Path of the Assassin, Vol. 5: Battle of One Hundred and Eight Days

半蔵の門 [Hanzou no Mon] #5

by Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima (Illustrator)

It's a battle of ninja vs. ninja, with all the stops pulled out and every trick in the book. Well, almost every trick. Our protagonist/ninja, Hanzo's young ninja wife, Tsukumo, must avenge her father's death at the hands of another shadow warrior, but he's as crafty as they come. This mystical, imaginative faceoff consumes all 300-plus pages of this action-stuffed volume. * Path of the Assassin packs historical fiction and fine art in yet another classic samurai series from Dark Horse. * 18+ content advisory.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Japan, Japanese Literature

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2014

About the author

Kazuo Koike (小池一夫, Koike Kazuo) was a prolific Japanese manga writer, novelist and entrepreneur.

Early in Koike's career, he studied under Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito and served as a writer on the series.

Koike, along with artist Goseki Kojima, made the manga Kozure Okami (Lone Wolf and Cub), and Koike also contributed to the scripts for the 1970s film adaptations of the series, which starred famous Japanese actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. Koike and Kojima became known as the "Golden Duo" because of the success of Lone Wolf and Cub.

Another series written by Koike, Crying Freeman, which was illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, was adapted into a 1995 live-action film by French director Christophe Gans.

Kazuo Koike started the Gekika Sonjuku, a college course meant to teach people how to be mangaka.

In addition to his more violent, action-oriented manga, Koike, an avid golfer, has also written golf manga.

Reviews

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ieyasu has an important scene where he once again demonstrates his empathy and honesty. Showing that he can be a great leader without the need for deception.

Hanzo and his wife in exile have a huge battle with Kite Kato - the old guy that Hanzo avoided fighting before by hiding in the ocean. It gets a bit silly at times.

I like the part where we learn that Kite Kato in his goal to master his art and become the specter that everyone fears has been left with an empty and pointless life. "The heavens did not grant the old man even the tiniest piece of happiness". Which Hanzo identifies as Kato's weakness later in their battle.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 5's eponymous chapter is the longest one I have read that is written by Kazuo Koike. It is a very, very long fight between Hattori Hanzo and his wife versus the equally skilled Kite Kato. There were so many shinobi techniques presented here from poisoned darts to controlling snakes through clapping sounds. "Real" Ninja fights though are much less theatric than samurai fights. No sir, this is not the hack-and-slash ones you can see at The Lone Wolf and Club. Rather, they are methodical and patient.

There's a bit of scenes with Ieyasu and one of Oda Nobunaga's vassals. The conversation offers yet a glimpse into the relationship between the master Ieyasu and the servant Hanzo. Such a relationship, from another servant's point of view is genuine friendship. The vassal, Hideyoshi was in fact envious of such to the point that he questions his own decision of serving Nobunaga.

There are still plenty of sex in this volume, and as Kato puts it, humping. Just saying.

[Jokoloyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to other previous 4 volumes, this volume has the most ninja techniques and even some explanation. The best technique in my opinion is the sleeping technique. Maybe we can apply it in real life.

[Doug Brunell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked the first four volumes in this series from master storyteller Koike, you'll love this volume. The Battle of Hundred and Eight Days is a different take but reminiscent of the final battle in Lone Wolf and Cub, only this one brings sex to the forefront. The ramifications of what happened in the last volume are in full force here and aren't finished, either.

This historical fiction work is a must for fans of Japanese culture, samurai, and Koike. It is on par with some of the best graphic works out there, and should be considered a classic.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had an absorbing tale. The ninja vs. ninja battle. The long disquisition on love and the bonds thereof. There was some strong foreshadowing. I am looking forward to seeing this story goes.

[Darren-lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Another really good episode...

[Hugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Battle of the ninjas....

[Ruz El · Rating 4 out of 5]

the longest story yet appears in this one, and it was a doozy. The 108 day battle was more about what living and having a good life means then it was about ninja fights, and the book was all the better for it with the strongest book to appear yet.