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Lone Wolf & Cub #5
Lone Wolf and Cub. Omnibus. Vol. 5
Padre e figlio sono ancora separati e i letali sicari degli Yagyû si trovano sulle loro tracce. Il Cucciolo potrà sopravvivere senza il Lupo? E Ogami Itto è destinato a diventare davvero un Lupo solitario?
712 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2014
2 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Kazuo Koike
562 books295 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 14, 2024
Father and son continue to live in Meifumado, choosing neither the six paths nor the four lives; the Demon Road is paved with bodies in the sole quest to destroy the Yagyu.
July 31, 2016
"Lone Wolf and Cub" has grown on me since I started reading it. I'm in no rush to hurry on through the stories, but I read a volume or two every now and again, and yesterday I woke up to warm, rainy weather thinking "Today is the perfect day to go out somewhere and read some stories about the samurai assassin and his kid."
So, well, five stars to the series for making itself memorable and capturing my imagination in a slow and unassuming manner.
First of all, I love the art by Goseki Kojima. I love how sometimes there's this huge, vague, beautiful landscape, more suggested than photographically drawn - and somewhere, tiny, yet capturing one's attention, you have the assassin and his son walking towards the next town, towards the next contract.
In this volume, you have a story or two forwarding the main plot, but the rest are mostly episodic, as was the case with previous volumes. I particularly like the stories about the son wandering off on his own, quiet and determined - he's a very curious character, innocent, but having seen too much, honorable, but not entirely aware of all the things going on in the world. It makes me wonder what will happen to him in the end.
So, well, five stars to the series for making itself memorable and capturing my imagination in a slow and unassuming manner.
First of all, I love the art by Goseki Kojima. I love how sometimes there's this huge, vague, beautiful landscape, more suggested than photographically drawn - and somewhere, tiny, yet capturing one's attention, you have the assassin and his son walking towards the next town, towards the next contract.
In this volume, you have a story or two forwarding the main plot, but the rest are mostly episodic, as was the case with previous volumes. I particularly like the stories about the son wandering off on his own, quiet and determined - he's a very curious character, innocent, but having seen too much, honorable, but not entirely aware of all the things going on in the world. It makes me wonder what will happen to him in the end.
August 17, 2016
The child is now older in this volume. He is now over 3 yrs of age and is able to accomplish feats most adults would find difficult let alone children. All because he lives in meifumado, the path of revenge with his father against the Yahgü who a hunting them.
Because of this, it allows for a more dynamic and heartfelt story, because the relationship between father and child is more flexible. Stories can be split in two and assassinations become all that more interesting.
Just when you think you've seen it all in lone wolf and cub, you're guaranteed to be surprised in every single volume.
A beautiful series.
I say this every time I review a Lone Wolf and Cub omnibus....
IF YOU ARE NOT READING THIS, START!!!!
Because of this, it allows for a more dynamic and heartfelt story, because the relationship between father and child is more flexible. Stories can be split in two and assassinations become all that more interesting.
Just when you think you've seen it all in lone wolf and cub, you're guaranteed to be surprised in every single volume.
A beautiful series.
I say this every time I review a Lone Wolf and Cub omnibus....
IF YOU ARE NOT READING THIS, START!!!!
September 21, 2023
4.9/5
Aside from one slightly silly story (the chapter involving an ultimatum and gold-digging wife of a disgraced samurai), this is the best volume I've read so far. Retsudo is one hell of a good villain, and a perfect contrast to Itto in every sense. I wound up reading the whole volume in less than two full days, when I fully intended to make it last. Damn.
Aside from one slightly silly story (the chapter involving an ultimatum and gold-digging wife of a disgraced samurai), this is the best volume I've read so far. Retsudo is one hell of a good villain, and a perfect contrast to Itto in every sense. I wound up reading the whole volume in less than two full days, when I fully intended to make it last. Damn.
August 8, 2021
Altro volume eccezionale. Non ne sbaglia una, certe storie ti toccano veramente, nonostante siano così distanti nello spazio nel e nel tempo.
July 6, 2016
At the start of this volume the Lone Wolf and the Cub have been separated, so the stories jump back and forth with solo tales starring each. Then about halfway through the two are reunited. There's still some backstory revealed in this volume, but not as much as it focuses more on solo adventures for a while.
I will caution readers that some of these stories are very dark. These aren't light hearted tale, although some do have happy endings and the prevailing themes are more positive than negative.
I also want to comment on the authenticity of the stories. I sometimes find myself thinking these stories were actually written in the edo period of feudal Japan rather than the 1970s. It's hard to find even modern comics this well researched and authentic. A must for any fans interested in Japanese history of the Edo period. Even if graphic novels aren't your thing, these are worth checking out as you will probably find yourself surprised.
I will caution readers that some of these stories are very dark. These aren't light hearted tale, although some do have happy endings and the prevailing themes are more positive than negative.
I also want to comment on the authenticity of the stories. I sometimes find myself thinking these stories were actually written in the edo period of feudal Japan rather than the 1970s. It's hard to find even modern comics this well researched and authentic. A must for any fans interested in Japanese history of the Edo period. Even if graphic novels aren't your thing, these are worth checking out as you will probably find yourself surprised.
May 20, 2021
This tale is so intricate. This is the place where I realised there's no way cub isn't going to wind up with a sword in his hand. I know it took me like 5 books but THAT is unmistakable. It's also a horrible tragedy in an environment where tragedy is normal. He will become a butt kicking murder machine just like his dad. There's this one story where cub meets this crazy hag living under an old bridge and it just kicked me all up in my feelings.
September 4, 2023
The central Yagyu plotline takes up more space in each volume. In Omnibus 5, a duel between Ogami Ittō and Yagyu Retsuda (and Yagyu retainers, and Yagyu archers...) establishes just how honorless and duplicitous Yagyu is. The villain is not just physically deadly...he's also unbound by the chains of propriety that restrict Ogami, and he comes at you from every direction at once.
Daigoro, separated from his papa, drifts about the world fatalistically. After reuniting, he begins taking greater part in his papa's schemes.
The author once again uses a character to address questions the reader has of the protagonist. One victim--marked for death for doing something honorable that nevertheless violates the mindless rigidity of bushido--straight up tells Ogami Ittō "The six paths and four lives sounds like an excuse for you to chase revenge and kill people." He's not wrong.
Daigoro, separated from his papa, drifts about the world fatalistically. After reuniting, he begins taking greater part in his papa's schemes.
The author once again uses a character to address questions the reader has of the protagonist. One victim--marked for death for doing something honorable that nevertheless violates the mindless rigidity of bushido--straight up tells Ogami Ittō "The six paths and four lives sounds like an excuse for you to chase revenge and kill people." He's not wrong.
December 14, 2015
Really liked the split quests for father and child, a good change in pace.
November 25, 2017
Of all the LW&C books, this has, so far, been my least favorite. The authors are keeping up with the tradition of incorporating cool bits of Japanese history into the stories and not focusing as much on LW&C as the environment they're travelling through, which is a good way to give yourself some story room apart from just Ogami murdering a lot of people.
Overall, there seemed to be something lacking, though. One story, "Shattered Stones", is particularly representative. It's still a good story with an interesting hook, but it has a few things that made me say "huh?" Like, it opens with Ogami getting pelted in the head with hot rocks. Now, I think the idea is that they're like charcoal, and Our Hero recognizes they're not a threat to him so he doesn't react, but they look HUGE and go clonking off his head and back like he's made of metal. Then later, in the same story, the implication is that Ogami is going to kill a child and his father, but I was unable to ascertain whether or not that had actually happened. (LW&C is often subtle amongst the unsubtle parts, and I don't always get them.)
Still good, still going to move on to #6 in the series, but hoping this is just a temporary lull on Koike (or my) part.
Overall, there seemed to be something lacking, though. One story, "Shattered Stones", is particularly representative. It's still a good story with an interesting hook, but it has a few things that made me say "huh?" Like, it opens with Ogami getting pelted in the head with hot rocks. Now, I think the idea is that they're like charcoal, and Our Hero recognizes they're not a threat to him so he doesn't react, but they look HUGE and go clonking off his head and back like he's made of metal. Then later, in the same story, the implication is that Ogami is going to kill a child and his father, but I was unable to ascertain whether or not that had actually happened. (LW&C is often subtle amongst the unsubtle parts, and I don't always get them.)
Still good, still going to move on to #6 in the series, but hoping this is just a temporary lull on Koike (or my) part.
August 25, 2017
With Daigoro and Itto separated after the events of the preceding volume, the series takes on a muted and even more minimalist approach. Our leading men seemed reduced to background characters in their own story and in their place is a wide cast of secondary characters that dominate center stage. Vol 5 is an anthology of set pieces focused around the now-familiar themes of vengeance, shame, and duty. For an action-adventure series, the storytelling is surprisingly naturalistic, with violence surfacing at the dénouement but plausible human drama always serving as the crux of each chapter. And, of course, the artwork remains achingly beautiful, with each panel a minor masterpiece, well worth the price of admission.
October 11, 2025
This is now my new addiction!!!
A beautifully told story with hand drawn animation!
Where you learn about Japanese historical culture and lots of martial arts and political intrigue.
This is perfect for me and I am devouring them!
It's based on a samurai who is politically outplayed and loses his station and family. Just him and his boy are out to seek revenge!
I don't throw 5 stars around much. but this is totally a 10 stars!!! a 100 stars!!!!! a 1000 stars...... it's just great! Don't consider it, just read it!!!!
ENJOY!!!
A beautifully told story with hand drawn animation!
Where you learn about Japanese historical culture and lots of martial arts and political intrigue.
This is perfect for me and I am devouring them!
It's based on a samurai who is politically outplayed and loses his station and family. Just him and his boy are out to seek revenge!
I don't throw 5 stars around much. but this is totally a 10 stars!!! a 100 stars!!!!! a 1000 stars...... it's just great! Don't consider it, just read it!!!!
ENJOY!!!
September 15, 2024
The first half of this continues off of the previous volume. Ogami Itto and Daigoro are separated and each have some solo stories before reuniting. We get no explanation as to where Itto has been. We see Daigoro's weird sense of honor, his perception of what his father does. After they get reunited, we're back to one-and-done stories, and most of these feel like generic stories rather the usual tour of feudal Japan
February 6, 2020
If you're wondering what a comic book is doing on a Daoist monk's reading list, you need not. This is no mere graphic novel; this is a work of high Japanese literature. The storytelling is stunning, the graphics are powerful, and the message and compelling feel of this masterpiece of graphic fiction will keep you turning the pages and earn the whole omnibus an honored spot in your library, too.
December 31, 2024
Ogami and Daigoro spend about half the book apart, and their reuniting is as thrilling as you could hope for. Overall, this volume nicely balances the larger story arc with some fantastic interstitial adventures. Art continues to be stellar. Some good counterpoints to Ogami’s ethos voiced by men bleeding to death in front of him.
June 27, 2018
Just not for me. But I received this as a gift from a friend and decided to give it a try.
November 28, 2019
More great samurai bloodbath action. If you’re still reading the series here then you don’t need me to say it’s great. This one splits the duo up for a while to shake things up.
March 26, 2024
I'm not sure what else to say about this series, it's just great; informative, interesting, complex, beautiful, and violent.
May 27, 2025
Story arcs with just cub are terrible.
July 4, 2025
Saga continuă cu povești din ce în ce mai elaborate, dar cumva și mai simple.
December 17, 2025
Daigoro!
December 8, 2024
A re-read because I never got around to writing this up. The first half was in continuity and were some of the best of these stories. And the second half was fine.
===
As always we read these a half at a time. The first half was basically one continuous story. And it was really good. The second half was less continuous and seemed to be phoned home.
Drifting Shadows - long and without cub and with a lot of plot movement and death and violence. but kind of awesome.
Straw Boy - a long cub story. We get to see daigoru's moral code, what he will or won't do. It's a pretty strong story in addition to that. Not any plot movement. If only Cub would get older.
Talisman of Hades - lone wolf continues to hunt for cub. And we are reminded of Oami Itto's moral code - he'll kill for money and he'll kill assassins but he'll barely wound fools - except when he does more
Ailing Star - a really good Daigoro story with kind of an abrupt ending. An old lady living under a bridge
Thirteen Strings - the daughter is a brat but everyone else has honor and the lord and the peasants want basically the same thing. And Lone Wolf gets to listen and point things in the right direction. And meet up with Cub in the end. A bit long but a good story.
===
A Poem for the Grave - more showing of honor. In this case someone lets a castle go up in flames without his men dying at the cost of him needing to be killed. And maybe we learn how the secret of the Yagyu letter has been hidden but we don't seem to learn the secret. Still a good story with good art but a bit confused. But still a direct continuation of the story line.
Nameless, Penniless, Lifeless - An ugly story showing more honor. And more nakedness. And rape. And Lone Wolf and Cub watch until the end and does what's asked.
Body Check - A bit of a complicated plot. Basically a city guards a path. And Lone Wolf uses there procedures against them. And a reminder that Cub is with Lone Wolf by choice. Not in continuity.
Shattered Stones - A more typical Lone Wolf story. Fine. And with slightly less killing. Not in continuity.
A Promise of Potatoes - Simple short story mostly of Cub. Another showcase of Cub's weird sense of honor.
Wife Killer - another short out of continuity. In this case wife killer means to reveal a magician's secrets. Dark.
===
As always we read these a half at a time. The first half was basically one continuous story. And it was really good. The second half was less continuous and seemed to be phoned home.
Drifting Shadows - long and without cub and with a lot of plot movement and death and violence. but kind of awesome.
Straw Boy - a long cub story. We get to see daigoru's moral code, what he will or won't do. It's a pretty strong story in addition to that. Not any plot movement. If only Cub would get older.
Talisman of Hades - lone wolf continues to hunt for cub. And we are reminded of Oami Itto's moral code - he'll kill for money and he'll kill assassins but he'll barely wound fools - except when he does more
Ailing Star - a really good Daigoro story with kind of an abrupt ending. An old lady living under a bridge
Thirteen Strings - the daughter is a brat but everyone else has honor and the lord and the peasants want basically the same thing. And Lone Wolf gets to listen and point things in the right direction. And meet up with Cub in the end. A bit long but a good story.
===
A Poem for the Grave - more showing of honor. In this case someone lets a castle go up in flames without his men dying at the cost of him needing to be killed. And maybe we learn how the secret of the Yagyu letter has been hidden but we don't seem to learn the secret. Still a good story with good art but a bit confused. But still a direct continuation of the story line.
Nameless, Penniless, Lifeless - An ugly story showing more honor. And more nakedness. And rape. And Lone Wolf and Cub watch until the end and does what's asked.
Body Check - A bit of a complicated plot. Basically a city guards a path. And Lone Wolf uses there procedures against them. And a reminder that Cub is with Lone Wolf by choice. Not in continuity.
Shattered Stones - A more typical Lone Wolf story. Fine. And with slightly less killing. Not in continuity.
A Promise of Potatoes - Simple short story mostly of Cub. Another showcase of Cub's weird sense of honor.
Wife Killer - another short out of continuity. In this case wife killer means to reveal a magician's secrets. Dark.
April 26, 2024
LONE WOLF & CUB (PRESTIGE EDITION)
PRINTING:
- Hardcover;
- Dust jacket;
- Bookmark;
- Large format.
CONTENT:
- Introduction;
- Eleven chapters;
- Historical articles;
- Gallery of covers;
- Glossary;
- Approximately 800 pages.
PROS:
- Chapters made of independent stories built around a central plot;
- Controlled narration constantly renewed to avoid repetition;
- A perfect balance between plots and action scenes;
- An expressive artwork highlighting sumptuous scenery and fierce combat;
- A documented historical context with great educational virtues.
CONS:
- Some chapters more dispensable and less engaging than others.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Series in twelve volumes;
- Suggested for mature readers;
- Adapted into films in the 1970s;
- Frank Miller's inspiration for "Ronin";
- Quentin Tarantino's inspiration for "Kill Bill";
- Jon Favreau's inspiration for "The Mandalorian."
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Seinen readers;
- Fans of graphic novels.
- Feudal Japan enthusiasts;
RELATED READING:
- "Kamui Den" by Sanpei Shirato;
- "Lady Snowblood" by Kazuo Koike and Kazuo Kamimura;
- "A Tree in the Sun" by Osamu Tezuka.
RECOMMENDATION:
* * * * *
PRINTING:
- Hardcover;
- Dust jacket;
- Bookmark;
- Large format.
CONTENT:
- Introduction;
- Eleven chapters;
- Historical articles;
- Gallery of covers;
- Glossary;
- Approximately 800 pages.
PROS:
- Chapters made of independent stories built around a central plot;
- Controlled narration constantly renewed to avoid repetition;
- A perfect balance between plots and action scenes;
- An expressive artwork highlighting sumptuous scenery and fierce combat;
- A documented historical context with great educational virtues.
CONS:
- Some chapters more dispensable and less engaging than others.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Series in twelve volumes;
- Suggested for mature readers;
- Adapted into films in the 1970s;
- Frank Miller's inspiration for "Ronin";
- Quentin Tarantino's inspiration for "Kill Bill";
- Jon Favreau's inspiration for "The Mandalorian."
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Seinen readers;
- Fans of graphic novels.
- Feudal Japan enthusiasts;
RELATED READING:
- "Kamui Den" by Sanpei Shirato;
- "Lady Snowblood" by Kazuo Koike and Kazuo Kamimura;
- "A Tree in the Sun" by Osamu Tezuka.
RECOMMENDATION:
* * * * *
April 9, 2018
These short stories are still fantastic. The best this volume were A Poem for the Grave and Shattered Stones. The art is staring to fall off in quality a little,. You can see this especially in shattered stones.
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