Path of the Assassin, Vol. 7: Child of Smoke

半蔵の門 [Hanzou no Mon] #7

by Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima

Warning! Reading this series might not only entertain you in many ways, but it might be somewhat educational as well! Let’s start with ninja skills, samurai period drama and sexy teens. Yes, we have them all in one informative, semi-historical series from the famed creators of Lone Wolf and Cub, Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. It’s the story of to-be shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, in his late teens, battling and politicking his way to the leadership of Edo-era Japan. To do so, he must survive assasination attempts, political sabotage, bloody battlefields and a ferocious wife. And he does this with the help of his friend and vassal, the unstoppable ninja Hattori Hanzo. Heard these names before? That’s because they’re a revered part of Japan’s (sometimes secret) past!

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

312 pages, Paperback

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

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big chunk in this volume is devoted to the even growing relationship between Hanzo and Ieyasu. These quiet moments may not appeal to those who expected ninja action from Koike and Kojima (like me) but nonetheless vital especially when there is a looming political conflict in the story. Ieyasu and Hanzo must be beside wach other, and this is what the book emphasizes. Their relationship is way beyond a vassal and a warlord, but theirs is a friendship.

In the last chapter we finally see some ninja action, though the chapter continues to tje next volume, something I.haven't seen before in Path of the Assassin and even the earlier works Samurai Executioner and Lone Wolf and Cub.

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slower volume that builds on the relationship between Ieyasu and Hanzo. There's also the introduction of building up a stockpile of firearms.

[Doug Brunell · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason this is listed as "Child of Smoke," while my copy is called "Center of the World." Both titles make sense in the context of this story, however.

This volume is a foreshadowing of what's to come, as firearms, the murdering of children, and assassination attempts are all delved into as Hanzo and his master continue to forge an empire.

The way this one ends, too, is on a bit of a cliffhanger, as a character you never thought you'd see bested appears to have that very thing happen. It's a stunning ending that leaves the reader wanting more.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pada novel Taiko, Hideyoshi mendapat bantuan dari gerombolan ronin Hachisuka untuk membangun benteng Sunomata, dengan janji mereka dapat menjadikan benteng itu sebagai tempat tinggal setelah lama meronin. Tidak ada yang namanya minta bantuan Ieyasu dan Hattori untuk itu.

Well, sekali lagi, tergantung versi pengarangnya untuk mereka-reka bagaimana kejadian pada masa itu, sih, karena sedikitnya bukti tertulis untuk urusan yang off the record.

Adapun dugaan Hattori tentang siapa yang mungkin pada akhirnya menjadi penguasa, which is Hideyoshi... it's dead on.

[Ruz El · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet break compared to the previous books, is by no means a bad thing. Still a top quality series that mixes politics with the human element.