Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Co-Op and weapon kit promotional image from Treyarch and Raven Studios

    Sharing Gunsmith Builds in Black Ops 7 Is About To Get Much Easier

    08/19/2025
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Manga » REVIEW: ‘Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun,’ Volume 3

REVIEW: ‘Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun,’ Volume 3

Kyle FoleyBy Kyle Foley01/22/20223 Mins ReadUpdated:02/01/2022
Blade of Shao Jun Vol 3 - but why tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Blade of Shao Jun Vol 3 - but why tho

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Volume 3 continues the tale of Shao Jun in the wonderful adaptation by Minoji Kurata of the Assassin’s Creed: China video game. It is serialized in Monthly Sunday Gene-X, with the English translation by Caleb Cook and retouches and lettering by Brandon Bovia. It is published in English by VIZ Media.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Volume 3 contains chapters 9-13 of the series and leads off with Shao still in Nan-an. Shao’s mentor, Wang Yangming, is also in Nan-an and Shao discovers he is in grave danger. After springing the trap set for them Shao has to act swiftly in order to try to save her mentor. I won’t spoil what happens, but I thought the action here was incredibly well-drawn. The character writing here too, both for the heroes and the villains, was top notch. I have been impressed about how much I care about even the smallest side characters, which is a testament to Kurata’s writing.

One of the biggest highlights of the series so far has been the beautiful artwork, specifically in the fighting scenes. The Assassin’s Creed series is well known for the fighting and killing techniques of the Assassins, and Kurata brings them to life with excellent detail. Each battle feels authentic, and the physical and emotional toll it takes on the characters involved is felt on every page. Blade of Shao Jun is easily one of the most underrated manga series when it comes to the visual aspect. It is up there with more popular franchises like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer.

Outside of the Animus is where the story is really starting to hit its stride. Lisa continues to suffer from the Bleeding Effect, and the true intentions behind Dr Kagami are revealed. The real world climax is quickly approaching, and it has arguably been the best part of the entire story so far. I was initially disappointed that this part of the story was barely focused on in this volume, but I understand why. The development of Lisa has been really well handled even in such a short period of time, so it makes sense that more time is focused on the development of Shao.

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Volume 3 feels like the perfect final setup before a magnificent ending. The characters on both sides of the conflicts, both inside and outside the Animus, have been introduced and their motives explained. Volume 3 finishes giving most of the background information that is needed to really make readers care about how the conflicts will play out. Will Shao and Lisa both be successful in their endeavors, or will they fail horrifically? While the latter is assumed, I can’t wait to see how Volume 4 wraps up what has been such a fascinating story so far.

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Volume 3 is available now wherever books are sold. 

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Volume 3
4

TL;DR

Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Volume 3 feels like the perfect final setup before a magnificent ending. The characters on both sides of the conflicts, both inside and outside the Animus, have been introduced and their motives explained. Volume 3 finishes giving most of the background information that is needed to really make readers care about how the conflicts will play out. Will Shao and Lisa both be successful in their endeavors, or will they fail horrifically? While the latter is assumed, I can’t wait to see how Volume 4 wraps up what has been such a fascinating story so far.

  • Read Now with Our Amazon Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleCarolyn Talks ‘Escape From Mogadishu’ with Director Ryoo Seung-wan
Next Article INTERVIEW: Talking ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ with Critical Role Cast
Kyle Foley

Kyle is an editor, writer, and musician from Orlando, FL who primarily covers soccer as well as video games and anime. He also believes mayonnaise is the best condiment for hot dogs, which are sandwiches.

Related Posts

Wolf Girl and Black Prince — But Why Tho

REVIEW: Wolf Girl and Black Prince Volume 1

05/16/2023
hirano and kagura volume 2

REVIEW: ‘Hirano and Kagiura,’ Volume 2

04/25/2023
K-On Shuffle — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘K-On! Shuffle’ Volume 1

04/24/2023
Skybeams in the Sky — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Sunbeams in the Sky’ Volume 1

04/24/2023
The Boxer Volume 2 — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘The Boxer,’ Volume 2

04/24/2023
Run On Your New Legs Volume 4 — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Run On Your New Legs’ Volume 4

04/24/2023

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here