There are as many types of manga in Japan as there are comics in the U.S. There are some manga that rise above the others though, the characters and story demanding attention. Here are four series that grab the reader's interest and don't let go until the storyline is finished.
Rurouni Kenshin
This series, written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki (all Japanese surnames are presented first), is set in Meiji-era Japan and is rife with historical characters and references. The story revolves around gifted swordsman and ex-patriot Himura Kenshin, formerly known as Hitokiri Battousai (roughly translated as “fast-sword-drawing assassin”). Determined to atone for his pre-Meiji days as an assassin, Kenshin now uses his sword to help others, particularly those he makes close friendships with. The series is historically accurate, well-written, and all the characters have developed substantially by the end of the series.
Hikaru No Go
Hotta Yumi’s series takes readers into the life of a young boy, Shindou Hikaru, who starts out hating the game of Go, but eventually decides to try and become a pro Go player. There are fantasy and historical elements in the story. At the start of the series, Hikaru meets the ghost of Fujiwara no Sai, a Go player from Japan’s Heian era. Sai becomes Hikaru’s constant companion. Hikaru no Go not only draws the reader into Hikaru’s problems and aspirations, but also does a fine job of introducing the basics of Go playing. The series spans several years of Hikaru’s life.
Ranma ½
Although this series is older it is by one of Japan’s celebrated manga writes, Takahashi Yumiko. Ranma ½ is a slightly warped comedy about Ranma, a boy who falls into a cursed spring while kenpo training in China with his father. Ranma now turns into a girl when splashed with cold water, and his father turns into a panda. Cursed humans, fiancés, and wacky comedy abound in this series but it is not devoid of character growth. The ending arc of the series sobers up, although it ends on a humorous note. Many of the jokes are lost in English translation but the series remains funny enough without getting the cultural jokes.
Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden
Watase Yuu is the author of several popular manga. Genbu Kaiden is a prequel-sequel to Watase’s earlier series, Fushigi Yuugi. Fushigi Yuugi means “mysterious play,” and Genbu Kaiden “Genesis of Genbu.” Genbu Kaiden is set in Japan’s early 1920’s. It tells the story of Takiko, a young teenage girl who gets drawn into a parallel universe via an old Chinese book, The Universe of the Four Gods. In this universe, Takiko is a priestess who can summon Genbu, a goddess who will grant the priestess one wish. This new universe is at war though, and Takiko must find the seven Celestial Warriors before Genbu can be summoned. Unfortunately, the series is on hiatus until spring of 2010. The nine volumes that are out explore cross-universe relationships, the stigma of consumption, and the deep emotional connection between good friends and family.
These four series are all by notable manga authors. Even though physical action is not a main part of all four series, it is action none-the-less that drives the storylines: the characters' actions in their beliefs and goals, whether it is becoming a master swordsman, pro Go player, a master kenpoist, or a universe's savior.
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