Samurai Deeper Kyo, Volume 19

Samurai Deeper Kyo #19

by Akimine Kamijyo

Kyoshiro and Kyo--one a peaceful medicine seller, the other a merciless red-eyed samurai--are two spirits fighting for dominance of the same body as they travel with Yuya, a bounty hunter who helps them look for Kyo's true body.

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Shonen, Graphic Novels, Action, Comics Manga

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Akimine Kamijyo (上条明峰 Kamijō Akimine?, born September 13, 1975, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating Samurai Deeper Kyo. The name 'Akimine Kamijyo' is merely her pen-name. Her doujinshi work was done under the name 'Meika Hatagashira' (伯明華?).

Her second series was Shirogane no Karasu also known as Silver Crow. It started on May 30, 2007 in Weekly Shōnen Magazine and ended after 3 volumes.

She is currently working on Code: Breaker.

Reviews

[Cecillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodbye to Chinmei! For now that is. I don't get Shinrei's blind devotion to the Mibu clan, but indoctrination is a powerful tool I guess. Then there's the beginning of the fight between Benitora and Taihaku, and I think I was bored by it when I first read it because I remember nothing... I'm also already bored by it now. I guess I'm not really a fan of Benitora yelling about his beliefs, and the gang being like "He's weak, what's he gonna do?" in the background.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mahiro is actually a genius chemist who concocted a medieval version of firm holding hairspray to keep her long hair floating around her face. Convince me otherwise.

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 5 out of 5]

05 May 2013

The battle between Kyo and Chinmei rages on in Samurai Deeper Kyo, Volume 19. Chinmei's explosive powers look impossible to defeat, but Kyo has Suzaku on his side. In an unforeseen twist, Suzaku's true powers are unleashed and easily engulfs Chinmei's black hole, Chinsei Kokutenkyu.

Later in the volume, we meet the leader of the Four Elders and high necromancer, Fubuki. He secretly plots with what remains of the seemingly invincible Chinmei. A former friend of Muramasa, Fubuki seems to be up to no good. I can't wait to find out what his diabolical plan is.

Fubuki then sends Shinrei and Taihaku to the remaining gates to defeat Kyo. Taihaku takes steps to assure he is the one to meet Kyo at the Fourth Gate. In the meantime, he sends his minions in his stead.

As Kyo and the gang arrive at the Fourth Gate, they are met with the Demon Child Band who live and die for Taihaku. Benitora steps in to take the fight, and shows what he's made of. The ever-silly Benitora shows a new stronger side to him. Not only is he stronger, but he now displays the integrity and maturity of a great leader. Even though Benitora is very moving with his convictions, you can still count on him for laughs.


The battle between Benitora and the Demon Child Band is intense, but pales in comparison to the fighting when Taihaku finally steps in. Taihaku has this amazing quiet badass strength. Strangely, he reminds me of Bontenmaru. Both of them have the size and strength to easily destroy a horde of enemies all on their own, but they have the biggest, softest hearts.

This volume is so freakin' exciting! There are tons of thrilling action scenes, and many mysteries are set up leaving you dying with curiosity to find out the answers. In this volume, we also discover Kyo and Kyoshiro were friends once upon a time. I hope the next book delves into this friendship further.

One of the funniest parts in this volume is when Bontenmaru, in order to protect Mahiro's feelings, beats Benitora every time he brings up Muramasa's name. Bon-Bon always the sweetheart! I also got a kick out of seeing Benitora freaking out that Akira will reveal his true identity to Yuya. This group of characters is so much fun. I love them as a group, and also love the dynamic between polar-opposite personalities. Seeing Sasuke have concern for Benitora in his fight is heartwarming.

The next volume should be amazing if the cliffhanger ending is any indication!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 19. It is written by Akimine Kamijyo and is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 19th in the series you need to have read the others in the series to get the story. The cover has all the boys on it with Tenro just to add a little metal to the scene. The intended reader is someone who likes fighting, interesting characters, and surprising romance and should be older teen or adult. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this series and volume. The story is told from the third person point of view with character’s thoughts added in for plot and character development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- An already weak Kyo faces off against Chinmei, guardian of the Third Gate. Chinmei offers Kyo the title of Crimson King- if he’ll kill his companions and join the Mibu, When Kyo refuses, there’s only one thing left to do: Fight! But all the while, Yuya’s time is running out, and the group has yet to face off against the powerful Taihaku…

Review- The fight with Chinmei is finished in this volume and it gets a little hairy for a moment. Then when you think that going to be business as usual Kyo realizes that Yuya is hiding how many stars she has left. When Chinmei attacked with his gravity he had the water dragons move so now she has less than one hour. That puts Kyo in a great mood. But we get some good Kyo/Yuya interactions that makes me happy. Yuya gets to tell off one of the Mubi because she is so tired of them thinking that they can control anything and everything around just because. Kyo even compliments her in his own Kyo way. Meaning he is ass about it. Benitora wants to fight next and he gets his wish. Good volume like always.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[keereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Dominique "Eerie" Sobieska · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is a bit dull when it starts off with Yuya and Kyoshiro. But as you progress, the plot thickens and newly cast members introduced piece by piece make this manga unique and a bit of a masterpiece. There are two main story lines: 1- Yuya is looking for the man that killed her brother and 2- Kyo is searching for his true body to exact his revenge. Every other plot in between just adds fuel to the story and lets you learn of the diverse background of many characters, friends or foes. The story itself was captivating and it is a shame that many people know of this series.

The art style refined over time, giving the battle scenes flaws execution. The each character had their own torments and demons to deal with but I would have to say that certain individuals needed more evolution or better backstory. The end was well received and left no stone unturned.

I have watched the anime adaptation and I don't recommend it. It doesn't do it justice.

Do I recommend:

Yes! Just not the anime!!