Akumetsu

by Haris Jadoon

• Story: 10
• Art: 9
• Characters: 10
• Enjoyment: 10
• Overall: 10

One way to make sure crime doesn’t pay would be to let the government run it.” (Ronald Reagan)

It is easier to commit murder than to justify it. (Aemilius Papinianus)

 

PLOT: –

Akumetsu takes us in post 9/11 Japan, where extreme corruption and hearsay lead the country to a massive economic downfall, increasing the public deficit to an enormous seven hundred trillion Yen. Politicians and businessmen simply enrich themselves amid growing unrest.

What would if you do if you the power to eradicate evil? Do you think crime can simply be destroyed by getting rid of all the criminals? In which cases, a murder can be justified?

Akumetsu makes us ponder on these questions while bringing the real life examples in front of us. This is not some fantasy shounen series where the hero just woke up one day and decided to change the world. Akumetsu is a long and hard fight against corrupt bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen, higher ups and most importantly it is a fight against the evil that resides at the core of our hearts.

Akmuetsu is a perfect reply to those who think that manga is just a leisure time activity. If we read this series attentively and try to grab the message, it can have a big positive effect on our lives.

CHARACTERS: –

The characters in Akumetsu are realistic and can be very easily found in every society.

The main character Shou appears to be a cheesy and goofy teenager at first glance but he has much more to his personality. His idea of destroying evil might appear as delusional but that’s not the case. He knows that evil can’t be completely destroyed but he believes that this fact should not stop us from trying to fight against the evil. With his powers, it is not difficult for him to just simply eliminate his targets without causing any ruckus. But the manner of his public trails and his philosophy of ‘one person, one kill’ clearly shows that he’s not doing this for the sake of personal glory and pleasure. Rather he’s a real hero who wants the citizens of his country to step up for their rights and fight the white collars who are eating his country like a cancer.

The overall cast is planned out well and every character plays a good role to make this series better.

ART: –

This manga has a dark and realistic art. Comedy, Suspense, Thrill and above all the ‘graphic violence’ have been drawn magnificently. Yugo Sensei has used famous Japanese celebs and personalities as the reference for characters and hence giving them a realistic look.

CONTENT: –

This manga provides us with facts, figures and explanations about the major types of white collar crimes and frauds committed in Japan. These facts and figures grab the attention of the readers and keep the interest going on.

The dialogues, quotes and statements are nothing short of master class. Yoshiaki Sensei really knows how to create an atmosphere with words and there are countless examples of that in this series.

TARGET AUDIENCE: –

People who love dark and action packed Seinen series will love this manga. Akumetsu is also a perfect manga for Asian (Especially sub-continent) Students and Graduates. This manga will give them a feeling that the story is not set in Japan but in their own countries.

TIPS: –

* 1. This manga contains sci-fi stuff in it. Even if you don’t like that part, don’t get disappointed, this manga has much more in it to make it a great read.

* 2. While reading this series, don’t get the impression that the writer is some depressed middle aged Japanese who is fed up with his country. The setting of this story is indeed a messed up country but that’s how it has been with many Asian countries after 9/11.