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Monday, October 1, 2018

Manga Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Volume 1, by Koyoharu Gotouge


Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5
Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)
Release Date: July 2018
Volumes: 12+
Spoilers?: Same as description.
Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Tanjiro sets out on the path of the Demon Slayer to save his sister and avenge his family!

In Taisho-era Japan, Tanjiro Kamado is a kindhearted boy who makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life.

Learning to slay demons won’t be easy, and Tanjiro barely knows where to start. The surprise appearance of another boy named Giyu, who seems to know what’s going on, might provide some answers…but only if Tanjiro can stop Giyu from killing his sister first!

Review:

The volume opens ominously. We meet Tanjiro, who treks his way into town for supplies and work, only to get stuck there one night. Leaving his family, his many siblings, alone at home. There are rumors of demons in the woods, though he doesn't really believe that. Until he goes home and finds his family slaughtered.
This series takes a rather dramatic, dark turn, very quickly. His sister turns into a demon, and he's desperate to keep any of his family alive that he can. And thus he starts on his trek for safety, for somewhere to go and get answers, while keeping his sister alive and under control, and he stumbles onto a track to becoming a demon slayer.
The trials Tanjiro goes through are rather haunting, and dramatic. His relationship with his sister is very odd, a close kinship-like understanding. I'm intrigued by his sister's state, though, and what's going to happen with her. She's something else than human now, but she's almost protective of Tanjiro, I think.
This series feel very old-school. It reminded me a bit of Inuyasha, with such old customs and yokai stories, and the artwork falls into that older feel as well.
I'm not hooked, but I am intrigued by the characters.


A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

1 comment:

  1. It Was Awesome Anime Waiting for Next Season Of Demon Slayer Anime

    ReplyDelete