Manga Review: Claymore
So you most of you guys already know that I'm a huge manga freak. I read, breathe and live manga and my life is absolutely consumed by it now. I could go around wearing a huge sign that say "Otaku" in big bold japanese characters and roman letters and I wouldn't even be bothered by it if it means that I'm able to read more manga.
Due to this sad yet very factual situation i have going on, i decided to share my knowledge of manga to you guys and do a little bit of review on some of the published contents out there. In honor of my first manga review, I'm going to do one of my favorite mangas out there by one of my favorite mangaka, Yagi Norihiro.
Claymore
(Image courtesy of 10sigh)
Synopsis
In a medieval world, a race of demons called youma are attacking human villages and take the appearance of their victims to live amongst the humans until their next attack. An unknown secret organization has created super human warriors to battle these creatures and act as the only force to defeat these monsters. Known as Claymores for the massive swords they carry, they are both revered and feared by the village folks for they are half human and half youma. The story revolves around Claire, the weakest amongst the claymores, and her journey to fulfill a goal from her dark past.
Story and Characters
Claymore is a very serious and dark manga. There are a lot of macabre situations that are not lacking in blood and gore. It certainly isn't a manga catered for children and the weak of heart.
The manga delves in to the characters' background yet it doesn't stray away from the main storyline. The story flows naturally and the transition from each storyline doesn't seem awkward, like other mangas. Every scene and side story contributes to the overall narrative. Not like other mangas where the scenes seem disconnected from each other, the stories are very tightly knit and have some connection to other scenes.
Yagi Norihiro is very good in developing his main characters and Claymore is no exception. Claire is a very complex individual yet Norihiro-sama is able to make her relatable to the readers. She is very strong and cold yet there is a frailty underneath the character that makes the audience sympathize with her.
The supporting characters are also great in this manga. Although the story revolves around the main character, it doesn't alienate the readers from the supporting cast and Norihiro-sama develops the background stories of these characters quite well. Although they are shrouded in mystery, you get the feeling of familiarity right away when a character is introduced.
Art
Drawn by Yagi Norihiro, Claymore is one of the best looking mangas out there. The art style of Norihiro-sama is very distinct and it works quite well here in Claymore. The panels interpret the story quite well. There is a sense of darkness in the drawings that high complements the story of Claymore. The concepts for the characters are very original and the designs for the various monsters are also quite unique. The setting for each scene is highly detailed and helps in the development in the story. I highly respect Norihiro-sama in this work of his because it actually looks like there was a significant effort in doing the manga and not just some random and last minute effort.
Overall Verdict
This manga is one awesome piece. It's catered for adults and it will be enjoyed by adults. Everything about it is superb and it is one of the best mangas you'll ever read. If you've seen the anime and enjoyed it, you will love the manga even more. If you've watched the anime and was disappointed like I was, you will learn to love Claymore if you read manga. The director did not do justice to the storyline of Yagi Norihiro and it is so much better than the crappy story/ending that was in the anime. If you ever read one manga in your entire life, you wouldn't regret if the manga you read was Claymore. You will surely not regret spending 5 hours reading chapter after chapter and volume after volume of this manga. In other words, READ IT!!!!
Due to this sad yet very factual situation i have going on, i decided to share my knowledge of manga to you guys and do a little bit of review on some of the published contents out there. In honor of my first manga review, I'm going to do one of my favorite mangas out there by one of my favorite mangaka, Yagi Norihiro.
Claymore
(Image courtesy of 10sigh)
Synopsis
In a medieval world, a race of demons called youma are attacking human villages and take the appearance of their victims to live amongst the humans until their next attack. An unknown secret organization has created super human warriors to battle these creatures and act as the only force to defeat these monsters. Known as Claymores for the massive swords they carry, they are both revered and feared by the village folks for they are half human and half youma. The story revolves around Claire, the weakest amongst the claymores, and her journey to fulfill a goal from her dark past.
Story and Characters
Claymore is a very serious and dark manga. There are a lot of macabre situations that are not lacking in blood and gore. It certainly isn't a manga catered for children and the weak of heart.
The manga delves in to the characters' background yet it doesn't stray away from the main storyline. The story flows naturally and the transition from each storyline doesn't seem awkward, like other mangas. Every scene and side story contributes to the overall narrative. Not like other mangas where the scenes seem disconnected from each other, the stories are very tightly knit and have some connection to other scenes.
Yagi Norihiro is very good in developing his main characters and Claymore is no exception. Claire is a very complex individual yet Norihiro-sama is able to make her relatable to the readers. She is very strong and cold yet there is a frailty underneath the character that makes the audience sympathize with her.
The supporting characters are also great in this manga. Although the story revolves around the main character, it doesn't alienate the readers from the supporting cast and Norihiro-sama develops the background stories of these characters quite well. Although they are shrouded in mystery, you get the feeling of familiarity right away when a character is introduced.
Art
Drawn by Yagi Norihiro, Claymore is one of the best looking mangas out there. The art style of Norihiro-sama is very distinct and it works quite well here in Claymore. The panels interpret the story quite well. There is a sense of darkness in the drawings that high complements the story of Claymore. The concepts for the characters are very original and the designs for the various monsters are also quite unique. The setting for each scene is highly detailed and helps in the development in the story. I highly respect Norihiro-sama in this work of his because it actually looks like there was a significant effort in doing the manga and not just some random and last minute effort.
Overall Verdict
This manga is one awesome piece. It's catered for adults and it will be enjoyed by adults. Everything about it is superb and it is one of the best mangas you'll ever read. If you've seen the anime and enjoyed it, you will love the manga even more. If you've watched the anime and was disappointed like I was, you will learn to love Claymore if you read manga. The director did not do justice to the storyline of Yagi Norihiro and it is so much better than the crappy story/ending that was in the anime. If you ever read one manga in your entire life, you wouldn't regret if the manga you read was Claymore. You will surely not regret spending 5 hours reading chapter after chapter and volume after volume of this manga. In other words, READ IT!!!!
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