Vagabond is a historical action manga series illustrated and written by Takehiko Inoue. Currently on hiatus, the series began on September 17, 1998 an amassed 37 volumes. Vagabond is loosely based on Eiji Yoshikawa’s novel “Musashi”, which tells the story of Miyamoto Musashi’s life. Inoue fictionalized this account, exploring his life from the his beginning as a warrior to a more mature man. The first volume introduces us to the two main protagonists, Matahachi Honiden and Musashi Miyamoto. The childhood friends awaken on the bloody field after the end of the “Battle of Sekigahara” has ended.
Matahachi feels he has failed to “make a name for himself”, while Musashi (also called Shinmen Takezo) seems upbeat. Takezo carries Matahachi, as the later wines about his failures. Suddenly, the two are attacked by refugee hunters. Matahachi calls for Takezo, who overwhelms his opponent crushing his head into a tree. He then rescues Matahachi by crushing his assailant with a boulder and then cracking his skull with a big branch, before impaling him in the throat. Takezo tries to carry Matahachi to a village but the pass out before being recues by a young woman.
Oko and Akemi
Matahachi and Takezo are pleased to awaken in the home of mother and daughter thieves, Oko and Akemi. We learn that Akemi is 15 and Takezo is just 17. Her father was murdered by Tsujikaze Tenma. Later that night Takezo gets drunk and passes out. He has a dream where he asks his intimidating father “where his mother has gone”, his father beats him and tells him not to call her “mother” anymore. Takezo gives his father an angry look that his father calls the “eyes of a beast”. Oko is seductively sitting by his side when he awakens. She tries to kiss him but he tells her to “stop”.
Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door. The Tsujikaze Gang has arrived. The gang ran sakes the house, while Tenma tells his men to rape Akemi. Takezo and Matahachi hid behind the door before Oko’s room, waiting for Tenma to enter. He’s not fooled however, an attacks both of them before they can. Tenma assumes he’s overwhelmed Takezo causing him to let his guard down. Takezo chases the fleeing General, while Matahachi wildly attacks his men. They kill them with ease, leaving a bloody mess instead. Oko and Akemi plan to leave otherwise they’ll be killed by Tsujikaze Kohei, the younger brother of Tenma.
Matahachi becomes a man
After killing his first man, Matahachi decides he’s a man now. Inspired he gives into his desire for Oko and they have sex. However, he pretends to be Takezo, although Oko doesn’t buy it. The next day he’s ashamed of his lie and decides to return home to Miyamoto. Takezo doesn’t want to go home he’s decided to become a vagabond. Unfortunately, Tsujikaze men have arrived. They rush to find Oko whose back at the house, but all they find is the bandits. While Takezo fights them alone, Matahachi cowards and finds Oko. While he’s fighting Takezo is still searching for Oko and Matahachi. Meanwhile, Oko and Matahachi can only think of themselves, having sex outside in the forest.
We don’t see what happens when Takezo finds Matahachi but he returns to Miyamoto Village a year later without him. Matahachi’s grandmother hates Takezo for encouraging her grandson to join the army. She encounters samurai that are looking for Takezo, who’s alone. She assumes that means Matahachi is dead and makes a deal with men to get revenge. Meanwhile, we’re introduced to Matahachi’s fiancé, Otsu. She’s devastated to learn from a letter sent by Oko that Matahachi abandoned her. The men arrive to ambush a bathing Takezo. He bursts outside naked armed with his sword ready to kill.
Conclusion
Vagabond Volume 1 is an excellence introduction to an intriguing series. The two main characters are opposites. Takezo has been referred to numerous times as a “beast”, it’s not subtle but an accurate description of his character. He’s wild and brutal when it comes to fighting but seems calm and naive in other aspects of life. Specifically sex. Matahachi on the other hand is a coward. He abandons his grandmother, fiancé, home, and eventually Takezo. The later doesn’t seem to notice or care that his friend is willing to put himself first.
Considering they’re still teenagers they will both mature and I wonder if their friendship will suffer as a result. The one area that Matahachi is further ahead than Takezo is sexually, Takezo seems almost afraid of it when Oko through herself at him. I normally don’t read manga series that feature any sex (Shonen) but it was graphic and seem appropriate for a more mature series. The violence is also more mature as well. It feels more brutal and frantic. Characters don’t always strike where they want, cutting fingers, ears, hands, writs, and other parts. It’s more realistic. Which leads me to the art style.
Takehiko Inoue is one of the best mangaka, known for his detailed and expressive art. He can blend “realistic depictions of movement and combat with deeply emotional storytelling”. Vagabond’s art is considered to be among the best in manga. I highly recommend this series.
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