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With only three ninja remaining on each side, the battle between the Iga and the Kouga clans is nearing its bloody end. Believing he has slain Yakushiji Tenzen, shape-shifter Saemon Kisaragi morphs into Tenzen’s body and infiltrates Iga territory. But what Saemon doesn’t know is that Tnezen is an immortal ninja, and that he has his own plan to dispose of Saemon and the Kouga clan.

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2004

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77 people want to read

About the author

Masaki Segawa

54 books10 followers
Masaki Segawa made his debut in 1997 with the series Senma Monogatari, which ran in the weekly magazine Comic Morning. In 1998 he began his long-running series Onigiri Jyuuzou, which ended in the year 2000. Basilisk is his second long-running series and his first adaptation. He loves cats and watermelon, and currently lives in Funibashi.

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5 stars
122 (31%)
4 stars
162 (41%)
3 stars
78 (20%)
2 stars
25 (6%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Nicolo.
3,475 reviews205 followers
December 23, 2020
The series ends predictably, given the Romeo and Juliet parallels, but with an unexpected twist with regards to the ultimate victor of the blood feud between the Iga and the Kouga.

This series is better read in one sitting. Individually, the first three volumes have a slower pace, but it becomes more urgent as it approaches the end. Indeed, the whole is larger than the sum of the ratings of individual volumes. My average rating for the five volumes is 3.4, but the entire series gets 4 stars.
Profile Image for Juho Pohjalainen.
Author 5 books348 followers
January 11, 2021
Overall, though the series started on a bit of a weak note, it managed to build up some drama and tension and a spot of horror towards the end.
Profile Image for 47Time.
3,462 reviews95 followers
January 18, 2022
Hey, look! More women being molested. Boy, oh, boy! This comic sure is original! But, wait! There is light bondage as well. Hmmm, a teenager's wet dream! Of the many named character only very few remain. Live by the sword, as they say. Then the final battle takes care of the rest. Go on, guess who participates in the final battle. I dare you. It's as cliched as you think.

Profile Image for Doc.
1,959 reviews30 followers
November 25, 2024
Heart Under Blade

A pair of ninja clans under an uneasy truce being set against each other by the local lord has had many battles, deaths, and mature situations has all lead to this volume when the last of each of the 10 person teams find themselves facing the end of the conflict at last. I can't say much because this story with many interesting and often supernaturally inclined fighters has easily spoiled content if talked about in much detail. It kept me interested with a story that was more than just story created as an excuse for violent action and some of the worst of humanity to compare against our far more civil society.

Although this mature manga often depicts nudity, has sexual situations (including rape), and a whole assortment gruesome murders I feel like the characterizations and story were worth reading all the way to the end. Of course this is based on a story by Fūtarō Yamada so the mangaka had the duty to bring the conflict to a visual medium which I believe they did a good job of it.
Profile Image for Lucas Maia.
91 reviews
November 16, 2024
Depois de mais de 15 anos, foi muito boa a experiência de me reconectar com essa história. Me lembro perfeitamente de estar navegando por horas em um blog chamado Hinata-sou e escolher esse anime pra assistir porque tinha achado o traço bonito. Foi o primeiro que eu vi na vida (fora os que via na TV aberta), e gosto de pensar que foi por conta dele que me apaixonei por esse universo.

A história original de Futaro Yamada é de 1958, se passa no século 17 de um Japão feudal e obviamente aborda temas bem pesados e que te deixa desconfortável. Por outro lado, tem uma inspiração forte no clássico de Romeu & Julieta que é muito lindo. Por mais que essa história de Shakespeare seja muito mais antiga e considera um clichê hoje em dia, acho que foi meu primeiro contato com algo do gênero.

Nessa releitura, foi engraçado que eu finalmente peguei a referência do nome também, já que a arma dos protagonistas são os próprios olhos. haha

O final de Basilisk ACABA comigo, terminei chorando igual aconteceu há muitos anos atrás.
Profile Image for Dominique "Eerie" Sobieska.
1,103 reviews43 followers
February 9, 2018
The conclusion is perfect. Every member of Iga and Kouga were blood thirsty animals with the exceptions of their Romeo and Juliette, Gennosuke and Oboro.

The rage, passion each character had captivated me. I wanted them to live. But I wanted them to die as well. It was hard not to feel sad for some of them, as if fate had been different in the past maybe all this could have been averted with no more than happy endings.

This series didn't last too long, it was perfectly written at a decent pace. Each important ninja was present to the story, incorporated flawlessly and then slashed like sacrificial lamb. I cannot complain as I enjoyed every bit of it. Of course I would have wished more of Yashamaru or Oaka as they were actually interesting characters but fate was not kind to them. Well... It wan't to any of them...

I have always felt, after reading this manga a few times, that the Kouga clan was superior to the Iga. If the Iga had not found out of the treaty and challenge, I believe the fates of every character would have been completely different.

I recommend this to all whom enjoy mangas, carnage obviously, but a well written story and characters.
Profile Image for Craig Schorling.
2,323 reviews11 followers
October 25, 2022
I thought that this was the best volume in the series. It was predictable but had the most character to it. The ending was satisfying and the action and art delivered. This is a good and fun read that doesn't require a big investment.
Profile Image for Amara.
1,376 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2017
3,5 stars for the whole series
It was cool, it was mostly tragic, some nice illustrations, not a lot of background. Very detailed messed-up shots, but also interesting.
Profile Image for Ign33l.
368 reviews
March 10, 2018
Ninja love story. Very dissapointed. At the end it was all about honor, a different kind of honor, a selfish one.
Profile Image for Kurtis Burkhardt.
6,000 reviews51 followers
April 15, 2021
Decent ninja manga based In the Feudal Japan era! The action was pretty awesome but the plot/story was pretty dull 👌😁❤️
Profile Image for Carole Rae.
1,615 reviews43 followers
September 3, 2014
This is finale to a great series and it still upsets me. As much as I wish that that final battle doesn't come to be and they end the fighting, it still has to come. I've read this before, but I still have hope.

Oooooooooooooooooooooh, so tragic. I cannot say what happens, but if you know any Greek/Shakespeare tragedy, then you for sure know what is going to happen. It is a tale as old as time mixed with some kick-ass ninjas and x-men type powers. The way it ends is beautifully, but sad and heart-wrenching. :(

Stupid Tenzen....>___>

I really wish I could say more, but I don't want to spoil anything. It's a quick read, but totally worth it. I do recommend reading the others before diving into this one. The art is lovely, but very graphic. The fight scenes are the best! There is a lot of gore, but its done in a way where it is simply art and you can't help but stare at it and admire it.

In the end, I totally recommend this to anyone who has any interest in manga or anime. It's a great story and totally worth the read! I still want to read the original book version of this story, but I haven't been able to find it yet. :/ Booo! Anyways....I stamp this with 4 stars.

Favorite Character(s): Gennosuke and Oboro (she is weak, but I like her a lot in this one)
Not-So Favorite Character(s): Tenzen (buttface)
Profile Image for Conan Tigard.
1,134 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2016
Unfortunately, this is the last book in the Basilisk series. Basilisk: Volume 5 is the conclusion to a spectacular manga series that I will always treasure.

The artwork is awesome and the story is highly interesting (even though it is nearly impossible to remember everyone's name and which clan they were from.) There was a lot of blood throughout the series as most of the battle are fought with swords. There is also quite a bit of nudity. Both reasons lend the rating of Mature Content to this series.

With having read the final showdown between the Iga clan and the Kouga clan, I feel quite bummed, but thrilled at the same time. But I know that I will read this series over again and again, so no worries there.

Overall, as a series, Basilisk is a stupendous series and I rated all books a 10 out of 10.

As for Basilisk: Volume 5, what more can I say that I already haven't? So, if you are looking for a thrill ride, pick up all 5 books of the Basilisk series. These are ones you don't want to miss.

I rated this book a 10 out of 10.
Profile Image for Angel .
1,536 reviews46 followers
May 29, 2009
Wow. This great series comes to an end. I won't spoil much, but I will say that it ends like a classic Greek tragedy (if you know that genre, then you know what happens). The fight comes down to the last three ninja for each clan, but one of the sides has someone interfering. The action moves very fast; pace is quick, and I read this pretty much in one evening. Then it comes down to the final showdown, which in a way can be a bit reminiscent of other classic showdowns (think for instance, the cemetery scene at the end of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, or with a bit of the pathos of the end of Kill Bill films. This has been one of the best manga series I have read, and it moves so fast that I know I just have to reread it again soon to catch one or two of the details I may have missed. If you like action, ninjas, some violence, and a bit of the magical thrown in, then you have to read this. I cannot recommend this enough.
Profile Image for Ian.
101 reviews11 followers
April 24, 2013
The probable Japanese version of Romeo and Juliet has finally concluded with this final volume of "Basilisk". The interesting plot has been leading up to this moment, the final battle between Gennosuke of The Kouga Manjidani Sect and his sweetheart Oboro of The Iga Tsubagakure Sect. An impressive read and an amazing work of art. The penciling and great eye for detail makes this one of manga's greatest works. Highly recommended for fans of Japanese history and lovers of bloody action alike.
38 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2009
It has its issues such as a few plot contrivances and a pacing that (ironically) might have been TOO fast; but all in all I found this to be a compelling and beautifully drawn series that kept me hooked from start to finish. Recommended to all those who want a manga that does things differently, and does it well.
Profile Image for Kiti.
10 reviews
November 10, 2013
It's been awhile since I read Basilisk and I an new to Goodreads so it will be a bit difficult to open all my book journals and write the reviews as I thought at the time I read the book. But Basilisk is a title I can hardly forget. I like the fact that it was concise and not over extended and the story while sad was still incredible. Really a Japanese Romeo & Juliet
Profile Image for Christine Jones.
210 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2016
A fantastic end to an excellent, classic manga series. Strong themes of violence and sex are in this as in all of the Basilisk series. This is a very well done series and I felt as though a movie was unfolding in front of me during the entire read. I am glad that I had the chance to read this one.
Profile Image for Elvi.
223 reviews21 followers
September 18, 2011
So, this marks my first attempt to complete a manga. I don't regret it, but I must say that even though the series as a whole was ok, I can't say it I will be able to take something from it, no memorable scenes, artwork or quotes. Nothing. Just a way to pass Sunday afternoon, nothing more.
Profile Image for Tuatara.
281 reviews4 followers
July 25, 2018
Loppua kohti tarina tiivistyi sen verran, että hengissä sinnittelevien hahmojen nimet jaksoi jopa muistaa. Piirrosjälki oli oikein kivaa katseltavaa, mikä tästä sarjasta lähinnä jäikin käteen. Sisällöltään hyvin köykäistä, mutta toimintaa ja silmäkarkkia sen verran, että ihan jees välipalaa.
Profile Image for Jesse.
122 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2010
A Japanese, Ninja, Romeo and Juliet type story. Very good and trajic
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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