It’s been a while since the last volume of Blade of the Immortal I reviewed, so let’s wrap up the year with Manji & volume 6.

Title: Blade of the Immortal, Volume 6
Story and Art by Hiroaki Samura
Translation by Dana Lewis & Toren Smith
Published by Dark Horse Comics

Available from Amazon.com

The Premise

Manji and Rin aren’t the only people Anotsu Kagehisa and the Itto-Ryu angered with their destruction of various sword schools. A secret organization has sprung up seeking revenge against Kagehisa, and they’ve approached Manji & Rin for their assistance. However, this new group can be just as underhanded and ruthless as the Itto-Ryu themselves.

High Points

Kagehisa being outmaneuvered by the shogunate was a nice touch. I was becoming a little concerned that the character was potentially getting too infallible.

Low Points

Manji & Rin are barely in this volume.

Scores

Originality: This volume falls more into the trappings of the conventional chambara drama, eschewing the more fantastic elements of earlier volumes. 3/6

Artwork: 6/6

Story: This volume is slower paced, though it’s still very well plotted out, and builds off the strong foundation of the last 6 volumes. 4/6

Emotional Response: This volume makes Kagehisa a little more sympathetic, as he’s basically forced into a situation where he either has to let the wrath of the shogunate come down onto his head – or effectively “sell out”. 4/6

Characterization: All of that mentioned above fleshes out Kagehisa even more, and we also get a good look at this new faction. 4/6

Flow: 6/6

Overall: The plot, as they say, has thickened. 5/6

In total, Blade of the Immortal, Volume 6 gets 32/42.