Manga Review – Claymore Vol 5 by Norihiro Yagi (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Manga
Length: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Release Date: December 5, 2006
ISBN-13: 978-1421506227
Stand Alone or Series: 5th book in the Claymore series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

This is the fifth installment in the Claymore series. It was an excellent installment and I continue to really enjoy this series. I originally watched the Claymore anime series, which is also very good. Up to this point the anime and the manga are following each other pretty well.

The book starts in Clare’s past and we watch as Teresa fights her fellow Claymores. The uber-powerful Priscilla uses too much of her power and we find out what happens as a result of this. Then the next story arc starts and we are back in the present with Clare as she journeys with the Slashers to fight a rare male Awakened One.

Probably the most interesting part of this book is the introduction of the Awakened Ones. We learn more history about the Claymore and find out what happened to all of the male Claymore. We also find out what happens to a Claymore who submits to her Yoma power. Previously any Claymore close to losing her humanity has been killed, in this book we see what happens if the process of over-using Yoma power isn’t stopped.

The Awakened Ones are truly awesome and fearsome characters, I loved the illustration of these monsters…it’s so detailed and creepily beautiful. There are some absolutely stunning fighting scenes. I continue to enjoy how well illustrated this series is and how fluid the fighting scenes are.

Additionally I love how we are learning more and more about the Claymore in each installment, it is like the mysteries behind their origins are slowly being revealed as we read from book to book. I also really appreciate that there is a summary of the story up to this point at the beginning of each book, I wish all mangas did this.

Overall I am absolutely loving this manga series. It has an awesome story, interesting characters, and spectacular fighting scenes. I continue to enjoy the illustration style, it is easy to follow and very detailed. I am excited to see what the next installment of this series holds!

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge