We learned earlier this month that manga creator Takehiko Inoue was coming back to Vagabond after being away from it for about a year. Now the first installment has debuted in Weekly Morning magazine and the series has managed to grab a hold of the cover as well, making it an extra special return for fans.
The property, which Viz Media has been releasing in North America, began in 1999 and has thirty volumes to its name so far. Viz Media has that volume slated for an April 21st, 2015 release date, which will largely put North American fans in the position of finally being caught up with the work. They’ve been releasing VizBig editions as well, with the 12th volume of it arriving on the same date, which has three volumes that lead up to the new one.
Property concept: Growing up in 17th century Sengoku era Japan, Shinmen Takezou is shunned by the local villagers as a devil child due to his wild and violent nature. Running away from home with a fellow boy at age 17, Takezou joins the Toyotomi army to fight the Tokugawa clan at the battle of Sekigahara. However, the Tokugawa win a crushing victory, leading to nearly three hundred years of Shogunate rule. Takezou and his friend manage to survive the battle, and afterwards swear to do great things with their lives. But after their paths separate, Takezou becomes a wanted criminal, and must change his name and his nature in order to escape an ignoble death. Based on the book “Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa, Vagabond is a fictional retelling of the life of Miyamoto Mushashi, often referred to as the “Sword Saint” – perhaps the most famous and successful of Japan’s sword fighters.
[Source: Crunchyroll]
