So while searching for the blog subject to read, I found “Shigurui” in the list of things to do a couple of days ago. Just the word, no description, no nothing. (I am messy that way), It's really funny when half of the list doesn't make any sense; it's like you are designing a treasure hunt for yourself. And a simple Google search returned the Manga link.
As you know, I recently ignited my love for manga. I mean, it's easy, fewer words and more action. And I finally finished Shigurui. To be honest, it wasn't as easy to read as I was hoping. The Manga is dark, brutal, disturbing and hauntingly beautiful. The manga doesn't shy away from showing us how inhumane a person in power can be. The story is set in the Edo Period in Japan, where the land was ruled by samurai lords.
Now my knowledge of Samurai comes from the movies and the series, where they are more often shown as people who believe in code, honour and rules. Mostly as good guys. But Shigurui gives us a glimpse of how horrifying those codes can be sometimes. And not all Samurai were good, Infact there were scenes where the samurai lord would cut down his servants just to check the quality of the sword. And that doesn't make it to the top 20 horrifying things in Shigurui. I mean, some of the practices shown in the Manga were diabolical, and what sends a chill down the spine is the mangaka's sidenote explaining how those acts were part of real-life practice.
Now, coming to the story, it is a classical story where rivalry turned into hatred and absolute madness. It's about two guys Irako and Fujiki from the same Dojo who are aiming to rise up the ranks but for different reasons. Fujiki, whose aim is to take the Dojo forward and to new heights, plays by the rules and is the ideal student a dojo and master can ask for. And Irako, who is just a power-hungry demon and stops at nothing. But here is the twist, I believe both of them to be innocent and culprit. While Irako was wronged by the world and trying to correct it in twisted ways, and Fujiki blind obedience toward his master and Dojo’s rule is just, I mean Fujiki and his fellow apprentice went to perform a lethal dance using a real sword on the command of their dementia struck master, Kogan. Man!! This Kogan was another can of worms. A madman with no second thoughts. Some of the manga panels were so violent that I had nightmares. I mean, this guy would make Gus Fring an ideal boss. But when you puts everything together, it works. Oh!! Did I mention that Irako was introduced as a Blind swordsman and Fujiki as one-armed swordsman. The backstory is Epic..!!
While my review gives an impression that this is a gore manga with a very dark and troubling story (Which is 100% true also), there is a philosophical tone also under all that gore. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but if you are a fan of gore and samurai, go for it. But you've been warned. It's graphic and for a mature audience only. You know Game of Thrones stuff, which I can't share unless I mark the post as nsfw😅
Hi
And for the past few days, I've been reading this manga, and I am glad that I finished it. The ending of this manga is very abrupt, but I think that's makes it so real also. You dont always get answers, sometimes nothing awaits for us when we reach the end.
As always thanks to IU and BeAwesome community for their love and support. See you all soon. And one more thing I am working on some of the financials blogs so stay tuned.
