The Hunters Guild: Red Hood, Vol. 3

レッドフード [Red Hood] #3

by Yuki Kawaguchi

A grim take on Grimm tales, one where the hunted become the hunters!

In a world where fairy tales are fact and humans live in fear of werewolves, witches, and monsters, only the Hunters Guild can keep the monsters at bay. These red-hooded fighters are anything but little, and only those able to pay a king’s ransom can afford their services, but it's a small price to stay alive.

The final exam aboard the Ironworks reaches its climax! Velou’s goal of getting everyone to pass requires all of the trainees to work together, but many still hesitate. Then, things take a sudden, weird turn after the exam, when Cinderella and the Guild start making uncharacteristic moves. Not only that, the mayor, who Velou thought dead, returns and exposes the shocking truth about their world!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Werewolves, Fairy Tales, Action, Shonen

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2022

About the author

Yuki Kawaguchi (川口勇貴; Kawaguchi Yūki) is a Japanese Mangaka.

Reviews

[Katharine]

3.5 rating for this! So apparently this series got canceled, which was understandable after how the first two volumes were. You can very much tell it got this "ending" because it was canceled, seeing how abrupt it felt. But as the ending, the author did a complete 180 and just went completely off the wall with it. This final volume felt like it was supposed to be the final volume in a 100-volume series, akin to Naruto or Bleach, not the third volume. This volume had some fascinating concepts and plot ideas in it. Nothing felt like it was fully thought out, just written with the idea of "I wonder how f*cking crazy I can make this final volume?". This was the first volume (and I guess the last) where I was actually interested in what was happening and wanted to know more. This ending was kind of sloppy and pretty god damn slap-dash, but it definitely was a wild ride. Talk about going from zero to a thousand.

[MajesticalLion]

Another one cancelled before it's time. I'm hearing a lot of people attribute it's failure to the exam arc being too boring, but I don't necessarily agree with the sentiment. The exam arc did a lot to further Velou's character as a strategist and build his bonds with the supporting cast.

Anyway, the series was axed, and nothing can change that. All the Kawaguchi could do was recognize that with his series cancelled, he could go as crazy with the ending as he wanted. No consequences. And let me tell you, he went CRAZY. The meta ideas he posed in that finale took the phrase "going out with a bang" to the next level. This is one of the most satisfying axe endings I've seen. The author doesn't merely rush the plot points, but instead abandons the plot all together in favor of a more unique commentary on the manga industry and it was a wonder to behold. Can't wait to see what Kawaguchi puts out next!

[Ampion]

This series is going to stick with me for a while. I don't think it's necessarily that great, and it certainly did not live up to the excitement of the first 10 chapters, but the author's final messages about how hard it is to be a mangaka and how the industry abuses and discards artists was incredibly poignant. I'm honestly surprised Shueisha allowed it to be published. I hope Kawaguchi feels that he was able to end things on his own terms.

[The Book Dragon]

The conclusion of Velou's Hunter exam and a dramatic reappearance of the mayor!
Then the story goes off in a reality warping meta theory that I like (cause it's a cool theory) but also hate (because I don't like the story being aware of me... it's freaky) and Velou staring at me from both covers doesn't help.

The whole thing winds up being a "We're just characters in a story book" and the guild's true purpose is to appease "The Readers" so these god-like beings don't un-exist the world because they're bored. But Velou is a Pinocchio style puppet come to life with "Main Character" plot warping powers. He's a walking talking Mary Sue trope who isn't awful. And this meta theory fits so well because this series only had a few volumes because of poor readership.

There's also an epilogue at the end where everything is chaos.
As well as the original one-shot chapter which makes Velou a brat and Grimm more childish. Either way, good little mini series that could've been amazing given enough time.

This series has 3 volumes.

[J-Lynn]

I realize that something happened in terms of cancellation, but let me be hopeful!

Okay, so, I didn’t have all the facts, so this being the final volume is okay….ish. I will say that epilogue was worded in a way that could allow for more installments to this series. Seriously, there are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up, so we would benefit from more volumes.

Just saying….. I could be more demanding. GIVE ME MORE WEREWOLF HUNTING! Please…..

[Megan]

This series felt a bit short, especially with the somewhat rushed ending. If more time and length were given to the plot, the characters would have been better developed and more substance given to the story. Maybe this is just a taste of what will eventually become a longer-running series…. Who knows…

[প্রান্ত দস্তিদার]

The last volume was good. Truly, I didn't expect to have this life after the last volume. That was the one bad ball in this whole game. However, in spite of having all that potential it was cancelled. That is sad.

Anyway, I hope the author would get more chances to write new and detailed stories.

[Rebecca]

Series was cancelled. Had some interesting ideas that I wish had time to develop more naturally; final volume was definitely rushed, but did a decent job in rapping up the plot points already established.

[Fa]

3.1

[z3r0 c00l]

01/03/23

[Gabriele | QueerBookdom]

Representation: Japanese primary, secondary and tertiary characters.

Content Warning: violence, blood, gore.

Review to come...

[Kathleen]

A weird ending, good for Princess Tutu fans.

[Michael]

This was so bad

[James]

Took quite a turn and broke the 4th wall a bit. Some great powers and world-building.

[Ashley]

Umm...

[ace]

man.

[Candice Chrisman]

Pretty good book. Wish there was more.

[Caroline]

*3.5

[Jose Granados]

** Lectura de la Versión en español en Manga plus** El ultimo número de este manga, que cambio tan brusco y recayente de la historia, termina la historia de manera tan abrupta en el cual deja con un sabor muy seco y sin sentido.