Path of the Assassin

Author: Kazuo Koike
Artist: Goseki Kojima
Publisher: Kodansha
English Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Review Type: Manga
Status: Completed
Genre: Seinen, Historical, Martial Arts, Mature
Volumes: 15
Vintage: 1978-1984



Synopsis

Path of the Assasin follows the famed Suppa (ninja) Hattori Hanzo Masanari as he is chosen to become the protector and vassal for the Matsudaira clan's future leader, Motonobu, who would eventually grow up to become Tokugawa Ieyasu, head of the Tokugawa clan, and the man responsible for unifying Japan, ushering 200 years of peace during his rule as Shogun. Our story takes place from both protagonists' humble beginnings, and still in their teens; Hanzo then 15 while his master (still known as Matsudaira Motonobu) was 16. While both showed promise, they are still inexperienced and learning about life the way most teenagers do. After a faulty first meeting, master and servant quickly become friends. The relationship between the two quickly transcends the master-servant demographic, and poetically described as 'Lifelong Friends, with the Same Dreams, Striving to Grow into a Rising River.' The quality of their relationship is unforgettably crystallized by Hanzo's fulfillment of a challenging but enticing task Ieyasu sets him, which was to demonstrate how to make love to a woman, which neither youngster has ever done.

Path of the Assassin in essence encapsulates the lives of both Hanzo and Ieyasu as they begin their long and arduous path towards the unification of Japan, and the problems and people they encounter, as well as the women they meet and love along the way.



Chibi's Path of Comments

There was this computer game I used to play endless hours on my PC growing up. It was basically a strategy game based on feudal Japan, and the aim of the user is to get the daimyo he's in control of to conquer all the fief (provinces) in Japan to complete the game. That game was called Nobunaga's Ambition, and was released by Koei in 1989. It being historically accurate gave me insight to how Japan was during the 1500s, and I grew familiar with all the characters (actual daimyos during the time), playing it over and over, and when the company released a sequel, which was more of an upgrade in terms of graphics from monochrome to VGA (damn this sounds really prehistoric), I played it over and over again. So given the knowledge of how Japan's history was during the feudal era, I came across Koike and Kojima-san's historical epic, and quickly rushed to pick up a copy.

I was initially hoping to read more about the namesake of the game I used to be so fond of, which was lord Oda Nobunaga, who actually was the one who laid the groundwork before passing away, giving Ieyasu the opportunity to capitulate and unify Japan. But I was honestly impressed with Koike-san's portrayal of both Ieyasu and Hanzo (Hanzo actually appears in the second Nobunaga's Ambition as one of his generals), giving us a feel of a buddy movie more than an intense political historic drama. Although the politics is abundant throughout the series, he also does balance it out with a few amusing moments and lots of ninja-on-ninja violence.


My favorite aspect of this manga was learning more about the ninja. In other mangas we either get a fictitious view of what a Suppa organization, but in this series we get an extremely accurate view of what they do exactly, and their code of honor. Ninja have long been popular in fiction and especially in American pop culture, but there is very little known about their rumored existence in reality. The ninja code, as it begins to be examined in this manga, is similar to the samurai code in some ways, but in others it is quite different. In short, without giving away too much, there is a level of secrecy about the very existence and performance of ninja that is vital for them to successfully perform their duties, unlike samurai, who perform their duties in the open for all to see. Like all of Koike and Kojima-san's stories, this comic provides a highly engaging, historically accurate look at this period of time in Japan, showing us just what it was like for the Japanese people at that time and teaching us more about the culture.

We are first introduced to Hanzo in the very first chapter of the series, and we are shown why Hanzo was chosen over his brothers to shadow Motonobu (I address him as Motonobu from here on because this is before he changed his name). He has skills that exceed his brothers’, despite the fact that they are grown men. As the story progresses, we meet Motonobu. He is not as mature as Hanzo, probably because of the Hanzo’s extensive martial arts training, but as the story progresses, I became aware that Motonobu is more honorable than I had originally thought. He is young and foolish in many ways (realistically, he’s probably just a bit more like an average 16 year old than Hanzo is), but he does have a samurai heart, and Hanzo realizes this early on as well. The two characters begin to forge a close friendship without even really intending to.


As the story progresses throughout the later volumes of the series, we do get to witness the advice Motonobu seeks from Hanzo for ideas on his new name, and we get to see how their paths towards maturity, although vastly different, would still have very much the same outcome on certain issues. Several well known historical figures of feudal Japan do make an appearance throughout the series, such as the famous Tiger of the Kai Takeda Shingen, Oda Nobunaga, and also a few of the famous generals of the era. We often see how Motonobu relies on Hanzo, from political advice to mundane things such as making his wife happy, further cementing their friendship to be more than that of a master and his vassal.

There is a slight learning curve to this series, however, as readers who are unfamiliar with Japanese history might have problems in recognizing the characters as they are introduced, where more Japanese readers would automatically be able to identify as they are welcomed into the fold of the series' plot. Certain events would also confuse and bewilder the readers who aren't well-read in Japanese history, but in my opinion this is part of the fun. Doing research as you read through the series makes it all the more enjoyable given Japan's colorful and violent history during the feudal era, and it certainly educated me in more parts than most in Japanese culture and tradition, apart from its history.


In conclusion, Path of the Assassin is a more mature story told by the incredible duo of Koike and Kojima-san, and also a kind of a Japanese history lesson in pictures. The only qualm I have on this series is that maybe Dark Horse should have provided a historical overview on some of the events in the manga, to steer the uninformed in the right path and to also give them an accurate understanding of the story. I do think that the duo has surpassed the epic Lone Wolf and Cub with this one, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat from the start till the end. A must read for history buffs and samurai manga fans alike.



Chibi's Review


Storyline: 5/5
Character Development: 5/5
Art: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Samurai: Executioner

Author: Kazuo Koike
Artist: Goseki Kojima
Publisher: Kodansha
English Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Review Type: Manga
Status: Completed
Genre: Seinen, Drama, Historical
Volumes: 10
Vintage: 1972-1976

Synopsis

The story is set in the Edo period of feudal Japan. The manga chronicles Yamada Asaemon, a ronin who is appointed as the official sword tester for the shogun. Nicknamed Kubikiri Asa (neck-chopper Asa, or decapitator Asaemon), he tests the swords made for the shogun by way of conducting executions on death row prisoners of said era, hence his morbid nickname. Yamada Asaemon's character is based on real life sword testers who served the Tokugawa Shogunate up to the early 19th century.


While the story revolves around Asaemon, the focus is not on him, but more on the people he meets in the course of his work. The stories rather tend to focus on the prisoners that Asaemon executes, and the consequent events that led up to the point where they actually meet him upon facing execution, and most are told as their final words before receiving the fatal stroke. As with his meeting with Ogami Itto (Lone Wolf of Lone Wolf and Cub fame, another manga written and illustrated by both Koike and Kojima-san) such encounters often give Asaemon time to reflect and think, on his life in general.

Although the characters themselves are fictional throughout the course of the manga, each story is written with precise historical accuracy, giving the reader a clear picture of how feudal Japan was during the Edo period, from its laws to monarchy to even its architecture, prompting the English publisher Dark Horse to provide a glossary to help define the many Japanese terms to keep the stories authentic.


Chibi's Kubikiri Comments

When I first came across Kazuo Koike-san's work it was on Crying Freeman way back in 1991, probably about the time when Viz, then still a budding company, started publishing the title under it's small plethora of manga brought stateside. I was instantly hooked by the concept of the story, where an assassin weeps for the victims he kills, and eventually falls in love with one target, making her his wife in the process. I then came across the immensely popular Lone Wolf and Cub, the series that immortalized Koike-san as one of the best manga writers ever, and his resume also included being classmates with one Rumiko Takahashi during his art school years (she's famous for Ranma, Urusei Yatsura, and Inu Yasha). After learning that Dark Horse has published the mini-tankobons (or mini-mangas) for easy reading on both Lone Wolf and Cub and Samurai Executioner, I decided to give this series a shot.

Putting a little thought into it, it does make marketing sense to associate both Lone Wolf and Cub and Samurai Executioner on Dark Horse's part. Yamada Asaemon was featured in Lone Wolf and Cub to be Ogami Itto's (Lone Wolf's protagonist) equal at the sword. This prequel (Asaemon encounters Ogami after his sword testing days) even features the same samurai culture, historical references and even the extremely graphic monochrome blood squirting violence that made its sister title so popular. However, delving deeper into the series, I discovered the two protagonists could not be further apart, and in some ways makes Samurai Executioner a better read.


Samurai Executioner, as explained in the synopsis is a series of loosely connected stories centered on Yamada Asaemon, a third generation O-tameshiyaku (official sword tester) for the shogun. The duties of the O-tameshiyaku is to perform the O-tameshi, or official cutting, to test the sharpness and cutting prowess of the swords forged for the use of the shogun, and also extended to other feudal lords or daimyo, and anyone else Asaemon sees fit. The textbook definition of a samurai, Asaemon is adept at martial arts, unnaturally skilled with the sword, and is extraordinarily conflicted about his job. In order to inherit the job from his father, Asaemon had to murder him as his first practice of O-tameshi on a live target, and with tears running down his cheeks, a son grants his father's final wish. This in turn sets the stage for many Bushido morality plays throughout the series.

The first book already shows us three examples of Asaemon's conflicted nature in graphic detail, and much like its sister manga Lone Wolf and Cub, this series is not for the faint hearted, and not exactly violence junkies' cup of tea either. Each of the short stories are musings on codes of honor, ancient morals, and lots and lots of blood and body parts, putting even some of the more graphic horror comics to shame.

Unlike Lone Wolf and Cub's 'high-concept' idea to keep the plot moving, Samurai Executioner is a complete paradox to the concept. Asaemon is not out to avenge his clan by seeking out its destroyers, and readers of Lone Wolf and Cub would know Asaemon's final fate. This manga is in some ways, how Kubikiri Asa got to that point.


In conclusion, Samurai Executioner is an extended character study, where in this world of violence we are introduced to a character essentially the equal to Ogami Itto, who puposely follows a different path. Where Itto teaches his son the ways of murder by bringing him along in his travels, Asaemon refuses to have a family, hoping that the long line of violence and murder in his bloodline would end with his death. While his honor ensures that he performs his duties above and beyond the call, his heart prevents him from passing the 'curse' of the O-tameshi to anyone else. Koike-san's flair in provoking deep thought from reading this series is exemplary, and i do recommend this manga to not only fans of Lone Wolf and Cub, but readers wanting to immerse themselves in ancient Japanese cultures and traditions. Not your standard manga entertainment, but entertaining nonetheless.



Chibi's Review

Storyline: 4/5
Character Development: 3/5
Art: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Blade of the Immortal

Author: Hiroaki Samura
Publisher: Kodansha
English Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Review Type: Manga
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Seinen, Chanbara, Supernatural
Volumes: 24
Vintage: 1994-ongoing

Synopsis

Our tale follows the adventures of Manji, a skilled samurai with a decisive factor against his enemies, no wound would kill him save a rare poison. Manji was an evil samurai before he obtained his immortality, with his past criminal acts involving the death of 100 other samurai, including his sister's husband. Consequently obtaining immortality at the hands of an 800 year old nun named Yaobikuni, Manji is compelled to undo all of his past criminal acts following the death of his sister, accepting a quest that would end his agelessness. Vowing to kill 1000 evil men in order to make amends, Manji is kept alive and virtually indestructible by a rare species of 'sacred bloodworms' called the kessen-chu. These worms are remarkable creatures that are capable of healing any injury and reattaching any limbs severed during battle, even after hours of amputation. The kessen-chu are bred to be as accurate in their genetical makeup to humans as possible, and work by sacrificing themselves to seal or reattach the wound. Although the kessen-chu does experience regrowth in Manji's bloodstream, it doesn't occur on a large scale and takes time to regenerate, and could perform miracles such as reattach an arm or seal a bullet hole in the brain.


The manga starts during one of Manji's travels, where he crosses paths with a young girl named Asano Rin, whose parents were killed by a group of rogue but extremely skillful samurai led by Anotsu Kagehisa. Anotsu proceeded to kill Rin's father and his entire dojo, and upon learning this, Manji agreed to assist her in her plight. Anotsu's quest is to gather outcasts from rival dojos and form an extremely powerful dojo dubbed the Itto-ryu (a school focused on only winning swordfights, regardless of how exotic or unorthodox the technique), and has since started destroying and assimilating other dojos into his own.


Coincidentally, another group calling itself the Mugai-ryu has emerged, with its intent on opposing the Itto-ryu. While its methods are similar to the Itto-ryu's, its true leadership and motives are a mystery. The Mugai-ryu then tried to enlist Manji's cooperation as they seem to have the same motives (destruction of the Itto-ryu), and even though Manji does eventually join the Mugai-ryu, he quickly pulls out after discovering that a fellow member named Shira was too sadistic in his methods for his liking. Soon Manji discovers that the Mugai-ryu are working for the government, with its members being death row inmates who are only allowed to live if they agree to serve the bakufu (or shogunate). While Manji and Shira eventually grow to despise each other, with Shira running off, he maintains a good relationship with the Mugai-ryu.

To put it in a much broader perspective, Blade of the Immortal covers the effects of death and also the consequences of the inability to die, as well as the meanings behind living, and most of the main characters have a purpose in which they discover through a series of events.


Chibi's Immortal Comments

I first stumbled upon Samura-sensei's manga way back in '94 when visiting a local comic book store on my monthly Spiderman run (yes folks, I used to read AMERICAN comics....oh the shame), and although it looked pretty interesting at first, I never picked a copy of it up, due to my idiotic prejudice against black-and-white comics at the time. Cut through to 2006, and it was a time when I was turning into an uber-otaku for the first time in my life, I came across the tankobons (or manga volumes for you noobs) again, and finally decided to pick one up.

So here I am 20 volumes later, still reading intently on the goings on of Manji and co. With Blade of the Immortal probably the only manga ever to win an Eisner award (the Pulitzer of comic books for creative achievement), I had pretty high expectations for this manga. I was not disappointed as it repaid my expectations in spades. Although the Immortal or indestructible thing has been done over and over again in American comics (Wolverine comes to mind) and movies (Connor Mcloud anyone?), Samura-sensei's chanbara epic does give a very interesting twist to the concept by it's settings and plot layout.


What makes Blade of the Immortal so distinct from all the other samurai manga out there is the setting itself. Samura-sensei has laid out a very vibrant and stylistic look of feudal Japan, where every samurai is so individually different, each wearing outlandish kimono coupled with an outlandish weapon, and aren't restricted to the traditional Japanese swords, garments and formalities that other manga of its kind tend to showcase. Samura-sensei's version of feudal Japan is a harsh and corrupt place, much like most slums across the globe today, with the notable absence of the traditional stereotype of the samurai with a code of honor they abide to, instead showing us a more of a dog-eat-dog scenario where they'll take anything they can get in order to survive.

We are also introduce to many interesting and unique characters such as Magatsu (one of my favourites in this series), with his funky hairdo and dressing giving me the impression of feudal Japan's equivalent to Konoha's Hatake Kakashi (Naruto guys....DUH), Giichi, wearing string tied sunglasses and long range circular blades, and even the protagonist Manji, with an arsenal of unique swords, and seemingly able to conceal more than ten of them in his kimono. The harshness of this Japan results in a bloodbath where combatants prefer to slowly hack their opponents to pieces in a display of skill rather than a swift kill often found in standard samurai manga fare, and the authorities seem to just let the criminals kill each other rather than taking them out themselves. The gore in this manga is pretty excessive, but they contribute to the feel of the plot, consequently separating this samurai manga from others of its kind.


The gore is balanced by the colorfulness strewn throughout the manga, where this version of Japan is a dangerous, but extremely psychedelic place. Samura-sensei's extremely distinct style probably had a lot to contribute to this effect, where he seemingly uses pages of rough sketches meshed with beautifully inked ones, with strikingly beautiful results. The rough penciling style gives his male characters a rugged and edgy feel to them, whilst the women characters look much more elegant with his bold ink lines. The whole manga gives off this unfinished feel, like a sketchbook linked together by a story, and you could practically spend hours examining the beautiful panels Samura-sensei has created.

In conclusion, Blade of the Immortal stands as one of my favorite samurai mangas out there, with grizzly action that blends in perfectly with its revenge themed plot. Truly a cut above the rest, I do recommend this to veterans of this genre, and also to newcomers looking to see what a samurai manga is all about.



Chibi's Review


Storyline: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

Dogs: Bullets and Carnage

author: Shirow Miwa
review type: manga
status: ongoing
genre: Seinen, Action

*please do read the review for the prequel first. For the review click here.


Synopsis

"In this town that has even lost the seasons, life is a light thing. Despite that the "Dogs" still keep on living." (pg.35, Chapter 1)

The manga begins with a rescue operation by Badou and Heine. They pursue a brothel owner that keeps genetically altered female juveniles as prostitutes. They get into a brawl which leads to the destruction of the brothel. Naoto, the swords woman is also on the move to discover who she really is and the killer of the parents. It is during this process that she is informed of a white hair and eye patch that also asked for such an information. Naoto pursues them and arrives at the church where they frequent.

At the church, Naoto meets Nil; the mutated girl with wings. And then are cornered by a mob that seeks to take back Nil. Naoto gets down on the action. But awaits Naoto, Badou, Heine and not forgetting the melancholic Mihai would be that they are all connected with something called the Deep Below; a place where genetically altered beasts and humans are created and tamed.

So they cross paths and team up; each with commonalities each having a reason to get to the Deep Below; a place rumored to be more terrible than the underground.



Rempits Vrooming Comment

This one is addictive. Action packed, astounding art work and a storyline that reminds you of Quetin Tarrantino. I would say for a first timer, this manga would tantalize that Seinen appetite of yours.

And another Tarrantino trademark that's evident in this manga would be you can't exactly lay a finger on each of them and label them good. It is a dark world, they are dark characters, and they don't seem to seek the light either. Just that they are getting into a more darker area and they just want to keep alive until their questions are answered. Talk about post-modern, this manga is loads of it. Which boils down to the fact that the author did an excellent job in making this a relevant and down right realistic manga. Normally you would have the good ordinary nerd bashing up seasoned gangsters and then before meeting the top boss; he comes up with a philosophy of life, bashes the boss to death with the boss tearing up and admitting that the philosophy is so true, and the either dies or ends up in prison or becomes his best buddy. So this gives you an alternative route.

All four characters have a personality. And at times it is a reminiscent of those shounen or ecchi mangas you read. Badou can be similarly compared to Agito of Air Gear, but with a more shounen-ai form and more zany and wacky character.

Naoto is a breathe of fresh air. She somewhat reminds me of Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop. With a lesser sexual prowess. Her character is cool, calm and balanced. Surprisingly interesting for someone whose hell bent on revenge. Which is definitely different than your shounen avenger of sorts.

Basically, this is another manga where you can comfortably slide in your "I can relate to" shoes and at the same time go WOW! I want to read it again. Action packed, stylish and all round interesting.





Rempit Rates

Originality: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Character Development: 5/5

Dogs: Stray Dogs Howling in the Dark

author: Shirow Miwa
review type: manga
status: completed
genre: Seinen, Action


Synopsis

Capturing an introduction in frames, this prequel to Dogs: Bullets and Carnage focuses on the four main characters of the Dog's timeline. And you've guessed it, its in frames; each frame for a main character.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world the story begins with a certain assassin, Mihai Mihaeroff wanting to confront his protege Ian for the death of Milena; Mihai's love interest. They meet 10 years after the death of Milena to settle the score; at the grave site of Milena. A third party group of assassins are present there, unknown to both Mihai and Ian with the sole intention of killing Ian. The third partisans fail, being killed off by both Mihai and Ian; with the exception of fatally wounding Ian which leads to his demise. Mihai on the other hand realizes later on that he too is fatally wounded by a bullet, he collapses on the snow covered floor. The next scene shows a well and alive Mihai in a bar, where it will soon serve as a prominent place for the introduction of all the other Dogs characters.

Badou Nails comes next with his endeavors of being a spy. He gains attention by snapping a controversial photo of a crime boss. He automatically gets involved in a chase for that picture, then saved by Mihai at a street corner and ends up in a duel with the crime boss.

Sword expert Naoto is next. A brief background of her past is shared with her quest to find the person who gave her a memoribilia. She discovers a world thats beyond what people think as the underground world of gangs. Inevitably, she is ready to venture to that unknown world in her quest of searching for the truth.

Heine Rammsteiner is the last to be introduced. He rescues a juvinile winged prostitute; that looks like a young girl with small wings on her back. Here the relationship between Badou and Heine is established to reflect the partnership they have when Dogs: Bullets and Carnage begins.

Rempits Vrooming Comment

I would think the author did a good job in providing an introduction to a series that can get complicated. The introduction is a must read, if you are to venture into the the realm of Dogs:Bullets and Carnage.

Venturing out into the Seinen world, reminded me of the stark difference it brings comparing it to the mainstream Shounen mangas. Nevertheless, it does take quite a while to enjoy it but it is interesting. So don't quit if your making that transition from Shounen to Seinen.

The story is a mash of Cowboy Bebop and a few Jet Li flicks. Action, Action and tons of drama and identity solving mysteries. The action scenes are first rate and the art is good. The introduction serves well and it definitely gears you up for the main Dogs manga. And did i forget to mention that the characters are pretty original too.



Rempit Rates

Originality: 5/5
Art: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5

Eyeshield 21

author: Riichiro Inagaki
illustrated by: Yusuke Murata
review type: anime/manga
status: completed/completed
genre: Sports, Shounen


Synopsis

YA-HA!

The story begins with the forming of a football team called the Deimon Devil Bats, the brainchild two american football enthusiasts; Yoruichi Hiruma and Ryokan Kurita, high school seniors at Deimon High School. As their efforts have proven ill in the past, the story begins with a feeling of excitement from the two as they once again recruit members with "creative" ways to form a motley crew of american football enthusiasts.

In their search, Hiruma stumbles upon Kobayakawa Sena; a junior in high school that becomes a primary target for bullies. During Sena's daily bully routine, Hiruma notices his ability to run and dodge at a supernaturally fast pace; with movements like an american football player. Hiruma then takes this a step further by forcing Sena into the team and disguising him as a famous football player by the initials of Eyeshield 21.

The Deimon Devil Bats with the inclusion of Sena becomes complete and sets its target towards the Christmas Bowl; the prized champion for a high school football team. But there is one catch, for Hiruma and Kurita this would be their finally year to represent their school as Deimon High School does not allow final year seniors to compete in any extra co-curricular activities. So the question would be, will the Deimon Devil Bats make it?

The Deimon Devil Bats would have to meet formible teams including their rivals to get to the top, and it's going to be one hell of a season as they try to make their dreams come true.



Rempits Vrooming Comments

For a sports manga, Eyeshield 21 does a fairly good job. I would rank this below Hajime no Ippo and Slam Dunk. Bringing a sport like american football into the manga scene is a fairly brave attempt and it has certainly paid off.

The main highlight of the manga is its sense of exaggeration. Sena's light speed dashes, Kurita's physical prowess beside being a meatball, Hiruma's super skilled tactics and passes despite having certain physical disadvantages in being a stereotypical quaterback, etc. It gets you off the hook at first, but then it kind of gets a little boring and unrealistic. Hiruma's antics certainly add the funny element to the manga.

The difference here comparing to legendary sports manga Slam Dunk would be that Sena's urge to join the american football team was not entirely based on the precept of liking someone. But Eyeshield sticks true to all things sport by focusing on the development of the team with Sena as the unprecedented anchor that would bring these band of misfits fame and success.

Other characters from different teams also make their appearances and would be a primary feature of the manga. Giving the manga a well rounded focus.

I particularly like Inagaki and Murata's understanding of the sport. Making it even better and it really gives a breather to the super exaggerated-ism of the manga. And one good character they have created would be Yoruichi Hiruma. He is the epitome of a misunderstood misfit with the abilties to lead, coach and direct a team. Here he acts more of a coach to Sena and which would primarily be Sena's inspiration to take the sport more seriously. Alot of focus has been taken away from Hiruma by fans, but my best bet would be to enjoy the manga or anime for its Hiruma-ness, rather than just focusing on the normal low self-esteemed Sena; which undboutly is a typical shounen issue. So here is where this sport serie differs and Hiruma's character is a little distinct even from Takenori Akagi from the Slam Dunk fame.

I liked the concepts and philosophies thrown into the game and well even for being overtly exaggerated there are moments where The Deimon Devil Bats fail; and thats the beauty of it. But it isn't as real as HNI or Slam Dunk but good enough. I think Eyeshield isn't a bad read or watch. For manga lovers, you would probably hate it to the core after the Christmas Bowl arc and also the closure for the Eyeshield manga. That would be the saddest part of it; a good story that would eventually end badly.

But i would watch it nevertheless and would give it a good read right till the Christmas bowl.

Rempit Rates
Originality: 5/5
Art: 4/5
Plot: 2/5 (because of that really bad ending for the manga)
Character Development: 4/5

Hajime No Ippo

Writer: George Morikawa
Publishing House: Kodansha
Review Type: Manga
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Shounen, Sports

Synopsis

Hajime No Ippo basically centers around the the life of 16 year old gopher and social reject Makounochi Ippo, who is the son of a late fisherman and also helps his mum handle the business after his father passed from a young age. After some inspiration from magazines, videos, and boxers, he decided to take up boxing.

Ippo's desire to take up boxing initially seems pretty straightforward, as he is constantly bullied and beat on in school, and decided to take up the sport after his senpai and gym mate Takamura Mamoru helped him fend off a few bullies one day and gave him a little taste of what boxing is really all about. As he enrolls himself in Kamogawa Gym, his first training session also made his coach Kamogawa Genji notice his talent in punches, which prompted a sparring match with another gym mate, Miyata Ichirou, who is also dubbed a boxing pedigree, a term only used for boxers who are sons of boxers. During the spar Ippo unleashed a punch that caught Miyata cleanly and won him the match. This angered the prodigy Miyata, and thus prompted him to quit Kamogawa Gym and declared Ippo his rival, vowing to finally settle the score in the ring once and for all, as gym mates could not fight each other.


Chibi's Hajime Review

Well folks, despite the simplistic plot overtones, this series is proof of keeping things simple will also work in the manga and anime universe. George Morikawa, although not a household name like Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Tite Kubo (Bleach), or even Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), in my opinion deserves a lot more credit than he actually receives based on this manga alone. In terms of character development, all of the characters in this manga actually do age (the timeline in this series up to the latest chapter has been approximately 6 years after Ippo joined Kamogawa Gym), and the manga does not solely focus on one character specifically, or as Morikawa sensei likes to state, all the characters in this manga is a main character. This is evident when one of Ippo's gym mates or rival boxers have a match coming up. The focus would be solely on them and the trials and hardships they have to go through before finally reaching up to the day of their planned matches. There's also stories on their journey in becoming a boxer, and each boxer's journey is so different and varies so much that i can't help but think the characters in this manga are actual people. It is truly one of the rare sports mangas that transcends the sport itself, and also focuses on real life hardships (Ippo's mum collapse due to overwork as Ippo's more focused on boxing), which actually makes the characters all the more believable.



Reading this from start to the latest chapter is no easy task either, as to date the latest translated chapter is 865 (!!!), it took this author almost 5 months to complete reading the whole series, but rest assured you will be loving every minute of it. It is definitely one of the best sports mangas that i've had the pleasure to read, comparable to dare i say it, Slam Dunk!, which is an industy standard as a sports manga.

Hajime No Ippo was first released in 1989 by its mangaka George Morikawa in Shukan Shonen magazine, and is still running. A 76 episode anime was originally released in 2000 which ran for two years, and a new series has also been released in January 2009 with 26 episodes released, titled Hajime No Ippo : New Challenger. A movie called Hajime No Ippo - Champion Road was also released in 2003 and an OAV titled Hajime No Ippo - Mashiba vs Kimura was released shortly after.


Chibi's Review



Storyline: 5/5
Character Development: 5/5
Art: 3/5
Originality: 3/5