Chainsaw Man is a god damn masterpiece.
Hi Folks,
Hope you’ve all been travelling well.
I’ve been in full on hermit mode working like mad on the next project. In the meantime I wanted to share two of the best manga every made. They might just change your life. Chainsaw Man which is still ongoing (Public Safety Arc complete i.e. Vol 1-11), and Gantz (complete run by Dark Horse’s manga imprint).
Oh yeah, Chainsaw Man is a God Damn masterpiece.
I’ll share more news when I can, but right now besides teaching classes I can’t say too much. If you have any friends or siblings in Sydney Australia send them through. Please note these workshops usually book quickly. Teen workshops to follow.
School holidays: manga comic book workshop, 9-12 yrs
Chainsaw Man
Delinquent is killed and resurrected by a chainsaw demon to become “Chainsaw Man”. Young boy is then employed as a Devil Hunter, and things really get crazy. Very human characters, relatable scenario which moved me on an emotional level. Then made me laugh. The ideas and extreme lunacy make it super fun, but the true depth of the story and characters is what makes it ultra compelling.
It says it right there in the title of the video review below. This manga is bloody great, pun intended. It also happens to be one of my all time favourites, easily Top 5 all-time best comics. And the art isn’t even that polished. It has rough edges which are smoothed out for the anime, which also happens to be a exquisite adaptation made by Studio Mappa, creators of Jujustu Kaisen. More about JJK next time.
Tatsuki Fujimoto the creator, also wrote a short story named Lookback which will make you cry. It’s concise and very good. You can read all of Fujimoto’s work for less than the price of a coffee if you try the monthly subscription. Go to viz.com for 7 days free, then ONLY $1.99 a month!
Note: this fantastic review by Super Eyepatch Wolf starts at the 2.30 minute mark to skip past his merch promo, but of course go support his merch if you like his videos.
WARNING - unless you have read it, don’t go past the end credits sequence because the spoilers will destroy the story. You have to trust me on this, if you’re going to read it just stop there.
Gantz
Two high-school friends die trying to save an old man who gets pushed onto the train tracks. Instead of dying they are transported into a room where they a mysterious sphere known as “Gantz” issues instructions. Aliens are coming. Grab a suit of skin tight latex, grab a futuristic gun and good luck. Kill enough aliens and score enough points, then you might just be reincarnated. Survive the game but didn’t score enough points? You get to return to your old life. Hooray! But until you do this, you are destined to answer Gantz whenever it calls. Die in the game? Sorry you’re really dead. Oh one more thing, if you score enough points you can even resurrect someone who has already been killed.
What makes it the adventure really exciting is where Hiroya Oku the mastermind and creative visionary, raises the stakes and changes the established rules. He is so inventive, just when you thought the story couldn’t go further he takes things to a whole new level. He drives his characters insane and constantly ramps up the pressure, and you will begin to root for their success or wish for their downfall.
It’s a pretty cool set up, the deathmatch idea isn’t entire original however it’s all in the execution. The characters range from the slimiest humans, reprehensible beings whose actions will shock and disgust you. They are contrasted by characters who are truly noble, so inspiring you might just well up with tears as you read the book. Gantz is a wild ride and a true masterpiece.
One other note is that the art can be jarring, as there are some computer graphics used for vehicles and buildings and such. The art is not always the very best, but I give the story a long leash and forgive any issues I have with it (women are objectified regularly) because the story is ultimately so compelling. But it’s really important to note, this is from an era before people woke up to key issues regarding the depiction of women which just wouldn’t fly today.
Note: trigger warning as this book includes rape and extreme depictions of violence. It’s not for the faint hearted.
I hope you get a chance to try one of these manga, especially if it’s not your usual type of comic. You might be surprised and discover something you like.
Follow me on Instagram @glowingmanga or Twitter @glowingmanga where I share the best anime and manga art on the regular.
All the best,
Nima
ps. Next time I’m going to talk anime, two particular shows which have been blowing minds.
