I was never really into manga as much as anime, more times than not anime is usually more exciting than manga. As I grew older, I found myself falling in love with the comics and their stories. There is something about Seinen manga that is either a hit or miss. Either, they are fake deep, or real deep. Examples of Manga that actually are deep are Oyasumi Punpun, Berserk, Shingeki no Kyojin, or Monster. Vagabond easily falls into this category, except it offers something more.

Vagabond is a slight fictional approach to the story of Miyamoto Musashi, one of the greatest Samurai of all history. For those who know of great Samurai, he arguably is held with names like Uesugi Kenshin, Takeda Shingen, and Minamoto no Yoritomo to point out a few. So, this story is a samurai story. Battles, plots, scandals, and fantastic art are all included. This is not why I fell in love with this manga however, and if you look at it from only the surface you do not fully appreciate or understand why it is a 10.

Vagabond explores some major philosophical ideas. What does it mean to be “The Greatest Under the Heavens,” or “The Way of the Sword,” or “The Way of the Samurai.” What is a Samurai when there is no war? What is their purpose? Vagabond proposes all of these ideas in a way where it is complex, yet not confusing. The gorgeous art, masterfully crafted story, and beautifully written characters help to express the struggle a 1600’s Samurai experienced during peacetime.

I would NOT recommend this manga to those just getting into the medium. If you have never read a Seinen manga, I would start out with some classics (Ex. Berserk). Vagabond is a manga for my more seasoned readers. It presents deep ideas, and provides a lense into a crucial part of Japanese culture, Bushido. The art is phenomenal, the pacing is perfect, the characters feel real, and it represents who Miyamoto Musashi was, and the dilemma of samurai during this time period.

To simply say this manga is a masterpiece is cutting it short, but that is what it is. A 10. I hope you read it too and experience the magic for yourself.