Lone Wolf and Cub 8: Chains of Death

Rating:
Summary: Six tales of the winter of Ogami Itto's discontent
Review: "Chains of Death," Volume 8 in the Lone Wolf and Cub manga epic by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, offers something of a change of pace as Ogami Itto's walk on the Assassin's Road has several diversions:

(39) "Tidings of the Geese" is a short tale in which one of the Shogun's inspectors informs Ogami Itto that the Yagyu have sent assassins to kill Lord Hotta. The fight sequence involves a desperate ploy by the Yagyu. Lone Wolf is not an assassin in this one, for, as he observes: "So long as the Yagyu scheme in the shadows of the shogunate, there can be no return to enlightened rule. Nor any end to our quest."

(40) "The Frozen Crane" has Lone Wolf and Cub coming upon a woman and her dead husband's younger brother who have finally avenge his death. Ogami Itto refuses to bear witness to what has happened and has to teach the woman a lesson about the true quest for vengeance.

(41) "Chains of Death" has the Yagyu using the Kurokuwa clan to try and kill Lone Wolf and Cub. This episode becomes a series of battles in the snow with Kojima's artwork carrying pretty much the entire story. The fact that Kurokuwa have finally submitted to the Yagyu is not lost on Ogami Itto. Visually the best story in this volume, the tale that gives the volume its title is not one of the more significant stories.

(42) "The Infinite Path" tells the complete story of the duel that earned Ogami Itto the position of Kogi Kaishakunin. We knew the basics of the tale, but this telling involves a duel between Lone Wolf and Restsudo Yagyu. The flashback makes it clear that the reason why the Yagyu were so desperate to be Kogi Kaishakunin could offer Lone Wolf an end to his quest.

(43) "Thread of Tears" finds Ogami Itto meditating at a temple while Daigoro meets a young widow. However, this is no chance meeting for Lone Wolf had killed her husband and she has been waiting to cross his path to ask for a duel. While watching the duel Daigoro has his own, rather chilling test.

(44) "Beku-no-ji" is the only tale in this volume where the story deals with Lone Wolf being hired as an assassin. The job offer is as much of a focal point of the story as the assassination at the end. Again, Ogami Itto's sense of honor provides insight into his walk on the assassin's road.

One other thing that most of these stories have in common is that most of them take place in winter. I am not sure at this point how much we are supposed to pay attention to the turning of the seasons; then again, perhaps I am wrong to assume that these stories are being told in chronological order. I will have to contemplate this in the silence of my room after I read tonight's episode. The ability of Koike and Kojima to maintain this high quality of graphic narrative is most impressive. This manga deserves every accolade it has received.

Rating:
Summary: The masterpiece of Japanese manga
Review: The saga of Lone Wolf and Cub should be in the collection of anybody with an interest in Bushido, the Japanese warrior philosophy. Goseki Kojima's powerful storytelling and the late Kazuo Koike's brutal visuals have captured the essence of the quest of an honourable man in the cruel world of Shogun-era Japan. There are many manga series, but none better than Lone Wolf and Cub.

Rating:
Summary: "truly an assassins blade"...
Review: This is a pivotal volume in the tale of 'Lone wolf and Cub'. Previous volumes have given sketchy details as to Ogami Itto's history, how he was drawn into conflict with the Yagyu - but in this episode the nature of his rise to the position of Executioner for the Shogun is described. This key element to the tale makes clear why the Yagyu harbor against him a burning fury. Itto and Diagoro will face the Yagyu again, as they fling more resuorces against him - the tension is eased as several other small vignettes tell tales of others with whom he comes into contact with. Critical to the series, this is again, the continuation of a fabulous tale...

Rating:
Summary: "truly an assassins blade"...
Review: This is a pivotal volume in the tale of 'Lone wolf and Cub'. Previous volumes have given sketchy details as to Ogami Itto's history, how he was drawn into conflict with the Yagyu - but in this episode the nature of his rise to the position of Executioner for the Shogun is described. This key element to the tale makes clear why the Yagyu harbor against him a burning fury. Itto and Diagoro will face the Yagyu again, as they fling more resuorces against him - the tension is eased as several other small vignettes tell tales of others with whom he comes into contact with. Critical to the series, this is again, the continuation of a fabulous tale...