Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon can be described succinctly as cheesy fun. The manga is highly entertaining, featuring over-the-top action sequences and a cast of intriguing, memorable characters.

The narrative centers on the Black Lagoon company, which takes on various jobs and frequently finds itself in perilous situations filled with gunfire and action. Its members strive to make money and survive amidst rival criminal organizations in a lawless city. Outsiders entering the city or the crew venturing to distant locations create additional tensions, disrupting the city's balance. This leads to shifting alliances and conflicts among the gangs. The manga remains consistently engaging, balancing storytelling and action adeptly. Although it lacks a prominent overarching plot, it offers numerous episodic stories that introduce new characters and factions. As you delve deeper into the series, you uncover more about the history of characters and gangs, their relationships, and their schemes. A positive aspect is that characters aren't merely used as plot devices; many continue to have ongoing storylines, occasionally appearing or getting involved with the Black Lagoon company. Each character has distinct traits, and even those who seem cold display lively, sometimes comical behavior. Rock stands out as an outsider due to his inexperience and unfamiliarity with such a criminal society. However, he evolves over time, diverging from the typical wimpy protagonist stereotype. Rock gradually adapts to the city's rules while preserving his sense of justice. Another strength is the limited number of purely good characters in the manga. There are plenty of shady figures whose allegiances shift rapidly, lending a realistic touch given the crime-ridden nature of the city.

The story is perhaps the weakest element due to its lack of a strong central plot, but this is the only notable drawback. The artwork, characters, action sequences, and minor stories are all captivating and provide excellent entertainment.

The Black Lagoon manga is fantastic, but it feels a bit like a time sink for me. The anime adaptation is one of my all-time favorite shows because it's absolutely incredible. This manga is pretty great too, but honestly, I was only reading it to find content that wasn't in the anime. So I started from the beginning, and the artwork is really nice and filled with swearing, which I enjoy.

The action scenes are visually appealing, although they seem a bit crowded if you ask me. Having all the gunfire and explosions crammed into multiple small panels was a bad idea.

I also appreciate how the arcs are titled. In other manga, arc titles don't usually indicate when an arc starts and ends, but here they clearly separate them. For example, Bloodsport Fairytale parts 1-6 and Fujiyama Gangsta Paradise parts 1-16. Speaking of which, I gained a lot more appreciation for the Fujiyama Gangsta Paradise arc thanks to this manga.

Now, as I got into the El Baile de la Muerte arc, my interest started to wane because the pacing slowed down dramatically, and every chapter became filled with walls of text. So I skipped to the next unadapted arc, and the same issue persisted, which is why I've dropped it. And since I hear this manga has hiatus issues, what's the point?

But I'm not dropping it because I hate it; I fucking love Black Lagoon. I just got fatigued due to the later arcs' pacing.

Some of the most compelling character interactions in anime and manga come from Black Lagoon, featuring some of the coolest and toughest characters around. The world-building is so immersive that it feels incredibly real. The raw, genuine exchanges between characters are one of its standout features. For instance, there's a scene in the manga where two characters engage in a heated argument, and their dialogue rings true, reflecting the complexity of building relationships, especially in its aftermath. The artwork is excellent and suits the gritty atmosphere of Black Lagoon well, though it may not be the finest I've encountered.

The world of Black Lagoon stands out as one of my favorites because of its bleak and corrupt nature, mirroring the harsh realities of our own world. This setting works exceptionally well due to the flawed characters who inhabit it, portraying ordinary people trying to survive in a messed-up world. While this review might not be lengthy or particularly insightful, as it’s my first attempt, I hope it helps you decide whether to dive into Black Lagoon.

One of the simplest ways to create an intriguing premise is by placing an out-of-place character into a peculiar situation. Here, we have a typical white-collar Japanese salaryman, Okajima Rokuro, unwittingly caught in a corporate scandal and held hostage by a group of seasoned mercenaries. Abandoned by his company and cornered with his kidnappers, he finds himself in what seems like a hopeless predicament.

What does he do? Naturally, he joins forces with his captors!

Rokuro is no more. Enter Rock (a new nickname), who saves the day using his quick wit and newfound bravado, though he remains utterly useless in combat. The story might be straightforward, but it surprisingly works well. It's refreshing to see how an ordinary person like you or me can fit into a team of battle-hardened veterans.

The setting is Roanapur, a dead-end city of vice where mobs rule and gunfights are daily occurrences. This place attracts outlaws from all nationalities for a wild party. Black Lagoon offers a thrilling mix of action, fun, and explosive fireworks that even John Woo would admire. It combines the flair of Cowboy Bebop with the badassery of Hellsing—an impressive combination indeed.

The main appeal of Black Lagoon lies in its characters. From Russian ex-militants and Hong Kong triads to South American drug dealers and fanatical housemaids, there's a constant clash of cultures, ideals, and personalities. Watching them interact through witty dialogue is highly entertaining, although it can occasionally veer into philosophical territory—or sophistry, depending on your perspective.

The Lagoon Company, the central players, include Revy, arguably the star of the crew. Much like Haruhi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Revy has achieved a cult following among fans. Known as "Two Hands," she wields dual guns with extreme skill and a bad attitude to match. This American-Chinese girl radiates charisma, making it impossible not to love this little devil.

Rock, the new member, straddles the line between light and dark. Despite wanting to abandon his old life, he clings to his civil values, refusing to discard his business attire. He shows the most character development as he struggles to find his place in a cesspool of crime and violence.

The rest of the crew receives less attention compared to Revy and Rock. Dutch leads the team, calling the shots and managing the business side. When called into action, he proves to be a formidable fighter, thanks to his muscular build, and works well with Revy. Benny is the tech expert handling IT and hardware maintenance.

In summary, the chemistry among the characters is exceptional, which I love most about this manga.

Story-wise, there isn't much of a plot; it follows an episodic formula. This isn't a problem for the action genre. The scenarios are believable and engaging, often introducing new characters or building up existing ones, even if just a bit.

The artwork is visually appealing, with great character designs. It’s good enough to make you drool over the smexiness of Revy and possibly Eda, the nun. (Okay, I admit I'm one of those admirers.) The paneling is fine, and the action sequences are easy to follow.

Black Lagoon blends highly entertaining action sequences, fun characters, and a badass attitude. It's a must-read for action fans. Get ready for a wild ride!

Modern criminal action serves as a rare and unique backdrop for Japanese manga and anime. I find it an awesome setting, one that the author has filled with impactful characters and exposition.

However, there's a sense that Rei Hiroe doesn't know where to take the story next. He seems unfamiliar with the crime scene, not grasping how bandits look, act, speak, or why they do what they do. This is understandable given he hails from a country as safe as Japan. Consequently, everything feels fake, cheap, and formulaic to me. The recent chapters are also overly saturated with politics.

What are you doing, Rei? Hong Kong action movies are a simplistic reference! Just open up some criminal news stories. Preferably from a country like Sudan or Somalia. And incorporate them into Lagoon! It’s easy, right? =_=