Vagabond - Volume 8

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Once again this volume feels like Musashi really has changed, but in a way it feels like he's embraced a part of himself he cut off long ago. He seems to have become more carefree and actually funny. I'm really intrigued to see who will fight Denshichiro, Ueda (who's just been banished :O), Sasaki ?? Really intrigued let's find out :D Another great volume :) Matahachi's scheming was grand, seriously it was interesting to see a con man at work, and his mindset - so bloody strange to experience ! Musashi politely (at first) trying to push through a crowd as they force him away, unaware that he's the one they've gathered to watch had me laughing out loud.

Sometimes it feels like this is just an endlessly repetitive cycle of killing. Musashi challenges someone, kills them, feels like he's evolved as a person, has some kind of personal epiphany and then goes on to the next person to kill. I don't care what anyone says, Musashi is invincible - I just loved seeing him in this volume, I've missed being immersed in his journey and seeing how much he's grown as a swordsman and man in general. I'm interested to see where this drama is going, Matahachi has finally been captured and Sasaki is being used. Will Musashi remember their encounter, will he know who he's fighting ? - and vice versa. I'm so intrigued to see where these both their journeys are taking them ! I do love that in this volume we're shown that Musashi and his future nemesis Kojiro could have so easily been friends in different circumstances. It manages to add a touch of sadness to an otherwise fairly funny conclusion to this story.

Takehiko Inoue