It would be a total crime to not include Takehiko Inoue when we talk about iconic Shonen manga. His opus Slam Dunk stands as a cult classic in the sports genre for various reasons. Accuracy, charisma, and camaraderie are some of them. However, we often overlook his underappreciated work.
Although unpopular, Vagabond is stellar in its unique way. It’s a rendition of Eiji Yoshikawa’s novel and deserves all the praise. However, the hiatus bothered fans for a long time until Inoue revealed his plans for the manga. The break seems promising for the series
Takehiko Inoue reveals plans for Vagabond
Most Slam Dunk fans are aware of Takehiko Inoue’s love for basketball. So much so that he worked on two other manga Real and Buzzer Beater. The serialized works are less popular than his opus, yet they highlight his liking for the sport.
But that is not all considering him starting scholarships for students through his royalties. No wonder he is a seasoned mangaka who is also goated for a reason. However, there is a work so exceptional of his that stands noteworthy in every sense.
In particular, his series Vagabond is a prime cut in Shonen manga mainly because of the art and the concept. For decades, his art style has been lauded by fellow mangaka and readers. Truly, Inoue is meticulous in his manner of creating his characters.
Based on the 1939 novel by Eiji Yoshikawa, the manga expands on the journey of Musashi Miyamoto. The panels and the setting are engaging and thrilling, which adds to its allure. There is, however, the prolonged hiatus addressed by fans incessantly until the mangaka finally spoke up.
In an interview conducted in 2022 during The First Slam Dunk’s promotions, Inoue revealed his plans for the series. He said:
It was a work that broadened my horizons in many ways, and…well, it’s not finished yet. I can’t wait to start drawing it again
Currently, he is working on the manga Real which has most fans disappointed. Some even associated the hiatus with his love for basketball and, rightly so, the series is well-received. Inadvertently, the break has affected his samurai series, albeit in a good way to bring out the series’ brilliance.
Hiatus as a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining, and in this case, it is the long hiatus. We often forget that breaks are necessary and with the manga industry’s brutal schedule, it makes sense. The hiatus seemed bothersome to readers, but it makes sense considering Inoue’s troubled health.
Inoue opened up about his physical health in an interview where he revealed the double-edged nature of this pause. He said:
I see this hiatus as sort of a death for myself as an artist, which sounds like a pretty dramatic way to put it, I realize, but there’s so much baggage that I’ve been dragging along for so long, and I know I’ll become a much better artist if I shed all of that. After I return to that state of innocence, the manga I make will be several times better than what I’m capable of now, I’m sure of it.
Like most of his contemporaries, he isn’t isolated from the brunt of making a perfect manga. And while it makes sense mostly, it can either make or break most artists. With the samurai manga, however, the pause helps it for several reasons.
This is because it is a masterpiece in the Seinen genre that is well-received and top-rated on My Anime List. More time would mean better fleshing out of characters and the plotline. And while there has been no official confirmation of him returning to the series, we can hope for the best.
Vagabond manga is available for reading on Viz Media.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
