The Art of Wielding a Wooden Sword
The allure of grizzled men in samurai gear slashing down foes in a single, calculated stroke is unending. However, as overwhelming as it might seem, the trick to having your tale of swords and duels sparkle in this overflowing sea of manga is all in the finer points. One can decide to recreate an unadulterated version of history like Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai accomplished in their 2014 miniseries ’47 Ronin’ or choose to introduce a dose of mythical enchantment, a masterstroke Hiroaki Samura applied in his unforgettable ‘Blade of the Immortal.’ Then, there’s Daruma Matsuura, who takes the road slightly less traveled in her layered work ‘Steel of the Celestial Shadows.’ It’s published in Kodansha’s semi-monthly magazine, Big Comic Superior, and has been captivating readers since 2020. Thanks to its unique blend of captivating characters and immersive world-building, Matsuura’s work stands out. She skillfully takes her time, gently unpeeling layers of her vast world while centering the character’s narrative, stealing the show.
Meet Konosuke Ryudo, the Unfortunate Samurai Wannabe
Our spotlighted character, Konosuke Ryudo, is an unfortunate wannabe samurai whose dreams are thwarted by a rather unusual affliction. Picture an oppositely charged magnet, and that’s Konosuke for you, with metal of all kinds rebelliously repelling from him. It puts him in a tight spot, given the significance of metal in the samurai script. Strange enough for even 19th-century Japanese standards. So the poor chap is left to shave with an obsidian dagger and fight with a wooden sword. Consequently, he becomes the laughingstock of his fellow villagers, deemed not serious enough for any samurai gig.
The Mishaps and Misfortunes of Konosuke
With only a loyal, elderly retainer, Otokichi, at his side, Konosuke is reduced to selling off his heirlooms for a few coins. He also deals with the weight of a haunting past where his unique peculiarity led to his mother’s death. Amid the mess that is his life, a lovely lady named Tsuki, which fittingly means “moon” in Japanese, graces his life with an unlikely proposition. She insists on having been in love with him and even sees his condition as a blessing rather than a curse. This proposition leaves Konosuke spellbound, to say the least.
A Mystical Spin: A Magical Asset
Tsuki’s unwavering sincerity and charming personality gradually win Konosuke’s heart. The unexpected twist of falling in love with her adds an engaging touch to the plot. However, as expected in a gripping tale, this spell of bliss doesn’t last. Tsuki is abducted by the cryptic Tsuchimikado clan, known for their control over every magic wielder across Japan. Konosuke is manipulated into forgetting her.
The Tides Turn: The Samurai’s Comeback
Fate has different plans when Aki, an ichiko (blind Shinto spirit-medium), unshackles him from the clan’s manipulation. She provides the impetus for Konosuke to understand his unique power and wage an indomitable fight against the mysterious clan to get back his wife. The story is captivating with Konosuke and Aki tag-teaming as the series’ charming oddballs, just as clueless as we are about everything that’s unfolding around them.
Bringing the Manga to Life
Caleb Cook deserves applause for translating the series. His expertise in painting characters authentically, despite their outlandish nature, shines through in this work. He vivifies Konosuke’s deep-seated self-loathing so adeptly that readers can almost feel it. Similarly, Steve Dutro the letterer, stands out for his proficiency in making SFX pop and marvelously placing Cook’s explanations in the story seamlessly, ensuring an unbroken story flow.
The Art of ‘Shadows’
While Matsuura impressively conveys character emotions, pacing, and uses photo references aptly, she falls slightly short in action scenes. These can become a bit confusing with her composition of fight scenes, leaving readers to fill in the gaps with follow-up panels. Interestingly, this was also an issue with Samura’s ‘Blade of the Immortal’.
Nevertheless, complicated fight scenes are not substantial enough to deter readers from the manga. Matsuura demonstrates extraordinary skills in creating a compelling narrative and developing intriguing characters that more than compensate for this shortcoming. Pair this with the intriguing prospect of discovering who Tsuki actually is and unraveling the intentions of the Tsuchimikado clan. Drawn-out action scenes barely dampen the excitement of joining Konosuke and Aki on this captivating journey.
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Image credit: www.tcj.com
