Golden Kamuy: Volume 11 manga review

Golden Kamuy Graphic Novel Volume 11 cover image

It is the early 20th century, and Saichi “Immortal” Sugimoto, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese war, is scrapping out a meager existence.  There is also a postwar gold rush on the wild frontier of Japan's Hokkaido region.  Sugimoto stumbles upon the first “piece” of a map leading to a fortune in hidden gold belonging to the Ainu (an indigenous people of Japan and Russia).  Ruthless criminals and rogue Japanese soldiers are also hunting for the gold in the harsh northern wilderness.  It will take all Sugimoto's talents and the help of an immensely-skilled Ainu girl named Asirpa to survive, let alone find the gold.

Golden Kamuy, Vol. 11 (Chapters 101 to 110) opens as Sugimoto, Asirpa, and their gold-hunting allies find their “shelter” being attacked by hungry bears.  Then, the notorious couple, the “Lightning Thief” and the “Viper Ogin” make a move to gain tattoo skins.  Plus, how about some bestiality?

[This volume includes bonus art.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Golden Kamuy manga is moving deeper and deeper into its narrative and is expanding its cast.  One of the many things that creator Satoru Noda does so darn well is present to readers fabulous guest stars.  John Werry's translation also does much to make these character's vivid dialogue so invigorating.

Golden Kamuy Graphic Novel Volume 11 offers three killer guests in Keiichiro Sakamoto (“The Lighting Thief”), the “Viper Ogin,” and Shiton Anehata.  I don't want to spoil anything, but these three characters make this graphic novel's cover price, $12.99 (U.S.), a bargain.  Golden Kamuy lives through its great characters.  The fact that they are so engaging and wonderful makes this series' non-stop action have more impact.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Westerns and of Japanese historical dramas will want to try the VIZ Signature title, Golden Kamuy.

A+
10 out of 10