Blade of the Immortal Volume 21: Demon Lair II

Samura does not disappoint with the latest volume and conclusion of the prison story arc. The subterranean prison is rapidly filling with moat water and this aquatic story element lends itself to several nice developments and possiblilities. For one, the onrushing, flood is severely soaking Doa's deadly fighting style. As well, Burando almost meets a very frightening ending as his immortal experiments attempt to drown him in the depths of the flooded prison. Also amazing to see many characters from previous volumes. And one character goes way back! I'm talking among the first volumes of the Dark Horse volumes! The artwork is glorious. Just beautiful. Samura is shining in many fine, wordless sequences. I've just finished uploading several fine examples, so be sure to browse them! The only downside to reading DHC's release of the BotI is the long wait for each release compared to the amount of time it take me to tear through each book in one sitting! Fast, Dark Horse, faster!

Blade of the Immortal by Hiroaki Samura is in my opinion (and apparently others, having won awards in both the US and Japan) one of the best manga titles published in the last 10 years! If ever! The story follows Manji, the immortal samurai who's promised to kill 1000 bad men in retribution for the 100 good men he killed in the past. Rin Asano, the 16 year old girl who's looking to take revenge for the brutal murder of her parents. Anotsu Kagehisa the young genius swords men who heads the gang responsible for destroying swords schools all over Edo (old Tokyo) including the one Rin's family headed. As the awaited Volume 21, this book certainly doesn't disappoint! Without giving much away, Rin and Manji must fight for his freedom against samurai and a monster created using Manji's own immortality! The book ends with even more to look forward to in volumes yet to come! Including the return of the blood thirsty SHIRA!!! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, let me tell you.... DON'T SKIP BOOKS!!!! This series is one that MUST be read consecutively, or get completely lost! And be ready for death, sex, and politics!

Samura could have walked away from the series with this culmination of the prison arc - it's crazy-spectacular. I'm up to date on his most recent work, and his scope of storytelling is formidable. For a guy who started young, and rarely, if ever takes a break, how does he possess such a depth of knowledge/maturity? Lucky us, he has grown as an artist, even since this book.