Comics / Manga

Kurogane Black Steel: Volume One

By Julie Gray
July 9, 2006 - 06:32

 

 

“They say he has been possessed by evil spirits”

 

For Jintetsu, living the life of a Samurai at such a young age has matured him beyond his years. Possessing a natural (and frightening) ability with the sword, Jintetsu is feared and revered through-out Japan for his deeds.

 

One day, Jintetsu is attacked by a pack of dogs and fatally injured. By some stroke of fate he is found by the outcast Samurai-cum-inventor Genkichi, who takes him in and nurses him back to health. Genkichi’s ability as an inventor is legendary. The meeting between Jintetsu and Genkichi is ultimately what changes both of their lives, forever.

 

When Jintetsu finally wakes up, he finds he is no longer the same boy that he was. Genkichi explains to Jintetsu that when he found him, he was at deaths door. Genkichi decided the only way to save his life was to work with the parts of his body that were left intact and to rebuild Jintetsu, replacing his ravaged body parts with steel. Along with the steel body parts, Genkichi gives Jintetsu a special sword as a gift.

 

During a desperate act of revenge, Genkichi inadvertently places Jintetsu in an uncompromising position with some of his enemies. Jintetsu, realising that his friends’ life is in danger, takes up his sword and comes to the aid of Genkichi. Genkichi is mortally wounded during the battle and dies. Jintetsu is suddenly, without warning, alone again. That is, if you don’t count the talking the sword!

 

Kurogane: Black Steel  is an interesting story which is told with a lot of heart and sympathy for the main character. Not to over-emphasise the fact that Jintetsu just happens to be the type of character that finds himself in the wrong place at the worst of times. It is easy to understand and relate to Jintetsu’s story; an outcast from the beginning who seems to rely on nothing else other than his ability with a sword and to avenge his father’s murder.

 

Jintetsu is joined by several other characters through-out the story who all manage to leave some sort of ‘mark’ on him; whether it be the girl that he left behind before he was 'reborn' or the strangers that he meets along the way. And then there is the small matter of the ‘talking’ sword that Genkichi gave to Jintetsu which acts as his voice, his conscience and his companion. A story that is unique in its approach and interesting enough to keep you hooked and turning those pages. The link between Jintetsu and the dark world of spirits is also intriguing and gives Jintetsu a little edge to his character that would otherwise leave him two dimensional.

 

The artwork used in Kurogane: Black Steel is unusual. The lines seem a little disjointed, much like the character. Although extremely detailed, the erratic drawing style seems to compliment the story well. The text style used in this manga is also easy to read and clear on the pages. You may even notice how the entire style of art changes in chapter three for the first three pages.

 

Each chapter of Kurogane: Black Steel links up with the previous chapter and the story flows well. Jintetsu is a likeable character and the manga in general is well written with a unique and interesting story line. The translation notes at the end of the manga are also a nice addition and offers readers suitable explanations for some of the more abstract references made through-out the book. Kurogane: Black Steel is a credit to the author and we would be more than happy to get our hands on more of the same. Kurogane: Black Steel Volume 2  will be available in August, 2006. You can preview a taste of the Kurogane manga from Del Rey's website here.

 

Art Work: 9/10

Story: 10/10

Overall Rating: 9/10

 

Email the author: Julie@comicbookbin.com

Last Updated: January 17, 2025 - 08:20