Path of the Assassin Volume 3: Comparison of a Man TPB
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May 03, 2007
by: Michael Bartholow
Hanzo & Motonobu continue their ascent to historical prominence on a path littered with lust & battle.
Manga Description:
Young Hattori Hanzo is a very busy young man. Charged with protecting a teen who will one day unite Japan, Hanzo, a young ninja called a "suppa", must work from the shadows, training his young master, assisting him in battle, and spying on enemies and lovers. It's the Sengoku period. Clans across the country are scrambling to batle, making alliances, and breaking them just as quickly. Brothers and sons go after uncles and fathers. Deceit is as commonplace as rain. And to be a ninja means fighting in the shadows and listening for the whispers from the grass. It's a tough spot for a boy of fifteen, but Hattori Hanzo is no regular boy, and anyone unlucky enough to find themselves in his path will find out how atypical he can be.
For the creators of Lone Wolf & Cub comes a series about two young men bound by a nation's potential future at a time when Japan was Japan was in transition from its warlike fuedal state into an era of bureaucracy and infighting. A quasi-historical tale from the masters of Japanese samurai culture, Path of the Assassin shows a side of feudal Japan that entertains with action as well as political drama.
Content: (This section may include spoilers).
I will first provide a brief rundown on the chapters included in this volume of Path of the Assassin. "Chapter on Relinquishing Factions" wraps up in Vol. 3. Part 5, "It rains at home and on the battlefield, Pt 2", sees Young Ieyasu finding an incredible battlefield victory that earns him the respect of his elders. They begin to push him into roles of greater responsibility; all while Ieyasu is executing his strategy of lighting aflame his wife's desire.
Hanzo teaches Ieyasu hand-to-hand-combat in Part 6, "Blue Flag and War". These skills will come into play in later chapters. "Wife's Horse", Part 7, Finds our duo contemplating methods of shrinking rice to 1/10 its size for battlefield portability. During Part 8, "When Bitten by a Mosquito", Ieyasu volunteers to shepherd supplies into Odaka Castle, a landmark held by a rival faction. His strategy of attack is revealed to the enemy in Part 9, "Comparison of a Man". The enemy leader is not impressed, but many of the subordinates are. Ieyasu is developing into a formidable strategist.
The beginnings of the third story of Path of the Assassin close out this volume. Titled "Chapter on Relinquishing Death." Part 1, "Straw Sandals for Conqueror's Horses" is actually just what it sounds like, an episode focusing on providing traction for steeds during muddy battles. Part 2, "Hard Crossroad on the Plain, Part 1" covers the epic fight for Marline Fort where Ieyasu surprises everyone by ordering his troops to fall back when the enemy charges at full-strength. He ends up in a one-on-one duel with the opposing general and has a small window of ending the battle and saving hundreds of men's lives right then and there. Interesting as it is, the reader doesn't have much to pull from in understanding who is fighting who and why.
Path of the Assassin really heats up in Volume 3, both literally and figuratively. The passionate scheme Ieyasu brews to enrage his lover's heart is interesting and arousing. The battle sequences showcase a Kurosawa style, leaving behind past ninja-esque shadowiness. This 1-2 punch makes the volume a winner. Obviously, anything from Koike & Kojima is a classic for a reason, but every now and then it's nice to be reminded why.
The Bottom Line: A series worth following (3 down, 12 books to go!), Path of the Assassin perfectly prisms historical politics and the struggles growing up in feudal Japan through Hanzo & Ieyasu. They become more than characters, acting as symbols of the changing times. I'm often a fan of Koike's other projects for their non-linear, haiku-esque presentation, but I'm in love with this series for the opposite reasons. It displays resolute purpose through strong characters who grow before the reader's eyes. It's not about love, though it includes it. Nor is it about war, though it dwells on it. Path of the Assassin is about life and aims to include the scope of that experience.
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Content |
Perfect balance for a straight-forward narrative series. Life, love, war, and friendship all converge in Volume 3. |
9.4 |
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Verdict
This series is improving greatly as it progresses. It's well-worth it to grab the first few volumes and play catch-up. It'll be harder to absorb this whole thing when it's all been released, so get on board now!
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8.7
[not an average]
+ Converging themes provide balance.
+ Never want to close the book. No boring chapters.
- Not enough historical background on other people
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