One Pound Gospel is an often-overlooked manga by the legendary Rumiko Takahashi, famous for her works like Ranma 1/2 and InuYasha. These titles were my gateway into anime and manga as a teenager, so I felt almost duty-bound to give One Pound Gospel a shot. Unlike most of Takahashi's works, this manga is relatively short, spanning just four volumes. It was published from 1987 to 2006, likely at a slow pace, and licensed in the US by Viz Media. An OVA adaptation covers the first few chapters.
The story centers on Kosaku Hatanaka, a boxer struggling with his weight—a crucial aspect of boxing—and his relationship with Sister Angela, a nun. If you're unfamiliar with this manga, the combination of boxing and romance involving a nun might remind you of Nacho Libre, but rest assured, it's nothing like that film (thankfully).
There isn't a grand overarching narrative; instead, the manga consists mainly of slice-of-life stories following a similar pattern: Kosaku struggles with losing weight, some drama unfolds with Sister Angela, and Kosaku faces off against a formidable opponent in the ring. This formulaic approach leads to repetition quickly, which is unfortunate given the series' brevity. As with many of Takahashi's romantic comedies, there are plenty of misunderstandings that could be resolved with simple communication.
The artwork is classic Takahashi, and I mean that positively. She has always had a charming style, and like her earlier works, the art improves as the series progresses. There are noticeable shifts in quality due to hiatuses during the manga's run, likely between volumes two, three, and four. When Takahashi found her stride, the artwork became more polished.
The main characters are likable but not particularly intriguing. Given the series' short length, substantial character development is unlikely. The most interesting element may be Sister Angela's internal conflict between continuing her life as a nun or pursuing personal desires. Beyond that, the characters lack depth.
One Pound Gospel has its moments of charm and fun, but the repetitive structure can make it hard to stay engaged. For those uninterested in boxing, the question arises: "Is this manga still enjoyable?" While it's no Hajime no Ippo, it's enjoyable in short bursts, and the story eventually concludes satisfactorily.
If you're a fan of Rumiko Takahashi and want to read everything she's created, this manga is worth checking out. It shares similarities with Maison Ikkoku and is generally harmless. Among Takahashi's lesser-known works, it's far more enjoyable than Mermaid Saga. However, if you're not a Takahashi enthusiast, this manga is difficult to recommend. The boxing elements aren't compelling enough for fans seeking something akin to Hajime no Ippo or Ashita no Joe. Additionally, the fourth volume is surprisingly hard to find and appears to be out of print, making it less accessible.
In summary, One Pound Gospel is a flawed yet charming manga that I mostly enjoyed. However, due to its repetitive nature and limited availability, it's challenging to recommend beyond die-hard Rumiko Takahashi fans.
This series is simply fantastic. I've been a fan of Rumiko Takahashi's creations for a long while, and when I stumbled upon this at a convention, I immediately picked it up. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. It carries a similar charm to another one of her works, Maison Ikkoku.
The characters are charming, and as with all her other stories, the development of relationships feels genuine and never contrived.
This is an excellent short series by Ms. Takahashi, and if you haven't read it yet and enjoy Maison Ikkoku, you really should give it a try!
Popular Reviews
One Pound Gospel is an often-overlooked manga by the legendary Rumiko Takahashi, famous for her works like Ranma 1/2 and InuYasha. These titles were my gateway into anime and manga as a teenager, so I felt almost duty-bound to give One Pound Gospel a shot. Unlike most of Takahashi's works, this manga is relatively short, spanning just four volumes. It was published from 1987 to 2006, likely at a slow pace, and licensed in the US by Viz Media. An OVA adaptation covers the first few chapters.
The story centers on Kosaku Hatanaka, a boxer struggling with his weight—a crucial aspect of boxing—and his relationship with Sister Angela, a nun. If you're unfamiliar with this manga, the combination of boxing and romance involving a nun might remind you of Nacho Libre, but rest assured, it's nothing like that film (thankfully).
There isn't a grand overarching narrative; instead, the manga consists mainly of slice-of-life stories following a similar pattern: Kosaku struggles with losing weight, some drama unfolds with Sister Angela, and Kosaku faces off against a formidable opponent in the ring. This formulaic approach leads to repetition quickly, which is unfortunate given the series' brevity. As with many of Takahashi's romantic comedies, there are plenty of misunderstandings that could be resolved with simple communication.
The artwork is classic Takahashi, and I mean that positively. She has always had a charming style, and like her earlier works, the art improves as the series progresses. There are noticeable shifts in quality due to hiatuses during the manga's run, likely between volumes two, three, and four. When Takahashi found her stride, the artwork became more polished.
The main characters are likable but not particularly intriguing. Given the series' short length, substantial character development is unlikely. The most interesting element may be Sister Angela's internal conflict between continuing her life as a nun or pursuing personal desires. Beyond that, the characters lack depth.
One Pound Gospel has its moments of charm and fun, but the repetitive structure can make it hard to stay engaged. For those uninterested in boxing, the question arises: "Is this manga still enjoyable?" While it's no Hajime no Ippo, it's enjoyable in short bursts, and the story eventually concludes satisfactorily.
If you're a fan of Rumiko Takahashi and want to read everything she's created, this manga is worth checking out. It shares similarities with Maison Ikkoku and is generally harmless. Among Takahashi's lesser-known works, it's far more enjoyable than Mermaid Saga. However, if you're not a Takahashi enthusiast, this manga is difficult to recommend. The boxing elements aren't compelling enough for fans seeking something akin to Hajime no Ippo or Ashita no Joe. Additionally, the fourth volume is surprisingly hard to find and appears to be out of print, making it less accessible.
In summary, One Pound Gospel is a flawed yet charming manga that I mostly enjoyed. However, due to its repetitive nature and limited availability, it's challenging to recommend beyond die-hard Rumiko Takahashi fans.
This series is simply fantastic. I've been a fan of Rumiko Takahashi's creations for a long while, and when I stumbled upon this at a convention, I immediately picked it up. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. It carries a similar charm to another one of her works, Maison Ikkoku.
The characters are charming, and as with all her other stories, the development of relationships feels genuine and never contrived.
This is an excellent short series by Ms. Takahashi, and if you haven't read it yet and enjoy Maison Ikkoku, you really should give it a try!