Blade of the Immortal
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|} Blade of the Immortal, or 無限の住人 (Mugen no Jūnin, literally "Inhabitant of Infinity"), is a Japanese manga series by Hiroaki Samura. The series won the Excellence Prize in the 1998 Japan Media Arts Festival and the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award. The series is set in the middle of the Tokugawa Shogunate period in Japan; beginning in the 2nd year of the Tenmei era or 1782. Blade of the Immortal is being released in the United States by Dark Horse Comics and is up to 15 volumes. It is serialized in comic-book-sized installments monthly.
Blade of the Immortal follows the deeds of Manji, a skilled warrior who has a decisive advantage: no wound can kill him, except by beheading or rare poison. In the past his criminal actions led to the death of 100 other samurai (including his sister's husband). He becomes immortal at the hand of a 800-year-old nun named Yaobikuni, and is compelled by the death of his sister to accept the quest that will end his agelessness. He has vowed to make amends by killing 1000 evil men, and until he does Manji will be kept alive by kessen-chu ('sacred bloodworms'), remarkable creatures that allow him to survive nearly any injury and reattach severed limbs even after hours of separation. They work by sacrificing themselves to seal the wound - they're worms that were bred to be as close in their chemical and physical make-up to humans as you can get without being human. They can't handle regrowth on a large scale, but, for example, can reattach a severed limb or seal a hole in the brain.
Manji crossed paths with a young girl named Asano Rin and has promised to help her avenge her parents, who were killed by a cadre of master swordsmen led by Anotsu Kagehisa. Anotsu killed Rin's father and his entire dojo, making them a family of outcasts. Anotsu's quest is to gather other outcasts and form an extremely powerful new dojo, the Itto-ryu (a school teaching any technique that wins, no matter how exotic or underhanded), and has started taking over and destroying other dojos.
In addition, another group calling itself the Mugai-ryu has emerged, in opposition to the Itto-ryu. Its true leadership and motives are a mystery, but its methods (any tactics that lead to victory) resemble those of the Itto-ryu.
Characters of Blade of the Immortal
Main characters
- Manji: The immortal referred to in the title. The fallen samurai Manji served the Hatamoto Horii Shigenobu, a local daimyo, enforcing his brutal rule (unknowingly) on the local populace until he found out his lord was corrupt and killed him. For that he was considered an outlaw and hunted down by the same daimyo clan, achieving the nickname "Killer of 100" after the body count. He planned to flee to his sister's house even though she had married an officer of the law, Saitō Tatsumasa. Manji ended up killing his sister's husband out of self-defense when he attacked Manji. His sister witnessed her husband's death at the hands of her brother and went insane. Manji settled down to take care of her. At some point during this time, he met Yaobikuni (her name literally means "nun of eight hundred years"), a mysterious nun, who offered him the kessen-chu, or sacred bloodworms. After having his sister killed (due to a revenge for his actions) he met Rin, whom he accepted to help since he felt she was very much alike to his deceased sister. He uses many weapons, a good number of which came from defeated opponents. His two short, hooked swords are named Shido (four paths). His two standard swords are named Imo-No-Kami Tatsumasa (Sister Defender Tatsumasa). His two chained scythes have no name. His double bladed sword-breaker is named Kotengu (Little devil).He first appears in Criminal.
- Asano Rin: The sole survivor of an Itto-ryu massacre at Anotsu's hand and heir to her father's sword school, the "Mutenichi-ryu". She has mediocre swordsmanship skills but an intense desire to avenge the brutal death of her family. She hires Manji as her bodyguard in this quest. However, it's not as simple as that - Rin is constantly torn by doubt over the righteousness and validity of her mission. She comes into contact with Anotsu at one point, but his claim that she is becoming more and more like the Itto-ryu as she progresses down the path of revenge causes her even more doubt. She has two weapons, a Chinese sword named Kutoneshirika which she carries in a Toju (purse-like scabbard of sorts), and a set of small daggers named Ogunchu (Golden Wasps). She first appears in Conquest part 1.
- Anotsu Kagehisa: Leader of the Itto-ryu. This emotionally cold young man has prodigious skill with the sword, and leads the Itto-ryu in order to form a dojo dedicated not to form and rules, but to the simple test of superior lethality. Brought up by an abusive grandfather (a swordsman disgraced by the Asano dojo), Anotsu is as pragmatic and shrewd as he is deadly. He has two weapons. The first, his main weapon, is a Nepalese-based axe named Kabutsuchi (Head Hammer). The next is his rarely used sword of the same name. It is not much of a backup weapon, as even Rin referred to it as "pathetic" in Last Blood part 4. First appears in Conquest part 1.
- Magatsu Taito: Among the Itto-ryu's finest swordsmen. Of peasant origin, he became a swordsman to avenge his sister, who was killed as a child by a samurai. Has fought Manji and survived, as well as fought by Manji's side. He can be considered a kenshi, a swordsman who is not from the samurai class. His lover of sorts, a prostitute named O-ren was killed by Shira. His weapon is a gladius-like tripple sectioned sword named Grand Turk. The main blade is a gladius, the second is a smaller, shorter sword hidden in the handle, the last is a spear-head like dagger hidden within the second blade. The sword is curiously missing a sword guard. First appears in Conquest part 1, first named in Fanatic part 1.
- Otono-Tachibana Makie: Master swordswoman and in love with Anotsu. Said to be Anotsu's match. Defeats but does not kill Manji, apparently turning her back on Anotsu. Later found living alone, having bound her hand in an attempt to destroy her own skill in combat after her humiliating father's death. As said by Anotsu, she is the only one that can beat him. Her weapon, a double bladed three-section-staff, is named Haru-No-Okina (Old Man of Spring). She conceals her weapon in a hollowed-out Shamisen, a mandolin-like instrument. She first appears in Dreamsong Part 1.
- Abayama Sosuke: Second-in-command of the Itto-ryu. An aged swordsman who nevertheless remains one of the Itto-ryu's most skilled fighters. A skilled political operative, well suited to handling the dojo's administrative tasks.
- Kawakami Araya: An Itto-ryu swordsman living as a mask-maker. Determined to conceal his past from his son, Renzo, he is also the man who led the rape of Rin's mother. He first appears in On Silent Wings part 1, and is later killed by Manji in On Silent Wings part 6. Renzo then attacks Manji in rage, Manji feigning death. Renzo then makes an assumption his father had a sordid past with Rin at his father's burial, when Rin says, hypothetically, that there are some reasons past incidents shouldn't be brought up, as the blissful ignorance is better than the lifetime of shame.
- Higa: Itto-ryu fighter fascinated by Manji's immortality and determined to somehow steal it from him. His weapon's name is large, Southeast Asian blade Kamujin (Godblade). Beheaded by Shinriji as Higa was attempting to bite Hyakurin's throat out.
- Hanada: Cocky Itto-ryu swordsman who detests the sun. Killed by Manji. Samura stated he originally was supposed to resemble John Lennon but he ended up as "just another otaku dude". His bizarre glasses shape, one rectangular lens and one circular lens, is a possible homage to Spider Jerusalem from the American comic Transmetropolitan.
- Uruma: Composed Itto-ryu swordsman whose trademark is a chain ending in a barded spike, used for immobilizing his enemy, as well as his large machete-like weapon, Devil's Drumstick. Killed by Manji.
- Eiku Shizuma: Immortal swordsman. Gifted with the same blood-worms as Manji, he seeks to gain Manji as an ally to overthrow Anotsu. He said in Cry of the Worm that the kessen-chu were given to him by Yaobikuni during the Muromachi period, which means he is two hundred years old. He first appears in Conquest part 1, is named in Cry of the Worm part 1 and is later killed by Manji in Cry of the Worm part 3.
- Kuroi Sabato: Skilled pupil of Anotsu Saburō (Anotsu Kagehisa's grandfather) and master Itto-ryu swordsman. Along with his skills with a sword, Kuroi has several quirks. The name Kuroi Sabato is inspired by the band Black Sabbath. For this reason, Kuroi's poetry appears whenever he does. In addition, Kuroi is so obsessed with ageless beauty that he used taxidermy to preserve the heads of his former wife and Rin's mother, and mounted them on his shoulders. Along with his sword skills, Kuroi uses two shuriken referred to as Karasu, or "The Crow." He first appears in Conquest part 1 and is later killed by Manji in Conquest part 3.
- * Special Note: Kuroi Sabato roughtly translates into Black Sabbath from Japanese. Kuroi is a direct translation to the color black. Sabato when romanized, can be taken as "Sabbath." Black Sabbath is one of Hiroaki Samura's favorite bands.
- Kinuka: Honor-driven Itto-ryu swordsman. Killed by Giichi.
- Tamasaki: Enraged Itto-ryu swordsman under Kinuka. Suffers from muscle deterioration brought about by one of Hyakurin's poisons, and thinks of nothing but his revenge on her. Killed by Hyakurin.
- Saikaya: Itto-ryu swordsman living as a doctor, charged with killing Shira and Manji. Mercilessly killed by Shira.
- Iwami Ginzan: Itto-ryu swordsman living as a herbalist. Charged with the duty of killing Shira and Manji. Suffered the same fate as Saikaya.
- Doa: Itto-ryu swordswoman who is quite small. Her primary weapon is an odd knife which is fashioned from a spearhead. She appears in the later chapters as one of Itto Ryu's new recruits. Doa always travels with her friend Isaku and the two have developed complementary fighting styles. This usually consists of Doa providing the offense with her speed and dagger, while Isaku provides the defense with his armored arms. Her tendency to jump right into battle with little to no provocation often lands her and Isaku in trouble. She ends up befriending Asano Rin.
- Isaku: Itto-ryu member of great height (over 1.90 meters/6'2" tall). Unlike most members of the Itto-Ryu, Isaku has no weapons to speak of, instead he wears various piece of armor and tends to act defensively. He is also Doa's best friend and the two always travel together. Isaku often finds himself rescuing Doa, apologizing for her and keeping her from killing others (usually by picking her up and running away). He and Doa have also developed complementary fighting styles. This usually consists of Doa providing the offense with her speed and dagger, while Isaku provides the defense with his armored arms. He ends up befriending Asano Rin. Is also Christian
Mugai-ryu
- Hyakurin: A female assassin and a lieutenant in the Mugai-ryu. Hyakurin was the wife of an abusive samurai and was arrested and sentenced to death for his murder. Her case came to the attention of Kagimura who subsequently recruited her into Mugai-ryu. Hyakurin's most unique physical trait is her blonde hair, which she maintains by bleaching it with a strong chemical as a compulsive desire to remove bloodstains from it. While her skills with a sword are unremarkable, she has an extensive knowledge of poisons. This knowledge carries over into her choice of weaponry, a collapsable wrist mounted crossbow with poisoned bolts named Burafuma (Little Steps). She first appears in Dark Shadows part 1.
- Shira: A cold-blooded killer in the Mugai-ryu. He's responsible for the death of Magatsu Taito's close friend, O-Ren. Shira's a sadistic psychopath who derives sexual pleasure in the torture and murder of his victims, particularly young women. He loses a hand to Manji after an attempt to ambush Anotsu goes horribly wrong. Following this incident his hair turns stark white, and he develops an obsession with revenge which leads to him betraying his Mugai-ryu comrades. Later, his quest for revenge against Manji leads him into conflict with Magatsu. This battle further cripples him and results in the loss of his remaining hand and an eye. Recently he's been shown to be imprisoned in the same prison Manji is currently being held in. He uses a saw-like sword which is named "Hotosogi" or woman shadow eraser. However there is a second meaning for "Hotosogi" which also fits Shira's sadistic nature; when the kanji for woman and shadow are used together they become vagina. He first appears in Dark Shadows part 2 and is first named in Dark Shadows part 3.
- Giichi: A highly skilled Mugai-ryu killer. Little is known about his past or reasons for being sentenced to death, though it's suggested that it might involve his sick son. Giichi is also one of the most skilled fighters in the series, having killed a total of 59 Itto-ryu swordsmen on his own. He uses a unique weapon which resembles an oversized bladed handcuff attached to a length of chain. The weapon, Kanetsura's Mito-No-Kami (Guardian of the Three Paths), was adapted from a thresher or similar farming implement, and allows him to sever or entangle limbs and weapons from a distance, even if his attack was blocked. He first appearance is in Dark Shadows part 1.
- Shinriji: A bumbling Mugai-ryu swordsman. While the exact details regarding his sentence aren't revealed, he was apparently a pick pocket and thief prior to joining the Mugai-ryu. He worked most closely with Hyakurin and developed a crush on her, Hyakurin's blonde hair reminding him of his foreign mother. While he's not highly skilled with a sword, he did have the potential to become a master. He first appears in Dark Shadows part 1, and is later killed by Kinuka. As a sign of respect, Hyakurin cuts her hair and places the tied locks on his gravesite.
- Makoto: A former male prostitute, Makoto was recruited to be the groups mole within the Itto-Ryu. During his time in the Itto-ryu, he served as a page for the senior members often carrying letters and taking care of their weapons during meetings. He was a key player in the massacre which occurred during a feast meant to celebrate the official union of Itto-Ryu with Banshu, slipping poison into the Itto-Ryu's food. He first appears in Dark Shadows part 1 and is later killed by Abayama in Pity.
- Habaki Kagimura: The leader of the Shogun's Banshu samurai, the Bangashira, and secret leader of the Mugai-Ryu. He simultaneously invites the Itto-ryu to become an official sword school while directing the Mugai-ryu against it. Kagimura also masterminded and took part in the massacre that occurred during a feast welcoming the Itto-Ryu into the Banshu. He first appears in Dark Shadows part 1.
Shingenyoto-ryu
- Ibane Kenshu: Sensei of the Shingenyoto-ryu dojo in Kaga. A man with a philosophy similar to the Itto-ryu, he offers Anotsu the dojo in exchange for marrying his foster child, Hisoka. Forced by the bakufu to betray Anotsu. Dead by his own hand.
- Ibane Hisoka: Foster daughter of Ibane Kenshu. Afflicted with a sickly body and near blindness as a side-effect of the medication she needs to stay alive, she is physically weak but a sensitive and perceptive individual. Aids Anotsu in his escape from Kaga. Dead by her own hand.
- Iriya: Student of Ibane Kenshu and unrequited lover of Ibane Hisoka. Humiliated by Anotsu during a duel of his own design, and seeks vengeance for the deaths of Kenshu and Hisoka. Killed by the wounded Anotsu in Last Blood.
- Kozue: Senior student of Ibane Kenshu. Killed presumably by Magatsu.
Other characters
- Master Sōri: A high-ranking spy and ninja obsessed with art, driven into political intrigue in order to gain access to European art, which is contraband in that period. Master Sōri has a daughter named Tatsu and is a childhood friend of the Asano clan. Rin goes to him hoping he will be another sword against Itto-ryu. He refuses to offer any help at first but is soon able to provide Rin with thirty ryō. He first appears in Genius part 1.
- Yaobikuni: As her name implies, she is an eight-hundred-year-old nun. She herself has the kessen-chu and has imparted these blood-worms to both Manji and Shizuma. Yaobikuni finds Rin Asano at the graveyard where Rin's father is buried. After hearing her story, Yaobikuni urges Rin to find the toughest, strongest yojimbo of all: Manji. Yaobikuni is short in stature and has spiral tattoos on her face. She first appears in Criminal.
- Shido "Johnny" Gyobutsu: Assassin fascinated by western apparel and practices. He poses as a Christian priest, collecting bounties on criminals who confess their sins with a flintlock pistol, marked with the word "Divina" on the barrel. Has the dubious honor of being Manji's first victim to appear in the graphic novel. His first appearance and death both occur in Criminal. His name is a homage to John Lydon's stage name while heading the British punk band Sex Pistols, Johnny Rotten ("Gyobutsu" roughly translates as rotten fish).
- Shido Hishiyasu: Leader of the world's baddest ronin gang, the Shinsengumi. After Manji killed his brother "Johnny", Hishiyasu sought revenge by kidnapping Manji's sister, Machi, to use her as bait. When Manji would not submit to a duel, and offered only to fight barehanded, Hishiyasu lets Machi go only to kill her and Manji in the process. He has two pronged swords that have the word "ACID" on the tsuba. After the death of his sister Manji is able to accept his fate and proceeds to kill the entire ronin gang, starting with Shido Hishiyasu. His first appearance and death both occur in Criminal. Like Johnny, he too has his name based on a member of Sex Pistols, bassist Sid Vicious (being Shido's name an almost literal romanization).
Story Arcs
These refer to the English editions published by Dark Horse Comics.
Blade of the Immortal can be (so far) roughly divided into four main storyarcs:
1) Introduction: Volume 1 (Blood of a Thousand) ~ Volume 5 (On Silent Wings, part 2)
In this story arc, the reader is introduced to the main characters, plot, central conflict and overall theme of the series ("documenting the human struggle"). The plot is superficially simple: Manji and Rin wander around Edo, occasionally meeting members of Itto-ryu on their quest to find Anotsu. However, the bulk of Samura's philosophical ruminations can be found in this introductory story arc, from obsession (Conquest, Genius) duty (Dreamsong) the burden of time (Cry of the Worm) and revenge / redemption (On Silent Wings). Part of Samura's appeal is in not painting his "villains" with black-and-white strokes; even the supposed antagonist Anotsu, who espouses an "end justifies the means" philosophy, elicits sympathy from the reader via his ultimate goal - in that, fighting the widespread corruption of his era and therein fashioning a stronger Japanese society.
2) Mugai-ryu: Volume 6 (Dark Shadows) ~ Volume 9 (The Gathering, part 2)
This story arc introduces the Mugai-ryu, a mysterious sword school intent on hunting down Anotsu Kagehisa. After killing several minor members of Itto-ryu, Mugai-ryu enlists Manji and Rin to help them track down the elusive Anotsu. The evolution of Samura's style can be seen particularly in this story arc: gone are the elaborate "death murals" and the stronger focus on inking denotes a preference for 'hard' technique in contrast to 'soft' depiction (very little penciling). The first truly despicable villain is also introduced in this story arc, the psychopathic mercenary Shira who delights in blood and torture. The climax of this story arc involves the separation of Manji and Rin, as Rin decides it would be better for her to hunt Anotsu alone; Manji attempts to track her across province borders and ends up in a vicious fight with three Itto-ryu members.
3) Aftermath / Last Blood: Volume 10 (Secrets) ~ Volume 14 (Last Blood)
The third story arc follows the separate characters as they pursue their various goals: Anotsu to unify his sword school with a remote Kaga dojo; Rin on her quest to locate Anotsu; Manji's recovery from his wounds taken in the previous story arc and, eventually, his search for Rin; Magatsu's hunt for the murderous Shira; the consequences dealt upon Mugai-ryu by the vengeful Itto-ryu members. By volume 13, Mirror of the Soul, the divergent threads begin to come together and the series (as a whole) reaches a climax with volume 14, Last Blood, wherein most of the principle characters meet and engage in some form of battle. Last Blood also includes the beginning sections of the next and current story arc.
4) Prison: Volume 14 (Last Blood) ~ present
Ongoing in Japan as of December 11th, 2005; currently at least four trade paperback volumes have been published chronicling the latest adventures of Manji and company. Volume 15, Trickster, was released by Dark Horse as of February, 2006. This fourth story arc concerns the events after Last Blood, beginning with a few apparently-random fights that, in consequence, lead Manji to join up with the shogunate in fighting Itto-ryu. However, the government has a more devious plot, and imprisons Manji for issue after issue of experimentation, hoping to reproduce the effects of the kessen-chu. This story arc has currently reached a climax in Afternoon.
The Kessen-Chu
A bloodworm (kessen-chu) is an unexplained little worm-like creature, which lives in the bloodstream and tissue in a non-parasitic way. It heals all wounds acquired by its host, replacing the missing tissue and organs with their own bodies as well as reattaching limbs. The only way to kill a bearer of the bloodworms is to use a bloodworm poison, although it has been implied that cutting off their head may suffice if it is not reattached quickly. During his battle with Makie, Manji said the only way to stop him would be to cut off his head. But whether this would kill him or just leave him unable to function is debatable, because in his battle with Eiku Shizuma, Manji cuts off his head after poisoning him with his own sword, and he does not die until after the kessen-chu satsu (blood worm killer) takes effect. Further adding to the debate were statements in Wizard magazine that Manji could survive a severed head, but it would take at least a year for the blood-worms to regenerate that much tissue. Apparently, the kessen-chu give immortality to its host and everlasting youth (the host retaining the age he/she had at the time he/she was fed the kessen-chu). It's unknown how to infect a person with the kessen-chu. In later chapters the question how to transfer them becomes a major part of the story.Weapons in Blade of the Immortal
The weapons found in Blade of the Immortal are largely fictional, most created by Samura, who confesses he has no idea what some of them are supposed to do. Usually, major characters have unique and specialized weapons - hidden crossbows, throwing knives, poisoned blades, and even weapons meant to inflict maximum pain.Manji himself carries a number of blades - Sukehiro Amatsubaki ("Rain Camellia"), Kotengu ("Little Devil"), Okorobi ("Man Toppler"), Merabi ("Lady Gadfly"), Karasu ("The Crow"), Shido ("The Four Paths"), Imo-No-Kami Tatsumasa ("Sister Defender Tatsumasa"), a spear-like weapon called Aun, and an unnamed hooked weapon.
Some of Samura's other creations include Giichi's thresher-like throwing blade, known as Kanetsura's Mito-No-Kami ("Guardian of the Three Paths"), which he uses to sever the heads of his enemies, and Anotsu's large Kabutsuchi battle-axe, which was based on an example from Nepal.
Notes
- Doseimotsuko, Rengyo: These plants (Dutchman’s Pipe and Forsythia) can alleviate some types of poisoning when boiled and consumed.
- Ezo: Hokkaido and the other islands north of Japan. At the time, they were still contolled by the indigenous Ainu peoples and were a perilous back door into closed Japan for foreign goods and people.
- Itto-ryu: The radical sword school of Kagehisa Anotsu.
- Kenshi: A swordsman, not necessarily born into the samurai caste.
- Kessen-chu:: The “sacred bloodworms.” A person infected by them cannot die but feels pain like a mortal.
- Kessen-satsu: “Bloodworm killer.”
- Muromachi: The reign of the Ashikaga shogunate in Kyoto, A.D. 1338-1573. The last period of social stability in Japan before two centuries of civil war and the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
- Mutenichi-ryu: The sword tradition taught by Rin’s father.
- Ryo: A high-valued coin.
- Sangin: An official trip to the capital. Daimyo of outlying fiefdoms were required to spend one year in three in Edo, allowing the Shogun to keep them under tight control.
- Sakura-mochi: A delicacy made from pounded sweet rice paste and cherry-tree leaves.
- Sanzu no Kawa: River of the Dead. Analogous to the River Styx in Greek mythology. Crossed by the dead on their way to the underworld.
- Satori: The state of intuitive illumination sought by followers of Zen Buddhism; the movement of such enlightenment.
- Uji: An area near Kyoto.
- Warabi: An edible plant (bracken or fernbrake).
- Bekko-ame: A traditional sweet candy.
- Daimon: "Great Gate" - the great gate to the Asakusa Shrine, a famous landmark in old Edo still in existence today.
- Hamayumi: A bow accompanying the better-known hakyuyumi good-luck arrows still given out at shrine festivals today.
- Honjo: A place in central Edo.
- Kirisute: The right of a samurai to kill a lower-caste person who has offended him.
- Mon: (1) Literally, "a gate," used to designate all the members that pass the front gate to a dojo; (2) a small unit of money.
- Yojimbo: A bodyguard.
Art of Hiroaki Samura
One of the most striking features of "Blade of the Immortal" is its beautiful, realistic artwork. Although Samura stylizes and elongates his human figures to some extent, especially early in the run of the manga, he has a thorough knowledge of anatomy that allows him to create uniquely expressive poses and angles. His unusual use of accurately detailed shots of hands and feet makes them almost as reflective of character and mood as his faces. Atmospheric backgrounds and landscapes round out the look of the manga, which incorporates many panels done in a finished, shaded pencil style rather than in inked line art. His superb drawing skills are shown to their best advantage in these penciled panels.
The integrity of the art was so important to Samura that when Dark Horse Comics licenced the manga for its North American release, Samura requested that they did not "flop" the manga (that is, reversing the image in a mirror so the story could read from left to right). Instead, most of Blade of the Immortal was reproduced by cutting up panels and repasting them on each page in order to be reprinted so it read from left to right.
Samura says that he always wanted to be a manga artist. However, unlike most mangaka, he attended art school for a time and has a classical art education. He disliked oil painting and prefers to work in black and white. He says that he disliked oil painting from the start because of the smell of the paint and employed someone to help himself cheat to get through the course, which he is quite open about in interviews [link] He never completed the course because he got picked up by Afternoon before he graduated to do Blade of the Immortal. He has done a select few special covers however for Blade of the Immortal using oil paint such as the cover for 'Blade of the Immortal #111: Shortcut #5 (of 5)' [link].
Publication
The original Japanese manga has thus far been collected into 18 volumes (tankōbon) by Kōdansha's Afternoon KC division. The series is still ongoing, and volumes are usually published at the rate of 1 to 2 per year. The English version of the manga is published by Dark Horse Comics.- Mugen no Jūnin 1 (1994/09) ISBN 4063140903
- Mugen no Jūnin 2 (1994/12) ISBN 4063141012
- Mugen no Jūnin 3 (1995/04) ISBN 4063141098
- Mugen no Jūnin 4 (1995/10) ISBN 4063141195
- Mugen no Jūnin 5 (1996/08) ISBN 4063141373
- Mugen no Jūnin 6 (1997/06) ISBN 4063141519
- Mugen no Jūnin 7 (1997/10) ISBN 4063141659
- Mugen no Jūnin 8 (1998/07) ISBN 4063141837
- Mugen no Jūnin 9 (1999/06) ISBN 4063142108
- Mugen no Jūnin 10 (2000/04) ISBN 4063142388
- Mugen no Jūnin 11 (2001/01) ISBN 4063142590
- Mugen no Jūnin 12 (2002/02) ISBN 406314268X
- Mugen no Jūnin 13 (2002/11) ISBN 4063143066
- Mugen no Jūnin 14 (2003/07) ISBN 4063143260
- Mugen no Jūnin 15 (2004/01) ISBN 4063143376
- Mugen no Jūnin 16 (2004/05) ISBN 4063143481
- Mugen no Jūnin 17 (2004/11) ISBN 4063143635
- Mugen no Jūnin 18 (2005/06) ISBN 4063143805
External links
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