Black Clover, the popular manga and anime series created by Yūki Tabata, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in a very special way. To mark this milestone, three legendary manga creators have come together to honor the series with brand-new artwork. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, and Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach, have each drawn unique illustrations to celebrate Black Clover’s decade-long journey.
This collaboration between some of the biggest names in manga has generated excitement across the anime and manga community, highlighting just how far Black Clover has come since its debut in 2015.
When Black Clover first began serialization, it was often compared to other major shonen series because of its themes of rivalry, dreams, and friendship. The story follows Asta, a boy born without magic in a world where magic is everything.
Despite his disadvantage, Asta dreams of becoming the Wizard King, the strongest mage in the Clover Kingdom. Alongside his rival and childhood friend Yuno, Asta faces endless challenges, powerful enemies, and magical adventures. Over the years, the series has built a loyal fanbase that appreciates its fast-paced battles, heartfelt moments, and determination-filled storytelling.
Black Clover Franchise (Credits: Yūki Tabata)
Black Clover Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Artwork from Oda, Kishimoto, and Kubo
The release of the anniversary artwork feels like a passing of the torch. Oda, Kishimoto, and Kubo each represent some of the most influential manga creators of the past two decades. Their series defined an era of shonen manga and inspired countless readers and creators.
Now, with their artwork dedicated to Black Clover, they are showing respect for Tabata’s contribution to the next generation of shonen storytelling. For many fans, seeing Asta drawn in the style of these legendary artists feels like a dream come true.
Oda’s artwork for the anniversary is full of energy, perfectly capturing Asta’s determined personality. Known for his playful and lively art style, Oda adds a sense of adventure to the piece. Kishimoto’s version focuses on strong emotion and intensity, a trait that was central to Naruto.
His illustration reflects Asta’s drive to push forward no matter what stands in his way. Kubo’s artwork, stylish and bold, gives Asta a sharp presence, showing off the cool side of the character in a way only the Bleach creator could deliver. Together, these pieces create a powerful tribute that celebrates not only Black Clover’s journey but also the spirit of shonen manga as a whole.
Fans of Black Clover see this anniversary as a major achievement. The series has faced ups and downs, including breaks due to Tabata’s health, yet it has remained strong throughout. The anime adaptation, which began in 2017, brought the series to a wider audience and became especially popular for its action sequences and emotional arcs. In 2023, the release of the Black Clover:
Sword of the Wizard King movie further cemented the franchise’s place in the anime world. With the story continuing in the manga and the anniversary now being celebrated, the series is showing that it still has plenty of life left.
Legendary Creators of One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach Honor Black Clover Milestone
This anniversary also highlights the connection between generations of manga. When Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece dominated the pages of Shonen Jump, they set the standard for action-packed adventure stories.
Black Clover followed in their footsteps, offering fans a fresh but familiar journey filled with friendship, rivalry, and perseverance. Having the creators of those legendary series contribute to Black Clover’s milestone shows that the manga has earned its place alongside the greats.
For many readers, the 10th anniversary feels both nostalgic and exciting. It is a moment to look back at the incredible story Tabata has built, while also looking forward to the chapters yet to come. The artwork from Oda, Kishimoto, and Kubo serves as both a celebration and an encouragement. It is as if the giants of manga are telling Black Clover to keep going strong, inspiring both the creator and the fans.
Black Clover Franchise (Credits: Yūki Tabata)
As the series enters its second decade, there is much anticipation about where the story will go next. Asta and Yuno’s journeys are far from over, and fans are eager to see how the battles ahead will shape them.
With the anniversary artwork reminding everyone of Black Clover’s importance in shonen manga, the series stands tall as one of the leading titles of its time. This celebration is more than just about artwork. It is a sign of respect, admiration, and recognition of a story that has captured hearts for ten years and continues to inspire readers around the world.
In a magical world, Asta, born without magic, competes with his prodigious rival, Yuno, to become the next Wizard King. While Yuno wields a four-leaf grimoire, Asta obtains a five-leaf one containing anti-magic. They join Magic Knight squads and navigate challenges from dark forces like the Eye of the Midnight Sun and the Dark Triad, revealing deeper connections to devils and the Clover Kingdom’s history.
Set in rural South Korea in the late 1980s, “Memories of Murder” chronicles a series of grisly murders that shake a small town and obsess a team of local detectives.
Detective Park Doo-man, a man with faith in his observational prowess, is joined by Seoul detective Seo Tae-yoon, who prefers scientific methods over intuition and impulse.
The investigation faces several setbacks from the start. Initially, sexism and corruption within the police force, including hasty confessions extracted through brutality, result in false leads and missed opportunities.
The detectives pursue various suspects, relying on circumstantial evidence and Park’s unique idea that he can recognize the guilty by their gaze. But each suspect is eventually cleared. Missed clues and mishandled interrogations only increase the pressure.
Fresh hope arises when forensic science finally enters the case. A DNA sample from the latest victim offers a potential breakthrough, leading detectives to focus on Hyeon-gyu, a factory worker who fits the survivor’s description of soft hands and has suspicious ties to the murders.
The tension between Park and Seo heightens as frustration and feelings of personal failure mount, culminating in impulsive violence and emotional breakdown.
Pursuit, Doubt, and Defeat: What Happened
Events take a pivotal turn near the movie’s end with the murder of a young schoolgirl for whom Seo feels personally responsible. Having once bandaged her wound and promised safety, Seo cannot bear the weight of his perceived failure.
When forensic documents from the U.S. arrive, the results prove inconclusive; the semen sample does not match Hyeon-gyu’s DNA.
This revelation devastates both detectives. Seo, determined that Hyeon-gyu is guilty, denounces the documents he trusted throughout the case, while Park, who has long relied on gut feeling, can no longer sense guilt or innocence in the suspect’s eyes.
This moment is crucial because both men are confronted with the limits of their beliefs. Park’s method fails him; Seo’s faith in evidence is shattered. They release Hyeon-gyu, leaving him to disappear into the night, just another face swallowed by darkness and unanswered questions.
Years later, Park has abandoned policing, becoming a businessman and family man. During a routine sales trip, he visits the site where the first murder occurred, unable to let go of the years of unanswered questions.
There, a local girl tells Park that another man recently stood at the same spot, looking into the ditch and reminiscing about something he did long ago. When Park asks what the man looked like, she replies that he was “very ordinary” and she couldn’t describe any distinguishing features.
This scene is both chilling and profound. Park’s realization that he likely just missed encountering the real killer, who calmly visited the crime scene all these years later, delivers the final emotional blow. Park stares into the camera with a lost, searching expression.
The director intentionally leaves viewers unsettled, as though inviting them to feel the weight of unresolved guilt and truth. The killer could be anyone; his identity remains hidden behind a normal facade.
Legacy, Ambiguity, and the Meaning Behind the Final Scene
Director Bong Joon-ho’s ending emphasizes ambiguity over resolution. There are no dramatic confessions, courtroom victories, or moments of triumph. The final shot of Detective Park breaking the fourth wall stands as one of the most memorable moments in modern cinema.
Bong Joon-ho has stated that part of his idea was that if the real-life serial killer ever watched the film, he might feel the detective’s gaze upon him, locking eyes with his pursuer through the medium of film itself.
Memories of Murder (Credit: Prime Video)
The ending is not simply about failure to catch a killer; it is a reflection on the nature of truth, memory, and how violence haunts both those who commit it and those left seeking justice.
The director uses Park’s transformation from an arrogant cop certain of his methods, to a heartbroken man devoid of certainty, to mirror society’s deeper struggle with unsolved crimes and the corrosive effects on those involved.
The ambiguous ending ties back to several points established throughout the movie:
False accusations and police violence leave both the suspects and detectives scarred.
The hope placed in scientific evidence, exemplified by Seo, is not enough. The technology of the era failed to match the killer’s DNA.
Innocence and guilt remain blurry amid mounting pressure to resolve the case quickly.
The open wound of the unsolved case remains. For Park, every personal change, including leaving the police force and settling into a normal life, is shadowed by memories of victims and missed chances. The last murder victim, the schoolgirl, compounds this torment, as Seo’s emotional connection to her amplifies his sense of loss.
Bong Joon-ho’s direct gaze invites viewers to reflect on their role as witnesses. If the audience feels unsettled, it is intentional. The director turns the search for the killer into a mirror, reflecting the lingering doubts, failures, and unanswered questions that remain long after the official investigation ends.
Decades of Mystery: Context and Impact
Based on the true story of Korea’s first documented serial killings, “Memories of Murder” remains one of the nation’s most acclaimed films. It resonates deeply in Korean society, not only for its gripping story but for its powerful portrayal of flawed justice and unresolved trauma.
Years after the film’s release, new forensic technology did indeed lead to the arrest of a suspect for the real-life Hwaseong murders, but at the time of the movie’s conclusion, the crimes remained unsolved.
The story’s ambiguity directly reflects the frustrations of investigators and victims’ families. That haunting lack of closure is what gives the film its powerful effect.
“Memories of Murder” concludes not with answers, but with burning questions: Is justice always possible? What toll does failure take on those who chase the truth?
By refusing to provide a neat resolution, the film maintains an emotional intensity that lasts long after the credits roll. Park’s silent gaze reminds everyone that some mysteries refuse to fade, and the search for truth can leave scars deeper than any solved crime.
