Vagabond 8 (VizBig ed.)

Takehiko Inoue – Viz – 2010 – 33+ volumes
this omnibus contains volumes 22-24

Once again, I am going to have a hard time talking about this series because it is superb in every way, and reading it in these 3-in-1 volumes is a pretty special treat. More than the other omnibus volumes I read, this series flies by, and I just cannot imagine reading it on even a bimonthly schedule.

For instance, this volume starts with the resolution to the duel between Musashi and Seijuro. After this, you know that Musashi will duel Denshichiro. The duel with Denshichiro doesn’t actually come until the very end of volume 24, and they are still dueling after the volume finishes. The implication is that Musashi is no match for Denshichiro, but all the same, that’s some cliffhanger, and it had a lengthy prelude, too.

With that duel hanging over the heads of the characters (the Yoshioka school does its best to prevent it, in order to keep their honor intact, since they assume that Denshichiro will lose), there is another interesting development. Musashi recuperates in the home of Hon’ami, a famous sword sharpener. Who else is staying with Hon’ami’s family? Sasaki Kojiro.

Waiting for those two to meet over the course of about three volumes was excruciating. To make matters worse, Matahachi appears and acts as a kind of spokesman for the deaf Kojiro. I was waiting for all three characters to meet up. Far from being the tense affair that Matahachi seemed to expect, I think that Musashi would have simply been a little surprised to run into Matachi. As for the meeting between Musashi and Kojiro… well, that didn’t go at all like I imagined. The Yoshioka swordsman made plans the whole volume to replace Denshichiro with Kojiro in the duel, so I was expecting something really spectacular. Of course, a confrontation the likes of what I imagined… neither character would walk away, so I can see how that might not work.

I still think Matahachi is an interesting character. He is mortal, following in the path of Musashi, who isn’t quite. He’s a regular guy that loves sex, booze, and not working. He can’t really do anything well. In this volume, we learn about his friendship with Musashi and what it still means to him, and that is used to contextualize his new relationship with Kojiro. It’s easy to hate Matahachi, but he doesn’t really deserve it, and I think it’s neat to see him ground the story from time to time.

I also love seeing Musashi develop. Far from the battle-crazed beast of early volumes, he’s calmed down, and almost has a sense of humor as he’s waiting for his duel with Denshichiro to start. He’s still trying to perfect his craft, and with his somewhat looser state of mind, he taps into a oneness with nature he experienced as a boy. The state of mind helps him immensely, and the way he brings himself to this new awareness is drawn absolutely beautifully. I mention this every time, but I really do love Takehiko Inoue’s art. It’s amazing, and such a huge part of why this series is magical.

I am one behind on these big volumes, so now I have the privilege of reading another set of three volumes. The omnibuses should be all caught up by the time Inoue finishes the series, which will reportedly be very soon. I think I will adore every page as I slowly catch myself up to the present events.