Golden Kamuy, Vol. 7

ゴールデンカムイ [Golden Kamui] #7

by Satoru Noda

A tale of high adventure and survival!

In the early twentieth century, Russo-Japanese War veteran Saichi Sugimoto searches the wilderness of Hokkaido for a hoard of hidden gold. With only a cryptic map and a native Ainu girl to help him, Saichi must also deal with every murderous cutthroat, bandit and rogue who knows about the treasure!

The enigmatic and beautiful Ainu soothsayer, Inkarmat, can see the paths to the past and the future—what fate has she seen for Sugimoto? Sugimoto and his friends continue their journey to the northernmost reaches of Hokkaido and the infamous Abashiri prison. Even if they can manage to meet with Noppera-bo, will he give them the answers they want? And what do rumors of an immortal bear have to do with the tattooed skin treasure map?

Genres: Manga, Comics, Historical Fiction, Seinen, Fiction, Historical, Graphic Novels

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2016

About the author

Satoru Noda (野田サトル, Noda Satoru) is a japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lots of fun! I liked Inkarmat introduction, she’s a cool addition to the cast. The red bear arc was very exciting and very gruesome. Also tragic gay yakuzas? Did not expect that.

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear hunt!

[Jakub Kvíz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really hard to review ongoing manga series without spoilers but here we are.

Golden Kamuy still delivers - it's entertaining, thrilling and funny. In the first part, Sugimoto and his entourage meet mysterious soothsayer. Shiraishi is trying to exploit her skills to win some money at horse races but it won't go well. This part seems a bit useless to the story at first but the second part of the book will prove otherwise. Later on, our heroes end up trapped in a cabin with some weird guys and three hungry bears outside.

The events of this book don't really get us closer to reaching the Abashiri Prison but it's still a really good and enjoyable read.

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong volume in one of my favorite current series, a Wild West yarn set in the 19th century frontier of Hokkaido, Japan. The core group (a war veteran, an indigenous child, and a roguish/comic relief escape artist) come across a seer, so of course it is time to hit the race track. And when that ends poorly, they come across a rich rancher who needs some serious hunters to take out a monster killing his horses. There's gory action (not for the faint-hearted or PETA-minded), potty humor, educational information about hunting/trapping techniques, and even a little bit of MacGyvering when they find themselves under siege by the monster.

Good fun.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was going to be a three star book until the crazy bear drama started, my gosh!
That's the thing about Golden Kamuy, I always feel like I'm being educated while I'm reading. Either about hunting/gathering or about Japan at the time.
This volume is another solid entry, as it starts with using clairvoyance to bet on horse racing, leading into hunting red bears! Bring cornered into a barracaded house with a pair of Yakuza hitmen (with their own secret) really made this back half fly by. The bear attack had me on the edge of my seat, and still sprinkled in some humor amongst it.

[Kulwinder Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who was that mysterious fortuneteller? She came and went like a ghost. It's about time they introduced another strong female character. Anyways, another splendid volume by Satoru Noda. In this volume, humans were pitted against the might of animals. Sugimoto earned a few more vicious scars along the way. The events of being trapped in a house gave a nice touch to it. The writing was average though as i was expecting more out of it.

[freddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

CAWPILE rating: 8.4/10
STAR rating: ★★★★½

[Ian Morando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gracias por tanto, perdón por tan poco.

[Anabel Samani · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Entre lo de los osos, el zorro, los caballos y la foca y que la trama no avanza nada es un tomo que no me ha gustado.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still really enjoy this series! This one was particularly violent. Also surprise queer with minimal to no problematic. Art is top notch, characters are vivid and engrossing.

[Facundo Mosquera · Rating 5 out of 5]

golden kamuy.

[Matty Dub · Rating 5 out of 5]

This started a little slow but ended up being my fave volume so far by the end.

[Zibbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was both entertaining and downright hilarious! Kiroranke is really starting to grow on me, and I hope he sticks around with Sugimoto and the gang for a while. There were a few scenes that felt a bit too convenient or left unexplained, but honestly, I’m still hooked, so I’ll definitely keep going with the series.

[Eressea · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023112 3rd read
--
20220123 2nd read

人皮真的能做出那麼複雜的皮衣嗎?
(FBI我沒點麥當勞外送啊...)
--
20190724 1st read

[Paul Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early 20th century, Saichi “Immortal” Sugimoto is a veteran of the Russo-Japanese war who is scrapping out a meager existence. This is also the postwar gold rush on the wild frontier of Japan's Hokkaido region. Sugimoto stumbles upon the first “piece” of a map leading to a fortune in hidden gold belonging to the Ainu (an indigenous people of Japan and Russia). However, ruthless criminals and rogue Japanese soldiers are also hunting for the gold in the harsh northern wilderness. It will take all Sugimoto's talents and the help of an immensely-skilled Ainu girl named Asirpa to survive, let alone find the gold.

As Golden Kamuy, Vol. 7 (Chapters 60 to 69) opens, Sugimoto and Asirpa travel with their allies, Yoshitake Shiraishi (“the Escape King”) and Kiroranke (an Ainu). They arrive at an Ainu village where they encounter the beautiful diviner, Inkarmat. Shiraishi is immediately smitten with her fortune-telling abilities, so they two travel to a local horse-racing venue.

The quartet later get involved in helping an old Ainu woman retrieve a treasured heirloom taken from her and currently in the possession of an American businessman living in Japan. Before all is said and done, Shiraishi's gambling and the heirloom will pit the quartet against a monstrous brown bear and a mysterious pair of men who may both be Yakuza.

Golden Kamuy Graphic Novel Volume 7, in this series of great graphic novels, is one of the series' best to date. The entire bear siege section is a blast to read and would make an excellent graphic novel by itself. It is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that even involves a car chase, of sorts. There is also a love story, of sorts. I just don't want to spoil it with details, but it is no spoiler to say that Golden Kamuy is a golden read.

Fans of Westerns and of Japanese historical dramas will want to try the VIZ Signature title, Golden Kamuy.

[Rolando Marono · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este tomo me hizo reír mucho como es de costumbre. Nuevamente se centra en el equipo de Sugimoto y nos da dos historias, la primera es muy breve y aunque aparentemente no tiene muchas repercusiones, se conecta con la segunda historia a la mitad de ella de manera sorpresiva.
Le di tres estrellas al tomo porque siguen sin llegar a la prisión y la historia no se movió hacia adelante mucho. Si, se encuentran con otro preso tatuado pero a éstas alturas casi están obteniendo una piel por tomo; y las cosas más profundas de la trama siguen sin ser abordadas, no se han enfrentado contra Hijikata o contra la séptima legión, y tampoco han llegado a la prisión con el hombre sin rostro.
Lo que si me gustó del tomo fue Shiraishi nuevamente. La primera historia casi se centra en él y es muy graciosa. También me sigue gustando mucho las interacciones entre Ashirpa y Sugimoto y Ashirpa en general es un muy buen personaje. Kikamen tiene un poco de protagonismo en la primera historia y funciona bien aunque todavía no confían en él plenamente.
Tengo el tomo ocho esperando en mi pila de lectura y la parte de atrás dice que conoceremos la teoría de Hijikata sobre el papá de Ashirpa y el hombre sin rostro, así que espero tengamos respuestas en ese tomo.

[Presley Stoyanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inkarmat slay
Made me like Shiraishi less
Horse gambling detour
Kiroranke horse girl

Asirpa's great-aunt family heirloom sold off to Eddie Dun
Sugimoto's hatred of him, slay (as much as I get it, it would've been really funny if Asirpa let him kill Dun)
Hidaka three-bear fiasco
Asirpa, as usual, voice of reason (they really would've killed each other in that house, even with bears outside)
Wakayama and Nakazawa: was not expecting that
Gays: buried

P.S. I don't appreciate that Noda likely made Inkarmat's face tattoo incredibly small (lipstick-size) so she could be appealing to the average fan. Hoping Ookuma Hakkou (managing editor) had a hand in that one. I wish the series existence didn't have to feel threatened over stupid shit like that. It's mostly men being shirtless anyway, so I'd like to think that the average Golden Kamuy fan wouldn't drop it cause they can't jerk it to the fox lady. I just want to see One Ainu woman, who is not an old lady, have a big face tattoo.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cast of characters continues to grow in this series which seems to do almost everything right. I say that, and I am sure it is shocking I only give it 3 stars, but this really isn't my type of series...and yet I have yet to stop reading it. The action, humor and tense moments make for an excellent manga series! I don't know if I would ever move towards owning it, but as long as the library has volumes, they have me attached to the series. This volume has some track races and of course if things went smoothly...that wouldn't be dramatic. Lots of the things you have enjoyed to this point...violence and unexpected moments! Praises need to be given to Satoru Noda as he weaves this story in a way that so few have been able to do in the past.

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the gambling arc in this volume, especially when Kiroranke’s respect for horses came into it. Learning about “mundane” world aspects through this lens of the group’s travels is really fun. The commentary on jockey riding styles was super interesting and I appreciate this series’s focus on not just being a great story, but a historically accurate one and educational in that respect.

I do think it’s a little funny that the thought process seemed to be “well, they’ve proven themselves capable of killing one bear… so how about three?” And it led to pure chaos, as usual. Nothing is easy for this weird little crew and I love it.

[Philip McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may have been my favorite volume yet. The artwork in the story really works to bring together an atmosphere of mystery and fear, especially in the second half of the volume. It also ties the more comic first half of the volume in nicely with the second more serious and intense half. I found that the representation of the two yakuza members was a nice touch and made my heart go out to the two of them. The twists and turns in this volume about being trapped in the house made for an interesting version a classic trapped in a house with strangers scenario.

[⋆ ࣪˖ ִֶָ sel ་༘࿐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun, and yet another amazing volume! It's also especially cute how it was ended but also sad. Also, it coincided with the (chapter) number 69. Amazing. Noda must be saying, "Ignore the Yaoi," everytime he writes every chapter.

Kidding aside, this was such a hilariously fun chapter, and still the volume is not lacking in giving some knowledge and trivia! I like how this volume escalated. It's like a fun cutesy story but lots of exciting parts!

Ps. Asirpa really likes Osoma! It's so funny.
Pps. I believe Shiraise whined a lot more here. He whimpers like a dog, xD.

[fonz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este estupendo relato de fuerte influencia jacklondoniana acerca de un veterano de la segunda guerra ruso-japonesa y una niña ainu que buscan un cargamento de oro en Hokkaido, se está estancando peligrosamente en los retruécanos del argumento, la historia no avanza, la relación entre los personajes y su evolución tampoco y la exhaustiva documentación que maneja Noda se nos está empezando a presentar como si estuviésemos ante un libro de texto. Sigue siendo muy entretenido y molando mil y es que este tebeo toca todo lo que a mi me gusta y es de utilidad en la vida moderna, desde como cocinar una nutria o una ardilla a la mejor manera de defenderse de un oso si te encuentras uno paseando tranquilamente por el campo. O esos episodios inspirados en casos reales de conocidos psicópatas de principios de siglo (H. H. Holmes, p.ej) narrados en explosivas secuencias de violencia brutal. Pero me preocupa la abundancia de paja narrativa, espero que se trate de un simple respiro antes de elevar de nuevo el nivel de la historia (el final de este tomo siete es magnífico) que llegó a ser extraordinaria en los primeros números.

[mayday · Rating 5 out of 5]

And this where it's getting interesting. As I mentioned before, I was not surprised who Nopera-Bo was, the most interesting part now the hoard of hidden gold is not as simple as tools for those Ainu to raise an army to defeat the Japanese. The thing about indigenous people struggle....is, yes, outsider interference.

Anyway, the ending of this volume is so bittersweet with those two Yakuza lovers until Sugimoto ruins it (and I still love it because I laughed so hard).

[Sanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

PRINCESA NOOOO😭😭

Lo que hace Satoru Noda con el humor no lo había visto nunca. Te alterna entre la muerte y las risas en menos de dos páginas, varias veces.

Increíble.

Me he reído bastante con este tomo, como no 😩 y ha aparecido Inkarmat que es relinda y la amo ✨✨💕 SLAY

También hemos sabido más de Kiroranke lo cual me hace feliz porque me parece un personajazo 👍 súper gentil, chill y proactivo, un peso más en la balanza que no viene nada mal!! Me encanta como pj ♥️♥️

[Abdulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this volume, great read with more colorful characters getting added to the growing cast. The art is still strong and the material is very well researched with lots of interesting tidbits on Ainu culture and customs among other topics presented here. The humor is still on point and I find myself laughing at some moments.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true survival story. Man vs animal who will win? As usual, great landscapes and animals with historical and cultural notes well researched. The characters are all interesting as well, making for a well rounded story. I feel like the hunt for the gold takes a back seat alot of the time but the story is still good.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! The “red” brown bear battle is one of the best! The bears are so beautifully drawn. I enjoyed the introduction of the seer and the suggestion that she might have more intimate knowledge of Asirpa’s quest. This is definitely one of my favorite installments. Must read!

[bookmaggot · Rating 3 out of 5]

BEARy your gays, amirite?

this volume feels like it ended mid-arc, and i wasn't that interested in the horse race stuff. except when sugimoto defends asirpa - he isn't just in this for the money anymore, he never was ;-; i love....grilled eggplant face dad...

[Michael Lieto · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5!

This volume was BONKERS BONKERS BONKERS!!!



3/5 for the The horse racing stuff, found it kinda boring
5/5 for the rest. Holy crap did this get insane

Also the gay yakuza tragic romance was great and completely unexpected !

[Oz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the queer character's we've seen so far being pretty evil, or at least on the darker end of the grey morality scale this series showcases. But I did genuinely enjoy reading about two yakusa lovers dying together after fighting some bears.