Book Review - Claymore Volume 1

Title - Claymore

Author - Norhiro Yagi

Series - Silver-eyed slayer (Claymore Vol. 1)

Genre - Manga Fantasy

Format - Kindle

Published - April 4th 2006

Publisher - Viz Media

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

A Claymore - a female warrior named for the sword she carries - travels from medieval village to village to destroy Yoma, monsters who disguise themselves as humans and who are almost impossible to kill. Claymores are half-humans, half-demons who willingly transformed themselves by mixing their blood with monster's blood. Claire, nicknamed silver-eyed killer, is such a powerful Claymore, she can slay a Yoma using only one hand. But she must constantly struggle to keep from becoming a monster herself.

Review

Claymore is a manga about Yoma who pretend to be human in order to kill and eat the humans. The Claymore are the hybrid of the two stronger faster but still human with the ability to slay the Yoma which they do for a price. They travel from village to village slaying Yoma with nothing but the sword on their back using the Yoma abilities but slowly turning into a monster that they hunt. When the time comes a Claymore will send a black card to another claymore to be slain before the Yoma takes over and so they die as a human.

In the first installment Clare arrives in a village to slay a Yoma which has been killing humans. While the villagers fear her it’s one boy who is thankful that she’s come because he’s lost his parents to the Yoma. Clare will offer the revenge that he so desperately needed but never did he expect to find the Yoma pretending to be his own brother. After slaying the Yoma Raki has lost everyone and decides to follow Clare on her journey even though she doesn’t want him to. However the unlikely friendship is formed as they both have experienced tragic lost and left alone in the world.

I like Clare she’s a sword carrying slayer who isn’t afraid to die charging in risking her life. She may not survive every encounter but that doesn’t stop her from doing what has to be done protecting the humans.  While most Claymore’s wouldn’t allow Raki to tag along she accepts him and maybe it’s partly because they are kindred but he needs her and she him to keep her humanity. I find Clare to be an intriguing character and can’t wait to see more about her back story as well as what’s going to happen next.

I’ve seen all of the episodes on Netflix a few years ago actually binge watched them over a long weekend. I love the concept for the Claymore the hybrids created using parts from the monsters that they have been created to fight. While I am familiar with the story it’s interesting to see it play out as I read it. The art is great it gives me just enough to create the story in my head as I read each detailed page. This is only my 2^nd manga so I don’t have a lot to go on but so far I’m super exited to read the series. I ended up reading the first in just a quick before bead session and half of the second one. Claymore is a fast paced loaded with action series that is captivating right from the start hard to put down till the last page. Can’t wait to start the next one.