Lady Snowblood 3

Volume 3 (subtitled “Retribution Pt. 1”) of this series finds us at the cliffhanger that ended Volume 2, and in retrospect, it was a somewhat odd place for a break in the story. In the end, the first chapter of Volume 3 lands a little flat, mostly due to the goofy nature of the true identity of Blackmailer Genjiro. Thankfully, it is the shortest section of the book.

I am happy to report the rest of Volume 3 doesn’t fall victim to the same issue, and the characters Syura Yuki meets, both allies and enemies, are more grounded in reality (well, except maybe the eccentric writer, Miyahara, whom we will talk more about later).

The next story, “The Unveiling of a Pretty Woman and a Strange Tale (女意和戸開帳異聞)” comes in two parts, and at almost 120 pages, is the longest and most complex story we have seen so far. Not only are we introduced to a variety of characters in this story, but we see some nice images of Yoshiwara of Asakusa, in Tokyo. A foreign gentleman is trying to build a panorama in the lowly entertainment district, but the powerful local yakuza is blocking its progress. He asks Lady Snowblood to help allow him clean up the neighborhood by adding higher quality entertainment, something besides the freak shows and fake exhibits which clog the streets. She can help by “doing something" about the yakuza tyrants, (terrific Japanese subtlety!) and from here this story bounds from episode to episode as Syura closes in on her targets, and at the same time they hunt for her, (though they mistakenly think “her” is a “him”).

The final story in Volume 3 is, again, in two parts. The title is “Master Crook, the Wanderer (長旅屋詐欺先生)”. In a desperate effort to find the final two attackers on her list, it is suggested that Syura get her life story published to draw out her targets. She then must try and convince Miyahara, the famous but eccentric writer, to pen her story. But before that, she must find him, and he is famous for his random wanderings by train around the country. Miyahara is one of the strangest and funniest characters in this series so far. His personality and movements remind me of something from Lupin III. After a relatively heavy story, the introduction of Miyahara was a welcome change of pace, and it is fun to watch Lady Snowblood, as she is able to use her clever tactics manipulate the oddball old man…but, in the end will her plan work? We won't know for sure until the 4th and final volume.

More than in the earlier novels, I really was struck by the Kazuo Kamimura’s artwork in this book, especially the longest story, “The Unveiling of a Pretty Woman and a Strange Tale”. The scene where the yakuza gang is first introduced is quite stunningly done. There is also a terrific double-page-spread early in this story, which feels like a freeze-frame from a movie, as Syura dodges an attacker’s blow in her signature cat-like fashion. Also Kamimura’s dialogue-free frames over several pages opening the final story are powerfully done. The multiple views of Syura walking among the trains are beautifully rendered.