CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

i am currently midway through Blade of Immortal volume 12 and i am seriously addicted to this series. the manga has rapidly made its way all the way up to my top 5 mangas list and i have been dying to start a thread for the series. this manga is totally awesome and i don't believe that it gets the appreciation as it deserves. i don't know if this thread'll stay alive for long, but i can probably predict that at least UC will reply. anyways, spoilers will fill this thread so i suggest that you put them in spoiler boxes...

i really like how the author adds so many twists in the shifts and surprising relationships of the different characters. this gives the plot a superior edge, and really makes the manga interesting. [spoiler]especially the meeting/alliance between manji and magatsu[/spoiler]

i can't wait to see more of giichi. i'm sure the author will have some sweet fights with him and some other characters.

I totally need to read more of this series.

What exactly would you like to discuss? I haven't gotten really far in Blade of Immortal eversince I moved back to Asia (*sniff* There's no Dark Horse Comics publication here). I think I've read up to Volume 14, I think. I can't remember because my books are in my home country and I randomly read some paperbacks before I left last year.

What I can say without revealing too many spoilers is my opinion of Anotsu has changed throughout the series as we get the opportunity to understand his philosophy and the intentions behind his goals. I can't say that I agree with him but I think I can understand him.

Makie is my fav. female character hands down, even though Hyakurin and Rin (who's maturing throughout the series) are among the few strong female characters. Hyakurin is notably tough because despite her history and the more recent happenings, she still hasn't gone insane. I don't think I can survive that type of crap in life.

I do like Giichi and wish for no harm to come to him but who knows? This series isn't shy about killing off supporting characters. As a whole, many ppl die and the violence can be quite graphic at times <-- those new to this series should be aware of this

While I have strong attachments to characters I like in this series, I also equally have the same feelings for those that I dislike.

[spoiler=Magatsu vs Shira] When Magatsu took down that freak Shira, I was estatic. 'Eat this, monster! You didn't have to kill O-Ren that way, you sadistic --------!" That's the way to go, country boy Magatsu![/spoiler]

Mave wrote:[spoiler=Magatsu vs Shira] When Magatsu took down that freak Shira, I was estatic. 'Eat this, monster! You didn't have to kill O-Ren that way, you sadistic --------!" That's the way to go, country boy Magatsu![/spoiler]

i totally agree with you there, my friend. one thing i like about this series is the fact that there isn't any GRAPHIC nudity (at least as far as i've read). yes, there are implied rapes and sex scenes, but the majority of them are not publicly shown, and would-be nudity is usually covered up, or simply drawn or shaded in a way that would prevent any graphic nudity from being shown.

Mave wrote:What exactly would you like to discuss?

well, you can simply talk about your opinion of the series, or talk about certain parts of the manga that you found particularly interesting. i'm not sure if we can really get into a deep discussion, plot-wise because i don't think there are very many members who read this series...

Yes, I'm a definite fan of this series as well. For the moment, though, I don't have a lot to say. My reading is unfortunately sporadic, which messes with my mental perception of the plot.

As far as characters go, I like Giichi as well.

well, i finished volume 12, and am rapidly chugging through volume 13.

[spoiler]now that rin and anotsu are traveling together, it's quite interesting to see how they are interacting with one another. ironic how rin ends up having to travel with the very person she seeks to kill.[/spoiler]

as for anotsu, he's not your normal antagonist. his character is quite complex and i'm hoping to find out more about his background history as the story progresses...

I don't think Anotsu is the antagonist at all (though he seems to be for much of the beginning). There is a character you have yet to meet that may be the series' true antagonist. He fits the bill in a lot of ways, though so did Anotsu.

i suppose the antagonist really depends on who you think the main character is. for some, it is manji; for others, it can be rin. however
[spoiler]since rin and anotsu are traveling together, i think that their relationship will shift quite a bit...[/spoiler]

uc pseudonym wrote:I don't think Anotsu is the antagonist at all (though he seems to be for much of the beginning). There is a character you have yet to meet that may be the series' true antagonist. He fits the bill in a lot of ways, though so did Anotsu.

I can't imagine whom you're referring to. The head of Mugai-ryu <-- or however you call them)?

i have some of the books

Mave wrote:I can't imagine whom you're referring to. The head of Mugai-ryu <-- or however you call them)?

Here is where my method of occasional reading hurts, because I can't remember names well. I think his name is Kagimura Habaki. He's the one who
[spoiler]ordered all the testing on Manji. The samurai with the mustache. I think he is the villain because
1) he seems pretty evil
2) commands numerous forces
3) is playing many of the other groups off against each other
4) is powerful, evidenced by how he beats Manji at first draw.

I could be wrong, though.[/spoiler]

Bringing this thread back from the dead to talk about it. Currently polishing off volume 11, Hiroaki Samura continues to impress me with each volume and it has quickly joined my top tier titles.

Shira is a word that would probably get me banned, but it kind of balances out because Giichi is awesome for what little screen time he has and Shinriji ended up being epic. And while I want to warm up to Anotsu, kinda difficult when nearly everyone he associates with is basically the bottom of the barrel when it comes to humanity. Moving along, but still.

i was able to get about halfway through the latest volume at my local bookstore (volume 18) before i had to leave. the story is increasingly interesting, though it took me a while to recall what was happening because it's been a good 3 months since i read the last volume. the artwork never ceases to amaze me. the characters are all each so unique.

manji's current situation is one of increasing intensity and intrigue. it should be quite interesting to see how that is resolved.