Ketteiban, Kamui-Den Zenshū: Gaiden #1

Ketteiban, Kamui-Den Zenshū: Gaiden #1 serves as a definitive compilation volume for the seminal gekiga work by Sanpei Shirato. Originally serialized starting in the mid-1960s, Kamui-Den is recognized for its sophisticated exploration of class struggle, oppression, and survival in Edo-period Japan. This specific 'Ketteiban' or 'definitive edition' series was designed to preserve Shirato's complex, high-contrast black-and-white artistry for modern readers, ensuring that his meticulous depictions of historical peasant life and ninja lore remain accessible.

The editorial intent behind this collection was to provide a comprehensive look at the peripheral narratives—the 'Gaiden' or side stories—that expand upon the dense world-building of the main series. Sanpei Shirato, alongside his brother and collaborator Tetsuya Okamoto, crafted these narratives to deepen the character studies of individuals existing on the fringes of the Tokugawa shogunate. The series is widely regarded by critics as a cornerstone of the gekiga movement, valued for its rigorous historical research and its unflinching commitment to depicting the harsh realities of feudal Japanese society.