Kurogane

(Volume 5)
by

Kei Toume

Del Rey, June 2007, 218 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-345-49207-4

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Manga
Reviewed: 5/28/2008

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Manga Page

Synopsis

Jintetsu of Steel is not just a kid, but he is also a well-known samurai and assassin. With his formally human sword, Haganemaru, by his side and talking for him via mental telepathy, they wander the land working for different people who need help.

Jintetsu of Steel is hired by Niheii of Mochizuki to kill another toseinin named Cold Blade Renkaku. Cold Blade Renkaku killed Niheii's daughter, O-sen, and Neijeii wants wants to save face by having the killer killed. While searching for Cold Blade Renkaku, Jintetsu runs across a drifter named Sanji from Jyoshu Kizaki. Sanji is also hunting down Cold Blade Renkaku. They travel together until Jentetsu learns Sanji's secret.

Later, from the town of Jyoshu, if one were to travel over the Kasumi Pass towards Shinshu, they may run into a monster that wears a metal mask. When Jintetsu is seen in Jyoshu, he is thrown in jail because they think he is the monster. Makoto, the Scarlet Sparrow, rescues him and they travel to Kasumi Pass to find the monster. What they find is not what they expected.

Finally, Koyoi is a 15 year-old girl that has been trained in the ways of the samurai by her father. When her father talks about getting her married, she decides to leave with her friend, Fugaku. To make a name for herself, she decides that she will hunt down and kill the famous Jintetsu of Steel. But, since Makoto has taken an oath to also kill Jintetsu, she protects Jintetsu after Koyoi beats him. Will this be the end of both Makoto, the Scarlet Sparrow, and Jintetsu of Steel?

Kurogane: Volume 5 is a manga book written and drawn by Keo Toume and is the last book in this series published by Del Rey Manga. This story was Translated by Ikoi Hiroe and Lettered by Takka Takka. This book contains the following chapters:

Chapter 12: Swords Man - Episodes 1 & 2

Chapter 13: A Dense Fog - Episodes 1 & 2

Chapter 14: Chaser - Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

There are also some sections in the book for: A) A Note from the Author, B) Honorifics Explained, and C) Translation Notes. The book reads from right to left and back to front, just like a book from Japan. This manga book is intended for readers ages 13 and up.

Review

I am sad that Kurogane: Volume 5 is the last volume in this series. I found that I truly enjoyed most of the stories about Jintetsu of Steel and wish there would be more. This series is quite different from a lot of other manga series that are being published today, and that makes it stand out in my mind. It takes place in Japan's ancient past and can be viewed as dark and gritty. There also isn't any sex in the book, which definitely isn't needed.

The translated is pretty good and the artwork is great.

The storylines are generally pretty interesting, and I find it a shame that the story is ending without us really getting to know more about Jintetsu of Steel. Also, the whole Makoto wanting to kill him is never truly wrapped up. She drops her vendetta against him and walks off saying that she is going to protect him. Well, does she? Is that another series? I just don't know.

The Kurogane series was a fun read and I look forward to more manga books by Kei Toume. Hopefully, he will create another series. Until then, I will just have to see what else Del Rey Manga has to offer.

Overall, Kurogane: Volume 5 is a great ending to this fun and interesting series.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.

I rated this series an 8 out of 10.