North Star

Well guys, finished up what was available for Heat. It was pretty good. There are similarities to Sanctuary for sure, and even commonalities in the main characters. The big difference is that Sanctuary is a much deeper story overall. Heat is like a summer blockbuster, where Sanctuary is a masterpiece.

Since I finished up Heat so quickly, I started another manga, Nurarihyon no Mago. Here is the description:

This is actually a very good manga so far. If you like stories about the old Japanese spirits, myth and lore, you'd most likely like this as well. It's more of a modern twist and has similar themes to Bleach, but to me anyway, Nurarihyon no Mago is more entertaining. It is along the lines of the manga Otogi Matsuri (Dark Offering), but more on the lighter side with humorous moments, where the former is more dramatic and dark. Once I am done with Nurarihyon no Mago, I may just have to try giving Bleach another try. I have attempted to read it 3 times already and I just can't get hooked into it. lol

North Star

Alright guys, finished up Nurarihyon no Mago, and it was a really good one. I loved that the last 3 chapters were done in full color. I wish there would be a revolution and all manga going forward would be printed in color. It just brings so much more depth, visually.

Anyway, this series overall was very good. The main characters and supporting characters were all great. I was hoping this story would continue, at least with a sequel manga series, but it still ended well. There's definitely room and openings left to create another series, whether it be manga or anime. Which reminds me, I need to find the anime series of this manga. I'm sure it will be just as good as the manga itself.

Now on the search for the next manga to read. I came across an obscure thriller manga called 6000, which is about an underwater lab 6000 meters under the sea. It sounds good so I will post up about it when I read it.

On another note, I would really like a list of yakuza manga that isn't yaoi (boy love). It seems most of the stories yakuza related are of that nature, which I would definitely not read. I want something more along the lines of Sanctuary, Heat, etc. Let me know if you have any recommendations!

Grilla

I love samurai films, so I'd have to recommend Lone Wolf and Cub manga. If you're a fan of the movies, the manga is just more of the same. However, my ultimate recommendation is Shigurui. It's such a great deconstruction of the "bushido code" and how much we romanticize it. It's awesome how it paints a messier reality of samurai feudal culture just like GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire paints medieval knight fantasy.

North Star

That sounds pretty good, Grilla. I will check it out soon. I never heard of Shigurui before.

Lone Wolf and Cub is one of my favorites. I actually have the full collection in print.

Since you seem to enjoy that era, you should check out Vagabond. It's based of the novel Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa, and it's excellent. Another one of my favorites of that genre is Sidooh. That one is great as well. For one more on the lighter side and similar in feel as Naruto, is Gamaran. Check them out if you ever get the chance.

North Star

Well, I ended up only getting through about 10 chapters of 6000, and then felt like reading something else.

Stumbled upon another boxing manga called RRR. It's about a guy who half assed his way through life and then major life events happen, and he ends up on a boxing reality show. It's a really good read so far and the main character Iwamaki Rikitaro is pretty funny. He is on the show to eventually take the Japan Pro Test for boxing and will embark on a boxing career.

Here's the synopsis:

North Star

Finished up RRR guys, and it was an excellent read. It was over much too quickly though! Only 106 chapters and the story could have continued to follow Rikitarou's career. I would say that this manga is just about on par with Rikudou, the other recent boxing manga. However, RRR is a bit more light hearted, even though there is some drama. Rikudou on the other hand is a bit dark and more serious. It's also still early in it's serialization, so it should be a while before that one ends.

In the end, RRR is a must read for boxing fans, or even sports manga fans. I was hoping the mangaka Watanabe Jun would have done a follow up or sequel, maybe following young Aozora. Anyway, on to the next manga!

North Star

So guys, I have been reading an old throwback manga from the 80's, Rokudenashi Blues. It's pretty damn funny and typical of the era in which it was drawn. It's funny that it has lots of boxing references with the main character being Maeda Taison (Tyson) and various other shout outs to the world of boxing. The principal of the school is even made in Don King's image. Overall though, it has little to do with the actual sport of boxing, and more to do with high school life and street fights. It's not serious at all and pretty light hearted.

North Star

Reading another older manga from the 90's that I am sure some of you are familiar with, Grappler Baki. It's pretty damn good and nonstop with the action/fights. If you have seen the anime, that fight takes place in the early chapters of the manga. There are a few other manga, sequels and prequels, so I will be spending quite some type in the Baki universe. I'm loving it all so far though.

North Star

So guys, it's been a while.

I have been reading through the Baki series, Grappler Baki, New Grappler Baki, Baki - Son of Ogre, and now Baki dou.

All series have been great. It really is a fun manga for martial arts fans. There are some really great characters, especially Hanma Yujiro, Baki's dad. He's a pretty mean bastard, but is cool as hell. He's practically mythological with his strength and makes for a legendary manga character.

The first and second series were good, but unfortunately the last half of the second series hasn't been scanned and uploaded yet, so I completely missed the Maximum Tournament that occurred. You find out some small details about it in the follow up, Baki - Son of Ogre, which was also very good and brought what I assume was initially believe to the final conclusion of the series. Then Baki dou kept the series alive and running again.

The premise of Baki dou takes some sci fi spin with the "resurrection" if you will, of the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. I was a bit worried this wouldn't turn out well, but to my surprise it has actually been pretty excellent. I am almost completely caught up in that on going series, so I will have to find something new soon. Heck, I went through almost 800+ chapters of the Baki series, so I might as well dive in to Hajime no Ippo and it's 1000+ chapters.

North Star

Well guys, all caught up with Hajime no Ippo now. Man, that manga can really go on and on for the long haul. The story is great and is very funny, and we are left with lots of story to go. I wonder how long Morikawa can go with this. Is this one of the longest running manga around? Ippo is great but man, he needs to learn some defense and counters!