This month's post is more of a hodge-podge of subjects. I decided to include three mangas that I discovered in the recent months and three animes that I watched and enjoyed very much. There's always something new to find and something old to revisit.
Super Doctor K
So when did medical drama become so ... Fist of the North Star? I don't know what to say except that the first chapter scanlated had me hooked. This incredible doctor with questionable origins comes and saves people using unorthodox means in medical terms. So far for the first two chapters that I read, I think it has a good sense of drama and this mysterious doctor is this super hero.Dog Soldier
Meet John Kyousuke Hiba, a former Green Beret with amazing combat skills. Threatened by the JCIA to participate in various missions, Hiba confronts different enemies including former comrades from his Green Beret days. It was written during the 80s so it carries that 80s hero soldier look. I liked a lot of the action scenes in the manga and the panels can get very bloody. I also like Hiba's character very much because even as he completes his missions, he carries out his very positive morals on life and death, what's good and bad.
Oingo Boingo Brothers Adventure
Those familiar with the Stardust Crusaders arc of JoJo's Bizarre adventure know the Oingo Boingo brothers. This is basically the full size version of the Oingo Boingo comic book that you see in the manga. I think in here, Araki has a very unique drawing style to distinguish the comic book and the reality in the manga. I read it mostly for the art and it's kinda fun to look at.
Basilisk
A very exciting anime to watch. It has some of the most tragic romances and a gripping plot to keep you hooked on. Basilisk is about the warfare between two rival ninja clans, the Kouga and Iga. I love how they pit the clans against each other to make the story more intense. Their bitter rivalry paves way for betrayals, anger, and cunning thought. Basilisk also brings up the morality of pledging loyalty to your clan. Do you choose duty or your heart's will? I think some of the greatest imagination put into the various powers each character possessed like having a modified body like that of an insect or the ability to draw blood through skin contact. It's pretty gruesome when you think about it which is why the two clans were labeled as monsters rather then humans and the Tokugawa shogunate had no qualms about killing them both off.
History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi
"Weak Legs" Shirahama Kenichi is always being bullied at school. He becomes friends with the transfer student, Furinji Miu, who then introduces him to Ryouzanpaku, the dojo containing a multitude of martial arts masters. No longer wanting to be weak again, Kenichi steps foot into this dojo to become stronger. What I liked about the story was that it gives you real tips and tricks that you can use as a martial artist. If you are merely an enthusiast, I think it's very interesting to watch because it's very practical. As the story progresses into different story arcs, Kenichi realizes that as a disciple of Ryouzanpaku he will have to confront more enemies whether he likes it or not. It is funny to watch Kenichi's cries for help as he goes through his Spartan training. It isn't all just fighting. There's a lot about the honor of being a martial artists and how you decide to use martial arts. This show is also an ecchi genre so please be aware of that.
Saiunkoku Monogatari
Of all the manga and anime in this post, I throw in Saiunkoku Monogatari to upset the balance. The story is about Kou Shuurei, a young girl with dreams of being a governing official in a country that does not recognize women as able policy makers. Saiunkoku, the country, is a re-imagined fantasy based off of ancient China. There are many instances when Shuurei has to deal with social norms and gender issues of Saiunkoku. She is a very headstrong character that I believe many young girls today should look up to. The charm of this series that appeals a lot to young females is the fantasy and romance of the story, but I think the story's politics are also very well written. It isn't a shallow type of romance that you would expect for a shoujo genre.
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