Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 7

Great books! Ièm buying all of them!

It's amazing when manga actually delivers. Usually, it's just throwaway entertainment at best, grating dreck at worst. But the second arc of Rurouni Kenshin manages to rise above the rest. This is probably my favorite Japanese comic I've ever read (and for whatever reason, I've read a bunch of them).As in another review, I'll use this volume to review the entire story arc. This time, the arc will encompass volumes 7-17 of the manga. It just makes no sense to me to review these individually.Anyway, volumes 1-6 introduced our hero Kenshin and his band of merry followers. The proceedings were fun, but they were really put in place as introductions. Of course, there is the mystery of what Kenshin was, what he did, and why he has changed from a bloodthirsty killer to a man who has vowed never to kill again. But now, his past begins to catch up, as we are introduced to villains and anti-heroes. Our first introduction is Saito Hajime. A historical personage who apparently has some fanboy following in Japan, his appearance here is remarkably good. An enemy of Kenshin during the civil war, he returns ostensibly to recruit him to a new cause. In actuality, he wants to kill him. As he ultimately joins forces with Kenshin, he provides our first real tension in this tale. The reader feels like Saito is a foil to Kenshin's true power, and a legitimate threat. As I read along, I wondered to myself - will Kenshin really pay an ultimate price to this shadow of the past? It made for great reading.We are then introduced to our true villain: Shishio Makoto. An evil samurai during the civil war, he has resurfaced in the hope of overthrowing the new Meiji-led government in order to bring an age of chaos. I can't tell you how pleased I was at this character. While Kenshin is the clear central point in these volumes, it's so nice to see a villain who interacts not because of some petty revenge scenario, but because he is an opposite force.There is some tenuous connection that is completely unimportant, but the real point is this: Kenshin wishes to protect the weak, Shishio wishes to enhance the strong. Kenshin seeks peace in the new government, Shishio seeks chaos and perpetual war. They are thrown together not because they are old friends or because of a girl, or a slight. They come together because it is inevitable, Hegelian conflict, and the ultimate synthesis that arises will be nothing like what either party envisions.Just like Kenshin, Shishio has also gathered a group of followers. Some respect his power. Some want to see the destruction of the new world. But all of them are ultimately united against Kenshin and his followers. And, with one exception, all are notable and memorable. The emotionless, abused child who rises with the help of Shishio. The cold strategist, who is a true believer in Shishio's world. The fallen monk, who only sees redemption in destruction. The ex-Geisha, thrown out on the street by a cold government that took everything from her. The list goes on, and all of the characters are interesting.I won't say that they aren't stereotypical - rather, I'll say that it's a rare feat that a Japanese writer can work well within such stereotypes. There are some missteps here. Kenshin's power to trace the action of swordsmen, but only by tracing emotion, is some of the worst argle bargle I've read in any comic ever. Saito trying (and failing) to stab Shishio in the forehead just looks stupid. But despite these misfires, this is easily the best read I've ever seen in a shonen jump manga, and arguably the best read I've had in any japanese manga ever. Highly recommended.

Saito Hajime,Former Captain of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi,re enters Kenshin's life to set the stage for the next possible revolution of Japan,in this,the first volume in the "Kyoto" Story Arc.In this,the best volume of Rurouni Kenshin at this point,we have the beginning of a more darker storyline.We have a new villian who is in every way,Kenshin's equal.By day,he's a Police Officer for the new Meiji Goverment,while at night,he's a spy for a local Crime Boss.Saito enters the Kamiya Dojo to conclude a duel the two had 10 years ago and I'll tell you:this is one of the BEST fights in both the Anime Version and in this edition.From the pre-fight chat the two have,on how Kenshin is actually weaker now then he was in the past,to the duel itself,everything is perfect!Once again,we have incredible artwork from Nobuhiro Watsuki,who brings every aspect of this suspenseful battle to life.And thats only the middle section of this volume.Without listing any spoilers,the true meaning of the fight isn't what you would suspect and the absolute ending to this voulme will leave you wanting more.I really don't have anything negative to say about this volume.With this being the first entry in the "Kyoto Arc",it really starts it off with a bang......just wait for the last couple of fights later down the road,they're just as good as this battle.Buy this volume now!

damage I don't know if this book is stolen ??? had a bar code for fairfax public library ???