I genuinely can't believe Buronson, also known as Yoshiyuki Okamura who penned Sanctuary, authored this manga. It's a mix of hilarity and pathos. The central idea is solid, but the execution is not just poor; it's offensive, hypocritical, and wildly off-target.
Commenting on Japan, its identity, and potential future sounds like a worthy endeavor, but there’s no reflection on Japan’s own wrongdoings—like its treatment of indigenous people or neighboring countries. There isn’t even a subtle nod in that direction; everything is presented with such a straight face that it comes across as fascistic propaganda.
The storyline itself is quite basic, which isn't inherently bad since many timeless parables are simple. However, this manga's simplicity highlights its lack of depth. The artwork bears a resemblance to Miura Kentarou's Berserk but lacks vitality, skilled composition, or any worthwhile imagery in general.
The final speech at the end of the manga is so peculiar it seems like the author forgot what he was writing about—and even the name of the manga itself.
This is a very disappointing work from an author and artist capable of much more, who have indeed gone on to produce better things. Avoid this one.
(Spoiler warning) This book had the potential to be much more than a lecture about how the Japanese are number one and are leveraging their status for personal gain, only to face a future where every nation on Earth turns against them and enslaves them. I appreciated the magical dystopian aspect of it, but shouldn't the old man have summoned them back to the present after they defeated the European enslavers? I expected so much more from the creator of Berserk than this nonsense. Also, what's with the giant guy lecturing former Japanese people about not respecting their identity as Japanese? Dude, you're in a post-apocalyptic world where Japanese people are killed because of their nationality. Of course, people are going to be disillusioned about clinging to their national identity. This manga is pretty dumb, but it is entertaining.
Before fully dedicating himself to Berserk, Miura teamed up once more with Buronson for this one-shot in Young Animal magazine back in 1992. Honestly, I can see why he might have decided to go solo afterward—this project was quite the ride, lol.
Buronson's writing has always been hit or miss since his Hokuto no Ken days, especially with his idealistic take on the übermensch archetype in post-apocalyptic settings. However, this time it veers into a rather unsettling nationalist rant about the "New World Order" threatening Japan's national spirit and global dominance. The manga's presentation is so minimal that the only focus seems to be on how "superior" the Japanese race is compared to others. It’s pretty cringeworthy.
Miura's artwork remains impressive, though. Unfortunately, there's not much for him to work with here aside from drawing the protagonist's perpetually angry face as he rants about glorious Nihon to anyone who'll listen. So artistically, this isn't really worth your time either.
That said, the plot manages to maintain some tension and introduces semi-interesting concepts, even if they’re poorly developed. The length is just right—not too long, not too short—making for an okay reading experience overall. Still, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Stumbled upon this in the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris, a renowned Japanese cultural center among Japan enthusiasts here in France. I was browsing their shop, which is quite pricey to say the least. ^^' and went "Wow!" Buronson, famous for his work on Hokuto no Ken and Sanctuary, known for his macho characters PLUS Kentaro Miura, also celebrated for his tough men? This duo must be the team of the year! And tackling a post-apocalyptic story at that!
I picked it up purely for the awesomeness these authors bring together. And I wasn't disappointed. Okay, the plot is somewhat sketchy: it's a social and economic critique of 1992's Japan (this manga was written in 1992 and published in my country in 2008).
You have a character who looks like a mix between Kenshiro and Guts, paired with a Casca-like journalist he’s infatuated with, and a bunch of apathetic Japanese youngsters who are rather unlikable (the two yakuza are the good guys!!! o_O), traveling via some absurd mystical means (a Carthaginian magician? Really? Who even knows about Japan?). The setting has a Hokuto no Ken vibe.
The action is non-stop, with the "normal" people (the journalist and the youngsters) turning to criminals for guidance and protection. The manly hero, despite being a yakuza, displays commendable morals, aiding oppressed Japanese citizens against "evil" neo-Europeans. The narrative suggests that Japan is unfairly targeted due to its past behavior contributing to global tragedies.
This aspect didn’t sit well with me; the manga exudes a hint of nationalism (understandable given yakuzas' often right-wing tendencies). Europeans are portrayed as villains without recognizing their role in the global catastrophe. We’re all equally responsible for issues like global warming and economic disasters as much as the US and Japan were in 1992.
In the context of 1992, Spanish children beg from Japanese youths, akin to Indian kids today. Even by 1992 standards, such behavior was unusual; Spain was poor but not to that extent.
On the positive side, the action sequences are neat, the psychological reactions of the heroes are plausible, and the artwork is excellent. There’s a Christ-like figure depicted as somewhat ineffective—a clear reflection of the authors’ views.
The ending is satisfying, with the hero aiming for a solution that addresses the world’s ills logically, as hinted by his chosen name revealing his utopian vision. It’s a softer version of Hokuto no Ken, with an unsubtle yet effective social and economic critique. Given Japan’s current crisis, it proves eerily prophetic.
Disgusting and appalling, I am extremely disappointed that Miura, whom I admire, created this work. This is not art; it's pure, unadulterated fascist propaganda.
Instead of criticizing the wealthy, powerful Japanese men who led Japan into its current laughable situation, the game blames "the Americans and the Europeans." Well, Mr. Buronson, might I teach you a history lesson about your own country? About how the JAPANESE DEFEATED the "Americans and Europeans" when they annihilated the feudal, backward samurai class? That Japan, after the Showa restoration (which had all the characteristics of a French-style revolution, except for the lack of nobles being beheaded), was in no way abused or subjugated by Europe or America. In fact, Japan marched shoulder to shoulder with the "ugly, evil westerners" to kill and rape East Asia and the Pacific. After the Soviet Union, the USA, and China defeated your country, those very same "evil Americans and Europeans" gave your politicians, the same ones who started the war, free rein to re-establish their government, creating an independent, economically strong power. What, Mr. Buronson, do you mean by this manga? That your country is not free to plunder, rape, and kill the Chinese again? That you can't have the strongest military with shiny tanks and warships to shoot at the Zengakuren anymore?
This could have been a great critique of how the JAPANESE ruling class made Japan weak, a bulwark against communism (and today, against China), serving primarily the interests of the USA—a strong country economically but at the cost of becoming a dystopia, having your culture and values erased by capital. But no... this is the wet dream of old Japanese men who value military strength more than the well-being of the people, blindly valuing "traditional values" without any thought. They see Japan as "oppressed" just because of American military bases on their territory. Oh, poor Japanese! They are so oppressed because now, instead of saying いいね！they say Nice! Because now women have thoughts instead of making kawaii sounds and being subservient! Go to the devil!
By far the worst part of this thing is how they act as if Japan is hated by the world population. What in the hell? Japan is one of the most prestigious countries in the entire world! Japanese people, Japanese culture are loved all around the globe. Don't mangakas realize HOW MANY PEOPLE outside of Japan consume their mangas? Are they too busy with their noses up their asses, or do they just ignore this fact? "MADE IN JAPAN" is LITERALLY synonymous with "Quality" all over the world. I really, really, really wonder WHAT was going on in the head of the person who made this trash. I truly do.
Popular Reviews
I genuinely can't believe Buronson, also known as Yoshiyuki Okamura who penned Sanctuary, authored this manga. It's a mix of hilarity and pathos. The central idea is solid, but the execution is not just poor; it's offensive, hypocritical, and wildly off-target.
Commenting on Japan, its identity, and potential future sounds like a worthy endeavor, but there’s no reflection on Japan’s own wrongdoings—like its treatment of indigenous people or neighboring countries. There isn’t even a subtle nod in that direction; everything is presented with such a straight face that it comes across as fascistic propaganda.
The storyline itself is quite basic, which isn't inherently bad since many timeless parables are simple. However, this manga's simplicity highlights its lack of depth. The artwork bears a resemblance to Miura Kentarou's Berserk but lacks vitality, skilled composition, or any worthwhile imagery in general.
The final speech at the end of the manga is so peculiar it seems like the author forgot what he was writing about—and even the name of the manga itself.
This is a very disappointing work from an author and artist capable of much more, who have indeed gone on to produce better things. Avoid this one.
(Spoiler warning) This book had the potential to be much more than a lecture about how the Japanese are number one and are leveraging their status for personal gain, only to face a future where every nation on Earth turns against them and enslaves them. I appreciated the magical dystopian aspect of it, but shouldn't the old man have summoned them back to the present after they defeated the European enslavers? I expected so much more from the creator of Berserk than this nonsense. Also, what's with the giant guy lecturing former Japanese people about not respecting their identity as Japanese? Dude, you're in a post-apocalyptic world where Japanese people are killed because of their nationality. Of course, people are going to be disillusioned about clinging to their national identity. This manga is pretty dumb, but it is entertaining.
Stumbled upon this in the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris, a renowned Japanese cultural center among Japan enthusiasts here in France. I was browsing their shop, which is quite pricey to say the least. ^^' and went "Wow!" Buronson, famous for his work on Hokuto no Ken and Sanctuary, known for his macho characters PLUS Kentaro Miura, also celebrated for his tough men? This duo must be the team of the year! And tackling a post-apocalyptic story at that!
I picked it up purely for the awesomeness these authors bring together. And I wasn't disappointed. Okay, the plot is somewhat sketchy: it's a social and economic critique of 1992's Japan (this manga was written in 1992 and published in my country in 2008).
You have a character who looks like a mix between Kenshiro and Guts, paired with a Casca-like journalist he’s infatuated with, and a bunch of apathetic Japanese youngsters who are rather unlikable (the two yakuza are the good guys!!! o_O), traveling via some absurd mystical means (a Carthaginian magician? Really? Who even knows about Japan?). The setting has a Hokuto no Ken vibe.
The action is non-stop, with the "normal" people (the journalist and the youngsters) turning to criminals for guidance and protection. The manly hero, despite being a yakuza, displays commendable morals, aiding oppressed Japanese citizens against "evil" neo-Europeans. The narrative suggests that Japan is unfairly targeted due to its past behavior contributing to global tragedies.
This aspect didn’t sit well with me; the manga exudes a hint of nationalism (understandable given yakuzas' often right-wing tendencies). Europeans are portrayed as villains without recognizing their role in the global catastrophe. We’re all equally responsible for issues like global warming and economic disasters as much as the US and Japan were in 1992.
In the context of 1992, Spanish children beg from Japanese youths, akin to Indian kids today. Even by 1992 standards, such behavior was unusual; Spain was poor but not to that extent.
On the positive side, the action sequences are neat, the psychological reactions of the heroes are plausible, and the artwork is excellent. There’s a Christ-like figure depicted as somewhat ineffective—a clear reflection of the authors’ views.
The ending is satisfying, with the hero aiming for a solution that addresses the world’s ills logically, as hinted by his chosen name revealing his utopian vision. It’s a softer version of Hokuto no Ken, with an unsubtle yet effective social and economic critique. Given Japan’s current crisis, it proves eerily prophetic.
All in all, a good action manga.
Disgusting and appalling, I am extremely disappointed that Miura, whom I admire, created this work. This is not art; it's pure, unadulterated fascist propaganda.
Instead of criticizing the wealthy, powerful Japanese men who led Japan into its current laughable situation, the game blames "the Americans and the Europeans." Well, Mr. Buronson, might I teach you a history lesson about your own country? About how the JAPANESE DEFEATED the "Americans and Europeans" when they annihilated the feudal, backward samurai class? That Japan, after the Showa restoration (which had all the characteristics of a French-style revolution, except for the lack of nobles being beheaded), was in no way abused or subjugated by Europe or America. In fact, Japan marched shoulder to shoulder with the "ugly, evil westerners" to kill and rape East Asia and the Pacific. After the Soviet Union, the USA, and China defeated your country, those very same "evil Americans and Europeans" gave your politicians, the same ones who started the war, free rein to re-establish their government, creating an independent, economically strong power. What, Mr. Buronson, do you mean by this manga? That your country is not free to plunder, rape, and kill the Chinese again? That you can't have the strongest military with shiny tanks and warships to shoot at the Zengakuren anymore?
This could have been a great critique of how the JAPANESE ruling class made Japan weak, a bulwark against communism (and today, against China), serving primarily the interests of the USA—a strong country economically but at the cost of becoming a dystopia, having your culture and values erased by capital. But no... this is the wet dream of old Japanese men who value military strength more than the well-being of the people, blindly valuing "traditional values" without any thought. They see Japan as "oppressed" just because of American military bases on their territory. Oh, poor Japanese! They are so oppressed because now, instead of saying いいね！they say Nice! Because now women have thoughts instead of making kawaii sounds and being subservient! Go to the devil!
By far the worst part of this thing is how they act as if Japan is hated by the world population. What in the hell? Japan is one of the most prestigious countries in the entire world! Japanese people, Japanese culture are loved all around the globe. Don't mangakas realize HOW MANY PEOPLE outside of Japan consume their mangas? Are they too busy with their noses up their asses, or do they just ignore this fact? "MADE IN JAPAN" is LITERALLY synonymous with "Quality" all over the world. I really, really, really wonder WHAT was going on in the head of the person who made this trash. I truly do.