Comics / Manga

The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Volume 1: Revenge of the Hori Clan

By Julie Gray
February 13, 2008 - 11:45

Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Volume 1 cover

Nobody can write Ninja stories quite like Masaki Segawa. Although Basilisk was a runaway success (based on the original story by Futaro Yamada), it is Masaki Segawa’s natural ability as a master storyteller that leaves very little to the imagination. This imaginary world is suddenly brought to life in such a way; all you can do is want more.

Not only is Masaki Segawa a talented writer but his artwork is amazing. All one needs to do is focus on the full-color pages at the beginning of his books to see how much beauty is captured in each of his panels. The colors are so vibrant, the expressions of each character so distinctive, you can tell that here is a man who loves his work.

The connection between Basilisk and the Yagyu Ninja Scrolls is a little difficult to miss. Not only are the styles of each manga almost identical, the subject matter is the same as well, complete with political intrigue, promises of death and execution and Katana blades dripping with blood. It’s everything you’d expect from Masaki Segawa and then some.

As with all of his previous manga titles, volume 1 of the Yagyu Ninja Scrolls is presented in very much the same style. The familiar artwork is as always, superbly delivered and the lettering is accurate and precise. Most of all, the blend of words and images is perfect. This makes for a very entertaining read.

The story is set in and around the Tokugawa solidification of the clans in 1642. The characters are easily defined as villains in the form of the Ashina Clan’s Seven Spears and of course, the unlikely hero-type identified later on in the manga as Jyubei Yagyu. In the first volume the stage is set for these two forces of nature to ultimately discover and destroy each other. At least that’s what it looks like. But of course, being the masterful storyteller that he is, who knows what Masaki Segawa may have up his sleeve next.

Personally, it wouldn’t matter much to me. I am a fan and a dedicated one. I’ll be reading whatever he writes regardless. I know that whatever the next volume has in store will be well worth waiting for.

The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Volume 1: Revenge of the Hori Clan is a great addition to the Masaki Segawa collection. If you’re a fan of his work or you just find Ninja stories interesting, you’ll enjoy this book immensely. This manga comes complete with translation notes and a brief peek at The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls Volume 2.

The official website for the Del Rey manga can be found here.


Art Work: 9/10
Story: 10/10
Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Contact the author of this review: Julie@comicbookbin.com

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12