Lone Wolf & Cub 1

Lone Wolf & Cub #1

by Goseki Kojima (Illustrator), Kazuo Koike, John Schmitt-Weigand (Übersetzer)

Früher war Ogami Itto der offizielle Henker des Shoguns, was ihn zu einem der wichtigsten Männer des Landes machte. Aber nach einer hinterhältigen Verschwörung fiel er in Ungnade. Auf der Suche nach Rache beschließt er, zum Söldner zu werden, und reist mit seinem kleinen Sohn Daigoro durch das mittelalterliche Japan. Schon bald schreiben die beiden ihre Legende als einsamer Wolf mit Jungem – Lone Wolf & Cub. Geschrieben von Kazuo Koike und illustriert von Gôseki Kojima, markiert LONE WOLF & CUB einen Wendepunkt in der Comic-Geschichte. Dieser zeitlose Klassiker ist ein Muss für alle Fans von Comics und Mangas. Von Frank Miller bis Quentin Tarantino und bis hin zur Fernsehserie The Mandalorian, die Arbeit von Kazuo Koike und Gôseki Kojima inspiriert nachhaltig Künstler und Produktionen auf der ganzen Welt. Nach über fünfzig Jahren seit der Erstveröffentlichung gilt dieser Manga zu Recht als absolutes Meisterwerk.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Japan, Adventure

680 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

Kojima (小島剛夕) was born in Yokkaichi, Mie on the same day as Osamu Tezuka. After getting out of junior high school, Kojima painted advertising posters for movie theaters as his source of income.

In 1950, he moved to Tokyo. The post-World War II environment lead to forms of manga meant for impoverished audiences. Kojima created art for kamishibai or "paper play" narrators. Kojima then started to create works for the kashi-bon market.

In 1967, Kojima created Dojinki, his first manga for a magazine. In 1970, he collaborated with writer Kazuo Koike to create Kozure Okami (Lone Wolf and Cub), their most famous work. Koike and Kojima were dubbed "the Golden Duo".

Kojima died on January 5, 2000 at the age of 71.

Awards include:
2004: Won the Hall of Fame Eisner Award

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Framed by his enemies, Ogami Itto walks the Assassin's Path with his infant son Daigoro as... Lone Wolf & Cub!

Just before my son was born, I wrapped up Usagi Yojimbo and looked for another series to read. Months later, after watching The Mandalorian, I decided to pick this up. It was a long time before I could snag this first volume but was it ever worth it!

Lone Wolf & Cub has long been touted as one of the greatest manga of all time. It didn't take long to see why. Kojima's art is expressive and highly detailed. The action has a clarity to it that I find lacking in a lot of black and white works. There's also a far amount of gore, which was surprising at first but seems appropriate with all the decapitations and such.

The writing is superb as well. Kazuo Koike crafts a three dimensional character in Itto. He's far from the bloodthirsty killer he could have been, a philosophical warrior with deep love for his infant son. Koike and Kojima pit Ogami Itto up against bandits and other killers with Lone Wolf and Cub defeating the enemies through brain power as well as bloodshed.

Lone Wolf and Cub earns its reputation as a masterpiece of manga. 5 out of 5 naginatas.

[The Lion's Share · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I've never read any Manga before and I was completely ignorant to its graphic novel style. I always thought the term Manga meant it would be over exaggerated and strange artwork with lots of nudity and killing, that's the impression I got from watching Manga anime such as Akira, Ninja Scroll, Fist of the North Star and many others. I did enjoy the anime, but I just never thought I would enjoy the written graphic novel form. So I accidentally stumbled upon this on Goodreads, and I asked someone I know if they had heard of it…

Now, to give you some background on the person who recommended it to me. He’s studied over 25 different Martial disciplines with at least the equivalent black belt in each one. He’s also a lawyer and has a PHD in psychology, he has drawn his own comic book, speaks 5 different languages and he’s a professional dance teacher. These are just the things I know about him. I know him because he taught me Martial arts and even some psychology, but the best thing he introduced me to was comics. At the end of each private lesson he would lend me a comic. The first one he ever lent me was Daredevil Vol. 1 by Bendis (Still one of my favourites of all time) and the love of comics started from there. His history and knowledge of Martial arts and history is second to none so when someone like that says to me “Lone Wolf and Cub one of the best comic I’ve ever read.” I sit up and take notice. I understand there may be bias in his opinion because it contain martial art forms in it, but nonetheless I took notice.


…don't get me wrong there is still graphic violence and nudity, but for Lone Wolf and cub at least, it is done with delicacy and realism that fits with the period of ancient Japan.

Lone wolf is called Ogami Ittō and he was the Shogun's (Emperor’s) executioner, which means he would be sent by the emperor to kill and defend on his behalf in order for the Shogun to keep ruling over the land, which in turn makes him one tough bastard! His wife was killed in front of him due to dishonourable accusations and he was given a choice to die or wonder the lands alone without a Master. They call this a Ronin (A samurai who became master-less from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favour or privilege). This is a dishonourable occupation.

He then gives his 1 year old son the same choice, death or Ronin, ball or sword and the son decides to come with him. To earn money he carries out killings as a hired assassin with intelligence and unrivalled precision using tactics from the 'Art of War'. On their journeys word of mouth gets around and they are given the name ‘Lone Wolf and Cub’.

The stories in this book are some of the best executed story telling I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. They are exquisite. The artwork matches, detailed, realistic and drawn in a way that helps the story and fight scenes flow flawlessly.

The omnibus itself is not a hardback and fits snug in your hand, made from very light weight paper, making it very handy to travel with.

I would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys this kind of era.

All in all, this is one of those rare books that makes you think about it when you’re trying to get to sleep at night. I got excited every time I picked it up as each story is fantastic. I’m so glad there are so many more to read!

A true classic and a great page turner.

[Ben Winch · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I get it. I love this. It’s like a perfect, hardboiled, Zen TV show with camera by Kurosawa and script by Basho. I started with Volume 2 (the one at the library) a year or two back and it didn’t quite touch me. But this, for the most part, despite its moral ambiguity and apparent lack of a Western story arc, makes perfect sense. I mourned when I’d finished, I’d so loved the journey, unending and goalless as it had seemed. To trudge through the snow with the smalltown detective on the trail of the assassin, to see the assassin burned to death and resurrected. To savour every tiny variation on the formula: a captured cub, a wise prostitute, a death-craving Buddha. To inhabit Kojima’s woodblock-like skewed frames. Really, Lone Wolf & Cub, at least in these early instalments, is perfect pulp – cozy, dependable, escapist, yet subtly terrifying, a myth for violent, confused times.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima's Lone Wolf and Cub, despite the fact it only ran from 1970 to 1976, is one of those few stories whose acclaim and reputation is so grand that it looms over not just manga but the comics medium as a whole like a giant's shadow. It can be called, without hyperbole, iconic.

Still, I like to keep my expectations at reasonable levels when it comes to highly praised work. I wasn't all that surprised when the first eight stories Koike wrote and Kojima illustrated weren't engrossing. The first eight stories are good, action-packed, and incredibly stylized but other than the historical and cultural details the writing and the scenarios presented weren't all that noteworthy. I figured it must have taken a while for Koike and Kojima to find their groove, that the first omnibus collection would be nothing but stylized action scenarios. Which I was fine with since style that's as electric as Kojima's, so long as its not hindered by incompetent or dull writing, had me satisfied with my purchase.

But then came the ninth story, The Assassin's Road, where Koike and Kojima, right after the end of the eighth story revealed that Ogami Itto used to be the Shogun's very own executioner, take us back to that pivotal day when Itto and his son Daigoro chose this corpse-strewn way of life. I am sad to say I'm being literal here when I say father and son chose this way of life.







And so, before he can even stand on his own two feet, Ogami Daigoro makes his first life-or-death decision.

This reminiscence between father and son (which gets stirred up as they watch a pair of children play with a very similar ball) to that pivotal day they chose, willingly and unknowingly, the path of Meifumado (the Buddhist Hell) to revenge themselves and the Ogami's clan honor against the Yagyu clan is the turning point. The rest of the tales that follow in this omnibus are a remarkable improvement over the first eight. Koike's writing measures up to Kojima's inks and brushing from The Assassin's Road and onwards as the assassination jobs grow more creative and complicated; the politics and cultural norms of the time are further intertwined into the circumstances parent and child find themselves in; Buddhist theology and philosophy are delved into deeply as they relate to Itto's mission; most of all Daigoro's tragic, dysfunctional upbringing at the hands of his murderous, vengeful, loving father is brought into sharp focus.

It's a road traversed by demons to damnation. The end is the destruction of those responsible for... not so much the death of Daigoro's mother, but for the Ogami clan's disgrace. No matter the cost in human lives, or a child's innocence and well-being. Yet Koike and Kojima have spellbound me with this bloody journey. I'm compelled to continue walking on this bloody road in this bloody land in this bloody era all the way to it's bloody end, side by side with this lone wolf and his cub.

4 3/4 stars

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This is possible the greatest manga of all time. The tale of a samurai assassin and his son wandering feudal Japan is a true classic. This was originally published in the early 1970s, and I'm sure the idea of such an authentic and well-researched "comic book" was unusual at the time.

This truly surpasses most manga and enters well into literature classification. The stories are so complex and the characterization so deep that sometimes I got lost, which is why I went with 4.5 stars rather than 5. But I do admit it was probably more me rather than any weakness of the story, which is why I did post a 5 star rating overall.

I think the subject matter itself may not be for everyone, as if you have no interest in samurai action and feudal Japan you may not care for this because you'd basically be immersed in that time period. If you have any interest in samurai whatsoever, this is required reading. Even if you never read manga or comics, at least try one volume because you may find yourself surprised. The art is gorgeous and expressive, and like the writing, obviously well researched. Just a really great work that I highly recommend.

[Sud666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kozare Okami "Wolf taking along his child" (In English markets it's known as "Lone Wolf and Cub") was a famous manga written by Kazuo Koike and published in 1970. It is a huge hit and franchise in Japan and one of the more well-known mangas in the West.

This Omnibus edition (Vol. 1) collects the first four books of "Lone Wolf and Cub" including material previously published in Dark Horse graphic novels Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 1: The Assassin's Road, Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 2: The Gateless Barrier, Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 3: The Flute of the Fallen Tiger.

Ogami Itto was a master swordsman and renowned Samurai. His skill and fame raised him to the position of the Shogun's Executioner. The story begins with Ogami being unfairly accused of dishonor, his wife executed and he and his 3-year-old son ordered to commit seppuku.
Ogami renounces the way of the Samurai and starts down the Path of the Assassin. Thus the legend of "Lone Wolf and Cub". Operating under the idea that the child of a samurai must also be a samurai, Ogami uses his son as part of various disguises and ploys as he fulfills his contracts.

Well drawn, exciting, and very accurate to the historical period, this is one of the best mangas I've ever read. From deep Buddhist and Bushi (Warriors) philosophy to discussions about morality and duty this story has it all. I will gladly hunt down the second volume in this Omnibus series. Highly recommended.

[Zedsdead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deadly assassin wanders medieval Japan with a toddler in a wooden cart, selling his services for 500 ryo and a story.

The volume is a 700 page cinder block, but each chapter is an independent episode, which makes for a less intimidating read. I'll confess to some difficulty telling characters apart in the early going--and the middle going--and plenty of difficulty with the ubiquitous Japanese terms. The glossary is essential but given that the book is six inches tall and six inches thick, it's also unwieldy. This turns the read into a tug-of-war between intense fascination and constant distraction from the story.

But so worth it. The illustration is magical, and as it moves from harsh black-and-white to a more grayscaled look, it becomes easier to parse. The short plots are creative and poetic. The last chapter in the volume--Half Mat, One Mat, a Fistful of Rice--is a particular standout, tackling the difficult moral questions a modern reader would have with an ostensible hero who kills people for money.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a long manga series from the 70s. Each of the 28 volumes is about 300 pages, usually containing five stories, so the whole thing is nearly 9000 pages long. And at around $10 a book, it's a big investment! So I'm guessing not many people who see this review will read the entire thing; which is a shame, because it's absolutely brilliant. Ludicrously violent, often exploitative, but brilliant.

It's about the Shogun's executioner, Ogami Itto, who loses his position and his entire family—almost—through the intrigues of the evil Yagyu clan. The only other survivor is his baby son, Daigoro. Itto goes on a quest of vengeance, which by the strange conventions of samurai etiquette involves becoming an assassin for hire. He wanders Japan with his sword at his side and his baby in a little cart, with a sign reading Sword for Hire, Son for Hire. He goes on various missions and kills a bunch of people. Often the people who hire him try to silence him afterwards, so he kills them too.

In the west it's famous as the touchstone for a number of important comics creators, notably Frank Miller. It was one of the first manga series to become widely available, via an abortive attempt in the 90s by First Comics to publish the individual chapters in a large, expensive format—too expensive, I assume, as it sputtered out just a few issues in. Then in the 2000s Dark Horse took up the challenge again, this time in the now-conventional pocket format, though they inherited the left-to-right page order of the First attempt. This is of course achieved by mirror-reversing all the pages, so there are a lot of left-handed samurai in this series! That might annoy you if you're a manga purist, especially in episodes where the precise etiquette of seppuku and the like are important—but if you're a real purist you'll probably want to read the original Japanese anyway.

So what's so great about it? First, the stories are good. The simple surface layer, the blood-soaked samurai stuff, rattles along well—tight little plots, nice twist endings. But it's slow, contemplative, expansive. Each episode eases into its story gradually, starting with an exploration of some aspect of late-1600s Japanese history or culture. You'll almost feel you're beginning to understand the weird death-obsessed samurai ethos, at least until Itto gives another incomprehensible reason for yet another vicious murder. You will understand the farmers, villagers, traders and even the criminals who get caught up in his wake.

Then there's the art. I find it hard to be objective about comic art—what one person finds magnificent another might find amateurish. Goseki Kojima's work here is often cartoonish, though not to the exaggerated extremes you sometimes get in manga. I think it's great; he doesn't bother filling in every detail in the action scenes, but the movement is perfect. It's boldly and self-consciously cinematic, to the extent of depicting slow panning camera movements, or cross-fades between scenes. And his depictions of the setting—forests, buildings, temples, clothing—are meticulous and beautiful. Have you ever seen those woodcut prints of the ukiyo-e, the "floating world", by artists like Hiroshige and Hokusai? At its best, Lone Wolf and Cub is like seeing those prints come to life—directed by Kurosawa.

There's a parallel series of Lone Wolf and Cub movies, made at the same time and written by the same writer. I haven't seen them but I've watched clips and read reviews, and it looks like a) they're extremely faithful to the comics, and b) they've dated horribly—unlike the comics. I think that shows that despite the cinematic tricks, the comics are comics through and through, rather than attempts to mimic another medium. That slightly cartoony art style works wonders, as it forces you to fill in the gaps and build an Edo-era reality for yourself.

Things you might not like: there's very little sense of danger, as Itto is well-nigh indestructible (increasingly so as the series progresses). Sometimes the story seems to enjoy exploring the sexism and sadism of the Edo period just a bit too much, and the camera likes to linger leeringly on topless women. And you might object (as many incidental characters do) to the juxtaposition of all this sex and violence with a young toddler. There's some lazy plotting early on, as Itto wins a bunch of fights with exactly the same trick (but he does get more creative later on). For me the series as a whole transcends these problems. It takes a similar path to Itto himself—initially revelling in vengeance for its own sake, later taking stock of the cost in human pain.

The first ten volumes are episodic—Itto going on various missions, with very occasional flashback episodes establishing his backstory. Volume 1 is by far the weakest, but the quality is pretty consistently good from 2 onwards, so if you feel like dipping your toe in I suggest starting there. After volume 10, the continuity starts to ramp up, and the final third of the series feels like a single massive chapter. The ending is magnificent and shocking, and I'd love to discuss it with anyone else who makes it that far.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the last few months I've watched all of the "Lone Wolf and Cub" films from the 1970s so it's pretty fun to read the source material to see where it all began.

Ogami Ittō, former Executioner to the Shogun now wanders the land with his toddler Daigoro working as an assassin all the while plotting his revenge on those who betrayed him.

Most of this awkwardly sized book are just stand-alone adventures as the Lone Wolf and Cub takes on challenging targets and eliminates them in increasingly impressive ways. The highlight for me being a convoluted plot that involved Daigoro urinating on some samurai so Ittō can be formally challenged to a duel.

There is an ongoing thread relating to those who betrayed him, but it only pops up occasionally in flashbacks, so for the most part there's not much of a continuing story, although there is obviously a strong bond between father and child.

The artwork is fantastic and extremely disappointing that the cover features Frank Miller's mediocre art rather than ongoing artist Goseki Kojima who drew the rest of the book.

[Matthew White Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was almost disappointed with this series. I was afraid I had spent money on a "classic" which only depicted one strong super hero spouting his ethical views after slaughtering his enemies (a common trope used in modern manga today...). In the beginning, I wasn't very pleased with the art either. I found the battle scenes confusing and the faces of the characters all seemed to blend together...

However! Around page 249, I started to see the poetry in the dialogue and in Goseki Kojima'a imagery.

The characters were finally beginning to develop in a way that wasn't just battling harder and becoming physically stronger.

One of my favourite scenes was in chapter 9 ("The Assassin's Road") where the hero asks his son to choose between the sword and the ball. This scene was both tragic and beautiful, as it is one of Kazuo Koike's subtler depictions of the violence of the Edo-period in Japanese history.

My opinions on the artwork quickly changed around this point too. Gritty, original and striking in a way that most modern manga can't compete with today. Kojima's art is at its most stunning when depicting nature!

Overall, not a perfect series but by the end it grew on me and I will be continuing with this classic.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of Lone Wolf and Cub while watching the Star Wars - The Mandalorian TV series. I saw many people on social media referring to this work as a possible inspiration for the series. I’ve been a fan of the feudal Japan era of history since I was a teenager - samurais, ninja, honor, swordsmanship - what’s not to like?

These manga-style stories tells the story of a ronin (solitary samurai) and his toddler son traveling around Japan as an assassin for hire. The stories are mostly self-contained and episodic. It reminds me of the old Kung Fu television series. They are also very violent and has plenty of mature themes, so it it certainly NOT for kids. I’m not a huge fan of gore, but since all the artwork is done in simple black and white, it is not as bad.

When I got this 700 page monster I wondered how long it would take me to get through it. I finished it over a weekend. It was definitely a page turner!

[Steve Dilks · Rating 5 out of 5]

700 pages of one of Japan's most celebrated mangas collected for an English speaking audience.
This gleeful celebration of sword slashing violence is matched only by its delightfully absurd premise. A stoic, stony faced ronin sword-for-hire hardened to a life of pain and death who pushes around his cute baby son in a wooden cart from town to town, through forests and across rivers, over mountains and through the keeps of foreboding castles. The stories are sharp and short, never out staying their welcome. The art is harsh and and grittty. There is a rough dark humour, as harsh and cruel as the world through which Ogami Ittō and his son Daigorō travel. Amazingly, these comics first appeared in the early '70s. It might not be as epic in scope as Katsuhiro Otomo's AKIRA, but LONE WOLF & CUB is every bit as fascinating and addictive. Comics seldom get better than this. Volume 2 is already on the way.

[sixthreezy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lone Wolf and Cub: Can't Touch This

[Met · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il primo volume di quello che viene considerato uno dei manga più importanti e influenti. Ancora è presto per allinearmi su questo giudizio, ma quello che ho letto è gia molto appagante, anche solo per l’affresco così vivido del Giappone feudale.
Interessanti in particolare alcune scelte grafiche delle tavole: ho l’impressione che non sia un approccio tradizionale rispetto all’epoca in cui è uscito.

Proseguo senz’altro con i prossimi volumi, ho il sentore che sia, davvero, soltanto l’inizio.

[Diego Zamudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy interesante esta historia de un samurai que se convierte en asesino.

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6

[Jordan DiDomenico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps I will take the path of the assassin one day

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 1' collects 16 stories from this iconic series that started in the 1970's. The stories take place in medieval Japan and follow Ogami Itto, a ronin, as he travels the land with his infant son Daigoro. Ogami's reputation is fierce and he seeks justice and revenge.

Kazuo Koike's stories are brilliant and depict a man who has been framed and ultimately wants revenge. He roams from village to village and always finds himself in the middle of a situation that can use his unique talent for violence. He is quick in battle and even quicker with his wits. Ogami is always one step ahead of his enemies, and, while that would seem contrived in other works, it serves to show the mind of a tactical thinker here.

The sparse artwork by Goseki Kojima perfectly illustrate the stories by Kazuo Koike. Serenity is broken by brutal violence. The art moves from spare outlines in peace, to vicious slashing lines during fights. There are many panels with no dialogue, but the pictures speak volumes. The brutality of fighting with edged weapons is not softened on these pages, so this is not a work for the faint of heart. The brutality of the assassin contrasts with the protectiveness of the father.

If you are not yet familiar with this series, I can not recommend it enough (unless the extreme violence is not appealing). The stories read like the very best in Japanese cinema, and Ogami Itto is a truly unique character.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lone Wolf and Cub is a peerless graphic novel. It combines incredible illustrations with a gripping and thrilling story. We follow Ogami Itto, former executioner for the Shogun of Japan, as he walks the road between heaven and hell with his son, the two acting as deadly assassins.

The story is deep, and told through both engaging illustrations, action and an excellently written story. This Omnibus features 15 Lone Wolf and Cub stores that take you through snow, forest, river and desert as the Lone Wolf and Cub take on jobs and try and survive in a semi-lawless medieval Japan. The stories also combine ideas and philosophies from the modern world with Shinto and Buddhist thought, tacking corruption, the will of the people, class, rebirth and countless other themes and ideas.

I absolutely adore this first iteration of the graphic novel series. As someone who has seen the films many times, I can honestly say that this novel is the better of the two formats. At times dark, funny and poignant, Lone Wolf and Cub has certainly become one of my favourite graphic novel series of all time. Recommended for those looking for an epic series to delve into, those who enjoy Japanese art and culture, those who enjoy an exciting adventure and everyone else really.

[Roxana Chirilă · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years ago, I'd go to the English library in the city and look at all the beautiful comics and manga on the shelves, thinking how one day I'd have the money to pick something random off the shelf and bring it home. (as opposed to agonizing over choices)

My day has come: I half-randomly grabbed the first two volumes of the Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus and took them home with me. Thus far, I'm really not regretting my choice.

The first few stories seem unconnected to each other and you can feel the same pattern underlying nearly every tale in the volume - but, as in the manga tradition, eventually we get to learn more about the main character, see some plots continuing from chapter to chapter, some ideas carrying on. It's beautiful, neatly drawn, catchy - and a nice way to learn more about the shogunate and its politics.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, late to the party on this, and not sure what to think, but ... it was, no doubt interesting, and I had no trouble turning the pages, and the artwork was gratifying, and, gee, the body count was, oh my, lions and tigers and bears-levels of carnage (of which, of course, I also have mixed feelings), and the stories were interesting (in and of themselves and historically), but ... um ... the outcomes were, to some extent, rather predictable ... and yet ... well, at the end of the day it is what it is (manga, serial art, a really big comic book/graphic novel series), and, so, yeah, I guess I liked it...

Would I have watched it on TV once a week growing up? Yup....

The big Q is how much more I'll consume and how soon. And, at this point, all I can say is that time will tell.

[Nicholas Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very endearing story of a travelling assassin and his son who travels with him. Stories of travelling ronin are nothing new. But one who travels with his son was very intriguing to me. All across the lands people fear the legend of the Lone Wolf & Cub. I really enjoyed the aspect that the kid brings to the pages. It's a very unique take on the samurai genre. You see plenty scenes of bloodshed and even some sex/rape and it's broken up by a child eating a pastry, watching a butterfly, or playing with a top. It may sound jarring but somehow melds together very well for an all around great story. As a father, I enjoy the chemistry the characters have. I absolutely loved this manga and can't wait to pick up more volumes.

[Robert Bickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read every panel, on every page, of every volume of this series. There is not a wasted word or line. Every element serves to propel the reader deep into the world of a man betrayed and his journey of revenge and redemption. Ogami Itto's drive for justice is matched only by his compassion - his justice does not supersede what is just for others.

One of the greatest revenge tales told.

[Joanne Fate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review coming. I'll give it 5 stars because it is so well done, but I think Manga and illustrated books are not for me.

I got out of the habit of reviewing but I usually noted how many stars. I'll go back into reviews in 2024 and try to rectify, but I'm injured and just going to do the star ratings and copy and paste this explanation. Happy Reading!

[Brandon Dalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lone Wolf and Cub: Omnibus Volume 1 introduces the saga of Ogami Ittō, a former executioner for the Shogun, and his young son, Daigoro, as they walk the dangerous path of an assassin. After being framed for treason by the Yagyū clan, Ittō embarks on a journey of revenge, wandering Japan as a "lone wolf" while accepting assassination contracts and protecting Daigoro along the way.

I’ve had this manga on my Want To Read list for a long time because one of my favorite authors, Mark Z. Danielewski, said: “LONE WOLF & CUB. Samurai and fatherhood. Does anything in manga come close? A monumental achievement.” That’s high praise, and I finally picked up this 706-page omnibus to see for myself.

As the first of 12 omnibus collections, this book contains the early chapters of their story. Each chapter stands alone with its own beginning, middle, and end, and for the most part, they don’t seem to follow chronological order. The chapters could be rearranged without losing much of the narrative, which initially was a pain point for me, as we get little in terms of character development or a story arc.

We don’t get any backstory about Ittō until around page 275. Until then, he’s the archetypal samurai figure: stoic, cold, seemingly heartless, yet flawless in combat. There’s no progression in skill or struggle; Ittō is perfect from the start, never losing a battle or even being seriously challenged. This makes his abilities feel somewhat unearned and makes it harder to connect with his character.

However, over time, something subtle begins to draw you in a bit. Daigoro, though he rarely speaks, brings a dimension of humanity to Ogami. While Ogami describes himself as walking the path of a demon, there’s a quiet, unspoken love for his son that keeps him tethered to the world in some small capacity, making his character a bit more relatable as the story unfolds.

The manga has many moments of epic badassery, with satisfying chapter conclusions. Additionally, Goseki Kojima’s artwork is truly stunning, and the sheer volume of detailed illustrations throughout this massive book is impressive.

One reason I rated this lower is because I don’t feel an immediate urge to pick up the next omnibus. That said, I’m still curious to see how the characters develop and how the story ultimately concludes. While it didn’t fully grip me, I’d still recommend this to anyone into manga or samurai stories for its clear influence on the genre and impressive craft.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I'm a radical outlier here, but I just didn't find much to like in Lone Wolf and Cub. And having sampled more than 700 pages of the series, I feel pretty certain it wasn't just an issue with not giving the series enough time to hit its stride.

This is manga, so it's a bit outside my comfort zone. There are many untranslated Japanese terms, fortunately defined in a robust glossary. But even with the glossary, reading this series made me feel like I needed a much deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture. Most tales in this omnibus revolved around some key aspect of Edo-era Japanese society that sailed right over my head. The twist endings were often lost to me, since they were primarily vague lines of poetry or mysterious adages, likely much more relevant to a Japanese audience.

It didn't help that the art, while super dynamic during battle scenes, offered almost no differences in appearance between the side characters. I could usually find Lone Wolf and his little Cub, but I could never tell the various daimyos and daikans apart. Edo-era Japan was very man-bun heavy.

There were some successes in this omnibus, a few stories I could understand and enjoy. But I would say 80% of Lone Wolf and Cub was a mystery to me, a land of seemingly random battles with no character growth.

[Isto R. Eipäs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lone Wolf and Cub is a seinen manga in the vein of Tezukan chronicles: stand-alone chapters which examine a wide range of themes, occasionally bridged by chapters continuing the main storyline.

Here, however, all chapters are tightly connected to the plot from the get-go: the shogun's executioner Ogami Itto is expelled under questionable circumstances from his post, leading to a ronin's life in exile with his son. Most of the stories are either contracts concerning Itto's path to hell (meifumadō) or encounters with pursuers like government officials or bounty hunters. If it wasn't for killing people, the story resembles Tezuka's Black Jack: a stranger helps out people in need, principally in exchange for money. Underneath, the protagonist has more noble ambitions, despite their circumstances.

The story is bloody and mature, but the themes transcend mindless vengeance. Good and evil, crime and justice, fight or flight, cowardice and honor, circumstance or consequence, choice or destiny, concepts of freedom, love and duty.

The stories follow the Japanese structure of kishōtenketsu, making the feel of the stories organic and engaging (SMAC! has a good breakdown of "KI-SHŌ-TEN-KETSU" on Youtube). Calligraphically abstracted landscapes really shine in the work the further the story proceeds, and the storytelling stays tight throughout the series.
The payoffs were one of the best I've ever seen.

Fun fact: the covers are drawn by Frank Miller.
No wonder The Dark Knight had a calligraphic touch to it.

[Justyn Rampa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard about this manga for some time and certainly have seen it referenced in pop culture. While it was engaging enough to keep my attention through 700+ in the first omnibus edition, I have decided to not continue reading the remaining 11 omnibus editions in the series. This is mostly due to the fact that the series is essentially the same formula repeated every single chapter with respect to plot. That being said, Kazuo Koike does painstakingly recreate the history of Edo Japan and I can def tell you that I would not want to live there.

However, I get it Lone Wolf & Cub...I get it.

On a final note, it was also surprisingly the most sensual manga I have read with some fairly graphic but artistic depictions of sexual relationships. I was not expecting such intimacy and I will say that Goseki Kojima does an amazing job with art.

However, I still get it Lone Wolf & Cub. I still get it.

[Alexander Engel-Hodgkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8/5

Lone Wolf and Cub is highly regarded for reasons I could only partly understand thanks to the six films made in the seventies. All solid films, very enjoyable, well made for their time, and extremely entertaining, if a little hokey at times.

This first compiled omnibus collects about fifteen or sixteen chapters. At first, it seems to be all over the place, but by the 8th or 9th chapter, it shows us the origin of this long journey down the assassin's road, and the stories that follow are no longer good, they are fantastic. Some of them are even amazing. It even has the Hidari Brothers chapter, which made up one of my favourite parts of the film series.

The art is rough and loose, but fantastically realized. The landscapes are spectacular, and the battle sequences are rarely confusing, but always thrilling. I look forward to reading the rest of this series now that Dark Horse has released these in much more affordable omnibus editions.

[Cyborg]

A monster of a comic book. It takes a little getting used to the style of Japanese comics for me after reading western comics for so long. But this one specifically feels like it was written and drawn more like a storyboard. It's really cinematic. Panels with action rarely have dialog. Lots of panels setting the scene. The action sometimes is hard to follow as they do a single sword slash followed by another one. The characters in Japanese comics can sometimes look really similar, and in black and white there are no colors to distinguish one from the other. That said, the line drawings are amazing. It's a brutal comic with odd morality. Lots of death. Not the most amazing liberal values. It's the comic that is the source code DNA for the Mandalorian. I think it's better. Looking forward to omnibus 2. Is there an omnibus 2?