defected.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious. I did a comparison of the published works translation versus an online translation I’ve come across for volume 5 and the differences are fascinating. Languages are so lovely. To have the same meanings hidden behind different words. I lean towards the published works only because the variation and more professional style suit my proclivities. It’s also easier on the eyes. Ever so slightly unfortunate are the circumstances which leave me with the online version for volume 6. One more note to add, there’s something about the physical copies I’m drawn to. Sense of accomplishment, easier on the eyes, and having something in hand (maybe I’m just materialist).

I’m so damn spoilt. Enjoying the benefits of both. Anyways, I’m having a blast with Black Cat. I was hesitant to find that my nostalgia fogged up the material. To have an anime adaptation, to my mind, is normally an honor not always handed out. In the previous volume Train’s power level has gone up, a subtle shift, like how Batman can struggle with mundane villains and rise to the challenge of otherworldly ones. I suppose everyone’s power is ramping up.

One thing Black Cat does well is establish the past in a meaningful way. It’s always a sad past that would appropriately be told while it’s raining. However, it sticks the landing in showing pivotal moments in the character’s lives that lead them to the Sweeper life. I’m all for it, man. I loved this show in high school and these books are lighting a flame in me now.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sven had to learn the hard way that just because you love someone and want to protect them, you shouldn't just put them in the bubble of safety if it keeps them from you. And seeing how much Train got fired up after the Princess got attacked... that was crazy. I think he should have turned Durham in though and gotten the reward... But then I think too much like a responsible adult while reading these...

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Train faces off against Durham, a member of Creed's Apostles of the Stars who channels his chi into a gun. They face off to see who is the ultimate gun guy! It's a cool battle and shows off how Train isn't just 'good at guns' but is an excellent fighter overall. We get some drama involving Eve, and some forward momentum regarding the plans of both Chronos and the Apostles.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite volume so far. I do really have a thing for characters with angers issues 😅


Clarification: when I say I like characters with anger issues, I mean the ones who get angry when one of their comrades get hurt and get all powerful etc. I do not mean in the slightest anger issues that result in abuse.

[Sedna Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting interesting and I loved the battle between Train and that gunslinger.

[Shin Donghae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menarik menyimak bagaimana perkembangan hubungan antar tokoh serta karakter pribadi masing2nya. Pada jilid ini khusus Sven dan Eve :)

[Nanang Stiawan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sven overthinking bgt. Sedangkan Eve gk peduli dia nantinya kayak gimana, asalkan bs trus sama Sven.

Pesat bgr perkembangan karakter Eve. Bibit2 sweeper sudah keliatan nih

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting interesting. Good volume so far in the series.

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gunman for the Apostles of the Stars, Durham, seeks out Train's friends and beats his whereabouts out of them after having been told by Creed that Train is the ultimate gunman. Vowing to take that title for himself, Durham challenges Train, and to avenge Annette and Eve, will Train go as far as to kill him...?


There was a lot of Eve in this one. And honestly, I would have given it 4 stars, but it just didn't leave a very big impression on me. I guess this series should have been one of the manga I first read, yeah? But I didn't even know about Black Cat back then. I really only heard about it maybe 2 years ago, if that long ago. (Which is pretty amazing for me, because back when I first got into anime and manga I knew about pretty much every anime that was out there AND that was PLANNED for becoming an anime. LOL. I waited FOUR GODDAMN YEARS for Heart no Kuni no Alice... But then they put the anime production on hiatus because Quinrose ran out of money, and yet, they kept making more games! AND FINALLY THEY COME OUT WITH AN OVA. It was never supposed to be just a measly OVA. -.- Also, I still haven't watched it because it still pisses me off.) And hey! We finally got to see Durham's face! Correct me if I am wrong, but we, the fans, never had the pleasure of seeing Durham without his mask in the anime, did we? Also, Charden without his glasses is just as dreamy in the manga as in the anime. <3 I know Kyoko is a sort of fangirlly lech, but man is she right about Charden. <3 He looks so sophisticated, gentle, yet fierce! *Squeeaal!*

[Ace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Train left underground organization Chronos to live his life on his own terms - two years later, he's working with his partner Sven as a sweeper. The action scenes are well-choreographed, the art is good, and the plot is easy to follow and (mostly) believable. I love stories about assassins, and I like how Train's past with Saya is only hinted it; the readers are given enough info to keep them wondering -- a few tidbits here, a little more there. It's great suspense!

This volume felt a little like fluff - the conflict with the Apostles of the Stars is looming, but nothing is really moving forward. Instead, this volume stalls the forward motion of the plot a bit, dealing with some loose odds and ends.

That said, I liked the conflict with Eve. I like that Train and Sven decide to keep her with them the despite that the fact that it's NOT in her best interest to stay with them. I like the nuance that they are willing to do something not good for her, knowing that it's not good for her. Woohoo for complicated characters!

Looking forward to the next volume.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pacing in this series really impresses me. I am drawn in but not overwhelmed. I think that a lot of action manga teeters on a seesaw between "yes, yes, this conflict is only filler or educational" to "oh my gosh I didn't think we could escalate this any further but HERE COMES ANOTHER NEW POWER JUST IN TIME." This is something different, or at least something in the middle that I haven't seen as often. Events are moving forward and I'm invested in all of them, but there's no feverish rush followed by exhausted stagnation. Once I get into the flow of the story I just want to keep reading volume after volume, and not because I'm desperate to know what happens next, but because I'm caught in the flow. This series has a lot of subtle momentum.

[Yvensong · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the Apostles of the Stars decides he doesn't want to wait to take down Train. He goes on a personal hunt, hurting some of Train's friends along the way, to prove he is the better gunman.

In some ways, this story puts us in a holding pattern. The team go out to hunt down a bomber. Creed is waiting for the right moment to make his next move. But, we also, get to see more of Creed's character...and another side of Sven. Each of these reveals will probably play importantly in the upcoming challenges.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F YAB bc v.6

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Eve, and Sven bad on you thinking you could leave her behind now. (Good on you Train)

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a transitional volume through and through, with the mini arc between Sven and Eve essentially just wasting a few chapters. But, the battle between Train and Durham proves to be one if the best fights this far, keeps things moving along well enough.