*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

Takezo faces Kohei, Master of Chain and Sickle.

While we learn Kohei’s backstory, we also learn about Kojiro, a deaf child raised by Jisai. Kojiro’s growth into a skilled swordsman takes up the bulk of this volume. It seems he’s destined from birth to wield a sword, but like a lot of stories in this genre, that’s a tragic fate. This had to be my favorite of the series so far. It’s everything I love about this genre, despite including some SA. 5 out of 5.

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September 27, 2025December 27, 2025 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond” Definitive Edition, Vol. 4, by Takehiko Inoue

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Musashi challenges the Yagyu school, not realizing that the wealthy patron who took in Otsu is the master of that school he wants to defeat.

It’s nice to see Otsu doing more than sitting and pining for Musasgu. She’s traveling with Jotaro after Musashi once again sets off on his own. Since she was staying with the Yagyu, she’s picked up a few things, so she’s not a complete damsel. She’s nowhere near the swordsmen like Musashi, which figures since she’s not on a mission to become the best like he is. 3.9 out of 5.

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July 17, 2025August 31, 2025 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition” Vol. 3, by Takehiko Inoue

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After his defeat, Musashi is training to face Inshun for a rematch. We learn how Inshun came to be who he is and Natahachi runs into the granny who is still enraged with Musashi.

I do appreciate the spots of levity after how dark Inshun’s backstory turned out to be. After that, it’s a LOT of talking and we check in on Otsu and Musashi, trying to talk his way into challenging the Yagyu Sekishusai in order to increase his skills. In all the blood and guts, those little breaks are pivotal to me in enjoying the story as a whole. I do wonder if those asides to Otsu will come to impact Musashi’s story overall because it’s clear he’s left everything behind to pursue this single-minded obsession with being the best swordsman. 4 out of 5.

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May 24, 2025July 6, 2025 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition” Vol. 2, by Takehiko Inoue

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Takezo is traveling to get stronger, challenging as many people as he can. Along the way, he picks up a kid, Jotaro, who wants to be Takezo’s disciple. He’s training hard but his feelings for his childhood friend, Otsu, are a dangerous distraction.

This volume is so much better than the first volume. The fight choreography is great here and Takezo is getting some good character development. Now that he’s facing opponents so much stronger than he is, he can’t just “I wanna be the very best” his way out of it. He has to think and strategize. I do have to say, I don’t care about his friend and whatever he’s doing. I’d rather stick to Takezo’s side of the story since that’s where the action is happening. 4 out of 5.

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January 14, 2025January 13, 2025 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition” Vol. 1, by Takehiko Inoue

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After the Battle of Sekigara, Tezezo Shinmen and Matahachi Hon’iden manage to survive. They get rescued but take vastly different paths. Matahachi wants to head back to his home village but Tezuko decides to become a vagabond as part of a goal to become a more skilled swordsman.

Be aware, this is very violent, has some nudity, and an odd number of fart jokes. The fight choreography is really good and the story is interesting but I’m not quite getting the appeal just yet. This is a legendary series for sure but “I wanna be the best at X” isn’t the most intriguing hook for me anymore. I’ll have to see where it goes from here because if it’s just hopping from sword school to sword school as Tezuko has the experience beaten into him, I don’t know if I’ll continue it. I think it’s because I don’t feel very invested in Tezuko as of right now because he’s a bit flat to me. I’m sure I’ll learn more about him. 3.7 out of 5.

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