[Manga] Claymore: Manga Thread

Plot Summary:

Originally Posted by AniDB

Based on a shounen manga by Yagi Norihiro serialised in Monthly Shounen Jump.

The setting of the story is a fictional world of abundant towns where humans coexist with demons called Yoma. These monsters feed on humans as their main source of food, hiding themselves in human society until they strike.

A group of skilled warriors form a nameless organization to protect humans from these demons. These warriors are called Claymores, after their immense Claymore weapons. They willingly infuse themselves with demon flesh and blood to become powerful half-human hybrids. Villages in danger of attack hire warriors from the organisation for protection.

The story of Claymore follows the adventures of the beautiful Claymore warrior Claire, who fights demons and struggles to hold on to her humanity.

Long ago, the Yoma, the shape changing demons, took human form to live in disguise among human society. They feed on human innards, and take possession of memories from the brains of people they eat. These acquired memories help them better disguise themselves within human society.

In recent years, a secret society discovers a way of implanting demon bodies and body parts into humans, to create hybrids more powerful than the original demons. Hybrid`s standard abilities include faster healing, limited shape modification, the ability to detect other demons and hybrids, and overall enhanced physical prowess. Almost all hybrids are created against their will; they are typically survivors of families attacked by demons. The only exception is the lead character, who volunteered to become a hybrid to avenge her family. The society sends hybrids to towns that can afford their fares to kill demons, although not every hybrid does so willingly (this is implied in the manga.) The society is often strict and harsh; hybrids who break the rules risk being hunted down by their fellow hybrids.

Running time: 23 minutes
Number of episodes: 26 ( =( )
Number of Volumes Released: 12 (11 translated)
VIZ Number of Volumes: 7
Production: MADHOUSE
Genre: Action

Opening Theme:
"Raison D’être" by Nightmare

Spoiler:

- Youtube link removed because Youtube's run by corporate nazis now.

Ending Theme:
"Danzai no Hana~Guilty Sky" by Riyu Kosaka

Spoiler:

Same deal as above.

Official Sites:
MANGA - http://annex.s-manga.net/claymore/main.html
ANIME - http://www.j-claymore.com/top.html

I've seen this series referred to as Berserk for lesbians. I don't really know about the lesbian part, but I get the same 'feel' from this show as I did watching Guts in his own show. While Berserk got me hooked from the beginning (moreso in the manga than the anime series), Claymore took more than a year for me. It premiered in Shonen Jump a long time ago and didn't seem like anything special at all. However, after taking a peek at one of the latest volumes at work the other day, I was convinced that this was one of those things I shouldn't pass up.

The series starts off slowly, but quickly picks up the pace halfway through volume two. Most fans agree that the 'kick-off' for the series begins with the Teresa of the Faint Smile Arc, which provides a good back story for the protagonist while also showing off a high-ranked battle involving the most powerful Claymores at the time. For a flashback arc, things that typically produce more yawns than cheers, this one is good and doesn't linger for to long.

The fight scenes seem to have made the conversion from manga to anime well. I haven't noticed anything significantly altered and every bit of gore appears to be intact. MADHOUSE has done another fantastic job, as the animation is relatively smooth and well choreographed. There are a few episodes where the quality takes a dive, but it's really not by much. By comparison, I'd say that Death Note is still superior in the consistent 'quality,' but that's probably because they had a far larger budget for that series than Claymore.

One other thing to note is that the author isn't afraid to kill characters off. While this series has 'shonen-esque' concepts like power levels and special moves, the tables can be turned at any moment. It's actually kind of depressing to see characters go that were otherwise fun and interesting, but it's clear, from a writer's position, that their personal arcs were over or ending.

The artwork might take some getting used to, especially in an anime season filled with 'moe,' but it's worth it. I highly recommend the manga, but the anime's not a bad entryway into the series either.

Screencaps




- Just a flesh wound (Manga)

Spoiler:

- Me after working out (Manga)

Spoiler:

Sub-Groups
- Eclipse

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by aku

One question, how does it match up to the manga, is it sticking almost 100% true?

It appears to be sticking to the manga very closely. I'd say about 98%. Some stuff is removed or shortened due to the length of the series (26 episodes). However, the opening has characters that show up around volume 9 and up, meaning that it'll probably cover a good chunk of material from the manga.

I imagine that includes the Battle of Pieta, which is all kinds of unprecedented WIN.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Greykin

Iunno, I think Clare is hawt .
------

Overall I'm really hooked on this show right now. I've never read the manga, so I don't know what to expect, but it's been a long time since I've enjoyed an anime this much though, thanks for bringing it to light .

I have one possible beef about it though:

Spoiler:

The Teresa and Clare thing. Right now I'm not sure if the story-line between the two is in the past, and the little girl Clare is the older one you see at the beginning with Raki. Lack of matching hair colour confuses me though. Which leads me to believe the Teresa and Clare storyline takes place the same time as Clare and Raki. The reason it kind of bothers me....... is because the whole idea of badass claymore getting all softy over kids they randomly meet is almost feeling like overkill with Teresa now, only 1 annoying child please D: . Now if that was Clare in the past, I can tolerate, because it can be a way to lead Clare up to how she treats Raki. Anyways, ya.

Not so much a spoiler at all, but:

Spoiler:

The Clare with Teresa is the Clare you see now. This is a flashback showing just who Teresa was and how and why Clare decided to volunteer to become a claymore -- something totally unfounded in the world. Claymores are usually forced to become what they are today.

All Claymores lose their original hair colors after being 'converted,' by the way. After conversion, their hair color is a light blonde.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Heh, yeah. The Battle of Pieta should be pretty epic animated, especially considering how that might be where the anime ends. Most of the rest of the budget might be pumped into those episodes.

Is it true that the manga will only be released monthly from here on out?

How ya doing, buddy?