Golden Kamuy is life. This book was full of humour and delighful facial expressions. It has similar structure to the last volume, we see little bits of Hijikata and Asirpa’s groups but the bulk of the volume focuses on Sugimoto and his entourage. They don’t really move the story forward as much as the other two but everything they go through is so fun to read and full of laughs, I really can’t get enough of it.
The beginning was rather weak because I didn't care about Hijikata's plot line (even though objectively it was a good little arc, special shouout to young hot Hijikata, he's a snack). Then we went back to Karafuto (Sakhalin) plots and it was lots of fun. The circus arc was peak comedy. Every Asirpa chapter makes my heart ache because I'm worrying about her all the time.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any goofier... the circus comes to town! Sugimoto tries to use a starring role to let Asirpa know he’s alive and on her trail. Unfortunately, he’s overshadowed by a traveling companion. This is one of the more dude-bro volumes with frat level hazing and dialog. There’s also a weird flashback gimmick in the early chapters that just felt weird. But at least Shiraishi encounters a new animal to bite his head! This still remains a great series. The historical details are always welcome, and Satoru Noda and his team continue to deliver some of the best art! Backgrounds were well integrated into panels in this volume too. I’m ready for the next one!
I really like how this series is a bit of a slow-burn in the plot development, it gives us chances to experience really funny situations. And see more of the unique group dynamics that we have been thrown into! The circus arc in this one was really comedic while also being really tense. The way Sugimoto’s current group can’t seem to stop getting on each other’s nerves is hilarious.
However, I still desperately want Sugimoto to meet Asirpa again, because I can’t handle the way she is being manipulated. And I have conflicted feelings about Ogata: he does seem to care about Asirpa, but how much? And to what extent? He’s very reclusive and still a huge unknown in this situation.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop saying how unhinged this series is! This series never fails to deliver the wildest, most unexpected moments—like smelling the musk deer sack (seriously, what?!), the return of Tanigaki’s lewd pictures, Koito discovering his acrobatic skills, and Tanigaki's dedication to performing with the girl dancers.
However, I wish the story would focus a bit more on the main plot. Lately, there have been quite a few filler moments, and while they’re entertaining, the way they’re integrated into the storyline feels a bit too ridiculous at times. I like the madness, but I’m hoping we get back on track with the core narrative soon.
Adventure in Russia continues! Sugimoto joins the circus and Asirpa's group encounter a reindeer-herding indigenous people. But the most touching part is the encounter between Hijikata and an assassin from the restoration struggles.
While the storylines are rather separate and don't connect at all in this volume, they were all interesting on their own and nicely compact. A good volume, though I hope the groups soon encounter each other.
¡¡Impresionante!! El dibujo, como siempre, una maravilla. Me ha encantado la representación del Alzheimer que hay en este tomo, el arco del circo me ha parecido una joyita y el desarrollo de la trama de Kiroranke y los actos de Ogata son cada vez más intrigantes. ¿¡Qué ocurrirá!? ¡No puedo esperar!
Otro tomo intenso y vertiginoso, donde tenemos desde la historia de un asesino al que se enfrenta Hijikata hasta una dosis de comedia protagonizada por Sugimoto. Además el final, con la promesa de un enfrentamiento entre francotiradores es estupenda.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A really good volume, the circus was pretty cool and it seams like they will be useful people to know. Also pretty cool to run into another indigenous culture, this time Uilta. It's obvious alot of research has gone into this series, and the real life survival aspect is pretty cool as well.
The plot is really starting to pick up. Fingers crossed for Asirpa, the guys she's hanging out with are all sorts of sketchy! ('cept Shiraishi, that dork).