There are two universal truths in today’s rapidly changing comics industry. The first is that Dog Man es the defining comic of our era. The second is that more people are reading manga and Webtoons (aka vertical scroll comics) than ever before. Therefore we at Comics Beat have chosen to embark on a new venture: Beat’s Bizarre Adventure. Every other week, three writers will recommend some of their favorite books and series from Japan, Korea and elsewhere. This week we have a modern Shonen Jump classic, a treat for fans of MMOs, and, of course, the world’s quietest and most gentle apocalypse.
Akane Banashi
Writer: Yuki Suenaga
Artist: Takamasa Moue
Translation: Stephen Paul
Lettering: Snir Aharon
Publisher: VIZ
Akane Banashi is a captivating manga that features the traditional Japanese storytelling art of rakugo. Rakugo, which translates to “fallen words,” is a form of verbal entertainment. A single performer tells a story by taking on the role of all the characters. Although this art form may not be widely known outside of Japan, this manga introduces it in an engaging and approachable way, making it a must-read for manga enthusiasts seeking something unique and very Japanese.
The story follows Shinta Arakawa, a passionate rakugo performer striving to achieve the prestigious shin’uchi title, the top rank of rakugoka. His daughter, Akane Osaki, idolizes him and secretly mimics his routines. But then a mysterious decision made by rakugo master Issho Arakawa causes Shinta to fail his exam and be expelled from the world of rakugo. Akane vows to avenge her father de ella by mastering rakugo to prove that his art de ella was worthy of the shin’uchi title.
Rather than flashy battles or supernatural elements, Akane Banashi focuses on personal growth as well as the emotional struggles that come with mastering a craft. It highlights the importance of dedication and perseverance, offering a fresh take on what it means to pursue one’s passion. Long speech bubbles packed with dialogue invite dedication from the reader as well. Meanwhile, the illustrations are clean and expressive, with characters designed in such a way that their personalities are easy to distinguish. Exaggerated expressions add humor to the narrative to balance serious moments. While the plot can be slow at times, especially for readers unfamiliar with rakugo, the riveting performances and the heartfelt storytelling keep the series alive.
Akane Banashi features a spirited teenage lead, striking illustrations, and a well-structured narrative. While the focus on the traditional art of rakugo sets it apart, it might present a challenge for some readers unfamiliar with the concept. Despite this, I believe this series would make a valuable addition to any manga collection. I especially recommend it to avid manga readers who are fans of Japanese culture. [Editor’s Note: For the rakugo curious in search of further material, check out the anime series Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu and the Netflix live-action show Tiger and Dragon.] — Soya Side Effects
Surviving the Game as a Barbarian
Writer: Jung Yoon-Kang
Artist: Midnight Studio
Adapted by: Team the JICK
Platform: Webtoon
It’s happened again: I spent all my daily pass coins on another original Webtoon. This hasn’t happened to me since Unholy Blood. What could be the blame? No other than Surviving the Game as a Barbarianone of the few Mature-rated originals on the platform.
The story centers on Hansu Lee, a long-time player of the role-playing game Dungeon and Stone (obvious reference there). After completing what was assumed to be the final chapter of the game after nine years, he discovers that this was only ever the tutorial section. Before he knows it, Hansu wakes up as a Barbarian named Bjorn Yandel, ten years after the events from the game that he remembers. Now he must survive, level up, find better gear, and solve the mystery of how he ended up inside the game. But if anybody finds out that he’s a human inhabiting the body of a game character, they’ll kill him.
As a hardcore fan of MMOs like The Elder Scrolls Onlineas well as classic fantasy stories, Surviving the Game as a Barbarian It’s right up my alley. I was drawn in by the familiar classes and fantasy species present. The lore of Dungeon and Stone is also quite intriguing. The Barbarians remind me of the Nords from The Elder Scrollsalthough more dimwitted and with a history of conflict with the elves. Guilds help or hinder each other, enemies drop special loot, and the world hides exploits and hidden dungeons known only to experienced veterans. The hidden dungeons especially offer high risks with their rewards, and provide some of the most intense chapters in the story. The reader never knows if party members that join Hansu on his adventures will survive these encounters.
Hansu/Bjorn is an enjoyable protagonist to follow. He uses his intelligence to help others while, at the same time, downplaying it for his own safety. Other characters include Erwen, an elven archer who breaks the barrier of the hostilities between elves and Barbarians; Ainar, a female Barbarian who learns from Hansu that intelligence can be just as valuable as her strength; Arua Raven, a skilled mage from the Royal Court; and lastly Hikurod, a veteran dwarven adventurer who has spent three years exploring the Labyrinth. Each character has a role to play in the world’s party system. Their abilities constantly change the dynamics of dungeon encounters.
What first appears to be a simple RPG-inspired Webtoon is packed with enough lore, action, suspense and enjoyable characters to satisfy any fan of role-playing games and MMOs. Fifty episodes in and I just can’t stop reading. I want more! Also, how about an Elder Scrolls Webtoon one day? Someone? Anyone?! — Justin Guerrero
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou
Writer/Artist: Hitoshi Ashinano
Translation: Daniel Komen
Adaptation: Dawn Davis
Lettering: Ludwig Sacramento
Proofreader: Brett Hallahan
Editor: Linda Lombardi
Publisher: Seven Seas
A woman drives through the countryside en route to the Yokohama market. She makes a pit stop at a gas station to refill her tank. The old man there recognizes her as the owner of a local coffee shop. Recognizing that she still has a long way to go, he offers her the gas for free. “I’ll come by for a coffee–on you,” he says. “Then we’re square for the gas.” You could imagine this heartwarming conversation taking place in real life. Except for the niggling detail that the woman, Alpha, is a robot; and that her Japan has long since been flooded by the changing climate. “I would never have imagined,” Alpha says, “that the era of dusk would come so gently, so comfortably.”
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (which translates, of course, to Yokohama Shopping Trip) is an “iyashikei” comic meant to heal or soothe. Every chapter depicts the quiet day to day life of Alpha and her friends. One day she might sit out on the porch and present her neighbors with a musical instrument. Another day she might spend time with the local kids. Touches of magical realism, like a mysterious naked woman that lives in the bay, spice up the dreamlike flow of events.
Why read this series when not much really happens? First off, the art is fantastic. Ashinano’s characters are cute and appealing, and his lush environments emit the energy of nature. It has been said that you don’t even need to read the dialogue in order to appreciate Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou. Ashinano’s luxurious lines alone will take you wherever you need to go.
There’s another dimension to the series that, to me, sets it apart from other series of this nature. That is the narrative use of time. Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou takes place at the end of everything. The roads are worn, the cities are flooded and the water rises year by year. And while Alpha is an immortal robot, her neighbors are steadily growing older. I would never say that Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou It’s a cruel story. It is, above all, gentle and comfortable. Yet the moments in which Alpha and her friends admit to themselves that their beautiful world is finite, full of certain precious things will never come back, always hit like a ton of bricks.
Not so long ago I was convinced that a series as idiosyncratic and long as Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou would never be licensed in English. So of course the daredevils at Seven Seas published the whole thing in deluxe omnibus editions. If this review catches your eye, I highly recommend buying the first volume to see for yourself. It’s a masterpiece of comics so long as you can match its particular wavelength. — Adam Westcott
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