blade of the immortal

  • Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis part II

    Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Anaylsis part II (A)

    It’s been a long time since my last update. The absence is mainly due to the fact that I don’t know what to write about, but last week I just got the newest copy of Blade of the Immortal, the shit boiled my blood and I thought I should continue my tribute to the greatest Manga ever created. Those of you who enjoyed my Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis should enjoy the following as well.

    I initially intended to just do a brief summary, but I somehow got on crack and wrote a 10 page Wikipedia shit on this, oh well, I’ve always wanted to read something like this so might as well write it on my own right? I am dedicating this post to Samura Hiroaki-sama and all the Blade of the Immortal fans for the love of this series, due to a lot of excessive writings, this will be separated into two parts, the first introducing the background and main characters of this series and the second, the FINAL BATTLE Analysis, Outcome, and Prediction. So beware, this will include a lot of spoilers!!!


    RECAP ON THE STORY

    Following the Prison Arc, Manji was successfully rescued by Rin, with the help of Itto-ryu remaining member Doua and Isaku as well as Ozuhan and Hyakurin. Doua and Rin were critical in this rescue as they have caused utter chaos in the Edo castle – by blowing up the underground passages, flooding the jail cells and releasing large numbers of prisoners.

    Following the chaos stirred up by Rin and Doua and inevitable release of hundreds of prisoners, the Bangashira (group chief) Habaki was removed from his position and given the punishment of Seppuku within 30 days for his misdeeds as the protector of the castle. Life wasn't too good for Habaki.

    Hanafusa the former lieutenant to Habaki was then appointed the new Bangashira upon the termination of Habaki. Hanafusa’s approach in dealing with Itto-ryu was very different from Habaki, instead of terminating the rest of Itto-ryu members, Hanafusa preferred the peaceful way, in which he negotiated a deal with Anotsu Kagehisa to promptly evacuate from Edo within 7 days and never to appear again, which Anotsu agreed. This gives Habaki only 7 days left to wipe out what's left of Itto-ryu. And little did Hanafusa know, Anotsu’s got a master plan on his own before he leaves Edo...



    BRIEF INTRODUCTION ON THE MAIN CHARACTERS:

    ORGANIZATIONS

    1. Itto-ryu


    From Left to Right: Isaku, Doua, Magatsu, Abayama, Kashin Koji, Baro, and Ozuhan.
    Again, is this the most badass character spread or what?


    Makie and Anotsu

    Itto-ryu is a gang-like group of swordsmen lead by Anotsu Kagehisa. It was founded by Anotsu Kagehisa’s grandfather – Anotsu Saburou, after being disowned from his former sowrdschool Mutenichi-ryu, which was founded by Asano Rin’s great grandfather.

    Despite having superior swordfighting abilities in Mutenichi-ryu, Saburou was disowned from the school because instead of using traditional katana in combat, he was found wielding exotic foreign weapons. At that time of Japan, using traditional katana was considered the standard realm of kenjutsu and honor, using anything else in a fight was deemed dishonorable.

    Saburou was then discriminated and dishonored among sword schools and labeled as the "losing dog", depressed, shamed and angered, he then formed Itto-ryu, with the sole belief that only the strongest survives, and set up the goal to conquer all sword schools of Japan. However, before he could finish his dream, he died and left the young Anotsu Kagehisa the burden to continue this goal.

    Due to Itto-ryu’s motto: The strongest survives, Itto-ryu welcomes any skilled warriors to join, there are no special “secret techniques” to be taught by the master or formality of a doujo; there are no restrictions in the methods of fighting or weapons they use; the only rule that all Itto-ryu members must follow is to always fight one-on-one regardless to any situation.

    During middle of the series, 9 Itto-ryu dojo masters were poisoned and murdered by a set up from Habaki (which event I will refer as the Massacre Dinner), this severely weakened the current state of Itto-ryu as they lost many followers upon these 9 itto-ryu's death.


    2. Mugai-ryu

    From Left to Right: Giichi, Hyakurin, and Shira (before white hair)

    Mugai-ryu is an underground assassin group secretly compiled by then-Bangashira (Chief of police) Habaki Kagimura. Its members are all criminals with death sentences, some of these criminals possess unique abilities or superior fighting capabilities, they were then selected by Habaki to go on assassination missions of Itto-ryu members, each Itto-ryu member killed will in turn be rewarded with compensation for the Mugai-ryu members, and ultimately, having killed enough Itto-ryu members will obtain freedom from Mugai-ryu.


    3. The Six Demons (Roggidan)


    From Left to Right: Banshin, Ryo, Shishiya, Doma, Murasaki, and Hasho

    This underground group has similar background to Mugai-ryu, the major members are all former-criminals sentenced for death.

    Upon disbanding Mugai-ryu, Habaki was given the authority to openly employ The Six Demons to hunt after the remaining members of Itto-ryu.

    The Six Demons are composed of two types of units, one is the Hana-group (the Flower), with mainly highly skilled death sentenced fighters, and the other Hebi-group (the Serpent), which are money-hired and mostly just sidekick characters.


    4. Bakufu


    New Bangashira - Hanafusa and his lieutenants.

    The term Bakufu in general refers to the government at that time of Japan given in the story line (around 1790’s). Habaki was formerly the Bangashira, who is in charge of the security of the Edo Castle as well as the termination of Itto-ryu.

    During the Prison Arc, Habaki kidnapped Manji in attempt to figure out how to develop the immortal technique and apply it for an undisclosed use. The rescue of Manji executed by Rin and Doua eventually stirred up a chaos, causing explosions, escaped prisoners and flooding all over the Edo Castle. Habaki was then removed from his position and given a limit of 30 days before he shall commit seppuku; his position was given to Hanafusa.

    Hanafusa negotiated a deal with Anotsu, suggesting that the Bakufu wishes Itto-ryu to disappear in Edo and never to appear again within 7 days, which Anotsu seemingly agreed to.


    CHARACTER INTRO

    Manji 卍/万次


    Our main protagonist of the story. He was cursed with immortality some years ago and thus the title of this story – Blade of the Immortal. He is nicknamed “100 killer” for he notoriously killed 100 samurais in an attempt to assassinate his former corrupted boss.  This sin has lead a mysterious nun to plant immortality into Manji.

    The immortality stems from a type of blood-worm named Kessen-chu, these worms can heal most physical damages inflicted onto the host in very short amount of time.

    He can easily reattach his severed limbs back by pressing against the severed arm or leg against the wound; the kessenchu (bloodworms) will quickly repair and connect the damaged tissues. Think of his immortality like ultra-fast body tissue regeneration.

    ^Manji reattaching his right arm.

    Manji is usually very laid-back and just minds his own business; when confronting with others he is very straight forward and at times blunt. He is a quick decision maker and pays great attentions and observations to his surroundings.

    Overall Manji is a very adept fighter; he is very adaptive and strategic in various situations as he makes great uses of the surroundings and at times he’d cut off his own limbs for distraction use. He wields a wide array of exotic weapons, some of them capable of being assembled together for multi-purposed uses. Most of the weapons he used are acquired from foes he’s slain.

    MANJI'S WEAPONS:



     


    Asano Rin 浅野凜


    Our main protagonist, a 16 (now 17) year old girl who vowed vengeance on the massacre of her family by Itto-ryu members. In the beginning of the story she hired Manji as her yojimbo (bodyguard) and started their long journey of vengeance on each of the members responsible for the murders of her parents.

    Throughout the series we get to see that Rin has evolved from this whinny little crybaby to a somewhat capable and reliable girl who can handle her business. This is most evident during the Prison Arc when she partnered up with Doua to rescue Manji from the underground prison.

    Fighting wised, Rin pretty much remained the same, her one and only trick: The Golden Wasps, in which she throws a bunch of daggers towards the opponent. Manji and Anotsu on separate occasions had commented that the move is useless against skilled fighters, but can be effective distracters. She performed a varied version of it using gun powders to aid and greased blade lit on fire to create a fire-blasted Golden Wasps.


    Anotsu Kagehisa 天津影久

    Our main antagonist-turned-protagonist. Anotsu Kagehisa is a 22 year-old prodigy sword fighter who inherited (unwillingly) his grandfather Antosu Saburou’s well to implement and achieve the realization of Itto-ryu. Anotsu Kagehisa’s goal is to entirely destroy the currently weakened, distorted and impractical sword fighting standards and system of Japan and reestablish the value of the swords by one single motto: Only The Stronger Survives.

    As the leader of Itto-ryu, Anotsu is considered one of the greatest fighters in the series. He wields a very large and heavy Nepalese axe named “Head Hammer”, the hammer pairs with a similarly fashioned sword. Anotsu has demonstrated in several occasions his dominating fighting capabilities. In fights, he displays graceful movements and is very calm and emotionless; it is said that Anotsu is the only person who is able to dodge or block Doua’s extremely quick strikes. Furthermore, Anotsu has also referred to Makie as the only fighter who can defeat him.

    ^Facing assassins, Antotsu stated that those who crossed his ways also crossed the path of his ideal and those of his grandfather's, now try this axe and become gravels by the road - in another words: YOU'RE FUCKING DONE SON!

    ANOTSU KAGEHISA'S WEAPONS


    Magatsu Taito 凶戴斗


    Magatsu is a spike-haired, young, but veteran Itto-ryu member of peasant origin who appeared very early in the series. During the Edo period set in Blade of the Immortal, Samurais are highly respected and regarded for their titles, whereas the government valued peasants only for the fact that they produce food income for the nation. The Edo government (Bakufu) heavily segregated ranks of people, with samurais ranking the highest in social status. He witnessed his younger sister being slashed in half when he was very young, he vowed to avenge his sister’s death by joining Itto-ryu and destroying the unreasonable social system of Japan.

    Throughout the series he befriended Manji during the Kaga Arc, they seemed to appreciate each other as both friends and enemies.

    Magatsu wields a triple sword (a sword inside a sword inside a sword). He fights strategically as he often lures opponents to terrains that fits more to his advantages, but he is also very quick and flexible in combats; as the current number two of Itto-ryu, rest assured he is a very adept swordfighter.



    Abayama Sousuke 阿葉山宗介


    Who I call the awesome old dude, Abayama is one of the founding members of Itto-ryu, a 65-year old, one armed wise man, and remains to be one of the most skilled swordfighters, as well as sort of an advisor to Itto-ryu.  During earlier series he was shown to be very wise and helped plotting and counter-plotting many schemes against Mugai-ryu.

    Abayama is the only survivor from the Massacre Dinner plotted by Habaki, it was implied that he was spared by Habaki to convince the rest of Itto-ryu the true strength of the Bakufu and not pursuit any further actions (too bad!). He wields a very strange looking sword with two blades and various grips that seems to fit well for an one-armed man; throughout the series we haven’t seen him in action many times, but according to an Itto-ryu member, Abayama was the only available fighter who could handle Giichi.

    ABAYAMA SOUSUKE'S WEAPON



    Doua 吉乃瞳阿

    Doua is an Itto-ryu swordswoman who appeared much later in the series, one of the remaining Itto-ryu members after the Massacre Dinner. She was originally from Hokkaido (then called Ebisu in Japan), upon travelling south she met Isaku and the two became bandits and robbed for a living, until one day she attacked and was defeated by Anotsu and was subsequently hired as Itto-ryu swordsmen. Doua and Isaku has very closely bonded relationship with each other, and Doua admires Anotsu Kagehisa greatly.

    She is very petite and extremely fast; she couples with Isaku in combats, with Isaku providing the distraction and protection, while Doua attacks with lightening speeds. She uses a modified spear head and a sharpened Jutte, a fork-looking weapon.

    DOUA'S WEAPONS



    Isaku 八苑狼夷作


    Isaku is a kind-hearted gentle giant who is best friend/boyfriend to Doua. He is of Portuguese Christian origin. He joined Itto-ryu with Doua in attempt and subsequently failed to rob Anotsu Kagehisa. Unlike most Itto-ryu members, he has no weapons at all, rather he wears armours and acts defensively when in combat, at times he demonstrates his great strengths.


    Baro Sukezane 馬絽祐実


    Baro first appeared during the Kaga Arc as a messenger for Anotsu Kagehisa. Upon the Massacre Dinner, he became the last remaining Itto-ryu member. He appears to be a very calm and disciplined person, very loyal to Itto-ryu. It was later revealed that he was once working as a samurai under the Bakufu, perhaps due to personal goal and ideals he abandoned such job and joined Itto-ryu to pursuit his ideals.

    Baro is among Itto-ryu yet another highly skilled swordsman who uses a very long Nodachi; the Nodachi he wields has hollow spots across the blade to reduce its excessive weight, allowing Baro to strike with amazing speed.

    BARO'S WEAPON



    Ozuhan 怖畔


    An exotic swordfighter even by Itto-ryu’s standard. Ozuhan is one of the remaining Itto-ryu member after the Massacre Dinner. He seems to either be deaf or doesn’t speak Japanese, as he only communicates with sign language. His weapons and dresses resemble foreign, tribal look and he calls war cry after slaying enemies. He seems to be travelling along most of the time, and can be summoned within 15 minutes upon blowing a special flute with a salamander design.

    Ozuhan uses a special whistle which produces loud, unbearable noises which he is immune to to distract enemies temporarily and strikes with remarkable speed and precision. For this reason, Ozuhan is also regarded as the most unwanted combat-partner in Itto-ryu.


    Kashin Koji 果心居士


    Yet another remaining member of Itto-ryu after the Massacre Dinner. Kashin Koji is an old man who disguises as a doctor when not involved in Itto-ryu businesses. He is usually seen conducting researches and informational activities.

    Kashin Koji is not much of a fighter, but he manipulates and shoots acupuncture needles with sharp precision and sets up traps to kill enemies.


    Makie Otonotachibana 乙橘槇絵


    Makie is regarded as the strongest fighter in the series. At a very young age she demonstrated dominating sword fighting skills and accidentally defeated her older brother, who was a candidate to inherit the dojo at an exhibition match 3 times in a row. Embarrassed, her older brother committed sepukku and died, Makie and her mother were subsequently disowned from the family. Her mother sold her body to support Makie, and upon her mother's death, Makie became a geisha to make a living.

    ^Makie illustrating why you shouldn't get in her way.

    Anotsu Kagehisa, her love interest and the leader of Itto-ryu, has referred Makie as his mentor and teacher, the one who inspired him the beauty of strength, he has also stated that Makie is the only swordsman (woman) who can defeat him. Despite this fact, Makie is at heart a kind hearted person who despises murders for a living, therefore she briefly left Itto-ryu. Yet she struggled between her decisions to either be a swordsman or a prostitute (Yes, at that time of Japan, it seems that if you're female you either be a whore or you kill for a living...) During a mission to kill Manji, Makie expressed her fear in killing Manji when she defeated him and about to execute the final blow, to which Manji said a memorable line: “No matter how talented you are, you're still an inexperienced brat, whatever it is, there must be a reason for you to hole those swords on your hands, try remembering it; If you can’t kill me like a swordsman do, then go back and live as a whore.”

    Although the strongest fighter in the entire series, she is unfortunately infected with Tuberculosis, then an incurable disease. She and Anotsu were on-and-off a couple, towards the end of Kaga Arc, she rescued the heavily ill Anotsu, facing a group of avenging sword school students, after the battle, she returned as a member of the Itto-ryu.

    MAKIE'S WEAPON



    Habaki Kagimura 吐鉤群


    What I call the FINAL BOSS. Habaki Kagimura was a Bangaeshira (high ranking chief for the Bakufu) and the secret leader of Mugai-ryu and Six Demons. He is the master mind behind the Itto-ryu Massacre Dinner. Initially he approached Anotsu Kagehisa with the impression that the Bakufu wished to invite Itto-ryu as the official trainer for the government, yet secretly sending Mugai-ryu members to assassinate Itto-ryu members; while Anotsu was on his way to Kaga, Habaki set up a celebratory dinner with 10 of Itto-ryu’s dojo masters, which in fact poisoned all the members and ending up killing 9 along with Giichi only, leaving only Abayama Sousuke alive, mean while, he also forced the Kaga dojo master to remotely assassinate Anotsu Kagehisa, which eventually failed and provoked Anotsu’s dire revenge following in the Winter War Arc.

    ^The Massacre Dinner - with Habaki and Giichi killing 9 of the Itto-ryu dojo masters.

    After the Massacre Dinner, Habaki held Manji hostage and tried to research the secret to Manji’s immortality during the Prison Arc, unfortunately the plan was exposed and caused a great mess at the Edo Castle due to Rin and Doua’s rescue of Manji. Habaki was subsequently sentenced with seppuku with a 30 day grace period. Habaki then vowed to destroy Itto-ryu within the time frame, he employed the Six Demons to hunt down remaining members of Itto-ryu, and purposely released the psychopath swordman Shira to kill Manji and Magatsu for his personal agenda with the two.

    However, the new Bangashira Hanabusa held opposing opinion against Habaki, Hanabusa ordered on behalf of the Bakufu to force Itto-ryu to leave Edo (Toyko) within 7 days, which Anotsu initially agreed with, therefore leaving Habaki with only 7 days to hunt down Itto-ryu, before Itto-ryu leaves Edo to Satsuma (southern state of Japan).

    Habaki demonstrated powerful and lightening speed Kenjitsu throughout the series, although we have not yet witnessed a real duel between him and other fighters, he was shown to pierce through Manji’s heart with a striking-speed Battojutsu. From my personal judgement he is very much capable of a match to Anotsu Kagehisa.

    ^Habaki strikes Manji with his battojutsu.

    HABAKI'S WEAPON



    Ryo Soma 杣燎


    Ryo is Habaki’s illegitimate child, she is 17 of age and works as a lumber jack. She has utmost respect for her father Habaki, upon learning her father’s seppuku news, she devoted herself as a member of the Six Demons to aid her father in any way possible.

    As a female warrior, Ryo is considered as slightly above-average skilled fighter, though definitely stronger than Rin, who is the same age as her. During a one-on-one match versus Magatsu, although defeated, Magatsu commented that Ryo is a lot faster than most of the new Itto-ryu members.


    Banshin Roku 伴殷六


    Member of the Six Demons. Banshin uses guns with amazing accuracy. During the pursuit of Itto-ryu, Banshin was assigned to team up with Ryo  to go after Kashin Koji, who appeared to separate from Itto-ryu to head into the snowy mountains.


    Arashino Shishiya 荒篠獅子也


    Member of the Six Demons. A giant, muscular man who wields two sword-like axes. He appears to be the most loyal member of the Six Demon along with Ryo. He is a foreigner but speaks fluent Japanese.


    Doma Shinhei 弩馬心兵


    Member of the Six Demons. A Chinese-styled warrior who uses nunchucks. In one occasion he mistook Manji as Baro and pursuit battle, later realizing the mistake and retreated. Manji stated that with just one arm he would most likely lose to Doma and Hasho.


    Hasho Tarieshin 八宗足江進

     

    Member of the Six Demons. An one-eyed foreign warrior who is incapable of speaking Japanese. He wields a modified long spear and dresses quite funky.


    Murasaki Shouzou 叢咲正造

    Member of the Six Demons. A very short guy with severe buck-teeth, who specializes in torture. He interrogated Abayama’s son and Baro’s fiancée during the Six Demon’s pursuit of Itto-ryu.


    Hanabusa 英


    Initially Habaki’s lieutenant, after the blow up of Edo Castle caused by Rin and Doua, Habaki was removed from the title of Bangashira, Hanabusa took the title later and negotiated a deal with Itto-ryu to force Itto-ryu out of Edo within 7 days.

    Unlike Habaki, Hanabusa is unskilled in sword fighting and prefers to resolve conflicts in “peaceful” ways.


    Shira 尸良


    Probably the only “True Villain” of the series and what I call the Mini-Boss. Shira was a former member of Mugai-ryu, a skilled and sadistic fighter. He often tortures his opponents by hacking their limbs off slowly to maximize their pain before they die. He is especially sadistic towards women, with whom he often dismembers the limbs and pierce their breasts and palms while raping them, he explained that the pain would cause women’s muscle to tense up, which included the muscle tissues of you-know-where, to increase the maximum pleasure of love-making. One of his victim was Magatsu Taito’s friend, she refused to reveal Magatsu’s whereabouts, causing her to die horribly under Shira’s torture, this act also causes Magatsu to hunt down Shira.

    ^Shira doing his torture business 

    Earlier in the series during Mugai-ryu’s hunt of Anotsu Kagehisa, Shira was infuriated by mistakenly following a body-double of Anotsu, to which he released his angers by torturing the opponents, while Rin tried to stop him, Shira stroke back but was stopped by Manji. Manji’s attack cut off Shira’s right arm, Shira fled afterwards and tried to avenge Manji.

    Upon finally reaching Manji during his trip to Kaga, it was revealed that Shira actually sawed off the remaining flesh of his right arm and shaved the bones into a bone spear, this act caused excruciating pain and therefore turning his hair pale white. Upon the confrontation with Manji, the join party Magatsu faced off Shira instead in order to avenge his friend. Shira eventually lost his left arm to Magatsu and fell off a cliff into the bottom of a waterfall as the fight concluded. Yet, HE STILL didn’t die. Maybe he is the true Blade of the Immortal. He lost his left eye sight as a result of the fall from the cliff and claimed that though he’s lost both of his arms and his left eye, he’s gained “a new weapon”.

    ^ Shira revealing his bone-spear

    SHIRA'S WEAPON



    Renzo 川上練造


    Renzo was the son of a former Itto-ryu member Shinya, who was a very skilled fighter but died under Manji’s blades. Renzo was missing throughout the series but was later shown as Shira’s replacement as his arms. Renzo returned during the end of Prison Arc and expressed his hate towards Manji, therefore joining Shira in taking down Manji.


    Hyakurin 百琳


    Former member of Mugai-ryu. Hyakurin is a charming lady who specializes in poisons and archery. She has a “convertible” crossbow which she wears on her left arm, all of the arrows are poisoned by the way.

    Hyakurin has a sad past (as many of the characters in this manga) which I won’t go in details, her Mugai-ryu partner/sidekick Shinriji was killed by Itto-ryu members and she underwent cruel torture and rape but kept the information of Mugai-ryu secret from Itto-ryu, it was later revealed that she is now pregnant with one of the rapists from Itto-ryu.

    In later chapters, Hyakurin confronted Giichi her admiration of him as Giichi proposed to raise the unwanted baby of Hyakurin.

    Though pregnant, she joined Giichi to pursuit the remaining members of Itto-ryu.

    HYAKURIN'S WEAPON



    Giichi 偽一


    Former member of Mugai-ryu. An extremely skilled sword fighter. Giichi is a bold, quiet, sun-glasses-wearing man, little is known about him during the early part of the series. It was later revealed that he was formerly a labor who worked as a ship-builder, due to his son’s illness and low income from the pay, he committed crime and was sentenced to death, until Habaki picked him as an early member of Mugai-ryu. However, later his son died of illness and he briefly wandered into the ghetto and became a drunk with no purpose in life, only to be found later by Hyakurin, and after a brief quarrel, he found new purpose in life by pre-adopting Hyakurin’s unborn child.

    Giichi wields a large sickle with chains, with the sickle structured as a large handcuff made for the neck. Giichi often locks the large sickle onto the necks of his opponents to interrogate information, asking them to choose death or betraying their friends. When retrieving the information he wanted, he often cold-hearted apologize before he beheads his opponents. Sometimes though, he lets them go. By far Giichi is one of the strongest sword fighter in the series, killing a whopping 69 counts of Itto-ryu members, a feat that is unseen with other characters in the story.

    Currently he’s already earned enough gold to be free from Mugai-ryu, but learned that his ex-boss Habaki was in trouble, therefore he decided to return his former boss a favor and started his pursuit of Itto-ryu members once again.

    GIICHI'S WEAPON



    Mitake 御岳

    Mitake is Habaki’s loyal lieutenant. He appeared very late in the series as a messenger and second hand of Habaki. He was the one who tracked down Shira and passed on the secrets to Manji’s immortality to Shira to help Shira acquiring his revenge against Manji; also under Habaki’s command, Mitake rushed to kill all the horses Abayama prepared for Anotsu & company, what a bastard.

    Besides using traditional katana, Mitake also uses a shurikken-like spinning knife.


    Meguro 目黒

    Meguor is a female shinobi hired by Habaki for her extraordinary running speed. She normally disguises as an art student accompanying Tanbobo and studies under Master Sori (which was of course, identified by Master Sori, who himself was indeed a Master Shinobi). She is crazy in love with Master Sori, who is unaware of her affection nevertheless.


    Tanbobo たんぽぽ


    Tanbobo is a female shinobi hired by Habaki for her excellent eyesight and accuracy in drawing portraits. Like Meguro she disguises as an art student under Master Sori. She is gifted with a great set of twins which Meguro is jealous of, the two makes a great comedic pair during the Winter War Arc.


    New Bloods 新血


    The group of 9 whom I’ll refer as the New Bloods. These guys are the remaining students of former dojos whom were ruled by those Itto-ryu masters whom are poisoned and murdered by Giichi and Habkaki at the Massacre Dinner.

    Though most of the students immediately parted with Itto-ryu once they learned that the masters were killed, these 9 held the same belief as the goal of Itto-ryu and admired the strength of Itto-ryu, therefore stayed and vowed to follow Itto-ryu.


    To be continued with Part B...

  • Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis Part II (B)

    Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis Part II (B)

    Warning, the following contents contain extreme spoilers that covers storylines from Blade of the Immortal book 21 to book 27.

    If you are having a hard time understanding the terms such as Six Demons, Itto-ryu, Hana-group, please kindly read Part A of this post first.

    The following fights and scenes are cut from storylines spanning from Blade of the Immortal Book 21 to Book 27. This Arc is nicknamed “The Winter War Arc”, it will be the last arc to conclude the long-going Blade of the Immortal series, which has been going for for more than 17 years.

    RECAP:

    Following the rescue of Manji, Habaki was inevitably discharged as the chief leader and given the order to commit Seppuku within 30 days in order to exchange for his honour.

    Habaki, with little time left, is forced on the final mission of his life: to destroy Itto-ryu. He employed his secret criminal-group dubbed the Six Demon, whose members are all death sentenced criminals, to hunt down all the remaining members of Itto-ryu.

    Doua and Isaku, former Itto-ryu member, decided to give up their sword and travel down South away from Japan to seek new home, so they out the game. (Or ARE THEY??? HMMMmmmmmMMMMM…., they going South right?)

    Itto-ryu leader, Anotsu Kagehisa, made a pact with the new Bakufu (Government) Chief to evacuate from Edo area and travel down South to never appear again. Little did we know, Anotsu went loco with his amigos, teamed with his homies and pretty much went straight raiding the Edo Castle.

    Itto-ryu underboss Abayama on the other hand, led new members down South and planned to meet up with Anotsu at the harbour after he’s done with his party up in Edo.

    Shira and Renzo on the other hand are hunting down Mnaji.

    Meguro and Tanbobo works for Habaki and discovered that Anotsu is actually not with the Abayama group, so they hurried up North to inform the terrible news to Habaki.

    And above summarized what’s been going on… who will live? Who will die?

    Fight One:

    Six Demons: Hana Group x 1, Hebi Group x 4
    vs.
    Itto-ryu: Baro


    In the opening chapter of the final Winter War Arc, Itto-ryu member Baro was ambushed by one Six Demon hana-group member and 4 other sidekick hebi-group members. This fight introduced the Six Demons. They are a bunch of criminals who work for Habaki in exchange to spare their death penalty, very similar to the concept of Mugai-ryu, with the exceptions that they had significantly more masked-sidekicks (dubbed Hebi Group) who are money hired to help the main Six Demon members (Hana Group).

    Result:

    Six Demons Hana group and hebi group died, Baro wins.

    The ambush drew attention to Itto-ryu that Habaki is indeed still planning to hunt down the remainders of Itto-ryu; Anotsu is rather intrigued by it and disgusted with Bakufu’s order to punish Habaki with seppuku.

    Meanwhile, the 9 New Bloods secretly met up with Anotsu and decided to join Itto-ryu in hope for the resurrection of Itto-ryu.



    Fight Two:

    Six Demons: Doma and Hasho, with Hebi Group x ~6
    vs.
    Manji


    The previous fight of Baro vs. Six Demons was observed by Tanbobo, who then drew down the portrait of Baro. Since Baro is featured with a scar across his nose, he resembled Manji quite much, and therefore Hebi-group burnt down the hut Manji was staying in and ambushed the one-armed Manji, which pissed him off greatly.

    However, before Manji went full throttle with Doma and Hasho of the Hana-group, the Six Demons soon realized Manji wasn’t Baro after all, therefore they promptly retrieved.

    Result:

    Six Demons lost 2 Hebi-group to Manji

    Tie.

    Six Demons are now actively seeking out all information regarding Itto-ryu, it was difficult to them because Itto-ryu members have already agreed to hide until late winter to act, and therefore the Six Demons went for their family, this included Abayama’s son & grand children as well as Baro’s ex-fiancée.


    Fight Three:Photo Options

    Six Demons: Soma Ryo

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: Magatsu Taito


    Itto-ryu lured the Six Demons into Itto-ryu’s former underground dojo, setting up a trap in its underground confined space in attempt to rid more of the Hebi-groups. Habaki, Shishiya and others were trapped within the dojo, while Ryo was the only one catching up to Itto-ryu, and challenged Magatsu in a swordfight, silly girl didn’t know better.

    Result:

    Ryo got her ass schooled by Magatsu.

    The ambush set up by Magatsu was meant to delay Habaki & Six Demons’s time even more, given that Habaki was given only 7 days to kill all of Itto-ryu. After this, Itto-ryu members are separated into two groups:

    Abayama & Kashin Koji leads the 9 New Bloods down south to their proposed meeting point at the harbour.

    Anotsu on the other hand, gathers the most elite fighters left in Itto-ryu: Magatsu, Baro, and Ozuhan and planned on doing something pretty hardcore.


    Fight Four:

    Itto-ryu: Anotsu Kagehisa, Magatsu Taito, Baro, and Ozuhan

    Vs.

    Bakufu: 200+ guards

    Yep.  This fight pretty much took up the entire Book 23. Basically Anotsu along with Magatus, Baro and Ozuhan pretty much went straight into the Edo Castle, facing more than 200 guards.

    Result:

    Hundreds of Edo Castle guards killed, Baro wounded, Ozuhan fled but parted ways with Anotsu and Magatsu, while the latter two successfully fled.

    So what was the purpose of Anotsu leading 3 badass Itto-ryu fighters raiding the entire Edo Castle? Well, as much as I’ve spoilt enough stories here, I think it’s still best for you to find out yourself.


    Fight Five:

    Bakufu: About 10 guards

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: Baro

    As invincible as Anotsu & Co. is, it’s still difficult facing an army full of guards at the Edo Castle, let along traps, arrows, and firearms. Baro was unfortunately shot at the shoulder and surrounded by a bunch of very angry guards; alas, he embraced the last breath and took up a final fight.

    The visual illustration is simply too sick to not to share, so here it is.

    Result:

    All surrounding guards dead, Baro dead. Tie.

    Sad to see Baro go but the guy went with style; he also bought enough time for Anotsu and Magatsu to get away from the castle; the two were then immediately on their way down South in order to meet up with Abayama & Co. at the harbour.

    Ozuhan on the other hand was trapped for a moment but given his amazing reflexes he seemed to have gotten away, but separated from Anotsu and Magatsu.


    Fight Six:

    Bakufu: Several officers, one female Captain.

    Vs.

    Shira


    Noticed I mentioned a “FEMALE” Captain? You know it ain’t good news when you’re female and facing Shira. So basically Shira was freed by Habaki with the intent that Habaki knows Shira the mad dog will do some damages to Itto-ryu and Manji, however, Hanafusa took over the new Bangashira position and ordered a Kill-On-Sight order for Shira. So there we go, what’s going to happen to this group of Bakufu officers facing an armless (…psyche!) Shira???

    Result:

    Today was a good day.


    Fight Seven:

    Shira

    Vs.

    Manji


    This has got to be among all one of the most anticipated fights. It would appear that Shira randomly attacked transporting sedan chairs on the road and it just so happened that Rin was in it, so here we have Manji going after Shira in attempt to save Rin. (And how many times have we seen that already huh?)

    Of course, being the jerk that he usually is, Shira simply refused to reveal Rin’s locations and wanted to fight Manji one-on-one. It would seem tough to reason how an armless Shira stand any chance in winning against the one-armed but immortal Manji?

    Well, just when you and Manji both thought that the fight was going to be so easy because this manga ain’t Naruto garbage, then BAM! Mother Fucker’s got Manji’s left arm, a weapon, and worst yet, IMMORTALITY.

    Result: Tie.

    Manji does not have any interest in fighting, as soon as he found out Rin’s whereabouts, he rushed towards to Rin, it turned out Rin is being tied up with half of her body soaked into the icy lake waiting to die slowly.


    Fight Eight:

    Shira

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: Magatsu Taito

     

    During his chase towards Manji, Shira was unfortunately involved in a traffic accident, it turned out Magatsu and Anotsu were riding horses, also on their way South. Magatsu accidentally hit Shira with his horse, knocking him several feet away, without realizing who he hit, Magatsu got down from the horse and asked Anotsu to head South first and he’d catch up later. As soon as he got near Shira he realized the world was indeed very small.

    Result:

    Magatsu loss, pinned down at the ground by Shira

    Upon realizing it was Shira whom he hit, Magatsu quickly pierced through Shira’s body, but little did he know that Shira was now immortal, therefore he was countered and pinned down at the ground, things aren’t going too well now.


    Fight Nine:

    Shira

    Vs.

    Meguro


    Meguro and Tanbobo felt guilty revealing Manji’s travelling direction to Shira, therefore they hurried back and tried stopping Shira. While Meguro faces Shira, Tanbobo tried saving Rin and Manji, who was exhausted from getting Rin out of the icy lake.

    Result:

    Meguro loss

    Meguro is extremely agile but lacked the physical strength to really inflict serious damages to Shira. Just when we thought Meguro will fall yet another victim under Shira’s sadistic tortures, a very, very, VERY angry Manji showed up…


    Fight Ten:

    Shira

    Vs.

    Manji, Magatsu + Horse


    Manji is soaked with all the icy water and his wrists were frozen so he had to tie his weapon onto his palms to hold on to it. A few moments into fighting, Manji soon realized that not only Shira is immortal, he has lost his sense of pain as well, which made Shira more monstrous than ever, as he is now immortal AND not able to feel pain at all.


    Manji was eventually subdued by Shira, and before Shira finished Manji off, Manji went Kill Bill Vol. 2 on Shira, plucking the only eye left from the one-eyed Shira; and the table is now turned, then subsequently Manji received help from Magatsu who despite not being able to walk, is now riding his horse, the epic battle then came to an end…

    Result:

    Manji/Magatsu win. Shira loss.

    Truthfully, I love all the characters in Blade of the Immortal, and this includes Shira, I won’t go into details of the aftermath but I’ve got to say that the ending to Shira was very well set up, it’s probably the more hardcore way to go of all other deaths of the Blade of the Immortal, and Shira is almost too well-suited for the way he died because it echoed a central theme across Shira’s philosophy towards life and eath.


    Fight Eleven:

    Six Demons: Ryo & Banshin

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: Kashin Koji and his village friends

      

    During their march down south, Kashin Koji decided to lure some of the Six Demons into the wild woods in attempt to weaken the total numbers of the Six Demons. Knowing that there may be traps, Habaki still ordered Ryo and Banshin to follow the separated Kashin Koji into the woods, this is to show Itto-ryu that no matter what Habaki is very determined to kill every last one of Itto-ryu.

    Result:

    Kashin Koji dead, Banshin dead, all Hebi-gumi dead, Ryo survived but cannot fight anymore. Tie.

    The fights weren’t much of any fights as Kashin Koji relies on using special traps he and his village friends previously set up. Ryo was fortunate enough to know about the mechanics of the trap when Kashin Koji finished off Banshin, therefore set up a mini trap of her own and killed Kashin Koji.

    Overall, Itto-ryu lost one more man and the Six Demons lost two and several hebi-groups, a fair trade for the Itto-ryu I guess.


    Fight Twelve:

    Six Demons: Shishiya, Hassho, Murasaki

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: 6 New Bloods

       


    To further weaken Itto-ryu, Habaki sent Shishiya, Hassho, and Murasaki with horses to directly confront Itto-ryu. The objective was to kill Abayama as soon as the fight begins. With Kashin Koji dead, Abayama is the only veteran Itto-ryu left, having him killed will shatter hopes for the remaining New Bloods.

    The New Bloods had already thought of situations like this and made a secret pact to leave 6 fighting the 3 Six Demons members, while the remaining 3 were to accompany Abayama to the port, because they all know without Abayama or Anotsu, Itto-ryu is practically finished, therefore 3 New Bloods took Abayama away while the remaining 6 were to face 3 Six Demon hana-gumi members.

    Result:

    All 6 New Bloods dead, Six Demon’s Murasaki dead, Six Demon Wins.

    Sadly but as expected, the New Bloods were simply not up to par with the Six Demons, although outnumbered, the Six Demons displayed overwhelming superiority in combat powers, slaying all 6 of the New Bloods. Murasaki was taken to die together by one of the New Bloods.


    Fight Thirteen:

    Mugai-ryu: Giichi

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: Abayama Sousuke


    Just when you think things couldn’t have gone worse with Itto-ryu losing 6 New Bloods, Giichi and Hyakurin, riding horses, had caught up with Abayama and the remaining 3 New bloods. Giichi, being one of the most feared fighter in this entire series, will go heads up with Abayama, and Hyakurin shall face the remaining 3 New Bloods. Things really ain’t looking good because as strong as Abayama may be, he’s facing Giichi, who’s killed over 50 Itto-ryu members easy, worse yet, Abayama is old AND one-armed, really wonder how this will turn out…

    Needless to say, this is a very much anticipated fight we’ve all been waiting for. Recall Book 9, an Itto-ryu member once commented that Abayama was the only Itto-ryu member at that time who could handle Giichi, just how strong is Abayama? We’ve never seen him fight before, this ought to showcase exactly why Abayama is the underboss.

    Result:

    Abayama dead, Giichi severely injured, Mugai-ryu Wins.

    I can’t believe I just typed out the above statement. Well, to do this awesome fight some justice, Abayama was actually winning at the beginning, as it turned out, Abayama had installed two chains with weighs on his severed right arm, the strike of two chains at the same time plus the strike with blade on his left hand rendered Giichi unable to make any counter attack, at one point, Giichi was going to be finished, but interrupted by the raging horse shot by Hyakurin.

    Well, at the end Giichi figured out a way to counter Abayama’s triple attack mode and eventually took the victory.

    With Abayama gone, Itto-ryu is now looking really, really, REALLY bad.


    Fight Fourteen:

    Mugai-ryu: Hyakurinj & Mitake

    Vs.

    Itto-ryu: 3 New Bloods


    While Giichi is facing off Abayama, Hyakurin tried to aid from the side, which pissed off the other 3 New Bloods. Fights pursued.

    Result:

    3 Itto-ryu New Bloods killed, Hyakurin/Mitake practically unharmed, Mugai-ryu Wins.

    Through Hyakurin’s poison arrows, she luckily killed off one; she then lost to the second guy – who turned out to be a kind of a freak, but Mitake came to help and finished the freaky boy, then lastly, Hyakurin finished the last New Bloods.

    That’s it, Itto-ryu Abayama Team is officially destroyed, fucking Giichi should’ve stayed at home minding his damned business, and what the fuck was Hyakurin doing walking around fighting dudes while she’s pregnant.

    So great, the remaining Itto-ryus are as follows: Anotsu Kagehisa (on his way South), Magatsu Taito (on his way South), Ozuhan (missing, presumably on his way South), Makie (sick, supposedly stayed somewhere near Edo as Anotsu advised her not to follow.)’

    If all these peeps stay together, it’s going to be very difficult for Habaki and Six Demons to do anything, unfortunately each one of the above mentioned are separated, let’s just hope that they can all meet up in one piece at the harbour.


    Fight Fifteen:

    Itto-ryu: Makie

    Vs.

    Six Demons: Doma Shinhei

    Well, if you want to place anyone on your DO-NOT-FUCK-WITH list, chances are Makie will make all top ten positions just so we get reminded not to fuck with her for ten consecutive times.

    Habaki and the remaining Six Demons – Shishiya, Doma, Hassho, and Mitake, arrived at the port after Abayama and Co.; crazy Habaki ordered a kill-on-sight for anyone who is involved with the boats, this is to prevent any Itto-ryu from ever getting on boat.

    While executing boat people, Doma came across a strange looking boat with some Chinese people on it, given the order to slaughter all personnel on boat, Doma pursued in a fight with these Chinese people and easily took all 3 down.

    However, it would seem that the boat in which Doma is on is also the boat someone stayed the previous day, someone not friendly, someone Doma shouldn’t have fucked with – OTONOTACHIBANA MAKIE…!!!

    As it turned out, Makie decided to head South way before Antosu and Abayama did, she arrived a day early and decided to wait for Anotsu and Co.

    Result:

    Makie wins, Doma flees, Hassho (who joined mid-fight) flees.


    OKAY!

    That about summed up Book 21 to Book 27; sorry if I spoiled so much things for you, but I've always wanted to read something like this myself, I think I'm a pretty hardcore fan.

    So, in summary, Itto-ryu is in some real deep shit now. Makie, even though given the untouchable Goddess she is, is facing Habaki + Shishiya + Doma + Hassho AND a bunch of enranged officers who arrived at the scene. In addition to being out numbered, Makie is actually fatally ill with tuberlosis, so things really aren't looking well for Itto-ryu.

    Anotsu Kagehisa is on his feet, unless he manages to acquire horses, it is very unlikely that he will arrive any time soon.

    Ozuhan can be the wild card, it is convinced that he escaped traps from the Edo Castle raid, he may show up in any chapters.

    Magatsu may be traveling with horse, therefore it's possible to see him any time soon.

    Manji and Rin are traveling possibly by horse or the sedan-cart, it is likely to also see them soon.

    Giichi is heavily injured from his fight with Abayama, so I don't think he'll be part of the final battles anymore, along with Hyakurin.

    I am not sure if Doua and Isaku will show up at the end, chances are slim, but if I recall correctly they should be also traveling down South because they want to go to Netherlands or something.

    Without Doua and Isaku, the runner up for Habaki group vs. Itto-ryu is looking good.

    Anotsu will of course eventually face Habaki.

    Magatsu, Manji and Ozuhan will possibly each fight: Shishiya or Doma or Hassho

    Makie will probably exit due to her illness, it'd be very, very sad to see her go, but she will remain the strongest fighter for this series.

    Ok, that's it I think I've written way too much, thanks for reading and if anything I wrote was incorrect please let me know. I'll find some time to polish it up.

    PLEASE BUY THE ORIGINAL BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL MANGA TO SHOW SUPPORT TO THE GREATEST MANGA EVER!!!

  • Warcraft Movie

    GG NO RE!

    Sam Raimi is confirmed to direct the upcoming Warcraft film!

    http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/090721.html

    Just finished watching Drag Me to Hell, didn't know it was directed by Sam Raimi, just wanted to watch a horror flick every once in a while, and every once in a while a fool runs into gold.

    I think out of all directors, who better suits the position of directing Warcraft than Sam Raimi? Blizzard has been one of the most promising companies, producing classics after classics, and I have been a loyal, die hard, crazy, obsessive Warcraft fan ever since you-know-when, having Sam Raimi directing Warcraft with Warner Bros. is like having Takeshi Kitano saying he'd do Mugen No Juunin (Blade of the Immortal) live action film.

    Oh, if you STILL have not seen Kitano's sword fighting film: ZATOICHI, DO THAT NOW! I'll tell you what, you should buy the DVD released by Rolling Thunder Pictures by Quentin Tarrantino, which is a buy one get one free deal, you buy Zatoichi, you get Sonatine, another equally great Kitano film.

    Anyway here's the Zatoichi trailer:

    By the way, speaking of Blade of the Immortal, honestly, I congratulate Samura-sama for his success, but the anime FUCKING SUCKS, I mean I watched a few episodes and couldn't stand it, I guess they had to make it appealing to the mainstream audiences, way I see it, the anime version butchered the Manga... it wasn't THAT bad, it's just the manga is TOO GOOD.

    The newest sub-story arc recently finished for Blade of the Immortal and all I've gotta say is that the longly dragged prison arc was well worth waiting for! The story is coming into conclusion soon though, probably end by late 2010.

    Oh well...

  • Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis

    UPDATE: As of 4/13/2011 I have done an update, please go to

    HERE for Part A

    HERE for Part B

    WARNING, MASSIVE SPOILERS!!!


    Blade of the Immortal

    FINAL BATTLE Analysis


    Those of you who know me know that I'm a hardcore Blade of the Immortal fan. Well, as I mentioned earlier, Blade of the Immortal is about to reach its prolonged, climatic end, which is kind of a bittersweet thing, given that the serie has been on-going for more than a decade. Unlike most other Mangas that stall the stories indefinitely to get more cash from the readers, Blade of the Immortal so far has pretty awesome plots, and I wouldn't wish it to drag on forever. Anyway, I just wanted to do a little tribute, so here are my summarized analysis of the main final battle contenders.

     

    **Spoiler alert for those who have not yet finished the Prison Arc or those who don’t even know what Prison Arc is. I will not reveal any spoiler in regards to FIGHT CONCLUSION **

    Recap:

     

    The Final Arc beings shortly after the Prison Arc. (which is from Chapter 135 and onwards.) Here goes:


    The Final Boss Habaki Kagimura (吐鉤群)  along with the “Six-Demons” (六鬼團)

    is determined to hunt down the rest of Itto-ryu (逸刀流).

     

    Itto-ryu remaining members had surprising plans and had split into two separate groups.

     

    Rin (凛) wanted to witness the conclusion of her sworn-enemy-turned-friend (?) Antotsu Kagehisa.(天津影久)

     

    Shira (尸良) and Renzo (練造) are on their quest in hunting down Manji (萬次) and Magatsu(兇)

     

    Giichi (偽一) learned his ex-master Habaki is on his final quest to hunt down Itto-ryu, therefore is determined to aid him in anyway possible, Hyakurin (百琳) comes along.

     

    Meguro (目黑) and Tanbobo (たんぽぽ), two comedic shinobi under order of Habaki were sent on a mission to track down Anotsu, they had a surprising discovery and are on their way to report to Habaki.

     

    Team Habaki
    Member: Habaki, Ryo, Six Demons
    Overall Combat Capability: A - A+

       

    Habaki Kagimura (吐 鉤群):

    As demonstrated earlier in the series, Habaki is definitely one of the strongest fighters in the series, primal evidence displaying his strength is the fact that Habaki and Giichi along wiped out 10 of the most elite fighters Itto-ryu had to offer earlier in the series (though the Itto-ryu members were heavily drugged).


    During the Prison Arc, Habaki also demonstrated his excellent Battojutsu skills by piercing through Manji's heart in a split second, as well as resolving a hostage situation in which Manji had set up.


    Thought he has lost an eye during the Prison Arc, his well and determination as well as limited time frame to hunt down Itto-ryu seemed to make him even a scarier fighter, we haven't seen him in action many times but it is well expected for an awesome showdown between him and Anotsu.

    Individual Combat Capability: S


    Soma Ryo (杣燎):

    Habaki's daughter. A cute and pretty girl who has upmost respect and honor to her father Habaki, she is determined to devote her life into hunting down the Itto-ryu along with her father. She claimed to have trained kenjitsu ever since a little kid and vowed to utilize all her skills to aid her father.

    We have seen her fighting shortly against newbie Itto-ryu members and she seemed to be above average civilian; but was eventually schooled by Magatsu however.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: C

     

    The Six Demons(六鬼團):

    The Six Demons are divided into two separate classes: Hanagumi (花組 lit. "Flower Group") - which is composed of the most elite fighters in the Six Demons, and Hebigumi (蛇組 lit. "Serpant Group") - which is composed of a bunch of average skilled sidekicks that follow the Hanagumi around.


    From what I saw earlier the Six Demons are above average skills, in one instance two members of the Hanagumi members confronted with an one-armed Manji, where Manji commented that with just one-arm he wouldn’t be able to take two of them at the same time.


    Invdividual Combat Capability: B

     

    While Habaki is considered S level, his fighters are around B, bringing the team average to A - A+.



    Remaining Itto-Ryu member (left to right):
    Isaku, Douwa, Magatsu, Abayama, Kashinkoji, Baro, Ozuhan)

    BTW, is it me or this is the most badass character spread/poster you've ever seen?



    Team Itto-Ryu Abayama
    Member: Abayama Sousuke + New Blood
    Overall Combat Capability: C+

     

    Abayama Sousuke (阿葉山 宗介):

     

    Abayama is one of the eldest member of Itto-ryu and is a good friend to Anotsu's grandfather. He is one-armed and wields a very strange looking weapon that seemed to be multi-purposed sword. We haven't seen him in action many times. During stages of the series an Itto-ryu member once commented that Abayama was the only available fighter that can match up to Giichi.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: B


    The New Bloods:

    The Itto-ryu split into two groups with the purpose of distracting Team Habaki from hunting them down, Abayama the awesome old dude leads one of the group, along with some new bloods that wished to revive Itto-ryu. These new bloods seemed to be a bunch of good-willed youngsters with the dreams and goals similar to those of Itto-ryu, however, their sword-fighting skills aren't really on par with any of the former Itto-ryu members.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: C-


    The only good fighter here is veteran Itto-ryu member Abayama, who is old and one armed, his skill level is probably somewhere between B to B+, however, all the new members are utterly unfamiliar with sword fighting.


    Team Itto-Ryu Anotsu
    Member: Anotsu Kagehisa, Magatsu Taito, Baro Sukezane, Ozuhan)
    Overall Combat Capability: S

    Left: BARO

    Top: Anotsu

    Right: Magatsu 

    Bottom: Ozuhan


    Left to right: Ozuhan, Anotsu, Magatsu, Baro.


    It’s ironic that this team is being “hunted” as opposed to owning everyone in their sight. (see above pic) This team of four is composed of the most elite fighters Itto-ryu has remained: Anotsu, Magatsu, Baro, and Ozuhan. The team was assembled by Anotsu with a very interesting objective; instead of running away from Habaki, they decided to go the complete opposite…

    Anotsu Kagehisa (天津 影久):

    The leader of Itto-ryu and the second strongest fighter we've seen in the series. Considered the "villain" earlier in the series but as the story progressed Anotsu slowly and surely was revealed to be actually the protagonist and is now considered by many fans one of the favorite characters in Blade of the Immortal. A 22 year-old prodigy who wields exotic sword and hammer/axe. Anotsu is extremely calm, tactical, and emotionless when engaged in battles, as demonstrated earlier in the series, no one had survived under his axe with the exceptions he decided to spare.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: S


    Magatsu Taito (凶 戴斗):


    Yest another one of the favorite characters loved by all Blade of the Immortal fans. This spike-haired super cool dude is also one of the veteran Itto-ryu member who joined since he was much younger, and a great, loyal friend to Anotsu Kagehisa.

    He wields an exotic (which Itto-ryu member doesn't?) Tripple-sword (3 swords hidden inside one) and favors to fight with his so-called geographical advantages. In my opinion he is roughly about as good as Manji if not slightly better, given that he did defeat Manji the first time they've encoutnered by luring Manji into the muddy area.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: B+ - A


    Baro Sukezane (馬絽 祐実):

    Baro appeared during book 8 but haven't been really introduced until after the Prison Arc. He resembles Manji's appearance with the facial scar. His personality is of the loyal and honored samurai type, he weilds and is very proficient with a very long Nodachi.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: B+ - A


    Ozuhan (怖畔):


    Ozuhan is considered an exotic fighter even by the Itto-ryu standard. He wields a serpant-like dagger that resembles a Kris or a Kalis. He also uses a strange whistle which produces unbearable noises to enemies and attacks with extremely sharp and rapid strikes; he has shown to be very agile and flexible. He is always seen with a mask and doesn't seem to speak Japanese though he understands when people talk to him, and communicates with sign language.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: B+ - A



    Team Manji + Rin
    Member: Manji and Rin
    Overall Combat Capability: B-

    Our favorite couple.

    Manji (卍):

    Our favorite aniki (big brother) Manji-san. The immortal swords man who's sworn to slain 1,000 evil dudes in exchange to rid the curse of immortality. Well, things didn't go as easily as he expected since we haven't seen too many true "Evil People" in this series (which is one of the reasons why we love Blade of the Immortal).

    Anyway, through out the series we have seen Manji in many fights. One of the greatest gift and curse for Manji is the fact that he is nearly immortal, in the way that his limbs can be reattaached and healed within minutes if they were severed, which himself claimed that has dulled his fighting skills because he wouldn't mind being cut anymore; the only sure way to kill Manji was revealed later in the series but I don't want to go too much into detail. 

    Manji fights in very practical and adaptative ways, he wields a number of exotic weapons that ranges from ordinary katanas to giant forks (?) to sickles to tool like knives and daggers. 

    His overall combat capability is supposed to match up to those of elite Ittoryu members such as Magatsu, however, during the Prison Arc he's lost his left arm to Renzo, with just one arm Manji is handicapped and therefore I rankn him down to:

    Invdividual Combat Capability: B- to B


    Asano Rin (淺野 凜):

    Rin isn't much of a fighter, but through out the series she has grown from a little cry baby to a courageous and tough little girl who isn't afraid to risk her life to save her big brother/love Manji. Her one and only trick is the Golden Wasps, in which she throws a bunch of daggers at the target, quite a good distraction to enemies, Anotsu commented.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: C-


    One of the reason I love this manga is the fact that the main character isn’t the strongest, in fact here we have an one armed-Manji and Rin always kind of dragging Manji down. Still much love for my favorite pair though.


    Team Comedy Dual: Meguro + Tanbobo

    Member: Meguro and Tanbobo

    Overall Combat Capability: C-


    Meguro (目黑)

      

    Tanbobo (たんぽぽ)

    These two female shinobis make a great comedic pair that bring lights and laughters to the series during all these blood and tension. They aren't really much of fighters, instead they are proficient in tracking, observing, and collecting information. They work for Habaki and are on their way to track down Anotsu Kagehisa.


    Team Shira

    Member: Shira and Renzo

    Overall Combat Capability: B+


    Shira (尸良):


    ^Shira the Ultimate Psychopathic Mass Murderer/Molester.  "I WILL RAPE YOU." is what he said.

    If there is any true villain to be found in this series, Shira is the man. He is a very radical, violent,  psychotic, sadistic, mass murdering bastard yet there is just something so true and real about him that you just...kinda like his style.


    Obviously the fans of this series don't take women rights or world peace too seriously, because the guy over here basically cuts up women's breasts, dismembers people by slowly sawing the limbs off while they're alive. He shaves and carves his own severed right arm (cut off by Manji) into a bone-spear, passes out during the process because of the pain, and returns to finish it off.

    Shira should be considered immortal since he just doesn’t seem to die. He’s back with a more meaningful purpose in his life, to hunt down Manji and Magatsu, who each severed his arm. He has a sidekick who he molests occasionally, the kid Renzo from VERY earlier in the series; he isn’t much of a fighter instead he tends to just watches when Shira fights, makes tea, cooks food for Shira, etc.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: B+ 

    Renzo (練造):


    Mugai Ryu(無骸流)

    Mugai Ryu (left to right) during their heyday:
    Giichi, Hyakurin, Shira



    Team Ex-Mugai Ryu
    Member: Giichi and Hyakurin
    Overall Combat Capability: A


    Hyakurin (百琳):

      

    Hyakurin is a sexy and bossy big sister who specializes in poisons and crossbows. During the disbanding process of Mugai Ryu, she was sold out by Shira and captured by Itto-ryu and underwent cruel and intense torture, resulting with severely injured right arm and is now pregnant from one of the tortuing Itto-ryu dudes.

    Supposedly she shouuld not be fighting anymore since she is hadicapped and also pregnant with a baby, however, her bossy nature brings her to tag along with Giichi.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: C+ to B-

    Giichi (偽一):

    Giichi was once the strongest fighter in Mugai ryu before it disbanded. Throught out the series Giichi has demonstrated dominating fighting skills against all kinds of fighters from Itto-Ryu; he is also the man responsible along with Habaki for the Itto-ryu massacre, in which the two of them single handedly killed all 10 of the most elite fighters from Itto-ryu (with the exception of Abayama, whom they have spared)


    two badasses who owned itto-ryu: Habaki & Giichi

    Giichi is extremely calm and emotionless in battle, he used to wield a sickle-like blade that works like a giant handcuff that can be thrown and locks onto his opponent's neck, and often times he threatens to behead his opponent by inquring critical information, before he promptly break his promises.

    Invdividual Combat Capability: A - A+

    Well glad to have Giichi back in action. Having learned the news of Habaki, Giichi decided to jump into this mess and help out, Hyakurin joined for the same cause. With the help of Giichi, Itto-ryu seems to be in some deep shit, even if they have Anotsu, Magatsu and others. We’ll see!


    SECRET FINAL BOSS: Makie
    Member: Makie
    Overall Combat Capability: SS


    Otonotachibana Makie (乙橘 槇絵):

     

    OOooohhhhhHHH!!! The super sexy Makie aka. the GODESS aka. The Glitch is definitely an unknown factor, but one thing we’re sure is that she is most likely going to destroy any team she deems hostile. It’s unlikely we’ll see her though…we’ll just have to wait and see…


    UPDATE: As of 4/13/2011 I have done an update, please go to

    HERE for Part A

    HERE for Part B

    WARNING, MASSIVE SPOILERS!!!




    GO READ BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, NOW!!!


    Pictures courtesy of:

    http://madame-manga.livejournal.com/
    http://www.z-builder.com/manga/mugen/

    Google Image

  • Fan Art - Makie

    Fan Art strikes again!

    Makie Otonotachibana from Blade of the Immortal (Mugen no Juunin)

    Rough Sketch, I was quite troubled with what she should wear, as you can see her body is quite messy with all them lines that I drew/erased. I mean it's Makie, with her God-like status in the series it's quite hard to figure out what Goddesses wear. Come to think of it, Goddesses, particularly those from Greek mythology, don't really wear anything. Oh well, Goddesses should look awesome whether they're naked or not, they should still look sexy even if they're in banana suits.

     
    After hours of struggles, I decided to keep shit simple... that did not end up so simple.

    Put her on some dress and high heels, couldn't think of any other types of clothings on her; but then it looked so boring so decided to throw her on some towel thing, which can be seen a lot in the manga series, makes her look a lot more elegant, but that piece of cloth also took me a long time to draw... 

    I like drawing hands, but this time the hands took me twice the time my Manji + Rin hands took.

    5 little fingers, took the whole afternoon to get right, women's hands and fingers are much more delicate and elegant, which takes a great amount of patience to get the feel right.

    This hand is a lot simpler; what bothers me more is the guitar, is it me or the guitar's got a big-ass head? Or maybe it's just a big-ass guitar? I don't know.

     

    And here we go!

    Made some small changes to her eyes so it matches the manga a little more; and decided afterall the guitar was too damn big so I made it smaller.

    In the end I'm very happy with the result. No photoshop this time because too many lines and details, the guitar itself is already too much work on my wrist, not to mention my wrist on my lousy, semi-functional mouse.

    Close up.  

    Next up: The fearless, ruthless, not-giving-a-fuck heavy metal/punk rock/hip hop band: The Itto-ryu Band...maybe.

    By the way, much thanks to John Mayer, Linkin Park, Eminem, Maroon 5, and Jason Mraz for the BGM and some beers while drawing, makes drawing endlessly enjoyable!

  • Fan Art: Manji + Rin (100%)

    Fan Art: Manji + Rin (100%)

    Since I wanted to practice Photoshop for coloring and I have no water color equipment here, I've decided to give it a try. OH WHAT NAIVE IGNORANT FOOL I WAS!!!

    I guess I am too inexperienced to start with, the following sequence along too me 1 hour.

    The first step to coloring is to transfer my drawing (with digital camera) into pure black/white lines for easier colorings. I had no idea it was going to be such a pain in the ass. So for future references here is how we do it:

    1. On Microsoft Picture editor - enhance the contrast so that the lines will be clearer
    2. Enhance Color to set the background as definitive white in the image.

    3. On Photoshop: Discard all colors (on ONE layer only) then delete background using Magic Wand
    4. On Enhance, use brightness/contrast and contrast all lines, the darker the better
    5. On Enhance = Replace Colors, Replace gray colors and pull lightness to full, and eventually you'll get...

    Yay~ NOW we start coloring...


    Skin is usually the most important part and easiest to mess up with.

    Choosing the right brush is important too; I think to each his own but since this is for base color I used pretty wide brush at around 80% Opacity.


    Then onto the easy-to-color parts.

    Had a hard time with the leather jacket and jeans though, can't really bring out the texture...so they look like some nylon jacket and pants.


    Using smaller brushes and lighter opacity (around 60-70%), I now slowly detail the skin tones and hair.

    Hair is another issue to work on because it's just hard to create the texture.

    So for another couple of hours I sit there and stare at the screen, fixing this and that, it is actually the most fun part for the coloring though; it is the time when I usually lose track of time.

    And here we go:


    Voila Part 2!!

    Yeah it still needs more work, but I'm gonna call it done... feels good though.

    And how dare I put up artworks from the master? But the cover page for the newest episode (#175) of Blade of the Immortal (or Mugen no Jyuunin) is just so freaking sweet, especially when you know what happened that episode...


    Samura Hiroaki San's Manji + Rin...

    OWNED!!!

    Alright I should work now, till later.
     

  • Fan Art: Manji + Rin (50%)

    Fan Art: Manji + Rin (50%)

    Well so as I expected the past weekend was just as uninspiring as any other weekend, why do I get so bored? I have similar conversation to many people, and it's been suggested by many that perhaps I should get back to drawing. I haven't drawn for more than 2 years, back in the day I used to look forward to free time so I can draw. But now it's just like ahh whatever laahhhh~!

    Though I do get inspirations and motivations to draw here and there, I just never really picked up the pen(cil) and draw it down, but whatever, I'm putting my "haitus" to an end and decided to tribute my returning debut to my beloved Mugen no Jyuunin - Blade of the Immortal. YES, because the series just freaking kicks ass and Manji/Rin are my favorite manga characters of all time, and Samura Hiroaki the author is hardcore and his art simply OWNS!!!

    By the way, according to how the story is going, I think the series is going to end in the next 2 volumes, although it has been going for 12 years (it's at Vol. 24 Japanese, Vol. 23 Chinese, and Vol. 21 English now).

    I always wondered how Mangakas do their drawings; I loved seeing unfinished artworks and the process in which the manga is created, but I haven't seen many, so here I recorded my own:


    Well I'm not a pro so I usually start out by drawing the eyes, then nose and all that, but experiences has shown that if you don't do a little planning ahead you usually will have unproportional results, like head too big or crooked limbs, uneven hands...etc.

    Manji's face. Decided to change his hair style although I loved the way it is in the manga, but then I wanted to put him on some modern clothes so there we go.

    Rin's face, I don't know why she's holding a candy, but I liked how it turned out. I had a hard time with that damn cowgirl hat, took me like 20 minutes to made it look like a hat.

    Then onto my favorite part, sketch out the body frame then add details.

    The smoking hand took me at least 30 minutes, and it STILL doesn't look right, douma.

    Decided to add a little Punk Rock on Manji, hopefully it turned out alright?

    And Voila! Manji + Rin in leather goods!

    I'm also tired, think it took me 4+ hours to get here. And they're only the lines! Since I got no watercolor equipment here I'll probably do it on Photoshop later, or just use pencils all the way for the details and shades.

    Till next time.

  • Say Hello to Samura Hiroaki's Hitodenasi no Koi


    Say hello to Samura Hiroaki's Hitodenasi no Koi (The Love of Brute)

    Samura Hiroaki (沙村廣明) is probably my all time favorite Manga artist, he is the author for the 12-year on going series: Blade of the Immortal (無限住人), a story that involves with an immortal samurai named Manji and a girl named Rin whom vowed to avenged the massacre of her family and hired Manji as her bodyguard.

    The first time I've ever seen the manga was back in high school, back in the day I was still obsessed with the likes of Slam Dunk, Yu-Yu-Hakusho, or Dragon Ball Z, I mean those were great comics with great stories and arts, but it was Blade of the Immortal that struck me hard with its outrageously stylish drawings and characters in its stories, and till this day I'm proud to say that the only 3 manga  that never failed me in terms of story and quality of arts were:

    1. Blade of the Immortal by Samura Hiroaki
    2. Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue
    3. SlamDunk by Takehiko Inoue

    Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi would've made my list for all time favorite IF the guy didn't go on a 2 year hiatus, came back for 15 episodes, and another 1 month that is going on right now... and perhaps I should add Uzumaki by Junji Ito too, but it's a short series. And Death Note would've been great too if it ended with L arc.

    Anyway, I immediately fell in love with Blade of the Immortal and the author; but unlike other authors, Samura is very low-keyed, he doesn't give out interviews, not even his photos, and it intrigued me more and more to find out how he's like.

    So at one point during my searching for the guy, I found that he has a side project going on, apparently, he is very into drawing women being tortured, for those who read Blade of the Immortal, you wouldn't be surprised at all. In a very interview he gave a long time ago, he was asked if he was ever going to come out with an illustration book.

    He replied jokingly by saying that he draws S&M pictures now and then, and he will one day consider publishing it once 100 torture pictures are completed, but then nobody would want to see it so he thought about putting up his own money for a one-of-one collection book.

    Well, it's 2008 and he finally published his highly anticipated "The Love of Brute" by some weird publisher.

    So I ordered this book from Amazon Japan and have them sent to me in Malaysia, as fucked up as it is, the Malaysian post office decided to open my package and examine the contents with the books. The cover of "The Love of Brute" is a very sweet image of a bunch of innocent girls giggling, dancing, and reading, why would anybody have second thought and open to see the ACTUAL content? I'm just mystified.

    Anyway, so the staff at the post office saw the contents and like every other person would, they freaked out.

    I admit the contents are extremely sexual, violent, and I'm sure most women will find the contents very degrading for females, but seriously, it's drawings, it's art, and as sick as I may sound, Samura is very, very creative with his methods of torturing.

    Anyway, so they called me and told me they will NEVER let these kind of pictures enter the soil of Malaysia. I explained to them it was just arts, I understand why they're freaked out, but I guess "ART" ain't good enough for them.

    It sucked for me that I've been waiting for Samura to come out with an illustration book, now I can't get it, and worst yet, it was unjustly opened by the officials.

    So I got pissed and order two more sets, one to sent to USA and the other sent to Malaysia again, thinking that they won't open it again. And THANK GOD they didn't touch my shit this time. I just got it 2 days ago, and it was worth every single penny I've spent, a solid collection of 100 pieces of pencil drawings, each page was fully detailed, not some shitty illustration books from other manga artist where all they do was putting up a bunch of already-seen sissy drawings from the cover of their comics, that's a rip-off!

    Anyway, I originally just wanted to share this without some of you thinking I'm a freak, and ended up writing so much. I would post more but really these pictures just aren't for everybody so I posted the "mildest" picture up for a feel.

    Anyone who enjoys good quality manga, give Blade of the Immortal a try, you won't be disappointed.

    Peace.