Sanctuary (Volume 1) [Paperback]

Sho Fumimura (Author), Ryoichi Ikegami (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC (May 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929279972
• ISBN-13: 978-0929279978
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Read, September 4, 2004

By 

C. E. Smart "Newbie" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sanctuary (Volume 1) (Paperback)

I'm new to manga and while I was initially attracted to Ikegami's art (art that still gives me pause it's so beautiful)the story really, really captured me. It was like a history lesson in Japanese politics and the mob (the Yakuza). All the characters were so interwoven and yes you do have to pay attention because there are twists and turns all the time. The nine volumes that it takes to tell this story never becomes dull.
The story drives all the time and is never ever predictable. The writing is exceptional. I highly recommend this series to the mature reader who appreciates not only great art but great intricate storytelling.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complex, June 28, 2002

By 

Savant11 "Savant11" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanctuary (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This is the first of a nine volume series about two young men (30) who set about changing Japan (and the world) one from above (politics) and one from below (organized crime).

The premise is very interesting but extremely complex. I have all 9 volumes and have given this a go about three times but have never been able to move past volume 5 because of the way the story is set up. I got the feeling that you need to know how the Yakuza (the Japanese mob) is set up, as well as the geography of Japan to follow the story well. For example I have no idea what the Kanto region is. There seem to be several different factions of the Yakuza and among those factions they are again fragmented into different parties. It is hard to follow who is on whose side and who isn't on whose side and why is that person going after that person. Phew! You practically need a score card to keep up with the story!

I prefered to focus on the main characters Hojo and Asami. Two very unique men with unshakable faith and confidence in themselves that has nothing to do with arrogance. That is the reason I keep picking up the books again and again. I can not help but idolize them particularly Hojo. Here is a man who will go after what he wants without hesitation. But at the same time he has a great deal of loyalty and kindness to those he loves and likes.

Of course there is Ikegami's art work. He can easily be described as the Michelangelo of the manga world. Because of his clean and expressive drawings. You find that you can see how a character functions simply by the way that he has him/her stand. Or tilt his head. It really is phenominal.

But like another reviewer said this book has to be seriously docked for the casual and capricious dipiction of rape. It was horrible and disgusting and took away from the story.

I would recommend Sanctuary to those who are looking for an in depth manga story that will make you pay attention.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Story of Power, Politics & an Unlikely Partnership, July 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sanctuary (Volume 1) (Paperback)

I bought the Sanctuary series without even having a clue what they are about. As far as I was concerned, Ryoichi Ikegami's art was realistic-- therefore awesome, and I wanted some samples. I never regretted my purchase. The story got me hooked from the very beginning--it was almost painful waiting for the next installment. In short, Sanctuary is about two Japanese men who survived the Cambodian Killing Fields. When they came back to Japan, they were dismayed by its state that they decided to go for separate paths to change it. Akira Hojo joined the Yakuza, while his friend, Asami went for politics.