Laughing Under the Clouds, Volume 6

Laughing Under the Clouds, Volume 6 by Karakarakemuri is published by TokyoPop in February 2022 and is presented in English across 208 pages. This volume continues the story set in the early Meiji era, a time marked by civil unrest and the decline of the samurai way of life. As Japan faces a surge in crime, the government constructs Gokumonjo, an inescapable prison on Lake Biwa, which relies on the Kumo family’s three sons to transport criminals. The narrative unfolds as a dreaded murderer disrupts the Kumo family’s peace, bringing alarming news of an ancient calamity known as Orochi.

Readers will find a blend of fantasy and historical fiction as Soramaru, one of the Kumo brothers, grapples with the secrets kept by his elder brother, Tenka. As Soramaru seeks strength from external sources, Tenka is approached by other forces interested in his knowledge of the ancient evil. The story delves into themes of family, strength, and the supernatural, as the race to locate and control Orochi’s vessel intensifies. This edition invites readers into a richly illustrated world that intertwines elements of the occult with the historical backdrop of Japan’s transformation during the Meiji era.