Rising Sun
A manga about a group of new recruits who join the Japan Self-Defense Force.
Interesting to see how similar and different the Japanese military is compared to US forces. Lots of training scenes and camaraderie between the recruits. Artwork isn’t the best but I would still recommend it.
~dakazu
Shojo Fight!
Yoko Nihonbashi’s amazing sports manga is getting an official release! Thank you Kodansha Comics!!! You can read the 1st chapter for free here!
~dakazu
Fruits Takuhaibin
Although it’s a manga about a delivery escort service, it surprisingly isn’t about titillation at all. Each chapter revolves around a different woman who works for as an escort. Some work to repay debts while others work to spite their loveless marriage. Some of them find happiness while others are not so fortunate. I’m really enjoying this mature title so far!
~dakazu
Souin Gyokusai Seyo! (Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths)
Finally got a chance to read the original Japanese version. It’s crazy to imagine this tale of Japanese soldiers being ordered to execute a suicide attack during the end of World War II was based on Shigeru Mizuki’s real life experiences.
~dakazu
Magical Girl Apocalypse
As discussed on this episode, I finally got a chance to finish this. It’s a shame that once they introduced time travel the series jumped the shark and I really lost interest. Ending was kinda rote as well.
Can’t recommend this.
~dakazu
Naraku no Hitsuji
A manga about an asshole vlogger who exploits a homeless prostitute for viewership. Their relationship is twisted and dark and it leads to them being hunted down by criminals.
It’s not a good manga by any standards but it lead to a pretty interesting conversation on our podcast about the appeal of horrible stories.
~dakazu
Dorohedoro
I’ve been a fan of Q Hayashida since her manga adaptation of Maken X. She’s been writing Dorohedoro since 1999 and it’s finally going to be ending soon. We’ve discussed it on a podcast but her art style and creative design stand out.
~dakazu
My Hero Academia
I’m really happy that Kohei Horikoshi has found success in Weekly Shonen Jump. His previous two series, Ōmagadoki Dōbutsuen and Barrage, both ended early and his career at Jump was on the cutting block. Now, this hit is fighting the likes of One Piece for most popular manga in Jump. The anime by BONES has also been amazing.
~dakazu
Steve Jobs
Just finished the 6th and final volume of Mari Yamazaki’s manga adaptation of Walter Isaacson’s biography on Steve Jobs. When I started reading it I was baffled on why this existed but I actually really enjoyed it. Yamazaki’s art style is so perfect.
~dakazu
Efu no Shichinin
New manga by Takayuki Yamaguchi , who’s famous for violent works like Apocalypse Zero and Shigurui. This one feels right at home with his other works and focuses on heavy violence and nudity. Takayuki Yamaguchi is kinda like the R-rated version of Baki the Grappler’s Keisuke Itagaki.
Also they both love muscles.
~dakazu