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Vagabond VIZBIG Omnibus Edition #10
Vagabond, Vol. 10
To Live by the Sword
Real-life figure Miyamoto Musashi was the most celebrated samurai of all time. The quintessential warrior-philosopher, Musashi authored A Book of Five Rings, a classic treatise in the canon of world philosophy and military strategy. But the path to enlightenment is an endless journey, and to get there through violent means—by way of the sword—makes mere survival an even greater challenge.
What does a man do after he accomplishes the impossible and lives to survive? Musashi is at what is quite possibly the greatest crossroads of his life after he single-handedly defeats 70 bloodthirsty men from the Yoshioka clan. Shall he continue to live by the sword, or should he settle down to a quiet and happy life? But before he can take his next step, Musashi must recover from his battle wounds—and it remains to be seen whether he'll even be able to walk again…
Real-life figure Miyamoto Musashi was the most celebrated samurai of all time. The quintessential warrior-philosopher, Musashi authored A Book of Five Rings, a classic treatise in the canon of world philosophy and military strategy. But the path to enlightenment is an endless journey, and to get there through violent means—by way of the sword—makes mere survival an even greater challenge.
What does a man do after he accomplishes the impossible and lives to survive? Musashi is at what is quite possibly the greatest crossroads of his life after he single-handedly defeats 70 bloodthirsty men from the Yoshioka clan. Shall he continue to live by the sword, or should he settle down to a quiet and happy life? But before he can take his next step, Musashi must recover from his battle wounds—and it remains to be seen whether he'll even be able to walk again…
600 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2009
17 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Takehiko Inoue
316 books1,560 followersTakehiko Inoue (井上雄彦) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for Slam Dunk and Vagabond.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 5, 2019
A calmer, more introspective volume — a welcome change of pace after the absolute insanity and carnage of the previous book. Musashi achieved something that was thought to be impossible and finally became Japan's greatest warrior, but now he has to face the consequences of his actions. Philosophy and spirituality have been a big and important part of Vagabond since the very beginning, and this is the volume that is fully dedicated to exploring that particular side of the story. It's a good thing — things that happened previously desperately needed unpacking, both by readers and the characters. But that also does result in a volume that reads a bit slower than usual. It's still absolutely stunning though, Inoue's writing is poetic without feeling pretentious, and his artwork remains something to behold — he is still the most amazing artist I've seen in comics or manga, an incredible talent.
December 30, 2022
The art was great as usual, well at least for the most part. The philosophy-heavy sections were interesting but I really didn't like the parts with the spirits.
March 22, 2020
3.5 - 4 stars
This volume presents us with further journeys of self-discovery for the main characters of the saga as they reach crossroads and decision points in their lives.
Musashi recovers from his battle with the Yoshioka in a monastery where he is ostensibly being held prisoner, though it is really for his own protection as his fame and renown make him a target for every swordsman in the country looking to make a name for himself. Unable to stand due to an injured leg, Musashi begins to wonder what his future can hold if he is no longer able to fight. Setting off on an inner journey of further self-discovery, Musashi is counselled by Takuan who urges him to give up the way of violence that has dominated his life, while Otsu and Jotaro have finally caught up with him and wonder what the future may hold for them in their relationships with Musashi as a result of the recent changes in his life. For his part Kojiro faces yet another opponent and so impresses his adversary that he is offered the man's place as an instructor of swordsmanship to a high ranking clan.
Takuan and the master sword-sharpener Hon'ami Koetsu reflect upon the two young master swordsmen whose lives have crossed their paths: Musashi and Kojiro, and they begin to wonder if these two young men are not two halves of the same essence. Throughout the series Takehiko has examined the ways in which all of the various adherents to the way of the sword differ in significant ways, and yet also seem to partake of the same basic passions and predilections. He has also made no mystery of his fascination with the dichotomy inherent in the way of the sword: a pattern of intertwined violence and beauty that brings out both the best and the worst in those that follow it, seemingly based upon their attitude to the sword and its ultimate purpose.
Musashi, the man born with a savage heart, nearly wild and seemingly without the common restraints of society seems frightening, but for my money it is Kojiro, the deaf-mute man-child whose apparent innocence and simplicity disguise an almost purely instinctual devotion to violence-as-play who is the more dangerous, and certainly creepier, figure. Takuan and Koetsu's sense that Musashi and Kojiro must meet is no doubt an inevitability, but their thought that this meeting can be an inherently good thing, given their hopes that both young men can overcome the way of violence, is to me at least a questionable impulse.
This volume presents us with further journeys of self-discovery for the main characters of the saga as they reach crossroads and decision points in their lives.
Musashi recovers from his battle with the Yoshioka in a monastery where he is ostensibly being held prisoner, though it is really for his own protection as his fame and renown make him a target for every swordsman in the country looking to make a name for himself. Unable to stand due to an injured leg, Musashi begins to wonder what his future can hold if he is no longer able to fight. Setting off on an inner journey of further self-discovery, Musashi is counselled by Takuan who urges him to give up the way of violence that has dominated his life, while Otsu and Jotaro have finally caught up with him and wonder what the future may hold for them in their relationships with Musashi as a result of the recent changes in his life. For his part Kojiro faces yet another opponent and so impresses his adversary that he is offered the man's place as an instructor of swordsmanship to a high ranking clan.
Takuan and the master sword-sharpener Hon'ami Koetsu reflect upon the two young master swordsmen whose lives have crossed their paths: Musashi and Kojiro, and they begin to wonder if these two young men are not two halves of the same essence. Throughout the series Takehiko has examined the ways in which all of the various adherents to the way of the sword differ in significant ways, and yet also seem to partake of the same basic passions and predilections. He has also made no mystery of his fascination with the dichotomy inherent in the way of the sword: a pattern of intertwined violence and beauty that brings out both the best and the worst in those that follow it, seemingly based upon their attitude to the sword and its ultimate purpose.
Musashi, the man born with a savage heart, nearly wild and seemingly without the common restraints of society seems frightening, but for my money it is Kojiro, the deaf-mute man-child whose apparent innocence and simplicity disguise an almost purely instinctual devotion to violence-as-play who is the more dangerous, and certainly creepier, figure. Takuan and Koetsu's sense that Musashi and Kojiro must meet is no doubt an inevitability, but their thought that this meeting can be an inherently good thing, given their hopes that both young men can overcome the way of violence, is to me at least a questionable impulse.
May 1, 2025
This was a much slower paced volume coming after the battle against the 70. Otsu gets some much needed time in this volume and Musashi is coming to terms with what his future may be moving forward. The art continues to be phenomenal. The facial expressions tell the story just as well as the words.
April 6, 2019
Slower volume, with some very nice introspective character focused moments, a nice change of pace from the intensity of recent events.
I look forward to seeing where we go from here, although I’m keenly aware that there are only two omnibuses left, then I’m all caught up and will have to wait with everyone for the series to continue... hopefully.
I look forward to seeing where we go from here, although I’m keenly aware that there are only two omnibuses left, then I’m all caught up and will have to wait with everyone for the series to continue... hopefully.
June 14, 2023
We are all infinite under the sun
October 23, 2024
The philosophy in this series is just so pitch perfect. Things not a spectacle meant for entertainment, but a legend in a medium that is meant for you to absorb and reflect its message.
Read
August 30, 2025The ghost really caught me off guard but the art is so good Inoue can do whatever he wants and I’ll eat it up.
March 28, 2024
“Once you open up your heart everything in this world is beautiful…”
October 22, 2021
Find it 🫀
March 11, 2022
I love what Takehiko Inoue did with this volume. It is calm, philosophical, spiritual. Volume 10 is the much needed "peaceful" arc after that perfectly executed Yoshioka arc. It may take some time getting used to, with the adjustment in momentum and all, especially in my case where I read it back-to-back with the previous volume. Though allowing for some time for everything to be digested, a second reading may likely change my 4-star rating.
Yet it didn't disappoint. This volume sets our main characters Miyamoto and Kojiro on "discovery" journeys, with Musashi's journey being an inner discovery, and Kojiro's journey of expression.
Yet it didn't disappoint. This volume sets our main characters Miyamoto and Kojiro on "discovery" journeys, with Musashi's journey being an inner discovery, and Kojiro's journey of expression.
February 7, 2022
vagabond vol 10
The entirety of this book deals with the aftermath of Musashi's epic battle against 70 Yoshioka warriors. I don't think there's a single fight scene here.
This is one of those volumes that really highlights why I enjoy this book so much. It's all introspection and discussions, it's really framing what kind of future Musashi has.
Some spoilery comments below.
volume 28
Otsu and Jotaro reunite with Musashi, both are overjoyed that he's still alive. The monk Takuan is merely bemused, as he often is.
I like that Musashi keeps thinking of the children of all those men he killed, he understands the cost of his fight.
"Musashi can no longer live by the sword."
Musashi is so badly wounded he cannot even stand, he may never be able to walk properly again let alone fight.
I like the parallel of Musashi's constant striving to become the greatest swordsman with Otsu's desire to be with Musashi. I know it's not a great character trait, but but both are striving for something they may never achieve.
Once Musashi realises he may never fight again, Otsu realises she may get her wish and begins questioning if she wants it after all, perhaps it was the chase she wanted.
volume 29
"Does your path have an end?"
Matahachi, after one again saving Musashi makes peace with Otsu and finally decides that simply being himself is the right choice so he goes off in search of his horrible mother.
Jotaro once again bursts into tears thinking that his master's fighting days are over, so he also has no future as a samurai.
volume 30
"Invicible under the sun. A mirage. That's all it was. It took me 22 years to realize that."
So this is where the book takes a weird turn. Otsu starts chatting with a ghost. I know spirits have appeared in the past but they could always be written off as figments of someone's imagination but this ghost is a man Musashi killed, one Otsu never met. So yeah ghosts are a thing now, which is fine, just surprising after 10 volumes.
"If you considered them as raw uncovered blades then they serve as each other's sheaths"
Some more homoerotic talk about Musashi and Kojiro's relationship. I know it's building towards them trying to kill each other, but god damn, book.
Previous reviews:
Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five
Volume Six
Volume Seven
Volume Eight
Volume Nine
The entirety of this book deals with the aftermath of Musashi's epic battle against 70 Yoshioka warriors. I don't think there's a single fight scene here.
This is one of those volumes that really highlights why I enjoy this book so much. It's all introspection and discussions, it's really framing what kind of future Musashi has.
Some spoilery comments below.
volume 28
Otsu and Jotaro reunite with Musashi, both are overjoyed that he's still alive. The monk Takuan is merely bemused, as he often is.
I like that Musashi keeps thinking of the children of all those men he killed, he understands the cost of his fight.
"Musashi can no longer live by the sword."
Musashi is so badly wounded he cannot even stand, he may never be able to walk properly again let alone fight.
I like the parallel of Musashi's constant striving to become the greatest swordsman with Otsu's desire to be with Musashi. I know it's not a great character trait, but but both are striving for something they may never achieve.
Once Musashi realises he may never fight again, Otsu realises she may get her wish and begins questioning if she wants it after all, perhaps it was the chase she wanted.
volume 29
"Does your path have an end?"
Matahachi, after one again saving Musashi makes peace with Otsu and finally decides that simply being himself is the right choice so he goes off in search of his horrible mother.
Jotaro once again bursts into tears thinking that his master's fighting days are over, so he also has no future as a samurai.
volume 30
"Invicible under the sun. A mirage. That's all it was. It took me 22 years to realize that."
So this is where the book takes a weird turn. Otsu starts chatting with a ghost. I know spirits have appeared in the past but they could always be written off as figments of someone's imagination but this ghost is a man Musashi killed, one Otsu never met. So yeah ghosts are a thing now, which is fine, just surprising after 10 volumes.
"If you considered them as raw uncovered blades then they serve as each other's sheaths"
Some more homoerotic talk about Musashi and Kojiro's relationship. I know it's building towards them trying to kill each other, but god damn, book.
Previous reviews:
Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five
Volume Six
Volume Seven
Volume Eight
Volume Nine
October 23, 2023
A change of pace from the last 9 volumes, this volume slows down to Deep thoughts and grounded facts, Although i did not like the sections they bought in spirits to convey some messages, overall art is the winner here in this volume. Retrospective on some characters and their life, this volume has no bloody fights or mayhem. We see a much more matured Musashi and some gyan he puts out in some pages, made me wonder if he was always this bright or did i miss a book in between, cause his Bloodlust and Quest for being invincible that drove this story so far, seems to have given away to logic and some philosophy!... a slow read this one, Maybe the next one will have some explanations to do :D
August 1, 2025
Much needed introspection after the action packed Volume 9.
Musashi is at a crossroads where he must decide if he wants a life with Otsu or to continue living by the sword.
Kojiro once again easily wins a duel and his opponent gives him all of his titles and possessions. Kojiro is now on his way to serve the Kokura clan.
Matahachi finally seems to accept who he is and begins to redeem himself by saving Musashi and reconciling with Otsu. He is trying to give up his fake persona and be his true self. He goes searching for his horrible mother who is now sick.
Excited to see where this series goes but sad it’s nearly over.
Musashi is at a crossroads where he must decide if he wants a life with Otsu or to continue living by the sword.
Kojiro once again easily wins a duel and his opponent gives him all of his titles and possessions. Kojiro is now on his way to serve the Kokura clan.
Matahachi finally seems to accept who he is and begins to redeem himself by saving Musashi and reconciling with Otsu. He is trying to give up his fake persona and be his true self. He goes searching for his horrible mother who is now sick.
Excited to see where this series goes but sad it’s nearly over.
May 7, 2019
9.5/10
This was probably the deepest stretch of Vagabond so far. Takuan talks to Musashi about being connected to the heavens, and we get to see an inside look at the crossroads Musashi is facing.
This is peak Vagabond. It’s meditative, epic and exciting.
Taking .5 off since Kojirō almost feels irrelevant now and the art while still truly great, isn’t as masterful as the first half of the series.
This was probably the deepest stretch of Vagabond so far. Takuan talks to Musashi about being connected to the heavens, and we get to see an inside look at the crossroads Musashi is facing.
This is peak Vagabond. It’s meditative, epic and exciting.
Taking .5 off since Kojirō almost feels irrelevant now and the art while still truly great, isn’t as masterful as the first half of the series.
September 1, 2022
Ok don't get me wrong, I love this manga. But where are the women seriously? Like how could you not give us ONE female character who actually MATTERS, with a personality, a real character development like??? Women in this manga are super rare and when they appear they're either prostitutes or their sole purpose is to serve Musashi. Like, are women that uninteresting to you? It's honestly getting annoying and it's keeping me from enjoying it as much as I could.
May 17, 2024
This one is a very slow one, and at first I was going to keep it four stars, but the way these three volumes worked together to push the narrative and this long journey further beyond and onto a higher plane, the more I feel in love with it.
It is simply genius to have such a slow and methodic volume after such a bombastic last volume!
And to watch Miyamoto struggle so in finding a new path is oh so compelling!
It is simply genius to have such a slow and methodic volume after such a bombastic last volume!
And to watch Miyamoto struggle so in finding a new path is oh so compelling!
October 8, 2018
Vagabond 10
Musashi tras la pelea contra 70 samurais, se recupera con ayuda de el monje, su amigo de la infancia y Otsu, y debe de pensar sobre que sigue para él, y el camino de la espada, luego va a la cárcel, y ahí alguien más le da mas cosas que pensar.
Por otro lado el Kojiro termina siendo contratado como instructor, y se va a ir a otro lado.
4 stars
Musashi tras la pelea contra 70 samurais, se recupera con ayuda de el monje, su amigo de la infancia y Otsu, y debe de pensar sobre que sigue para él, y el camino de la espada, luego va a la cárcel, y ahí alguien más le da mas cosas que pensar.
Por otro lado el Kojiro termina siendo contratado como instructor, y se va a ir a otro lado.
4 stars
April 1, 2023
This volume was easily one of my favorites. The choice Musashi has to make between a simple life with Otsu or continuing by the way of the sword allows the reader to understand him better. He almost seems more human after cutting down the hoard of men. I’m looking forward to seeing what he chooses after recovering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
Took a bit longer with this one (two days 😂)
Coming off the back of the how amazing the last arc was this felt a bit slow. However it was still fantastic to see musashi in a different light.
Musashi is finding himself and takuan is kind of talking him out of fighting and to settle down with otsu. The end gives me premise though, he wants one more fight of life and death.
Coming off the back of the how amazing the last arc was this felt a bit slow. However it was still fantastic to see musashi in a different light.
Musashi is finding himself and takuan is kind of talking him out of fighting and to settle down with otsu. The end gives me premise though, he wants one more fight of life and death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2018
It's been a deeply engaging journey thus far. Inoue's consistent production of such a quality series will always be mind boggling to. I know this series does not have a real conclusion, but I feel compelled to continue in spite of that.
July 31, 2019
Aw shit, back on top. From being too much fighting and not enough mindfulness in volume 9 to being extremely philosophical and complentative.
Favourite line: “There is no strength that has not crossed the path of weakness.”
Favourite line: “There is no strength that has not crossed the path of weakness.”
October 13, 2020
Once again Vagabond proves it's self beyond the typical samurai story. Delving deep into personal reflection, posing to the reader to go within and find their own passion and journey in life. Amazing series!
April 17, 2024
The action takes a backseat as Takehiko Inoue shows off his masterful character writing as some of them confront the idea that their purpose in life might not be the dream they’d spent their life working towards
Artwork like always is phenomenal and this one left me with a lot to ponder on after
Artwork like always is phenomenal and this one left me with a lot to ponder on after
December 6, 2024
“A sword needs a sheath. A sharp sword that is always drawn turns everyone into an enemy. If you don’t have a place to put it away, then one day for sure you’ll end up hurting yourself.”
“We desperately wield our swords, taking us to the brink of death, all in order to learn to keep them sheathed”
“We desperately wield our swords, taking us to the brink of death, all in order to learn to keep them sheathed”
February 9, 2025
Lore give me more one more chance.
My new secound favourite volume of vagabond. They finally together oh wait they can’t be. My favourites characters all in one volume. Bro got killed by stick what…!? Good monologue and i like story of this child who is Musashi’s stundent.
My new secound favourite volume of vagabond. They finally together oh wait they can’t be. My favourites characters all in one volume. Bro got killed by stick what…!? Good monologue and i like story of this child who is Musashi’s stundent.
June 22, 2025
this one was one of my favorites despite little fighting actually happening. there was a lot of charcter growth and discussions that i thought were well written and drawn. probably my favorite volume so far
September 17, 2025
This was like a break after the chaos of the last volume. Not much really beyond happens besides a shift in how musashi thinks. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but it felt like it was missing something.
October 27, 2019
Best volume so far! I have waited for this moment, this questioning of purpose. It makes my heart happy.
May 25, 2020
A bit of a unexpected turn with this volume. A volume that was more philosophical, slower, almost no action at all. Not less good because of that, just very different!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews