No. 5, Vol. 2

ナンバーファイブ 吾 [Number 5] #3-4

by Taiyo Matsumoto

A powerfully imagined vision of the future from Taiyo Matsumoto, creator of the Eisner Award–winning Cats of the Louvre and Tekkonkinkreet .

In a world where most of the earth has become a harsh desert, the Rainbow Council of the Peace Corps has a growing crisis on its hands. No. 5, one member of a team of superpowered global security guardians and a top marksman, has gone rogue. Now the other guardians have to hunt down No. 5 and his mysterious companion, Matryoshka. But why did No. 5 turn against the council, and what will it mean for the future of the world?

The members of the Rainbow Council were created to be superior to normal human beings and to keep the peace. But with no wars to fight, what purpose do they serve other than public relations? The strange psychic twins called No. 4 use their power to try to convince No. 5 to reverse his course as he tries to stay one step ahead of his pursuers. Meanwhile, No. 1, the leader of the Council, thinks back to a bloody incident 15 years ago that bears on the present day…

Genres: Manga, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Japan, Seinen

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2005

About the author

See also: 松本大洋 and 松本 大洋

Although Taiyo Matsumoto desired a career as a professional soccerplayer at first, he eventually chose an artistic profession. He gained his first success through the Comic Open contest, held by the magazine Comic Morning, which allowed him to make his professional debut. He started out with 'Straight', a comic about basketball players. Sports remain his main influence in his next comic, 'Zéro', a story about a boxer.

In 1993 Matsumoto started the 'Tekkonkinkurito' trilogy in Big Spirits magazine, which was even adapted to a theatre play. He continued his comics exploits with several short stories for the Comic Aré magazine, which are collected in the book 'Nihon no Kyodai'. Again for Big Spirits, Taiyo Matsumoto started the series 'Ping Pong' in 1996. 'Number Five' followed in 2001, published by Shogakukan.

Source: Lambiek website bio .

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just utterly gorgeous art paired with an opaque plot and world. Despite getting tons and tons of backstory we're not spoon-fed anything about hat's going on. I think this post-apocalyptic paradise may be coming to an inflection point? And I think Matsumoto is getting at ideas of duty, brotherhood, individual greed versus collective good, grief, ambition, and the incessant pace of change, but he could just as easily have transcribed a DMT-fueled dream. Or both! Excited to see where vol. 3 takes us.

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

[Nate D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matsumoto is full-on sci-fi delirium by way of Moebius. I'm especially lost due to starting in volume 2, but I don't care and it's magical.

[Boy Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving deeper into the fever dream, the story starts to lose coherency but the art remains stunning.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half of this volume gives you some answers in the form of an extended flashback while the first half is a hallucinatory amalgam of Lewis Carroll, Hayao Miyazaki, and the Bhagavad Gita. So yeah, it's still weird.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely astounding work of art.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of Taiyo Matsumoto's No. 5 fills important gaps in the narrative that were only hinted at in the first book. We learn the origins of the Rainbow Council of the Peace Corps, and get a glimpse into the mechanics that determine how members of the Council obtain their numeric rankings, with many members coveting and scheming for the elusive No. 1 role. We also witness Mike Ford Davis' promotion into that very role, and his declaration of a mystical destiny for mankind (with subtle visual hints invoking Moebius' world of Aedena).

That said, this volume is every bit as trippy and hallucinogenic as the first book, as the dual No. 4s wield their supernatural talents with increasing frequency. At least until they are gunned down beside No. 5, with emerging villain Colonel Viktor behind the trigger. In the final chapter "Five in the Chalet", it appears that No. 5 managed to survive the shooting, although the ultimate fate of No. 4 is indeterminate.

The story is by no means complete here in volume 2, but it is acquiring a clear structure and purpose, and I can only eagerly await the next installment to see how the remarkably talented Taiyo Matsumoto is going to continue this fascinating narrative.

[Matty Dub · Rating 5 out of 5]

The out of continuity storytelling makes this already opaque series all the more confusing and yet, I love it no less. I get it even though I’m aware of not being 100% sure what’s going on. This book is an experience as much as a story, feeling it in lieu of “getting it” is just as satisfying. The art is even more beautiful with plenty of splash pages deserving of their own instagram post, Matsumoto has a beautiful mind!

[Shin · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe #TaiyoMatsumoto was high the entire time he wrote this so he just told the story however he wanted without figuring whether the reader will follow through what he's saying or not.

this is still a GREAT visual experience like the costume and background designs are so creative. he really just went at it drawing animals (pet crocodiles, monkeys over bedridden soldiers) and cultural icon posters (Bathing Ape and Star Wars) in every empty space he could. that also may have contritubed to my confusion.

sometimes i go through a couple of pages completely disoriented and realize only thanks to one stray word balloon what the entire thing was actually about. in those terms u can either applaud or get mad at the artist. there's a long dream sequence in this volume. good luck figuring that shit out.

we can say that thematically #No5 is a comment on the "military": the dissonance between what armies represent to people vs what they truly are. the military in the manga's world is actually tamer than what we have in real life. anyway.

i think I'd recommend this series to art and 'weird comics' enthusiasts than people just looking for a literary-visual experience.

i am sorry to anyone whose first experience with Taiyo Matsumoto is this work. but i am thankful to Taiyo Matsumoto for making this.

[HowardtheDuck95 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, this manga is quite a ride, and very dense. This volume, at its most basic, is two parts. A chase, and an origin. We finally get to see why No. 5 and Matryoshka is on the run. We get to see more behind their motivations here, and the greater themes at play, like the concept of the superhero as cover for exercising military power and how that can play into fascism (I think Alan Moore would approve.) We get a deeper understanding of this world, one that is broken, but not yet apocalyptic. Reminds me a bit of the first Mad Max movie.

On an art level this book remains spectacular. Insane but organically flowing layouts, art shifts, and little flourishes that sets your mind alight. This can range from a multi page sequence showing the flow and connectivity of nature on the micro and macro level, to simply little touches like having the sun still be whole even when interrupted by the panel grid. Changing to a 60s Marvel style for the propaganda cartoons, adopting looser or tighter linework depending on the mood of the character (which gives a sort of breathing feeling to it all)

On the whole. If you liked the first volume, I recommend this one. If you haven’t read the first, start there!

[Faith Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more confusing than the first volume but I think I have come to the decision to simply enjoy the ride rather than trying to understand the story as a linear progression. The art style makes this super easy since it’s so wonderful and vivid, it’s the main element that is making me keep coming back to the manga. The illustration style is so unique and the character design creates such a vivid world, it’s like nothing I’ve seen in manga before. The basic story line elements remind me of The Umbrella Academy graphic novels, the differences being the hierarchy of their numbering and the way that system is set up. Whilst this element is one of the main factors to the stories complicating narrative it also feels much more realistic and sets up a basic concept of the society and government the manga is set in.

I haven’t got much else to say I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s been a extremely interesting read so far and I’m curious to how it will progress in the next volume.

[Clayton Kempf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back half of this volume adds a lot of world building and internal politics of the peace corps that really ties together all of the events that preceded it. The second half was so strong in advancing the plot and world. If you are intrigued by this series read through volume 2 for sure. The vibes are immaculate and an intriguing take on what might the world look like after the world has ended once. This volume would get 5 stars but I remember still being a bit confused during the first half of this volume about everything that was going on but the second half really grounds all of those events. I could just see people putting the series down before they get to this point due to the enchanting and less grounded experience. That less grounded experience is something I love though!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like in the first volume, Taiyo Matsumoto employs his scratchy, expressive style excellently to create some truly exquisite panels, and arranges those panels to perfectly capture sequences of action, controlling the flow of time with expert control. The sequences of psychedelic illusion are particularly brilliant, not only crafting strange visuals, but slipping in and out of reality between panels. This volume lays out more of the backstory to this strange world, whereas the first volume drops you straight into the action without explaining anything, so it's a little easier to follow, but still full of mystery.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this immensely. It's nigh incomprehensible at times but I feel so drawn into this strange post-apocalyptic world. Every single page is dense with information that it's difficult to process everything that happens. Nevertheless, we get an insightful flashback this volume into Yuri's old mentor and the former No. 5, Viktor. This seems an all or nothing type of series when it comes to investment. If you've made it to volume 2 you know the kind of book that you're in for.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am losing my grip on what this story is about, but also I’m okay with that. It continues to feel like El Topo with a dash of Watchmen thrown in.

Matsumoto can sometimes be a little navel gazey in his writing, with characters often breaking into Terrence Malick monologues, but his incredible comicking and unique style are always there to keep me coming back for more.

[Brett Chalupa]

Obtuse storytelling bolstered by incredible art. Whenever it’s on the verge of being incomprehensible, it just barely saves itself. Not sure how I feel or if one can judge this without reading the whole series. I guess I’ll continue onward!

[Ronin Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got seriously burnt out reading this volume, and it was in no way interesting. It had its moments, but overall I was so bored. (Mostly personal reasons, but this volume felt really lacking overall.)

[kite ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

#fromthelibrary #ilovethelibrary

i love reading on the nj transit commute so much. incredibly beautiful art it is such a joy to take in all awesome these drawings!!! i continue to be very intrigued by this story. so fun to get sm backstory in this one! excited for more

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

More bizarre and confusing and im a little less thrilled by it. This is so oddly different then the other two series i read from this writer (Tokyo these days and sunny) its like he wrote this in his acid trip days or something.

3🌟

[Joseph Antero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the artwork and was hoping the story would improve, but I still don’t even know what I read. Totally confused.

[putri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was more confusing than the first one but I'm both frustrated and more intrigued to find out what happens next.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars, a proper middle to the story, but I was hoping to find a bit more. Art is still intoxicating and worth more stars than I’m giving it.

[Machteld · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 i really don’t understand the story…yet???

[Paden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting plot with very unique (in a good way) art.

[Alex Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading this makes my head hurt but Matryoshka is cool, love her.

[Keyana Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first volume, the art work is beautiful but the story is very complex and hard to follow.

[Ganesh Sreeramulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has picked up pace. But still ain’t warming up to this story line

[Ry Eto · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought that it was beautifully drawn

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This art spellbinds me. You never know what Matsumoto will decide to add to the page and it never feels incongruent.

[Grg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letting go of the plot felt good. Letting go of remembering who all the characters are, felt even better.

[Rob Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating volume. A fascinating series. A brilliant work of imaginative splendour.