Current Episodes

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Seems like Ueda either make himself into a snake to take Otsu by force to another trip. It might be a fear she has and Ueda is taking advantage of it. Also, Musashi look frustrated after some swings. Looking foward to it.

Current Episodes Thread

Oooh a snake in the shape of ... a SPIRAL! Ghouile Ueda is so devious

I won't bother making a potshot prediction this time, since I've been wrong about 90% of the time with these little sketches. But I feel certain about the snake bit.

宮本 武蔵 said:

I think Inoue's bitten off more than he can chew if he wants to end it soon, but Wally has a feeling...

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Only in terms of where Musashi is spiritually at the "end" of his journey and where he is now. He's so very close to achieving that sense of purity and self that he has by the last few chapters of Yoshikawa's novel. And when you come right down to it, I just have an feeling in my gut that the series won't go more than 5-6 more volumes. Of course, I've made similar predictions of Berserk and been outright wrong on many occasions. I've since given up on the futility of predicting an end for it.

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Walter said:

Only in terms of where Musashi is spiritually at the "end" of his journey and where he is now. He's so very close to achieving that sense of purity and self that he has by the last few chapters of Yoshikawa's novel.

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I don't know about that, much more than Yoshikawa's ideal, this Musashi has to take a step back for every two steps forward. That's not to say he's underachieving, but that it's a necessary step to his ascension. It's a cycle, which In'ei described in terms of the seasons. We've seen it again and again, the latest example being when Musashi tells Takuan he's going to ignore the Yoshioka's challenge, and even though Takuan recognizes and compliments him on his strength and kindness, Musashi is compelled to go and fight them anyway, killing 70 men. Of course, even if had ignored the challenge at that time, it would have been for the wrong reasons. He didn't truly have the wisdom to then, and if he hadn't gone, he wouldn't have the perspective needed to gain that wisdom now. So, to me, his newfound enlightenment feels more like a new beginning.

Walter said:

And when you come right down to it, I just have an feeling in my gut that the series won't go more than 5-6 more volumes. Of course, I've made similar predictions of Berserk and been outright wrong on many occasions. I've since given up on the futility of predicting an end for it.

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Well, that's not so different from my own view, I think Inoue could "rush it" in that many volumes, but he's said as recently as his New York trip that it was only going to only be 30 volumes or less. Haha, that's not going to happen; unless he makes it shockingly brief for dramatic purposes, the Musashi/Kojiro duel alone could be multiple volumes by itself. Also, though he's had plenty of Musashi/Kojiro buildup at the end of volumes 27 and 28, so far he hasn't capitalized on it as far as bringing it to a head. Again, those scenes make it seems like momentum is moving that way, but then the next episode comes out and it's like more things are just beginning instead.

I think it's worth noting that all those overarching Musashi/Kojiro moments concluding those volumes were added later. It's almost like Inoue's style, in a week to week format and timeframe, doesn't lend itself to winding things down, but instead compulsively creating more, and he's trying to curtail that in the volumes after the fact.
If that's the case, I certainly hope he doesn't get himself under control.

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So the Ueda snake attack came! Ueda takes Otsu to another part of Musashi's fighting where he's fighting two guys and gets slashed from behind . Also, to his cell where he's sleeping. Seems that he's dreaming about all those guys he killed. Seems that Ueda couldn't get through Otsu this time. Musashi has a talk with a guy in the prison. Last page there's a flashback of Baiken. It seems Musashi still reflecting. Is it ok for the pic to be posted or should I remove it?

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This episode is fucking awesome. I love the continuation of Otsu's and Ueda's conversation and where it goes, especially the spread of the ronin chasing after Maimedsashi, and the final look he gives her before she wakes up... also, like Branded said, it seemed like she got through to him more than vice versa. Finally, the ending, which is only so cool because I've been wondering about him since he was MIA in volume 25 and I love that Inoue doesn't leave anything like that up in the air.


He even reminded me of Wyald the way he took the sword into his mouth.

Th3Branded0ne said:

Is it ok for the pic to be posted or should I remove it?

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I would say cut it down to the pertinent panels at the bottom.

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Since Musashi was practicing with the stick, will he go Kojiro style with it to fight . I am just assuming that he might also use the cane or anything like that. Like when Yagyu Sekishusai used the back scratcher against him when he went to meet up with him in Vol 11.

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Th3Branded0ne said:

Since Musashi was practicing with the stick, will he go Kojiro style with it to fight ,

Spoiler

Otaguro

. I am just assuming that he might also use the cane or anything like that. Like when Yagyu Sekishusai used the back scratcher against him when he went to meet up with him in Vol 11.

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That's a very cool idea, so cool in fact I'll be a little disappointed if it doesn't happen, though I can understand why it might not be feasible at this point. Kojiro is at the height of his powers, and Musashi can barely stand, so despite the respective handicaps on both sides, I still think Musashi is at such a physical disadvantage in his own right that given the choice he'd just use his sword anyway. Musashi's not the type to worry about style points if it isn't a matter of effectiveness; however, that would make it all the more impressive, especially if Musashi realizes that he's at a level relatively where it wouldn't impact his effectiveness either way. Now I'm hoping he's caught with only a stick or cane, or better yet, "no sword." =)

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On the very first page is the corpse of the old lady on 263. I think Ueda also shows her to see the effects of crossing paths with Musashi, as if to say to Otsu to be away from him and have him have no one close to him, so that he suffers while feeling remorse. Maybe knowing that Otsu might be helpful in his rehabilitation. I think Ueda, must have said that Musashi was a monster and couldn't live a normal live, and that's why Otsu had that flashback of him when he was a child and everyone shunned him. Therefore, she turn away from Ueda and return to her body.



reading the translation earlier today sure helped. I was far off on the conversation between Ueda and Otsu. Musashi's talk with Itakura Katsushige is more like an explanation to Musashi. Ok, you guys read it and we can discuss it in more detail.

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http://www.itplanning.co.jp/vaga.html

Google Translate said:

2 pm in the name when I looked through the window of the cafe, while a truck parked off the road during the work, see the beautiful sight of people eating lunch bag filled with Tupper, weeping.


2009.3.4
Inoue Takehiko

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Looks like either Ueda or Musashi's own beast of spiral is paying him a visit.

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I would have to say it's Ueda, since in 264 page 17, Ueda is in the air after the panel where our one armed warrior has the sword in his mouth. Perhaps, Ueda went to give Musashi a warning or some sparring lessons. I could also see Musashi's own ghoul, because the drawing looks like it has more spikes on the head.

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It was indeed the ghoul, but I was totally stumped on the guy in the top right being Kohei and not Musashi (they look so alike anyway). Another fascinating issue, can't wait to see what they're saying though. I wonder what's being discussed besides Musashi's reflections on his past, such as his future?

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Yes. The resemblence was uncanny, except for the girl and the bandana. Musashi still reflecting on those fights, and probably thinking if he has gained or loss something. Just my assumption, also waiting to be able to read it. Takuan visiting Kouetsu. Takuan looked at the bowl intrigued and asked about it. Kouetsu most have said Kojiro or a deaf mute swordsman. That's when Takuan must have had the flashback when he met young Kojiro playing with the no-dachi. In the last page, it might reveal that Takuan has learned Kojiro has left to continue the sword's path.

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Well the last page in particular was of note to me, since I think the final panel is of a swallow. This could allude to Kojiro's famed technique: the swallow cut. We've seen it a few times at this point, once in the battle in vol 20, once when he slashed Kohei's face and again recently when he fought (what's his face...) with the stick.

Of course, until we get a translation, we won't know the significance of the scene really.

But what struck me the most about this episode was the serene look of Musashi when he has the nearly-full-page delivery (i believe it's around page 14 or so... but don't have it handy right now). It really reminded me of the man he eventually becomes in Yoshikawa's novel.

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Walter said:

(what's his face...) with the stick.

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Ogawa is the name.

I think that's a crane of I am not mistaken. I think this is a swallow. But I think it means he's leaving for higher things, or the bird is has finally learned to fly.

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Ah, a thematic image like that that does sound more plausible. But I was hoping it was more ... literal.

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I just finished reading a translated 263. I won't spoil it for you guys. But just to say that from what Ueda said at the panel of the last page, they will have many visits. If indeed that is true. We have Ueda for a while.

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I hope for more too, though he's certainly not going follow up on that promise literally. I think he made his point.



Somewhat obvious though it's not being discussed too much; Musashi is obviously thinking of Kohei so much not only because that's where he was introduced to the "spiral of death and killing" but because he was also introduced to the end of that path, something he's now dealing with himself. Kohei found a certain relief in it, almost like he was liberated, I wonder if Musashi will come to a similar revelation, but with more of a choice than Kohei had. Essentially, will Musashi be able to have it both ways? Liberation from the spiral, but still the swordsman he wants to be, or even more than what he ever imagined.

Th3Branded0ne said:

reading the translation earlier today sure helped. I was far off on the conversation between Ueda and Otsu. Musashi's talk with Itakura Katsushige is more like an explanation to Musashi. Ok, you guys read it and we can discuss it in more detail.

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It seems Ueda has regained some of his philosophical edge in the afterlife, his feelings seem genuine enough, and interesting that he wanted Otaguro to stop. Possibly to protect him from being cut down by guards or Musashi, or there could be other implications as Musashi is seemingly ready to consider his days as an active swordsman over, an an encounter like this could rekindle that flame. It was also very interesting hearing Musashi deconstruct invincibility, which, as he pointed out, is something that he, and Inoue, have been doing since volume 13. I'm really liking this arc, and I hope it continues in this vein, it's one of my favorites already.

As for Otaguro, he has the perfect opening to catch Musashi with him being escorted to and from his quarters. Unless he just bursts into the room, though that would be an impressive breach of security for the one-armed samurai.

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宮本 武蔵 said:

It seems Ueda has regained some of his philosophical edge in the afterlife, his feelings seem genuine enough, and interesting that he wanted Otaguro to stop. Possibly to protect him from being cut down by guards or Musashi, or there could be other implications as Musashi is seemingly ready to consider his days as an active swordsman over, an an encounter like this could rekindle that flame. It was also very interesting hearing Musashi deconstruct invincibility, which, as he pointed out, is something that he, and Inoue, have been doing since volume 13. I'm really liking this arc, and I hope it continues in this vein, it's one of my favorites already.

As for Otaguro, he has the perfect opening to catch Musashi with him being escorted to and from his quarters. Unless he just bursts into the room, though that would be an impressive breach of security for the one-armed samurai.

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Very interesting indeed. It seems that he's getting to understand the words of Sekishusai. Before the words really made sense, he had to experienced the battle with the Yoshioka. Afterwards, he's absorbing it all. Is he really invincible because he killed all those men? I guess Musashi and Kohei had to go through the opposite way to find what it really meant to be great. On the other hand Ine'i and Sekishusai had someone to instruct them to find that path in time. Like Musashi said in his conversation " if you are trying to be the fastest, then you arrive too early and too far off for it to count". I take as an example of his travels and battles. Always looking for the strongest and trying to defeat them to show he was better than those with a reputation of being great warriors. Otaguro seems like it can be a new beginning for him, not by killing him, but maybe to unsheath his sword and still win. You know like the old saying, "The best battle won, is the one that can be avoided".

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http://www.itplanning.co.jp/vaga.html

Google Translate said:

This was a very seasonal hay fever.
In my hay fever is not the work of six people in three people suffer from hay fever, is just one of his hay fever this year.
And windy day or a sunny day, and my nose is GUZUGUZU might have some reaction to the pollen, so that you can see a little KAYUKAっMUZU, you lose. I認MEN.


2009.3.11
Inoue Takehiko

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Looks like the return of some good old fashioned drawing with water, and further ruminations on the wisdom of Takuan.

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Nice! Takuan sure is all over the place. I wonder if the conversation will continue about Kojiro or if Takuan will mention Musashi's state at this moment.

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My guess is Musashi is just reflecting on his conversation with Takuan as he draws, though it's quite possible Takuan could visit and take his leave day by day since they're all still around Kyoto. It would be interesting to see Musashi draw in front of him though (it's always seemed a rather a private expression), and of course, to hear Takuan's comments.
I'm more interested in what Musashi is drawing itself though; like, is it Otsu again, or perhaps the sword?

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宮本 武蔵 said:

I'm more interested in what Musashi is drawing itself though; like, is it Otsu again, or perhaps the sword?

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It could also be writings about being invincible, Kohei drawings. Otsu is a big possibility too, but I am hoping is not. I am just being kinda biased to be something else, just to make it alittle bit more interesting for me, since I have seen some drawings of her, or unless he's really thinking about what Takuan told him, to have a chief and have a home of his own.

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Yeah, what I'm looking for is if what Ueda said is true and he's totally preoccupied with the sword and his ambition now that it's been denied to him, whereas before he was ironically preoccupied with thoughts of Otsu.

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It has to have a strong hold on Musashi, that's all he has ever known to do. He's getting to a point where he can't do as much as a swordsman at the moment, he has to have some other kind of motivation. I'm thinking that the swords is important, but other aspects of himself are coming out since at the moment he cannot do much in battle. I guess am trying to say is that he's doing something else he might be good at, but didnt have the time because all he was doing was fighting. So it's like Inoue is giving him a break from the fighting and telling us what Musashi is also capable of besides fighting.

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Well, I'll take a stab and say I think Takuan is still talking to the deputy shogunate. I don't see anything in the previews that shows it's _definitely_ Musashi depicted here.

Anyway, the scene with Takuan in the last ep, and this whole scenario reminded me of when, in Yoshikawa's novel, Musashi visited with all the higher ups in the land, who were offering him great positions, and he found out his "low reputation" precluded him from accepting any of them. I have a feeling a similar circumstance will end this arc, and he'll then be off for Edo.