MJ Review: The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Volume One

[Eric]

Title: The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls
Volume: 1 - Revenge of the Hori Clan
Mangaka: Masaki Segawa (Original story by Futaro Yamada)
Originally Serialized in: Young Magazine (Kodansha)
Genre: Action, Seinen, Martial Arts, Ninja
Licensed by: Del Rey
Price: $13.95 (US)

When reading The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls, one cannot help but be compelled to think that you’re reading Basilisk all over again. The similarities in story, style and appearance are undeniable. Both of these manga deal with the political, violent and intriguing lives of the Ninja (and in this manga, the odd Samurai makes an appearance as well). Thankfully, Masaki Segawa is a master of his art, especially where Ninjas are concerned.

Volume one is set in the year 1642, shortly after the Tokugawa Shogunate had begun ruling over the clan; a time when war seemed like a distant daydream. The book begins with calmness in its words yet the images paint a very different story. Men on their knees, tied up like dogs, their captors taunting and parading them through the streets. These men are no ordinary men but Samurai being escorted by members of the Ashina clan to Kamakura. They are being delivered to see their wives and family members one last time before they are all executed. This is the beauty of Masaki Segawa’s manga.

And so it begins, another masterfully written story unfolds. If you’re familiar with the Basilisk series of manga, you will no doubt find the Yagyu Ninja Scrolls just as entertaining to read. When I say entertaining, I mean ‘reading it all in one sitting’ entertaining. There is no escaping the way that Masaki Segawa pulls you into the story, one blade cut at a time. The more violence you see, the better it is!

Don’t get me wrong, not every single page is covered in blood! Though there are a lot of action sequences that involve copious amounts of bloodshed, the intricacies of the characters (and their relationships), and the eloquent way in which Masaki Segawa brings them to life, often outshines the action to the point where the dialogue and images are at war with each other for your attention. This is what makes an excellent manga.

The artwork of the Yagyu Ninja Scrolls manga is much like the Basilisk manga before it, simply sublime. The subtle way in which certain characters are drawn really jumps out at you and makes you take notice. The artwork mirrors that of Basilisk. The signature narrowing of the eyes when characters are acting in a devious or evil manner or the wide-eyed, innocent look given to some of the female characters doesn’t come off as tacky or over-stated. The action sequences are drawn in the familiar Masaki Segawa style and the glossy full colour pages at the beginning of the manga tell you all you need to know about the artwork. The entire presentation of this manga is top notch.

I also appreciate the way that Masaki Segawa depicts the women in his manga. Unlike many manga created today, most of the main female characters in his stories are strong and willful with definitive minds and, in some instances, just as deadly and violent as their male counterparts. Doe-eyed they may be, but turn the page and you might just find that woeful glance suddenly transform into the narrow-eyed coldness and calculating look of a killer. It’s brilliant.

When you have the perfect synthesis of both story and artwork in a manga, you just know you are going to enjoy reading it. The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Volume 1: Revenge of the Hori Clan is the embodiment of this perfect symmetry of words and imagery and it’s hard to look at it any other way. I couldn’t fault this manga if I tried. Unfortunately it’s an uncommon occurrence, but it does happen every now and then, and when it does, boy does it make me happy to be a manga reviewer.

Reviewer: Xenith
Proofer: James Thomas
Editor: Lissa Pattillo