Vagabond, Vol. 5 (VIZBIG Edition) [Paperback]

Takehiko Inoue (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2009

Each VIZBIG Edition collects three volumes of the original series in a larger format with superior paper and bonus full-color pages.

Nominated for 2003 Eisner Award in the category for Best Writer/Artist.

Historical tale of enlightenment by way of the sword - 3 volumes collected in 1! R to L (Japanese Style). "Glimmering Waves"In a remote seaside village, an abandoned infant is left to the care of a reclusive old man who has all but renounced the ways of the world. This helpless child is destined to become Sasaki Kojirô--the legendary archrival of Miyamoto Musashi. Inoue's unique take on this enigmatic figure sets up the foundation for his fictional account of the most famous rivalry in Japanese history. Striving for enlightenment by way of the sword, Miyamoto Musashi is prepared to cut down anyone who stands in his way. Vagabond is an action-packed portrayal of the life and times of the quintessential warrior-philosopher--the most celebrated samurai of all time!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Takehiko Inoue is the creator of one of the most popular manga of all time, Slam Dunk, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. He followed that series up with two titles lauded by critics and fans alike--Vagabond, a fictional account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, and Real, a manga about wheelchair basketball. Inoue is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Culture award and the Media Arts Festival Award. In addition to his work on manga, Inoue has worked on television commercials, character designs for video games, and is the founder of a scholarship to foster Japanese basketball talent.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (October 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421522470
• ISBN-13: 978-1421522470
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Moving, October 29, 2010

By 

setlib (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vagabond, Vol. 5 (VIZBIG Edition) (Paperback)

This Vizbig v.5 contains "regular" volumes 13-15. Volume 13 concludes the encounter between Miyamoto Musashi and Shishido Baiken. Not only are the fight scenes superlative as always, the backstory for Baiken is very moving, and Musashi learns something important from this opponent who longs to end the spiral of death and killing. The volume ends with two special chapters on Tsujikaze Kohei, someone we met in the first volume, which brings his character arc full circle.

Volumes 14-15 introduce us to the real Sasaki Kojiro, who until now we only know as the famous swordsman who Matahachi is attempting to impersonate. It starts with Kojiro being separated from his samurai family as an infant, raised clumsily by a washed-up old swordsman, and showing early signs of being a sword prodigy despite the fact that he's a deaf mute. The volume ends with Kojiro as a teen getting his first taste of mortal combat. Although I missed Miyamoto Musashi for these two volumes, as always the artwork and character development were top-notch.