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Shurayuki-hime / Lady Snowblood: 4 volumes edition #2
Lady Snowblood, Vol 2: The Deep-Seated Grudge, Part 2
The path of revenge can have many twisted turns, and Lady Snowblood's is no exception. Born in a prison, a product of her mother's grudge, Yuki is a child of hell. What will she do for revenge? Pose as a nun? Become another woman's lover? Possibly. In this volume we learn about Yuki's training and youth, see her woo some allies, and embark on the first steps of her angry path. Written by Kazuo Koike of Lone Wolf & Cub fame, Lady Snowblood is a tale of a woman's path in hell.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
11 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Kazuo Koike
562 books296 followersKazuo 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 31, 2019
Continuing her quest for revenge, blood soaked vengeance unfolds its rich tapestry of narrative across hundreds of black and white panels. The story saturates the quadrilaterals as much as expands the backstory of our titular Lady SnowBlood. With more enemies to down, the energy can only increase in volume as torrents of blood buoy it all.
With little in the way of constraints, a highly salacious tale is the result. Yet, with a sophisticated and delicate touch, even the most downright tawdry is personified into something juxtapositionally evolved. Unto its own vision, a highly colored approach with reverence to all aspects of the yin-yang personifies a truly perfected vision of humanity that has changed little in the past 200 years.
With little in the way of constraints, a highly salacious tale is the result. Yet, with a sophisticated and delicate touch, even the most downright tawdry is personified into something juxtapositionally evolved. Unto its own vision, a highly colored approach with reverence to all aspects of the yin-yang personifies a truly perfected vision of humanity that has changed little in the past 200 years.
August 29, 2016
Too much of something is not good. That cliffhanger end with Yuki Kishima facing the blackmailer was too much for me to absorb. Kazuo Koike certainly has his perversions, eh? But in fairness with the author (who I have utmost respect in Lone Wolf and Cub), Lady Snowblood must accurately depict the culture of 19th century Japan, including weird perverted practices and obvious objectification of women.
On another note, Deep-Seated Grudge, part 2 fleshes out Yuki Kishima's origin story on how she became a formidable assassin. This volume also pits Lady Snowblood in a direct path to avenging her mother's tragic life and death. Those who have already read Lone Wolf and Cub may tread in familiar territory, but only in a much condensed and smaller scale.
Kazuo Kamimura's artwork is graceful and flowing. Whenever Lady Snowblood is in a knife fight, there is some high level of artistic choreography you are feeling - a fast dance of blades and body and blood pictured in slow motion.
Halfway through the series and things are finally set in motion, Yuki Kishima has now been strongly established as Lady Snowblood, an efficient and talented assassin seeking for revenge.
On another note, Deep-Seated Grudge, part 2 fleshes out Yuki Kishima's origin story on how she became a formidable assassin. This volume also pits Lady Snowblood in a direct path to avenging her mother's tragic life and death. Those who have already read Lone Wolf and Cub may tread in familiar territory, but only in a much condensed and smaller scale.
Kazuo Kamimura's artwork is graceful and flowing. Whenever Lady Snowblood is in a knife fight, there is some high level of artistic choreography you are feeling - a fast dance of blades and body and blood pictured in slow motion.
Halfway through the series and things are finally set in motion, Yuki Kishima has now been strongly established as Lady Snowblood, an efficient and talented assassin seeking for revenge.
November 28, 2021
Letal, e sensual. Mas essencialmente letal. Lady Snowblood é uma assassina a contrato, no Japão do final do século XIX. É exímia em usar a sua aparente fragilidade feminina, ou a sua sensualidade, para distrair as suas vítimas. E, nos momentos cruciais, surpreende-as com a complexidade das suas maquinações, ou com explosões de violência terminal. Assassina a soldo de quem a contratar, Lady Snowblood nasceu sob uma maldição. Tem como real missão vingar a mãe, que morreu na prisão depois de matar um dos homens que lhe matou o marido e a violou, aproveitando a incerteza de uma época de revoltas. Entre as várias missões, Lady Snowblood dá caça a estes homens, procurando não só matá-los, como destruí-los.
Por detrás destas histórias negras, está um excelente estilismo visual. A ação é profundamente cinematográfica, quebra a habitual estética do mangá em direção ao tipo de ritmo e enquadramento que encontramos no cinema. Ação sangrenta numa estética impecável, é o que caracteriza Lady Snowblood.
Por detrás destas histórias negras, está um excelente estilismo visual. A ação é profundamente cinematográfica, quebra a habitual estética do mangá em direção ao tipo de ritmo e enquadramento que encontramos no cinema. Ação sangrenta numa estética impecável, é o que caracteriza Lady Snowblood.
May 12, 2025
das reclamações que tinha em relação ao primeiro volume, pelo menos uma melhorou: a gente consegue ter um pouco mais de contato com a protagonista, ela deixa de ser tão inacessível.
April 12, 2021
Λίγο πιο ενδιαφέρον, αλλά εξακολουθεί να έχει τα ίδια προβλήματα με το πρώτο.
May 15, 2019
I think this is definitely too exploitative. But the style brings me back.
April 13, 2024
Sigue avanzando la historia
Flashback y un target
Un par de misiones side-quest, o quiza no tanto
3 stars
Flashback y un target
Un par de misiones side-quest, o quiza no tanto
3 stars
February 23, 2017
The plot is much better and she uses her wits more than her sword now. The sexual situations are not intended to titillate nor arouse but rather to illustrate the character's depravity or ruthlessness.
It ends on a cliffhanger unlike the first book.
It ends on a cliffhanger unlike the first book.
September 19, 2023
This volume of Lady Snowblood collects three stories - "Hojicho and Precious Flowers", "Harsh Training and a Blooming Countenance", "Love, Pawnshop of Life and Merciless Disposal"- and the first half of a fourth story - "Blackmailer Genjirô and the Song of the Phantom".
In "Hojicho and Precious Flowers", Oyuki approaches a band of paupers led by a man named Matsuemon in the hopes of gaining information on Okono Kitahama, a woman who was involved in the torment of her mother. Matsuemon refuses cash payment for the information and instead tasks Oyuki with finding a mysterious document that is rumored to contain the dates of people's deaths.
"Harsh Training and a Blooming Countenance" depicts Oyuki's training as a child and her first steps towards becoming the ruthless Lady Snowblood.
"Love, Pawnshop of Life and Merciless Disposal" is the fruition of Oyuki's plot against Okono Kitahama, and it shows the true extent of her vengeance. Probably the best individual story in the bunch, and a unique depiction of a revenge thriller tale.
"Blackmailer Genjirô and the Song of the Phantom" ends on an awkward cliffhanger which leans a little to heavy on the exploitation aspects, but otherwise was a decent enough story.
Overall, a strong volume with fun stories and great artwork by Kazuo Kamimura. The depiction of action sequences are appropriately bloody and immersive. While Lady Snowblood isn't the most refined take on revenge stories and it can get kind of campy, Koike knows how to balance out the exploitation with sufficient restraint. The last story does threaten this delicate balance, but in general the story doesn't devolve into mindless drivel or excess violence for the sake of shock value.
In "Hojicho and Precious Flowers", Oyuki approaches a band of paupers led by a man named Matsuemon in the hopes of gaining information on Okono Kitahama, a woman who was involved in the torment of her mother. Matsuemon refuses cash payment for the information and instead tasks Oyuki with finding a mysterious document that is rumored to contain the dates of people's deaths.
"Harsh Training and a Blooming Countenance" depicts Oyuki's training as a child and her first steps towards becoming the ruthless Lady Snowblood.
"Love, Pawnshop of Life and Merciless Disposal" is the fruition of Oyuki's plot against Okono Kitahama, and it shows the true extent of her vengeance. Probably the best individual story in the bunch, and a unique depiction of a revenge thriller tale.
"Blackmailer Genjirô and the Song of the Phantom" ends on an awkward cliffhanger which leans a little to heavy on the exploitation aspects, but otherwise was a decent enough story.
Overall, a strong volume with fun stories and great artwork by Kazuo Kamimura. The depiction of action sequences are appropriately bloody and immersive. While Lady Snowblood isn't the most refined take on revenge stories and it can get kind of campy, Koike knows how to balance out the exploitation with sufficient restraint. The last story does threaten this delicate balance, but in general the story doesn't devolve into mindless drivel or excess violence for the sake of shock value.
December 21, 2017
A brilliantly drawn manga full of blood and nudity, Lady Snowblood has both plot and psyche development, and I thoroughly approve of the artwork. it is not for younger readers nor for the weaker heart. Her trade is, after all, assassination, and being an attractive young woman, she often uses nakedness as a distraction.
The black and white style is simplistic and functional, and very graceful - in most cases, it helps reduces the impact of the brutality, as the blood is not red, and the flesh is plain white.
If you think this is up your street, I thoroughly recommend it.
(｡◕‿◕｡)
Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
The black and white style is simplistic and functional, and very graceful - in most cases, it helps reduces the impact of the brutality, as the blood is not red, and the flesh is plain white.
If you think this is up your street, I thoroughly recommend it.
(｡◕‿◕｡)
Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
September 17, 2024
Oyuki's early years were hard. She was born in prison. Her mother got arrested for taking revenge on one of the men who wronged her. The rest would have to be punished by Oyuki. Her training was arduous and dangerous. Now as an adult she has the skills and patience she needs to avenger her mother.
October 29, 2018
Lady Snowblood continues with her vengeance quest - this time she relies on assistance of thief-beggars after she provided them with the regional listing of deceased persons (that beggars use to target families to obtain money).
This volume ends in a very ... bizarre way with Lady Snowblood being assaulted with giant suffering from extreme sexual appetite. As they say gotta see it in order to believe it.
Art is as usual excellent, page flow and structure is impeccable.
Highly recommended to all fans of action, femme fatale and manga.
This volume ends in a very ... bizarre way with Lady Snowblood being assaulted with giant suffering from extreme sexual appetite. As they say gotta see it in order to believe it.
Art is as usual excellent, page flow and structure is impeccable.
Highly recommended to all fans of action, femme fatale and manga.
November 19, 2020
Este tomo ya se me hizo demasiado cuesta arriba y muy pesado. Las historias autoconclusivas acaban de lastrar del todo el ritmo. El erotismo ya pasa lo gratuito. Ya ni compensa los datos históricos. Y hay unos bochornosos intentos de humanizar a Yuki que quedan en nada, por lo que al final uno no se implica como debe en la culminación de su venganza.
May 8, 2021
Flashbacks...
After birth, she grew up after the woman who tended her was released from prison. She learned her lethal skills from the man who knew kenjutsu. Afterwards, she went on the path to vengeance. She went to the man who collected alms for living, to learn the whereabouts three of her targets.
After birth, she grew up after the woman who tended her was released from prison. She learned her lethal skills from the man who knew kenjutsu. Afterwards, she went on the path to vengeance. She went to the man who collected alms for living, to learn the whereabouts three of her targets.
August 8, 2021
Seconda parte di tre di una vendetta servita fredda al punto giusto. Se i due autori in copertina non vi dicono nulla, o poco più, questo è un titolo da leggere anche solo per avere un campione del lavoro di Kamimura e Koike. Ogni riferimento alla cultura Giapponese del periodo, è un ulteriore motivo per leggere e rileggere questa miniserie.
April 18, 2020
If you're expecting a grand epic like Lone Wolf & Cub you'll be disappointed. Lady Snowblood is more like late-night cable in the 1980s, loaded with preposterous violence and gratuitous nudity. If you're looking for something trashy you'll enjoy it.
December 3, 2024
The "Biggest" cliffhanger here.
And you will know what I mean if you read this exceptionally excellent run of Lady Snowblood. By book 2 you understand how fantastic the stories get, with brutal violence, and dark themes. All around amazing!
And you will know what I mean if you read this exceptionally excellent run of Lady Snowblood. By book 2 you understand how fantastic the stories get, with brutal violence, and dark themes. All around amazing!
November 26, 2025
This volume had even more of a Yikes factor than the first one, at multiple points, but the story continues to be compelling. The title character is still fascinating, and the art is gorgeous. It’s an odd combination of high art and exploitative trash, which is a little disorienting!
October 18, 2017
Dark and daring with more attention given to beautiful settings than in vol 1. Loved it!
June 3, 2018
3.5 - Turns out this series was the inspiration for Kill Bill. Actually.
September 16, 2019
The beautiful art shines through, despite every story beat seemingly penned by a horny thirteen year old boy.
October 29, 2019
Loved it. I only have the medium format but would live a B4 format.
February 20, 2021
The story and art are still great and part 2 even made me laugh. It ended on a huge cliff hanger with the protagonist in trouble and I'm excited to read volume 3.
June 23, 2022
A última história é claramente uma piada com quem gosta de dizer que os quadrinhos do Kazuo Koike "são muito sérios" e que "são muito adultos".
August 19, 2023
Muy buena continuidad
October 15, 2023
4.5 stars. Even better than the first one!
February 2, 2024
Ohhhh the nudity is because it was in Playboy. Gotcha. Still overdone but I get it now. Still super artsy and stylish, I just wish Lady Snowblood got to be cool and bad ass without those hang ups.
August 23, 2024
nossa, por essa nao esperava (mas devia sksk), muito menos gostar ksks
February 23, 2025
Decent follow-up to the previous book. Had perhaps the most unintentionally hilarious cliffhanger I have ever read.
February 24, 2025
Continua l'avventura della protagonista alla ricerca della sua vendetta, azione ironia e sensualità accompagnano i bellissimi disegni di questo manga
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews