Manga Review – Claymore Vol 9 by Norihiro Yagi (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Size: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Release Date: August 7, 2007
ISBN: 978-1421510514
Stand Alone or Series: 9th volume in the Claymore series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This is the ninth volume in the Claymore series. This has been a consistently well done fantasy manga series. I have really enjoyed the world, the characters, and the plot. There is a lot of action and some more story development in this installment.

This book continues the fight between Clare, Galatea and the witch Riful’s evil Yoma Dauf. Jean is the only one strong enough to pierce Dauf’s hide, so Galatea buys time while Clare rescues Jean from the dungeon. While they are unable to defeat Dauf or Riful, they do get some information from Riful on Isley of the North. Then Clare along with about half of the Claymore organization are sent North to face off with the Awakened Beings there. In the North Clare is reunited with Deneve, Helen, and Miria.

There are a ton of very well drawn and done action scenes in this book. Clare is using to learn her quick sword technique and Jean has a slightly disturbing fighting technique that involves twisting her arm over and over again.

We are introduced to Riful, who appears to be a little girl but is much more terrifying than that in reality. We also are reunited with the Claymores we meet in the Slashers storyline: Deneve, Helen, and Miria.

The second part of the book basically sets up everything for a large battle in the north. The Claymore are put on teams and are preparing to face off with a whole group of Awakened Beings.

Overall this was another excellent installment in this series. There are some new plot developments, as well as some awesome fighting scenes. The illustration continues to be top notch. I would definitely recommend this to manga fans who love dark fantasy. I can’t wait to see what happens in volume 10.

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