Review: Claymore, Vol. 3

Claymore, Vol. 3 
by Norihiro Yagi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Claymore, Vol. 3 / 978-1421506203

I've actually watched the complete Claymore anime first before getting into the manga; I'm really liking the manga source material, as it rather closely follows the anime but has a few extra details and world-building information along the way. I definitely love the clean, crisp black-and-white artwork, but I am still having trouble with the right-to-left / back-to-front reading.

Volume 3 provides the following scenes:

Scene 10: Darkness in Paradise, Part 6
Scene 11: Darkness in Paradise, Part 7
Scene 12: Teresa of the Faint Smile, Part 1
Scene 13: Teresa of the Faint Smile, Part 2
Scene 14: Teresa of the Faint Smile, Part 3
Scene 15: Teresa of the Faint Smile, Part 4

For those following along with the anime series, this volume corresponds to:

Episode 4: Clare's Awakening (An adaptation of Scene 10, Scene 11, and carried over from Volume 2.)
Episode 5: Teresa of the Faint Smile (An adaptation of Scene 12, Scene 13, and Scene 14.)
Episode 6: Teresa and Clare (An adaptation of Scene 15 and carried over into Volume 4.)

This volume covers the adventures of Clare in the Holy City of Rabona as she fights against the powerful yoma and struggles with overcoming her limits in battle. The volume also introduces Teresa from Clare's past, her encounter with the bandits on the road, and her growing attachment for Clare along the way. The volume ends as Teresa is assaulted by a determined bandit and must chose whether or not to follow the Claymore's ultimate rule.

The only thing I don't like about this volume is that I preferred the more angular facial artwork for Teresa that was on display in the anime. If you liked the anime series, though, I am certain you'll like this manga volume; I recommend it for extra detailing and world building.

~ Ana Mardoll

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