Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 2: The Gateless Barrier

I have been reluctant to undertake the reviewing of this series for two reasons. For one thing, there are some 24 volumes, which mean a considerable commitment in reading and writing. Second, one of my favorite reviewers is also reading through the series, and it is no small effort to find ways to bring further insights to the reader.Because I am also reading the Blade of the Immortal series, there is a natural tendency to compare these to manga, which are both similar, and quite different. Kazuo Koike is perhaps the more inventive writer. Since thus far the Lone Wolf series lacks the grand theme of revenge that knits Hiroaki Samura's work together, the Lone Wolf plots are limited to the individual stories. This is not a flaw at all, just an explanation of one of the key differences. Koike is a master of minimalist story telling, ironic devices, and plots that take surprising turns when least expected.Both series have more than their fair share of violence, although Blade of the Immortal stands out for its depictions of fighting and dismemberment. Lone Wolf's violence is sudden and swift - less choreographed. Goseki Kojima, the artist also has a strong sense of the sweep and motion of a scene, while Samura's clean, balanced graphics produce a lighter, less congested style. Of course, the fact that Lone Wolf's page size is half that of Blade of the Immortal makes direct comparison more difficult.There are several changes between the stories of volume one of this series and this second volume. For one thing, the tales are twice as long, allowing for better building of tension and plot, as well as more depictions of life in the world of Edo-period Japan. In addition, Daigoro, Lone Wolf's son (the cub of the series title) gets much better parts than he does in the first volume. He is no longer just a plot device, but a living character. Finally, there is an inner sense of the 'romance' and tragedy of a ronin seeking a life of honor.That last two stories, 'The Gateless Barrier,' and 'Winter Flower' are perfect examples of the breadth of Koike's talent. Both are stories of murders that must be done, but one is a cautionary Buddhist tale, and the other is a finely honed recreation of the classic forms of Japanese tragic drama. Completely different from each other they are two strong arguments for pursuing this series.

There is an obvious shift in what is going on in "The Gateless Barrier," the second volume in the Lone Wolf and Cub epic. When I started this saga I decided I would read one story each night. In the first volume, "The Assassin's Road," there were nine stories, while "The Gateless Barrier" offers up only five tales as the stories take on more depth. You would think that the key story in this transition was "The Assassin's Road," the last story in the first volume and the one where we find out the backstory on Ogami Itto, the Kaishakunin executioner for the Shogun, who has turned Ronin. But there is nothing in this second volume that really follows up on that origin. Instead, Lone Wolf continues to work as a hired assassin in four of these five stories. The change of pace tale is (12) "Tragic O-Sue," where it is actually young Diagoro who causes trouble; but even then everyone assumes this is just another one of those convoluted ploys used by Lone Wolf to assassin his impervious victim. Diagoro is certainly up to more in that episode in all the others to this point combined and I find some of it farfetched, but I also appreciate the twist on the standard story line. There are subtler twists in the other stories from writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima as well as the Lone Wolf continues to earn his pay. In (10) "Red Cat" we see the familiar ploy of Ogami Itto allowing himself to be captured to gain access to his target, yet there is still a surprise ending. Then in (11) "The Coming of the Cold" finds the assassin acting in concert with others rather than going it alone to achieve his goal. I know (13) "The Gateless Barrier" is the key story in this volume, with its introspective look into the psyche of the main character, but once again the best story is the last one in the volume, (14) "Winter Flower." Much is made of the cinematic artwork of Goseki Kojima, which makes a lot of sense because "Winter Flower" looks like an illustrated movie. In a brothel a samurai is killed while making love to a prostitute, while another prostitute commits seppuku immediately afterwards. The official investigating the deaths is troubled by what he finds, especially since it is clear the second prostitute was the daughter of a samurai, who allowed herself to live a degrading life and then killed herself. The reader knows who can make the connection between the two incidents, but the why remains the big mystery. I even appreciate the irony that this story, the best in the series to this point in the saga, is probably the one in which the Lone Wolf appears the least. It is tempting to read more than one story a night, but the road is long and patience is a necessity.

Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima began their "Kozure Okami" (Lone Wolf & Cub) in 1970, serialized in Manga Action. The result is one of the bloodiest, most vicious series in history. The Lone Wolf is an assassin for hire, charging 500 gold per job, and taking assignments only after hearing the reason for the hit. He started out as the Shogun's personal assassin, but was betrayed by the powers behind the Shogun. This is an adult comic, and will not appeal to everyone. But, if you like detailed artwork, sweeping stories, intense acton, and plot twists at every corner, Lone Wolf is for you.

It seems strange to me that it took me so long to discover this series. I live in Japan, I'm a huge Kurosawa fan, I study the martial arts and Japanese history... but I've never been a huge Manga fan. With a few noteable exceptions, like "Akira" and the ultra-violent "Fist of the North Star" manga strikes me as messy swank material for pubescent boys complete with underdressed girls and sadomasochistic references.Lone Wolf and Cub is so different from the reams male-oriented Manga that at times it's hard to believe it was written in our era. The stories capture the myths and values of ancient Japan so completely, including the beautiful ink-brush art that, without the big word ballons, the work could have very well been written 300 years ago. The stories sometimes read with haiku like simplicity and sometimes with epic detail, but it was the title story in this book that made me an addict. If you have any interest in this series, do yourself a favor: pick up the first two books. If you're not hooked by then, you probably never will be.

The Gateless Barrier, the second installment of the Koike & Kojima classic epic Lone Wolf and Cub, picks up with our hero, Itto Ogami (the baby cart assassin)continuing his journey on the assassin's path. His travels bring him to a confrontation with a "living budda" whom he must assassinate, but first he must pass through the gateless barrier. Koike & Kojima's brilliant and definitive ronin epic continues to deliver with complex and dramatic story arcs combined with the beautiful and often breathtaking artwork that have become synonomous with this tale of feudal Japan. Lone Wolf and Cub is a must read for anyone interested in the Samurai period of ancient Japan as well as comic and manga enthusiests.