In today’s ever-changing comics industry, there are two universal truths. First and foremost, Dogman is an iconic comic of our time. The second is that more people are reading comics and online comics (also known as vertical comics) than ever before. So we at The Comics Beat chose to embark on a new adventure: Bit’s Bizarre Adventure. Each week we ask three authors to recommend some of their favorite books and series from Japan, Korea, and elsewhere. In this special (belated) Olympics-inspired segment, we have Hokkaido Hockey, the monster of the Tokyo Olympics, and of course, slam dunk.
dog red
Writer/Artist: enlightenment Noda
Translator: John Weary
Engraving: Steve Dutro
Publisher: Visualization area
dog red is a fascinating Japanese manga series Noda Satoruknown for its critically acclaimed golden divine power. A remake of Noda’s early works, Supina Marada!, dog red It debuted in Shueisha’s weekly Young Jump in July 2023 and was published in English by Viz Media through the Shonen Jump digital service. The series was nominated for a 2024 Next Manga Award in the Print category.
Set in 2010, dog red It follows the tumultuous journey of Shirakawa Rō, a disgraced teenage figure skater who is permanently banned from the sport after a severe collapse during a competition. Known as the “Mad Dog Prince,” Lu and his twin sister move to the hockey-centric town of Tomakomai to live with their estranged grandparents. Rou’s passion for skating led him to the ice hockey rink, where he applied his figure skating skills to the new sport. His journey was filled with punishment and setbacks, but also moments of triumph as he found his place in the world of hockey. Meanwhile, his sister Haruna works hard to rekindle his figure skating career.
One of the strengths of this comic is its stunning artwork. Noda’s characters have unique, mature characteristics that make their struggles serious, regardless of age. Hockey play is so accurate and rich that you feel like you’re watching the game live. They are further enhanced by Noda’s extensive research, sports references and authentic depictions of hockey culture.
Rue’s evolution from frustrated figure skater to aspiring hockey player is both humorous and poignant, highlighting his initial clumsiness and eventual growth. I found Chapter 12 particularly insightful, revealing Rou’s true motivations for giving up figure skating. Noda also includes members from golden divine power For example, Coach Nihey was a former bear hunter.
dog red is a refreshing and heartfelt addition to the sports comics genre, offering a unique blend of action, emotion, and redemption. Noda’s passion for hockey and skillful storytelling make this book a must-read for fans of sports comics as well as fans of character-driven stories. — Ilkin Side Soybeans
Grilled!
Writer/Artist: Naoki Urasawa
Translator: John Weary
Engraving: Steve Dutro
Publisher: Visualization area
In October 1964, Japan was in the midst of Olympic fever. The Tokyo Olympics have captured the imagination of the Japanese people. They symbolize the country’s postwar recovery and strength. They must set off smoothly. However, the appearance of a creature throws everything into chaos.
this is only part Grilled!the comic master’s current series Naoki Urasawa. It tells the story of a young woman’s encounter with a strange, giant creature. These life forms become the object of fascination for many people. The Japanese government wants to make sure it doesn’t make landfall. Young pilot Ashadora wonders if this is why her family disappeared during the typhoon. Scientists want to study it.
On the surface, this manga is Urasawa’s version of a monster movie. He treats the story with the seriousness of the 1954 original Godzilla Directed by the great Inoshiro Honda. There are no power slides or wacky alien enemies. This creature is a force of nature that will destroy everything in its path without hesitation. Urasawa interweaves the story with historical events such as the devastating Typhoon Vera and the 1964 Olympics.
Just like Honda uses Godzilla To express the fear of atoms, Urasawa used the monster genre to examine medieval Japan. It was a time of change for a country recovering from a devastating war. Veteran actors are haunted by the ghosts of World War II. Meanwhile, the young cast embodies the promise of the period. They include an Olympian, a wannabe pop star and even a female wrestler.
At the center is Ashadora herself. To call her brave would be an understatement. She challenges everyone but also cares deeply about those around her. There’s no telling how her life will play out (the show will end at least in 2020), but it certainly won’t be boring. — D.Morris
slam dunk
Writer/Artist: Takehiko Inoue
Translator: Kelly Sue DeConnick (Volume 1), Yamazaki Joe (Volume 2 and above)
adapt: Kelly Sue DeConnick
edit: Jonathan Tarbox
Publisher: Visualization area
slam dunk Not just a comic, but a legend. Drawn by Takehiko Inoueit is one of the best-selling comic series in history, with over 170 million copies in circulation. It won the Shōnen Manga Award at the 40th Shogakukan Manga Awards in 1994. Just last year, a movie called ” first slam dunk (Inoue directed it himself) The premiere was a critical and commercial success.
slam dunk Inspiring Japanese children to become professional basketball players. This prompted Shueisha, the publisher of Shonen Jump, to establish scholarships for Japanese students to play basketball in the United States. It is no exaggeration to say slam dunk Changed the World – but it’s not even Takehiko Inoue’s best work.
But what I want to clarify is slam dunk Not just a legend, but a comic. The play tells the story of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a high school delinquent who starts playing basketball in order to win the favor of girls. At first he didn’t know how to pass the ball or even how to dribble. But that’s exactly what makes him the perfect protagonist for a story like this. Inoue teaches readers everything they need to know about basketball, starting with the basics.
Sakuragi is a big goofball who has amazing physical gifts and is prone to making mistakes. Whether you care about sports stories or not, his misadventures are interesting. However, once Inoue starts tightening the screws in the manga’s second half, even the most sports-skeptic may find a love for basketball burning in their hearts. This was also Inoue’s starting point as an artist, constantly evolving as a player.
Inoue’s characters transformed in the final game from cartoons to drawings with real anatomy, bulk and weight. The pace becomes so relaxed that a single panel may only cover a tenth of a second. This is probably my favorite ending in Shonen Jump. slam dunk Maybe not as refined as Inoue’s later works wanderer or realespecially in the beginning. But my favorites are undoubtedly his comics. — Adam Westcott
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