Claymore

The awesomeness that is claymore. Where to begin?

Claymore is a mix of medieval action with a twist of supernatural monsters. Although this comic has a seemingly simple core (fighting mutant women) the story has really managed to deliver. The artwork is okay, a little strange at times, often difficult to tell the lead characters apart, and some chapters are more packed with text than others. But that's okay--claymore is a story of intrigue and deceit. You'll be able to forgive its faults.

For a shounen, the visuals can go surprisingly far at times, and I think of it more like seinen (but not berserk's level, which it's sometimes compared to). But don't let that hold you back. And if you've been turned off by the anime, just know that the anime deviated in the last few episodes about the northern war. If you pick up where it left off, I think you won't be disappointed. Permalink " "

Claymore is a Manga that will greatly amuse those who love great battle scenes as well as a great story line. Set in Medieval like time.

As far as i can say, this Manga has great potential to develop into an amazing and addicting comic. Permalink " "

Claymore (クレイモア ,Kureimoa?) is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi. The series initially premiered in the now defunct Monthly Shōnen Jump in the May 2001 issue. When the magazine was canceled in June 2007, the series was temporarily moved to Weekly Shōnen Jump. When Jump Square was introduced in November 2007, the series was moved to it and is still on-going. The individual chapters are published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with 15 volumes released as of December 2008.

Madhouse Studios adapted the first eleven volumes of the series into a twenty-six episode anime series. Directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka the series premiered in Japan on NTV on April 3, 2007 and ran until September 25, 2007. A CD soundtrack for the anime series, and a CD of character songs using the anime voice actresses were released on July 25, 2007 and September 27, 2007, respectively.

The Claymore manga is licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media, which began serializing the title in its Shonen Jump manga anthology in the April 11, 2006 issue. It released the first volume of the series on April 4, 2006 and has released 13 volumes as of October 2008. The anime adaptation is licensed for release in North America by Funimation Entertainment, which has released the first DVD for the series in fall 2008[1]. Madman Entertainment has licensed the anime for release in Australia and New Zealand. Permalink " "

Claymore a must read manga. Wether you are a boy or a girl you will enjoy the beautiful girls in their skin tight outfits and boy like attitudes. For male fans Claymore caters beautiful girls with wonderful proportions killing monsters and dealing with their own demons. And for female readers Claymore is a power trip in a male protagonist dominated manga genre.

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Claymore starts out looking like a typical shounen and action manga with the heroine, Clare, a silver-eyed "witch" (known by commoners as a Claymore) killing monsters known as yoma while accompanied by a young boy named Raki. But as the plot progresses, it becomes clear that this is NOT a typical shounen manga. For one, claymore lacks many clearly evil or good characters. Rather the world that Clare inhabits is colored in shades of gray. For those of you looking for a mature manga without bleach-like tendencies towards endless boss fights and easy-to-predict storylines, Claymore delivers. It can provide surprising twists, is well-paced and its author is willing to sacrifice characters for the sake of the overall story.

Not only do the strongest not always win, but the plot, initially simple, grows to be both more complex and full of intrigue, and becomes extremely addicting. As Shrimpy notes, this is a visual feast for the senses, though the art style and nature of the Claymore universe is closer to our reality than is Beserk's. This, depending on one's viewpoint, is either its greatest strength or weakness. For those looking for a manga that feels almost real, claymore's monsters, warriors and commoners all live in a universe where most, if not all the laws of physics are obeyed. Those of you looking for a more conventional fantasy manga with magic powers and other things of that nature are better off looking elsewhere. Permalink " "

I've heard a lot of references to Berserk so far, so I'll throw in my two cents about Claymore, the manga, and the only important thing that I think that pertains to it and Beserk:

The Music

Yes. Try reading the entire manga series through with the Berserk Anime OST playlist running in the background (minus the "ballroom" song and the opening and ending music) it's an experience divine. The music sets the tone, and the manga is pretty much a show on its own.

After reading through the whole manga series non-stop since recently, I'd have to say that most of the reviews above are right. In the beginning, Claymore seems to have a story and plot like the typical shounen manga. It seems very 2-dimensional and not worth your time. Lol, if only it was - I wouldn't have read the whole thing! Haha, truth be told, the beginning completely fools you. The story exponentially progresses in depth with each passing arc, adding elements, twists, depth, and meaning to the entire story. If you're not careful it will completely take you over.

The artwork isn't anything too flashy, but I have to say, the author really makes an impression with the Claymores' presence and expressions... especially their 'eyes'. Just as they're spoken of within the story, the eyes of the Claymores... are eerily intimidating. Even the most beautiful one can't help but give you the creeps when you look at them. For a darker toned series this effect is essential. As for the artwork in general the shading really sets the atmosphere, and the quality is acceptable. Again, nothing flashy, it's no "Air Gear" but for what the story has to offer it doesn't fall short of what it needs to be.

For a monthly release, the manga has good pacing and is very well laid out. It's hard to lose interest when you're reading through the entire series. Once you are updated you'll have to wait once a month, but by that time, you'll have realized this: it's worth it* Permalink " "