Random Manga Review: Rock & Roll Ricky (RRR)

This manga pick may not be so random on my part as I was searching for another boxing manga to mull me over in between Hajime No Ippo chapters. Not to say that this is fodder, or a mere substitute, as its one of the best sports and life mangas I've read in a while. Add to that a Lone Wolf and Cub relationship in the story and I was immediately sold.

The story in a nutshell is about a man trying to do right by his nephew, sister, and himself. That's it, simple and heart warming but never boring. The protagonist, Rikitaro, dreams of becoming a big rock'n roll legend just like his idol Jimi Hendrix. Unfortunately at age 27 this dream of his is looking more and more unlikely everyday, as even those close to him don't expect much of him. After a tragic event and a chance encounter with the recent retired Japanese Champion he is soon thrown in to the world of boxing. Though keep in mind that this part of the story takes time to develop. As the author concentrates more on building Rikitaro as a true to life character rather than throwing out yet another sports manga.

Of course this isn't a straight forward transition as he has to fight tooth and nail to reach his goals. Another note I'd like to make is that this series, while being about boxing, doesn't seem to be boxing or action heavy at the start. I've read much of the manga already and it seems to be more focused on the slice of life genre, with some really well done action. A comparison can be made to Hajime no Ippo in this regard, but I have personally never seen this level of maturity in other sports series. Though if the concentration on character development over general sports action in it self turns you off to reading this manga, keep in mind that once you stick with the first volume you'll appreciate the characters and their struggles that much more. This is the essence of any good boxing story no matter the medium, whether its in manga format or a cinematic one.

Random Manga Review: Suicide Island (a.k.a Jisatsutou)

From the title itself you can tell this is a seinen (basically means, 'for a mature audience') story. Which already entails a mature narration, serious characters, and a truly messed up scenario that befalls the stories cast. This story revolves around a group of seemingly ordinary people who have one thing in common. Which is that they've all attempted suicide many times in their lives. So many times in fact that Japan no longer wants to support such burdens and abandons them on an island. In which those who've already given up on life must, ironically, fight to survive. A likely comparison would be 'Lord of the Flies' mixed with 'Battle Royale' but with a more mature cast of characters.

The story starts out with the main character, Sei, waking up in a hospital after a failed suicide attempt and is asked to sign a form after stating his wish to die. The next time he wakes up is on an island with a number of other people, all of which are just as confused as he is. They quickly find a large billboard reading something along the lines that the Japanese government has denounced their citizenship and they are, for all intensive purposes, dead and any attempt to come back will be seen as a violation of territorial waters. Japan seems to defend such actions with the simple ideology that these individuals have given up the right to live, and so the  government has given up their responsibility to such citizens.

This manga will keep you interested by its two (but not limited to) of its redeeming features. Which is its realism of the situation and its choice in a main character. By realism I mean the story doesn't revolve around a bunch of misfortunate souls who try to rally together for the common good, it is not by any means a Japanese version of Gilligan's Island. As per a seinen series it contains emotionally distraught individuals who are caught in a horrible situation in which some are trying to help, most do nothing, and others intend to harm the collective good.

Sei, the main character, seems to fit in to the category of an unlikely hero. Though he is by no means a hero, or that there's even a hero in this story. Simply put, he seems like every one else around him on the island at the start of the story, both inept and still clinging to the idea that life isn't worth living. But than he slowly grows in to a somewhat confident and competent man, not unlike his counter part Ryou. Who acts as the groups leader early on in the story, and single handedly brings everyone together to try and survive.

A very interesting read for those in to the psychological and seinin genre. A very cool read for those, like myself, who are a bit tired of over the top action mangas, and want a story that makes them empathize with characters and has them wonder what they would do in certain situations presented in this manga.

Furuya Usamaru's "Genkaku Picasso" Manga Review and TCAF

Usumaru's Picasso is anything but boring or predictable. This is the kind of manga I like to read. An unbelievable yet enjoyable premise, amazing art work, interesting enough characters, and a general appeal I feel for the story. It's only misdemeanor is that it seems more fit for a one shot than a serialization, but if the author can keep it original and compelling, more power to him. This is the story about a a middle school kids second chance at life, at the wish of his friend to Buddha he was able to continue living. But at a price, through his art he must save people from any darkness or heavy burden they have. Thus the appeal, a story about literally touching a person's heart through the characters art. And the person who came up with such a tale will be at this years TCAF.

What is TCAF you may ask? Well obviously if your reading this and never heard of Toronto's Comic Arts Festival you haven't truly walked down the honorable path of the Blaku. But seriously, it's essentially a celebration of the art medium we call comics. There you can meet the artists, as well as other like minded people, check out the events and exhibits. It's had many writers over the years and from what I've read its only getting bigger. I've seen both Mariko Tamaki and Bryan Lee O'Malley, and briefly went to the event in which they spoke about free speech within comics. If you enjoy the art of comics, especially its other genre's not delving in to super heroes, this is the place for you.

http://torontocomics.com/

Random Manga Review #2: Bambino

Once again I haven't done much in terms of quantity, I just hope it means I've been leaning towards quality. Maybe posting more often should be my new years resolution........and that'll happen as soon as world peace is worked out and FOX & BET goes off the air with a live apology by its C.E.O's right when they commit Japanese ritual suicide.

But enough of that though because I've found another diamond in the rough. As I said before, for these reviews I'd either choose a manga I've read recently or one I've picked up randomly. And this is pretty random as I continued second guessing myself for picking it up as I read through the description (which contained the words "cooking" and "manga"), but I'm a sucker for a slice of life story. Here you have the protagonist, Ban, finally taking a serious try at the culinary arts at a fancy Italian restaurant deep in the city and away from his small town. Of course he's had experience at his sensei's shop, but nothing can prepare him for the gruelling reality that awaits him. Don't worry, this is basically the first couple of chapters, not too far in to reading this and you'll see this little bambino (a nickname he got that refers to his apparent lack of skills) grow as both a chef and as an adult. The main gist of this story is to be a personal one as he goes from country hick to gifted chef. You'll find this story contains a dopple ganger of sorts mirroring his ambitions, the classic perverted sensei but with a mature twist, and true to life love problems. Believe me when I say that this story is so good in its portrayal of life and the pursuit of a dream that its almost palpable. Once again I hope you enjoy.

Random Manga Review #1: JJBA

I've wanted to do atleast one manga review for a while but never got around to doing so, and it seems I haven't posted much since I started this blog. Apparently consistency is not a strong suit for me. So this is what I'll be doing from time to time, I either choose a familiar manga I've read in the past or choose a random series outside of my average tastes (basically using the 'surprise me' button on OM) and write a review on it. For this one I've chosen Jojo's Bizarre Adventures. The title alone drew me in and the front cover art had me bedazzled. Not only that but the story turns out to be a bit more complex than I originally thought. At first the story and characters had me peg it for a "Fist of the North Star" kind of manga. But with its array of characters and the build up near the end of each chapter keeps you reading. Not only that but this story continues for seven series, each different but continuing from the last after a fashion. Each story centres around the Joestar family and truly odd circumstances that happen to there massive members. I'm serious about the massive statement, each fight scene there chest is the background and they seem to actually grow as the action peaks in the story. Now the plot might seem like its taken too far at times or the deus ex machina feel of certain charecters and plots. But thats essentially the best part of this manga since the writer makes it all work in the best possible way. Now this is more shounen level kind of reading, but its just boardering on seinen with some of its themes and take on its main villain. Think One Peice after Skypeia, things somehow got a bit more serious. So if you like stories like "Fist of the North Star" with an added quirkiness, the good kind, and a bit more depth than have a look at JJBA the next time your in search of something new.