Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 8

地獄楽 [Jigokuraku] #8

by Yūji Kaku

Gabimaru is a ninja on death row with one chance to see his wife again—by finding the elixir of immortality on a supernatural island and delivering it to the shogun. Standing in his way are his fellow convicts and the fearsome beasts that roam the island, devouring or killing anyone they encounter. The survivors stage a desperate raid on Horai, the center of Lord Tensen’s operations, even as the new landing party closes in. Battling these supernatural beings is a life-and-death proposition, requiring total focus and extreme skill. A moment’s distraction could be fatal. Will Gabimaru and Sagiri overcome the odds and survive this gauntlet?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Horror, Action, Historical Fiction, Comics, Shonen

216 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2019

About the author

Yūji Kaku ( 賀来ゆうじ, Kaku Yūji) is a Japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Martin Iguaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

La historia se encamina hacia su conclusión, aunque todavía faltan cinco volúmenes y no nos han presentado al villano principal, aquel que creó y controla a los Tensen. La mayor incógnita es quienes sobrevivirán. Este volumen también humaniza - en la medida que eso es posible - a los Tensen y nos muestra que tras miles de años dedicándose únicamente a la búsqueda de la inmortalidad, han perdido el contacto con la realidad y en algunos casos, también el interés por su misión original.

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world is still compelling as are the protagonists and the main conflict, but this felt more like a filler volume filled with things that had to happen to move the plot along. Mostly fight scenes. Hopefully vol. 9 gets back to the heights of the earlier parts.

**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

به چه تقابلی رسیدن!
ایشالا که دوباره عقل گابیمارو رو نگیره
ولی چقدر همه کاراکترا دیوتد شد؛
به قول همین «نانی‌آسامون»(آنقدر طرف اسمشو چرت و پرت صدا کرد همین یادم میمونه از اسمش. همینی که رو عکس جلد این ولوم جلوعه) وقتی اومدن و چنین تجربه هایی تو جزیره هه کنار هم دیدن فهمیدن که فرق داشتن عنوان و جایی که ازش اومدن وقتی می‌خوان سروایو کنن علیه یه سری چیز بزرگتر ، اصلا چیزای مهمی نیست و در کنار هم میتونن پیش برن.
اینکه یکم بیشتر راجع به گذشته تنسن ها هم داره میگه رو بیشتر دوست تارم، این حس بیگانه بودنشون رو کم می‌کنه.

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ☆

[Sarah (menace mode) · Rating 5 out of 5]

BANDIT BOIS ARE BACK IN BUSINESS MFERS

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

¿Loca? No. Nosotros no. Es el mundo el que está loco

De no ser por el final, este octavo volumen no me hubiera gustado tanto.
Tao Fa y Ju Fa se han ganado un hueco en mi corazón.

En este tomo, empiezan y finalizan algunas batallas que se intuyeron en el anterior. No me han parecido para tanto, porque el estilo de dibujo lo he visto ligeramente pobre (algo cutre en ciertas escenas) con respecto a los demás volúmenes. Hay una muerte que me ha parecido bastante sosa además, pues creo que se podría haber desarrollado mejor y darle más chicha a sus últimos momentos. Por otra parte, los hermanos Aza se salen como viene siendo habitual, pero tampoco ha pasado gran cosa.

Eso sí, tengo muchas expectativas para el tomo 9, donde espero que reaparezcan dos o tres personajes.

Lo peor de este tomo ha sido que he comprado la versión en inglés y es ENORME comparada a la española. No sabeis lo fea que queda ahora mi colección de Jigokuraku con 7 tomos enanos y luego este que les dobla en tamaño 😭

[Jessica ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabimaru whyyyyyy? This better be curable or I’m gonna rage. This volume was epic though, full of battle and a couple interesting back stories.

Still shipping Gabimaru and Sagiri. Idc

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouch. I knew someone was bound to die, but it didn't make it hurt any less. 🤧

Aza brothers!! Let's go!!

Yuji Kaku - Please don't take anymore of my babies? Protect them! okay? 🥺 OKAY? 😫

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great volume filled with excellent fights, some major deaths, and a interesting ending. This really is the team up volume where multiple characters have to work together to take down these god like creatures. I'm most excited to see this animated as I think it has potential to be some of the best fight scenes ever in anime.

[Mert · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars (%77/100)

This volume was full of action and I really liked it. I'm especially loving the character development of Aza brothers (Chobei and Toma). The characters are well-written in my opinion and you can see how they're improving both physically and mentally throughout the story. Even the cold-blooded killer Gabimaru is much different now. I think Gabimaru is still my favorite but I also started to warm up to the others (not the villains though). However, I'm still not sure if I'll be able to find that "perfect" volume. So far, it's been interesting enough for me to continue reading but I'm not sure when we'll reach that climax.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tamiya the blade dragon has my favorite line (although he remembered it from his old geezer of a trainer) “stare good and hard at what’s left in there you’ll find everything” - the more you have or claim the harder it is to see who you really are

More explanation of Tao and Tan and a decent fight scene.

Ju Fa and Tao Fa love having sex with each other and using the world as a plaything but realize (a few hundred years ago) that things will never change without bringing in new sources of Tan (off island humans) so they’re the ones who fill the boats with flower people and send them off to Japan in hopes of luring in new playthings.

[riley ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In the short yet rich time we’ve spent together, we’ve cut deep to expose our hearts extracted them and shared ourselves.”

i know someone was gonna die but didn’t expect that to be you-know-who….

Yūji Kaki Sensei, please protect my sweet little Toma at all costs TT

[Frey · Rating 5 out of 5]

makes me feel like im experiencing all the stages of grief and joy rolled into one beautifully crafted impeccably written story about the power of strength, humanity, and the dangers of chasing after longevity over all things. also, almost everyone sexy as hell . a million stars babbby

[Rin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
The constant battles are getting old. But i think what they're doing counts as a heist or at least a sorta heist

[˚✧₊⁎fairy_bl00d⁎⁺˳✧༚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

rip yuzuriha😔🖤

[Blake the Book Eater · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS VOLUME!! The emotions!!! AGH!

[Elise Belleville · Rating 5 out of 5]

C'est là que les personnages révèlent leur vraie saveur ! Miam

[Dony Grayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edición argentina. Octavo tomo, primera impresión.

[Nouran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was insane. RIP… you know who

[Yuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great volumes in a roll. This volume was so frenetic but very emotional at the same time. Yuzuriha’s death was really sad. But despite that, we also saw a glance of the Fa siblings past and I love it!! Its compelling because seems genuine, however is borderline incestuous as well which makes everything more twisting. Looking forward to the next and how this arc will wrap up.

[Sunread26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronique complète :
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2025/...

Extrait :
L’intrigue donne l’impression de s’approcher de la fin, mais comme je m’y attendais, les combats vont durer plusieurs tomes à eux seuls. Il reste encore cinq tomes à la série avant de se conclure, j’imagine qu’il y aura une partie après l’île (s’ils parviennent à la quitter). Pour les combats actuels, je vois bien encore un tome, mais peut-être pas deux non plus quoi que. Les designs de la forme finale des Tensen sont toujours incroyables. Ils sont des ennemis incroyables, même si je ne les envie pas du tout.

Les différents combats sont vraiment intense, rien de surprenant à ce qu’ils prennent plusieurs tomes. Malgré leurs différences, les personnages arrivent tant bien que mal à s’opposer aux Tensen. Visiblement, vivre depuis un long moment ne suffit pas à devenir plus fort. D’ailleurs, eux-mêmes le disent, ils ne croient plus vraiment en la vie éternelle, mais ils refusent aussi d’arrêter, car ça voudrait dire qu’ils ont fait tout ça pour rien. Ils continuent aussi de se croire au-dessus des humains, cela ne change pas. Mais au final, le karma leur revient dessus et ils ne peuvent rien y faire. Ce que je trouve surprenant, c’est que le passé du duo de Tensen soi mis en avant, alors que, jusqu’à présent, on s’en fichait éperdument. Ce flashback permet de mieux cerner le lien entre les deux personnages, mais pas seulement. On apprend comment les humains ont été attirés sur l’île, ce que faisait Mei avant d’être renvoyée. Eux-mêmes ne sont pas au courant de la vérité à ce sujet, je me demande s’ils changeraient de camp si c’était le cas. Après tout, Jufa semble surtout avoir subi sa vie plus qu’autre chose, son seul souhait étant de voir sa moitié, Taofa, heureuse. Elle-même indique que ça ne lui plait pas, mais que si elle tente de changer quelque chose, elle deviendra folle. Il est toujours possible de changer, est-ce que ça sera leur cas ? Ils sont entrés dans leur forme finale (si je peux le dire ainsi), donc j’en doute, ou alors, ce sera au dernier moment, quand il sera déjà trop tard. En tout cas, ils arrivent à résister plutôt bien pour l’instant, mais ça ne sera peut-être pas sans pertes…

Je l’espérais grandement et je l’ai eu ! La réaction de Chôbê est magnifique et digne de son caractère ! Bien sûr, ça ne veut pas dire qu’il s’alliera avec les autres, mais pour le combat qui les attend, ils n’auront peut-être pas d’autres choix. Eux aussi sont déjà bien amochés, même si Chôbê et son frère s’en sortent plutôt bien. Fuchi et Tamiya quant à eux sont dans un piteux état, même s’ils commencent à cerner le Tao, ils restent loin derrière les autres. Ce combat contre un Tensen leur aura fait subir de lourds dommages. Mais il aura aussi montré à quel point les deux personnages forment aussi un très bon duo. Aussi barge l’un que l’autre, ils ne reculent devant rien quand il s’agit de leur passion. Que ce soit graver son nom dans l’histoire de la maîtrise du sabre ou en apprendre plus scientifiquement parlant. Fuchi va même jusqu’à dire que la maîtrise du Tao pourrait révolutionner la médecine. D’ailleurs, ce personnage est bien plus émotif que ce qu’il a pu montrer jusqu’à présent. Il va même jusqu’à dire que sa vision des condamnés à changer à force de les côtoyer. Cela n’enlève en rien leurs crimes, mais il voit clairement qu’ils ne sont pas mauvais pour autant. Pour lui, ils sont tous humains et égaux face à l’envie de vivre. J’ignore si cet aveu fera de lui la prochaine victime… Je ne l’espère pas, j’espère qu’aucun membre du groupe ne mourra, ils sont tous incroyables à leur manière. Celui qui doit mourir c’est cet imbécile et lâche d’empereur.

[...]

[Virgínia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bem, o que dizer sobre o oitavo volume desta série magistral? Luta, luta...e desenvolvimento de personagens.

"Nas horas difíceis pense só nas coisas que ama"

Se o sétimo volume desta série magistral se pautou por um equilíbrio perfeito entre ação e exposição, este oitavo volume vai prego a fundo na loucura e oferece-nos duas batalhas incríveis. Correndo contra o tempo e tentando evitar o novo pessoal que chegou à ilha, Gabimaru e as restantes personagens decidem invadir o Hourai e roubar o elixir da vida. Obviamente que, por muito inteligente que seja, nenhum plano ficcional que se preze corre às mil maravilhas. Assim sendo, as personagens veem-se confrontadas com os Tensen - que parecem já saber do seu plano de antemão, por conta das informações fornecidas por Choubei.

O que dizer destas batalhas? Bem, são um verdadeiro colírio para os olhos. O autor revela a sua maestria no que toca às batalhas, com coreografias de lutas interessantes, sempre subindo o perigo e a tensão associados. A verdade é que nenhuma luta é igual neste mangá e apenas tenho que dar os meus parabéns, pois isso revela um cuidadoso planeamento por parte do autor. Mas desenganem-se se este volume é somente tiro e porrada. Não, também somos prendados com desenvolvimento de personagens. Para mim, a que mais se destacou neste volume foi certamente a Yuzuriha.

Yuzuriha é uma personagem que desde o início da história é definida pela sua atitude excêntrica e um tanto egoísta, pondo a sua vida e as suas necessidades acima dos outros. Não é para menos, afinal ela é uma kunoichi, obrigada a submeter-se a um coletivo que pouco se importa com os seus membros, treinados para serem carne para canhão. As suas atitudes podem parecer-nos egoístas, mas, tendo em conta os seus arredores, são passíveis de entendimento e até de alguma empatia. Num mundo que considera pessoas como ela lixo, Yuzuriha decide valorizar-se e tomar as rédeas da sua vida nas suas mãos, em vez de ser controlada por terceiros. Naturalmente, numa situação de vida ou de morte, laços acabam por ser formados, quer queiramos quer não, e com Yuzuriha não é exceção. O facto de ela decidir ajudar Gabimaru na luta contra Lan - e não virar as costas quando a oportunidade se apresenta - mostra-nos o grande desenvolvimento que esta personagem teve ao longo do mangá, pondo as suas necessidades de lado por um instante e ajudando o coletivo. Um outro ponto interessante sobre a personagem é que é revelado, por meio de flashbacks, que esta tem sim uma irmã! Ou pelo menos tinha, pois suspeito que a irmã já tenha falecido. Uma coisa que me colocou uma pulga atrás da orelha foi a ambiguidade dos destino da nossa best girl. No final da batalha contra Lan, Yuzuriha está gravemente ferida, quase a beirar a morte. Vi muitas resenhas que lamentam a morte da personagem, mas a verdade é que eu suspeito que ela ainda não tenha passado desta para melhor. Pode ser muita ingenuidade minha, no entanto eu acredito mesmo que a personagem apenas parou por um momento para descansar um pouco e se recuperar. Rezo para que ela realmente não tenha morrido.

Uma coisa que me preocupa é o segundo grupo de recém-chegados, liderados por Shugen. No volume anterior, a última vez que os vimos eles estavam a caminho do Hourai montados nos monstros. Ora, levando em conta a dimensão dos bichos, eles provavelmente não demoraram muito a chegar ao Hourai, o que me deixa um pouco preocupada. De que forma a presença deles irá atrapalhar o plano do grupo principal? Estou ansiosa para ler o próximo volume e descobrir.

[Philip McCarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just have to continue to gush about how freaking cool this series is. Things are really coming together as it seems to head into the endgame. There were really only two fights in this volume, Gabimaru and Yuzuriha vs. Ran makes up the first half. There was a rather sentimental and heartwrenching moment here with Yuzuriha passing away at the end of the fight. The major highlight of this battle was the teamwork between Y and G. It was really fun seeing G support Y so they could win. I’ve a feeling things are going to be getting sadder from here on out. The second fight was Aza and Toma vs Ju Fa round 2, and Gantetsusai and Fuchi vs Tao Fa. The moment when A and T reunite was wicked rad as they made their deranged faces at each other before chopping up the Tensen. It was just a really sweet set of pages. I also thought the way G and F discovered their tao abilities was fun and seeing these two share their weird bond of friendship was empowering. This also brought up some interesting facets of the lives of the tensen and how they were forced into this life for thousands of years, always facing failure and not quite ever feeling whole. It recontextualizes them as desperate creatures trapped in a preplanned world from which they have no chance of escape.

[Barrett Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I'M NOT ABOUT TO LAY DOWN MY LIFE.”

“BUT I'LL SACRIFICE WHATEVER IT TAKES OTHER-WISE.”

The first half of the volume is Gabimaru and Yuzuriha taking on one of the Tensen, but this time they know both how to detect the elemental power of the Tensen and the strengths and weaknesses of those elements. This fight is another wild and bombastic mess that is so intense and thrilling, and the end of this fight left me speechless. Yuzuriha’s death was not immediately comprehensive to me and I was in a state of shock at the end of that chapter. At the Sanctum, Toma and Chobe reunite, and while heartwarming, it is very short lived as they both immediately attack the Tensen. Gigachad Tamiya and Asaemon Fuchi fight one of the Tensen, and the Aza brothers take on the other. Seeing the Aza brothers fight together was on another level, and like the enemy said, it looked like one fighting as two. Tamiya is insane, and I love his character so much. He blocks one move from the Tensen and understands Tao immediately like, again, Gigachad. A very solid volume that I could not get over after finishing.

[cvtherin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fights are really getting serious. What I liked the most though were the tendrils of friendship present throughout, and how it impacted the way many of them fought. Yuzu and Gabi, in particular, who were all about number 1 really ended up looking out for each other and it was funny to see them justify it - “strategic escape”. Yeah, okay. Sure guys.

Fuchi and his genuine hope that everyone makes it out safe was so presh. I love how open he was about it.

I also liked seeing the Tenzen pov of Ju Fa and Tao Fa; that they weren’t really buying the quest for immortality schtick anymore. Though it def seems like Ju Fa is the only sensible one among all of them. It’ll be interesting to see how it all progresses.

Did not like the upped t&a factor here. I’ll give Yuzuriha at the end since she was checking her wounds but ofc we have to end on a panel of her passed out, titties out. Then Ju Fa just fighting, chest bare. Guess the Tenzen don’t have to worry about proper support when they can just grow their limbs back at will.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonstop action with some essential flashbacks.

Picking up where volume 7 ended, chapter 67 continues the battle between Gabimaru and Yuzuriha against Ran in his transformed form. The battle is long and hard with an ever-growing understanding of Tao that ends only with a death blow. With the climactic end to their battle, the story then shifts focus to Fuchi, Tamiya, Toma, and Aza Chobe against Tao Fa and Ju Fa. With the focus on Tao Fa and Ju Fa, readers get a background to the conception of the Tensen and more of Mei's story. There is a lot for readers to take in with this volume and endings that will leave them reeling.

An exciting volume on what is building up to be a long battle to an escape from Hell's Paradise with the elixir in hand!

[Ambia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this one 3.5 stars.

The fighting pairs are awesome. Yuzuriha and Gabimaru were exceptional together. She was one of my favourites which is really my fault for having one. I really expected her to make it to the end. Maybe one from each pair is gonna die and that’s scary because I cannot bear for either of the Aza brothers to die. Their story and devotion to each other has been my favourite character aspect of this story, as well as Gabimaru’s devotion to his wife. Gabimaru and Chobe are so alike in that sense and I love that Chobe is kinda willing to do anything because he “adapts.” A pretty good tactic in life.

It seems the Tensen are gonners so the new comers must be the villains in the latter part of the story. The did get a special illustration looking somewhat menacing.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually REALLY loved this volume! A lot of fighting again, but I was feeling this one. Loved the interactions between the characters. Seriously, the characters just keep growing on me more and more, and they keep breaking my heart. Yuzuriha, the Aza brothers, Gantetsusai, and Fuchi all had some amazing moments. Even the villains Ju Fa and Tao Fa, I liked them a lot.

There are two down sides to the series so far for me, but I think these are more on me and my reading tastes than the series itself.

1. It's hard to keep up with the villains and even distinguish them from one another. Even though they are a super cool concept as a whole, up until these two Ju Fa and Tao Fa came along, they were all a sort of blur. I don't remember their names or who did what to whom.
2. Similarly, as much as I love the detail to the power system and have a basic understanding of it, it's complex. It's so detailed and requires paying close attention that I'm not always willing to give so I find myself just rolling with it. Which is fine. It's still a fun series and I bet power system nerds love this about Hell's Paradise.

[FaDoug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, incredibly fun. Filled with intense action, great worldbuilding, and a particular moment that nearly had me in tears. I'm honestly starting to feel anxious with this series, I thought I knew where it was going, but now I'm not sure there's even going to be a happy ending.

My only criticism of this volume is that, for whatever reason, there's one chapter where the quality of the art takes a strange nosedive. It felt like that specific chapter was rushed or something, every other chapter looked great as always. There's just the one where the art looks more like sketches sometimes rather than polished art, and I have no idea why.

Other than that though, still great and incredibly enjoyable!

[Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series really comes into its own now. All out war between the Asaemon and criminals against the Lord Tensen.

The fights are straight and to the point and despite Kaku introducing the concept of various Tan, it is mostly forgotten about as willpower and creative thinking can overcome type disadvantage. This is definitely for the benefit of the series as it keeps the interactions streamlined and doesn't require a shuffling of the deck that other series would demand.

I can see the emotional weight some moments demand but find myself just short of feeling what I should in the moment. Just because Kaku has told a story to bring out familiarity with a character doesn't mean I sympathise with them. Still that could change as we go on.