Vagabond, Vol. 1 (VIZBIG Edition)

This is an excellent beginning to a story. The art, story, character development all top notch. I'm a newbie in the manga world and stories like this will make me a true fan. I already read the first 3 volumes and will finish the story in no time.

Vagabond, Vol. 1 is one of the most beautiful pieces of manga I have ever read and seen. The first in a 12-volume omnibus series, Inoue Takehiko has created something truly special for readers. Set in the aftermath of the Battle of Sekigahara, the story follows a young man (Shinmen Takezo) who strives to rise from his misfortune (being on the losing side) to become the greatest warrior in the land. Here are the pros and cons of this work below: Pros *Fascinating era and place (early Edo-era Japan, 1600s) *Beautiful artwork - Composed of three volumes, each opening chapter (by volume) opens with a exquisite series of color panels. Drawn in a realistic yet stylized art form, Vagabond oozes with detail from the detailed expression of emotion on character's faces to the flick of grass on the forest floor. The artwork seems to come alive! *Character development - All the discussion of artwork should not distract from the excellent display of character arc. The protagonist, despite being a prodigy in combat, is one whom continually struggles to deal with his sense of identity and mission. From the beginning of this volume to the end, Takezo changes as a person. Cons *Virtually none Summary As a piece of Historical Fiction, this volume is highly recommended. As a manga, it is highly recommended. As a piece of literature and artwork, it is highly recommended. Need I say more?

Even though my journey reading this series has just begun, I can already tell I am going to love it. The artwork is excellent, some of the best I have ever seen in manga form. The story is incredibly intriguing and historically based. My only issue here is not with the product itself, but rather the condition of the delivery. It could have been much worse, but the edges were rather scuffed on mine with some minor folds here and there. I would have rather this not be the case, but I still loved this product and would recommend it if you're at all interested.

One of the prized possessions in my manga collection is "Vagabond," created by the talented Takehiko Inoue, who is also known for his popular series "Slam Dunk." "Vagabond" is a captivating tale inspired by the life of Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordsman in feudal Japan. Inoue's storytelling in "Vagabond" is nothing short of captivating. Through his vivid characters and intense plotlines, he explores themes of personal growth, inner strength, and the pursuit of excellence. Each volume of "Vagabond" not only entertains but also educates, as Inoue meticulously incorporates historical details and cultural insights into the narrative. What truly sets "Vagabond" apart is Inoue's artwork. His mastery of the pen and brush brings the world of feudal Japan to life with stunning detail. From breathtaking landscapes to intense sword fights, every panel is a testament to his skill and dedication. As a fan, I find myself deeply immersed in Musashi's journey with each new volume of "Vagabond." Inoue's ability to blend history with fiction creates a reading experience that is both enriching and emotionally resonant. I eagerly look forward to adding more volumes of "Vagabond" to my collection, knowing that each one will continue to inspire and captivate with Inoue's exceptional storytelling and artistic brilliance.

Great story, i would recommend this manga for anyone who likes collecting them. But the sad thing is that the manga hasn't had a update within the last 10 years so keep that in mind.

Bought this for a Christmas present and the recipient loved it!

Series Info/Source: This is the first VIZBIG volume of the Vagabond series. I bought this book. Story (4/5): This is the story of Takeza and how he started down the path to becoming the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. It’s well done and fast paced. This is a fairly violent and graphic story, but has some interesting history and an engaging story. Characters (4/5): The characters are well done and have some depth to them but are pretty unlikable throughout. Takezo’s disregard for life and struggle to understand the rest of society is intriguing. Setting (4/5): The historical setting is well done and interesting. It was fun to take a look into this time of history. Writing/Drawing Style (4/5): The story is very easy to follow and well done. The drawing here is really exceptional, lots of detail both on the characters and in the background. My Summary (4/5): Overall this was well done and exceptionally well drawn. The story is kind of interesting and the characters had a lot of depth to them. There is a lot of graphic violence as well. I thought it was well done but don’t plan on continuing the series because I just prefer more of a fantasy take to my graphic novel stories and I didn’t really like any of the characters all that much. Additionally the volumes are fairly pricey to buy and my library doesn’t carry them.

Wow!!!!! Excellent!!!! Just need some time to get use to reading right to left. This book was made Japanese style. Fantastic art and great storytelling.