| Abe-No-Kaii has had the last laugh, so to speak, and Volume 27 "Battle's Eve" sets the stage for the final confrontation between Ogami Itto and Retsudo Yagyu, whose blades still stand in the ground awaiting their return on the field where they fought. But having learned nothing from the demise of the Yagyu and Ura-Yagyu, all cut down by Lone Wolf's sword, Retsudo sends forth the grass as well: (133) "To Protect and Defend" is probably a literal translation of the Japanese title for this story, but it certainly fits. Daigoro remains on the beach to guard the swords and encounters a man who makes imado-yaki, (roof tiles). It seems the swords and standing in special clay, the sort that can be used to make tiles that can resist fire. If this is the last Daigoro story then it has an ironic element that is most appropriate. All this time by the river a quartet of police officers have been keeping an eye on Daigoro, and like the readers of these stories they have been affected by the samurai spirit of the little boy and are moved to help him in his duty. As always, this Daigoro story is a poignant episode of this epic saga. (134) "For Whom to Die" tells of Retsudo Yagyu's efforts to convince the Shogun of his loyalty. After all, Retsudo remains under house arrest because of the Yagyu letters and he cannot resume his duel with Ogami Itto until he is freed. Fortunately, the grass have arrived in force to help their master in his hour of need. (135) "Way of the Warrior, Way of Man" contrasts Retsudo Yagyu's final orders to the grass to kill Ogami Itto and Daigoro in obedience to the way of the warrior. Meanwhile, father and son enjoy the gift of the way of mankind, visited for a fleeting moment upon a father and son trapped in meifumado, a land beyond hope.` Again, Koike and Kojima show their ability to provide the saga with an ebb and flow, allowing the eye of the storm to pass over the characters befoe the final battle begins. (136) "Battle's Eve" finds the cops have been recalled from their watch and they leave as the first of Yagyu grass arrive. The time has come for the two blades to be taken from the ground and for the battle to resume. But this time Ogami Itto must cross swords with the greenest shoot. (137) "Grasses That Never Flower" reveals another reason why Ogami Itto dug all those holes on the beach as the Yagyu grass make a final full assault on father and son. Even at this point, over a decade into the saga, Koike and Kojima come up with new ways of trying to kill Lone Wolf. I was hoping that the final volume of the Lone Wolf & Cub series by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima would have been published by the time I finished Volume 27, but that has proven not to be my karma. Publication has been delayed on Volume 28 over a month (so far) and now for the first time in 138 days I do not have a Lone Wolf & Cub story to read tonight at bed time. However, I do have the six movies based on the epic manga series and they should help me pass the time. Then again, I might have to just reread the entire series up to this point to better appreciate the final episodes left to be told. "Lone Wolf & Cub" is an epic tale, regardless of the fact that it is merely a "comic book." |
