Claymore, Vol. 4

Claymore is my first real dig into the Manga genre, but don't be mistaken, I have more than a few Anime and more movies than I can count under my belt, so just hear me out. To start, Claymore really should be read from volume 1 forward, as Norihiro Yagi(the writer)has a tendency to pull Alias/24-esque cliffhangers to conclude the volumes. Having said that, Volume 4 continues were volume 3 left off, following Teresa and a very young Claire in their journey through the towns, Teresa trying to find Claire a good town to stay as she continues as a Claymore. Their travels take them to a town surrounded by mountains, were Teresa disposes of the Yoma in the town quite easily, her "Skill" as a Claymore is to destroy without really needing her Yoma Power; Just anticipating movements and reacting to them. Teresa decides that the town is peaceful and Claire would be safe to stay there as she goes on with her life and after an emotional Claire begs her to let her come with her, Teresa insists it is better there and leaves her there. When she reaches the outskirts of town, Teresa senses trouble, and then knows there is, as the bandits that challenged her in Volume 3 trot past her, rushing headlong into the now threat-free town. It is then that Teresa must decide her fate....to save Clare and break the only rule that matters to a "Claymore": Never kill a human, or allow the only person that has ever understood her die. The results are quite impressive, and the aftermath is just as intreging. I really love this series as a whole, and when I first read this volume(and volume 3)I wasn't sure where they were taking me, but seeing the full picture, it makes perfect sense and really shows the motivation for Clare and her real purpose as a Claymore. Teresa is also a wonderful character arch, from heartless killer into the grace that she ends as, it truly draws you in and keeps you engaged. The end of the volume doesn't leave you really fiending the next volume, but the next volume IS a real head turner and brings everything full circle and to the present. As a first time Manga reader, I can say without a doubt I picked the right series to start on, it's engaging with good story and characters you care about, AND the action is both twisted and vicious and epic in proportion. If you're a seasoned vet, you already love it, if you're fresh like me, it's the perfect start. Buy volume 1 and get to reading!!!!