The Legend of Kamui: Volume One

I have been waiting years to read this manga in English and it's finally being translated!! The quality of the volume I received is insane, too; the cover feels great, and it even came with a beautiful obi. Thank you, Drawn & Quarterly, for bringing over this classic manga and doing such a fine job on the printing. Looking forward to the next volume...the worst part is having to wait until the summer!!

LEGEND OF KAMUI Volume 1 Jan 2025I finished reading this first volume of this historic Manga “Legend of Kamui “and was shocked at how realistic and brutal this story was.Legend of Kamui was one of a trilogy of titles that Indy publisher Eclipse Comics first brought to the USA in 1987. Later that same year First Comics introduced us to Lone Wolf & Cub. I loved those books. It was my introduction to Manga. I think these comics started the phenomenon of Manga to the USA that has surpassed American comics in sales and popularity. I initially thought this book would colllect that run. While it is the same Character and same Mangaka artist this is actually an earlier run.Set in 1600’s Feudal Japan it is a story of before Kamui became the Samurai we find in Eclipse Comics. In fact it starts before Kamui was born, then his birth and his early childhood. We also find out about the downfall of his entire village. The story follows many of his friends, family and once even a stray wolf that Kamui will befriend. The Mangaka artist occasionally stops the story to put in a block of text explaining the economics, traditions of the people or the ways of nature. The artist draws beautiful nature shots and animals but his people are often hideous. I assume this is done on purpose.This story first appeared starting in 1968 and compared to American comics of the time is very adult. Not only with occasional nudity but extreme violence with torture, rape, crucifixions, and beheadings. All of it is not done for shock value, but to give you a true picture of their way of life.Drawn & Quarterly the American Publisher published this in January 2025. These will run 600 pages plus. Their intention is to translate the entire series in 10 volumes with a six month frequency.

A classic. The Legend of Kamui is the start of the infamous Garo magazine, known for it's avant-garde or alternative works, and Kamui is one of the very best in the magazine. At the very start of the manga, Shirato Sanpei is already showing he's a master cartoonist. Glad to finally get this in english. Great storytelling, important themes, and timeless cartooning that most artists would so hope to be half as good at.