I’m going to mention that I’ve never played the Assassin’s Creed games, nor have I seen the live action movie, and I think that impacted my enjoyment of this manga. The synopsis sounded interesting enough for me to pick it up, but I honestly think you need prior knowledge of the AC universe to understand most of what is happening. As it stands on its own, I think it relies on you knowing much of the lore before you delve in. I spent much of it not understanding much of what was happening.

However, a manga or any type of media needs to stand on its own, and Blade of Shao Jun feels like an extension. That can be good for fans of Assassin’s Creed, it doesn’t give a crux to new fans with the world. Many of the explanations felt surface level, and much of it was left unexplained, so the world building felt thin, but like I mentioned before I think it relies on you knowing the lore beforehand.

The art is lovely, the settings and action scenes are eye catching and pleasing. I really wish I had more to say, but it’s nothing amazing. If I had been an Assassin’s Creed fan then maybe I would like it more. That’s why I’m giving it a three, because I think this is a ‘it’s a not for me’ situation.

As someone who's played the series, I was intrigued by it. I was more intrigued that the protagonist is a female, especially since it's mostly male protagonists. I find it refreshing to see that, and am looking forward to the next volume.

I enjoyed this title. Lisa is a character that I hope is developed more as I like how she truly desires to help others. Even though she is an assassin, she does it to rescue people and not just murder for gain. It gives a quick overview of the battle between the Assassin order and the Templars, which I thought was helpful for new readers of the series. I hope to continue reading this one :)

3.5 stars

I have a passing knowledge of the AC universe and, because of that, I picked this up. I would say it's a decent read, nothing too spectacular. It's a fun action story that flip flops between modern times and the past, showcasing the eternal conflict of the Templars and Brotherhood.

Both main characters feel flat, but that's to be expected when you have so much getting introduced. A lot of names are thrown around very quickly and it's a bit difficult to keep up with all the varying characters as so many come and go in this first volume. It's very obviously set-up for a bigger series (which, yea, duh), but it really feels like volume 0 more than anything.

But, I can definitely see promise, and there's good groundwork here to make a good story.

As a fan of the video game franchise and also manga, I wondered how well this would transfer. I enjoyed it. I would definitely hand it to fans of the video game and also fans of manga like Naruto and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

As a casual fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise, I was excited to give this graphic novel a read. I have played some of the games, but not the one this story is about: Assassin's Creed Chronicles – China. I am therefore unfamiliar with the character, but familiar with the setting.

I enjoyed the plot and really appreciated getting the AC vibes that I get from the game. However, I am not sure how easy it would be to understand for somebody that has no prior knowledge of the franchise. It does have a plot of its own but some major world elements might go beyond some readers.

I like the main character in this instance of AC and I am glad they chose to represent a female protagonist of the franchise.

I am looking forward to the next volume in this series and hopeful that there will be other Assassin's Creed stories told in graphic novel form in the future.

Blade of Shao read very quickly and left me wanting the sequel. The young assassin and her future relative both have mysterious pasts that keep the reader guessing as the story unfolds. Again, I cannot wait to find out more!

Thank you to NetGalley, VIZ Media, and Minoji Kurata for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.

I'm usually a bit skeptical when it comes to books (or other media adaptations) based on video games, but this one was pretty good. The main assassin is Shao Jun, who is granted the responsibility of caring for a special secret box. She doesn't know what is in it...yet...just that the Templars are after it. When she loses the box, she must get it back by any means necessary.

We have a huge reflection of the game when Japanese student, Lisa, is the one being experimented on with the animus. While she thinks this will help correct some of her personality issues, she might be being used for more sinister means when it comes to finding the box and its contents.

The art is nice and the Chinese aspect with the locations and lore woven in really pull through to create that Assassin's Creed atmosphere. This is a fun manga whether you are a fan of the games or haven't even played. Also, a female lead for the win. Need I say more?

I have never played an Assassin's Creed video game or seen a movie. Shao Jun's ancestor is strapped into some kind of machine where she can relive her ancestor's memories. Unknown to her, a group of people is using her to find a long-lost treasure. Shao Jun was entrusted with the treasure by the assassin's group when she escaped a mass slaughter. Now, Shao Jun has returned to China to take revenge on those who killed her brotherhood.

As a huge fan of the Assassin's Creed series I was excited to read this manga adaptation of one of their lesser known games, AC Chronicles: China and presumably be given more background into the character, more time to develop the story and learn more about the turbulent history of 16th century China. Unfortunately this volume was more like a speed-run through the game, with little time spent on getting to know protagonist Shao Jun, and if a reader were unfamiliar with the world of Assassin's Creed and all the jargon, lore and mythology it contains (the Animus, Abstergo Industries, the Apple of Eden, Ezio Auditore, etc) they would surely be completely lost.

I will say that Kurata Minoji's art does a fine job of keeping the action moving, and unlike some other manga adaptations of media properties I've read over the years her style does not look at all out of place among current shounen or seinen titles. Every character is distinct, the designs appealing, and the flow is easy to read and understand. There's just not a lot of *plot* to flesh out on the page, or time to really know who each character is before they're gone or, usually, dead. Knowing who some of the important historical figures mentioned are and their significance would have been a welcome addition, hopefully one that might be added in the back of the next volume, as well as a glossary of terms for AC lore.

While I was disappointed by this first volume I do still want to read the next one, which is a credit to the manga-ka as well as my own love of the series - I imagine many fans will feel the same and want to complete their collections with this title. Thank you very much to NetGalley and Viz Media for my review copy.