Hitokiri

A historical manga about the assassin Okada Izō who worked under Takechi Hanpeita during the Bakumatsu period of Japan.

The Bakumatsu period is my favorite historical time of Japan. Many samurai clashed to over throw the government. Izō is one of the more notable assassins during this time and this book perfectly covers his struggles of being used as a weapon under Takechi. I’m glad that this manga covers Izō’s friendship with revolutionary Sakamoto Ryoma and fellow assassin Tanaka Shinbei.

I love Hiroshi Hirata’s art. It’s very realistic style that uses thick ink lines for contrast. Reminds me of Lone Wolf and Cub’s Goseki Kojima. Hirata has done many historical manga and this one is great like the rest of them.

~dakazu