KY's Reads

Toriko Review (Rating: 3.5/5) Overview Toriko is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2008 to 2016 and later adapted into an anime and several video games. Blending the thrill of adventure with the joy of gourmet discovery, Toriko invites readers into a world where taste, danger, and imagination coexist on a grand scale. It’s an action-packed story about the endless pursuit of flavor — literally. (Reference: Toriko - Wikipedia (English) ) Synopsis The story takes place in the “Gourmet Age,” an era overflowing with exotic and powerful ingredients scattered across the world. Hunters known as Gourmet Hunters risk their lives to capture rare foods, battling wild beasts and natural hazards to satisfy both curiosity and appetite. Toriko, one of the most skilled Gourmet Hunters, dreams of creating his own “Full Course Menu of Life.” During his journey, he meets Komatsu, a timid yet sincere chef...

Baki  Review  (Rating: 4/5) Overview Baki is a Japanese martial arts manga series created by Keisuke Itagaki. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion (Akita Shoten) in 1991 and has since developed into a long-running franchise. The series includes multiple sequels such as Grappler Baki , Baki , Hanma Baki , Baki-Dou , and Bakidou . It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic fighting manga in Japan. Reference: Wikipedia (English) Story Summary The story follows Baki Hanma , a young fighter who aims to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma , known as “the strongest creature on Earth.” From a young age, Baki dedicates his life to intense training and seeks battles with the strongest martial artists in the world. His opponents range from boxers, karate masters, and wrestlers to underground fighters and even death-row inmates. Each match pushes him to confront not only his limits but also the question of what “true strength” really means. Main Characters ...

Hajime no Ippo Review (Rating: 4/5) Overview Hajime no Ippo is a Japanese boxing manga created by George Morikawa. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine since 1989 and has exceeded 140 volumes — one of the longest-running manga series in history. While focusing on the sport of boxing, the series explores universal themes such as growth, effort, and friendship. Its combination of intense sports action and deeply human storytelling has made it a cornerstone of the sports manga genre. (Reference: Wikipedia – Hajime no Ippo ) Synopsis The story follows Ippo Makunouchi , a shy and kind-hearted high school student who is constantly bullied. One day, he is saved by professional boxer Mamoru Takamura , and this encounter changes his life. Ippo begins training at the Kamogawa Boxing Gym and discovers a natural talent for boxing. Through relentless effort and a burning desire to improve, he grows stronger, faces new rivals, and gradually rises through the professional ranks. ...

Spirit Circle Review ( Rating: 4 / 5) Overview Spirit Circle is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Satoshi Mizukami . It was serialized in Young King OURs magazine from 2012 to 2016. Blending fantasy, science fiction, and philosophical drama, the series explores profound themes such as reincarnation, the continuity of the soul, and the meaning of life itself. 👉 Spirit Circle - Wikipedia Synopsis Fuutarou Okeya, an ordinary middle school boy, lives a peaceful life until a mysterious transfer student named Koko Ishigami joins his class. When she sees the strange scar on Fuutarou’s forehead, she suddenly becomes hostile toward him. Using a mysterious device called the Spirit Circle , Koko forces Fuutarou to relive his past lives — and through them, he begins to uncover the truth behind his scar and their intertwined fates. Across different eras — from ancient times to futuristic worlds — Fuutarou experiences countless lives as a warrior, a magician, a scient...

Donketsu Review  (Rating: 4/5) Overview Donketsu is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tashi, serialized in Young King magazine from 2011. Set in the gritty streets of Kyushu, it dives deep into Japan’s underworld, depicting the hierarchy, loyalty, and decay of modern yakuza organizations. The series later continued with Donketsu: Second Chapter and a few spin-offs. Although there is no English Wikipedia entry at the moment, readers can refer to the Japanese Wikipedia page for detailed information. Synopsis The story follows Masatoshi Sawada , better known as Rokemasa , a legendary thug once infamous for firing a rocket launcher at a rival gang’s office twenty years ago. Now, he’s just another small-time member in the Kogetsu-gumi , a branch of the powerful Gachirin-kai syndicate. In yakuza slang, a “donketsu” means someone at the very bottom of the hierarchy—a man with no future and no promotion ahead. Rokemasa lives from one fight to another, scrap...

Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai ( Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)) Overview Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (Japanese: ドラゴンクエスト ダイの大冒険) is a Japanese adventure fantasy manga written by Riku Sanjo and illustrated by Koji Inada. Based on the world of the Dragon Quest video game series, it was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1989 to 1996. → Wikipedia (English) Story Summary The story begins after the defeat of the Demon King Hadlar, when peace has returned to the world. On the small island of Dermline, where monsters and humans live together, a kindhearted boy named Dai dreams of becoming a hero. One day, the peace is shattered when Hadlar is resurrected—and an even greater evil, the Dark Lord Vearn, appears. Guided by his mentor Avan and accompanied by his companion Pop, Dai sets out on a journey to restore peace to the world. Throughout this long adventure, Dai learns the truth of his mysterious heritage as a “Dragon Knight,” struggles with his destiny, and grows both in ...

Hachi-One Diver – Manga Review (Rating: 4/5) Overview Hachi-One Diver is a shogi-themed manga written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata , serialized in Weekly Young Jump (Shueisha) from 2006 to 2014, with a total of 35 volumes. The story follows a young man who once aspired to become a professional shogi player but failed. He is drawn into the underground world of gambling shogi, where he rediscovers the thrill and intensity of the game. It’s a unique mix of strategy, battle, and human drama , unlike any other shogi manga. → Wikipedia (English) Synopsis After failing to qualify as a professional, Kentarō Sugata drifts through life, burdened by the shadow of his lost dream. One day, he stumbles into the world of gambling shogi , where money and pride are on the line. There he encounters Soyo Nakashizu , a mysterious woman known as the queen of the underground shogi scene. Their fateful match rekindles Kentarō’s long-buried passion for the game and sets him on a path fill...

Hyouge Mono (へうげもの) Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) Overview Hyouge Mono is a historical manga by Yoshihiro Yamada , set during Japan’s Sengoku (Warring States) period. Unlike most war-themed manga that focus on strategy, bloodshed, or loyalty, this work explores the world of aesthetics, tea ceremony, and beauty —seen through the eyes of a samurai who lives for art as much as for battle. It was serialized in Morning magazine (Kodansha) from 2005, won the Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award , and was later adapted into an anime. It is a rare piece that merges political history, philosophy, and humor into a single grand narrative. → Wikipedia: Hyouge Mono (English) Synopsis The story follows Furuta Sasuke (Furuta Oribe) , a samurai serving under the great warlords Oda Nobunaga , Toyotomi Hideyoshi , and Tokugawa Ieyasu . While surrounded by endless warfare and ambition, Sasuke’s obsession lies not in military conquest—but in beauty . He is fascinated by tea utensils, ceramics...

Ryu to Ichigo – Manga Review Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Overview Ryu to Ichigo (龍と苺, literally Dragon and Strawberry ) is a shogi-themed manga written and illustrated by Mitsuharu Yanamoto . It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday (Shogakukan) since issue #25 of 2020. Set in a world where no woman has yet become a professional shogi player, the story follows a gifted middle school girl who enters this traditionally male-dominated arena with pure, fearless ambition. Plot Summary The story begins when Ichigo Aida , a 14-year-old girl with little interest in school life, encounters shogi through her school counselor and former principal, Tatsuo Miyamura . Though she knows nothing about the game, her intensity and intuition impress her mentor from the very first match. Ichigo soon participates in local and national tournaments, gradually facing professional players in the prestigious Ryuo (Dragon King) Championship . As the story progresses, she not only learns about shogi but...

My Master Has No Tail — Manga Review Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Overview My Master Has No Tail (Japanese title: 『うちの師匠はしっぽがない』) is a manga series written and illustrated by TNSK , serialized in good! Afternoon (Kodansha) since 2019. Set in Osaka during Japan’s Taishō era (early 20th century), the story combines two seemingly distant worlds: rakugo —the traditional Japanese art of comedic storytelling—and ayakashi , or supernatural creatures from folklore. 👉 Wikipedia (English) Story Summary The protagonist, Mameda , is a young tanuki (raccoon dog) who dreams of transforming into a human. However, the era is changing—humans no longer fall for simple tricks, and the old world of spirits and illusions is fading. After one of her failed attempts to fool humans, Mameda encounters Daikokutei Bunko , a beautiful and enigmatic female rakugo performer. Captivated by Bunko’s storytelling—where laughter and tears blend seamlessly—Mameda begs to become her apprentice. Through her train...

Hataraki Man Review ( Rating: 4/5) Overview Hataraki Man , written and illustrated by Moyoco Anno and serialized in Morning magazine from 2004, is a social drama manga that explores the essence of “working” in contemporary Japan. Set in the editorial department of a weekly magazine, it follows a passionate female editor who devotes herself entirely to her career, often at the expense of her personal life. 👉 Wikipedia (English) Plot Summary The story centers on Hiroko Matsukata , an editor at the weekly magazine JIDAI . She is so passionate and dedicated to her work that her colleagues call her “Hataraki Man” (“working man”). When deadlines approach, she switches into her so-called Hataraki Man Mode , sacrificing sleep, love, and leisure in pursuit of journalistic perfection. Her boyfriend grows distant as her work consumes her, leaving her to confront the loneliness of choosing ambition over affection. Meanwhile, within the bustling newsroom, Hiroko interacts with Kunio Tan...