Manga Review: Steel of the Celestial Shadows Volume 1
The first volume of Steel of the Celestial Shadows sets the stage with a historical setting steeped in mystery and the supernatural which will leave you running back to the store to buy the second volume.
Official Summary
A down-and-out samurai named Ryudo Konosuke struggles through his hardscrabble life in early 19th-century Japan. It is said that a samurai’s spirit rests in their sword—and Konosuke can’t even pick one up thanks to a cruel curse that repels anything made of metal that gets near him. Destitute and hopeless, he decides to end it all. But when a beautiful and mysterious woman saves his life and his soul, it is the beginning of Konosuke’s journey into a strange world of magic that exists a step away from his own.
It is said that a samurai’s spirit rests in their sword—and Konosuke can’t even pick one up thanks to a cruel curse that repels anything made of metal that gets near him. Destitute and hopeless, he decides to end it all. But when a beautiful and mysterious woman saves his life and his soul, it is the beginning of Ryudo’s journey into a strange world of magic that exists a step away from his own.
Quick Information
Mangaka: Daruma Matsuura
Publisher: Viz Media
Published: January 16, 2024
Genre: Action-Adventure, Drama, Supernatural, Historical, Romance
Tropes: Underdog, Damsel in Distress, Supernatural Awakening
Rating: Teen Plus
Series Status: Ongoing
Review
Konosuke is a fallen samurai who can’t wield a sword, let alone shave his face with a blade as all metals warp in his presence. He longs for death by the very thing that rejects him. One day he is saved by a mysterious woman and his life takes a drastic turn.
While this volume does have a slow start and a little bit of pacing issues as it brings characters together, if you stick with it, the story eventually opens up and you will be hooked. The mystery around Konosuke’s curse and Tsuki are really compelling parts of this first volume. There is a bit of romance here as well, and I’m curious to see how that will play into the story in the long run.
A samurai who is unable to hold a sword but continues to practice swordsmanship shows just how dedicated Konosuke is to his craft and just how desperate he is to prove himself a samurai. Konosuke is a character anyone can be sympathetic towards because of his plight and the position he finds himself in. While I didn’t immediately gravitate to him, I could appreciate knowing the high amount of stress one would be in if they were in his shoes, unable to do the very basics like being able to shave or boil water.
Tsuki was a much needed addition to this story, and I immediately liked her personality despite not knowing much about her. I enjoyed seeing her stand her ground against Konosuke’s defeatist attitude, and she helped him start to change.
There are two art styles included in this manga. One which is more artistic and painterly in style and is used for the cover and some chapter opening pages. The other is used throughout most of the manga. I really liked the regular art style and thought it worked well with each scene, especially showing Konosuke’s constant state of stress. I found something a little unsettling about the painterly style, but perhaps that was the intent.
If you are looking for a samurai story full of intrigue, mystery, desperation, and an unusual hook, then pick up a Steel of the Celestial Shadows volume 1.
Comments