Jiraishin

Before I begin, I want to clarify that my rating shouldn't discourage anyone from trying this manga. It's not a bad series; it just didn't meet my expectations. However, that alone isn't why I didn't rate it higher, as that would be unfair. After reading positive reviews, I decided to give it a shot.

STORY
First, let's discuss the story. I usually appreciate narratives with ongoing arcs and a clear end goal. However, as others have mentioned, this manga is completely episodic, similar to CSI. While the stories are realistic, there are some issues. Unlike other crime or detective mangas, this one lacks significant detective work. The main character solves cases quickly, sometimes too quickly, without much clue-searching progress. Although the stories are realistic, they feel a bit bland and fail to captivate me.

ART
I understand this manga is older, but when judging art, I try not to factor in time too much since some old mangas have excellent art compared to newer ones. For this manga, the art does its job adequately. Everything looks as it should, but the characters' expressions aren't as good as I hoped. There's also an odd feature where many characters have weird eyes, like when you put a finger between them. This detracts from the immersion due to the "doodly eyes."

CHARACTER
The characters are believable, but the main character is extremely boring. With supposedly cool, badass protagonists, you'd expect to learn about their background and how events shape them. However, this manga doesn't delve into that. Even though I read only a few chapters, other reviews confirm that the manga focuses on different cases without revealing more about the MC's character. In the chapters I read, the MC made shocking decisions and had questionable values without any explanation. This feels like wasted potential.

ENJOYMENT
In a manga, art, characters, and story are crucial for reader enjoyment. Due to the reasons mentioned, I found myself getting bored quickly. The episodic nature, lack of backstory, and character development make the story feel stagnant. While many mangas, animes, and shows do this, they often incorporate elements that make them slightly better.

CONCLUSION
As I said, it's not a bad manga, just not a great one for me. Compared to the positive reviews here, I aim to offer a different perspective. If you enjoy episodic detective stories without overarching arcs, backstory, or character development, you might enjoy this. Give it a try if that sounds appealing to you.

To be honest, I'm not sure what to write about this manga. I can't decide if I like it or not because every time I thought, "That's nonsense," something interesting made me reconsider: "Well, okay, that part was good, so let's give it another chance."

It's challenging to pinpoint my feelings because this manga is entirely different from most others I'm used to. I'll try to avoid spoilers as much as possible, but understand it's tough (especially since this is my first review!).

The first unusual aspect is the manga's structure. Typically, chapters have around 25 to 40 pages. In Jiraishin, they can vary wildly; one chapter might have 70 or even 100 pages, while the next has only 20. Moreover, Jiraishin lacks a "main story." Each chapter focuses on a single case, occasionally spanning 2-4 chapters, but that's rare. They're never linked together, and there's no overarching plot.

However, the cases are compelling. It's hard to explain, but they often show the consequences of pushing humans to their mental limits or how people can change unexpectedly. The cases aren't your typical Detective Conan or CSI types. Some involve children committing crimes. What I liked was that some cases left you disturbed and questioning humanity, as similar crimes likely occur in real life.

The second unusual element is the characters. Usually, you have a few characters you really like and relate to, but that's not the case here. Kyoya Ida is the best example. He's an intriguing character, especially since we know nothing about his background, which frustrated me. But I liked him; he's unconventional, and I understood his methods. Initially, I hated him, but later I grew fond of him. His drawing style also stood out.

What I enjoyed most was the art style. At first, I was confused, but after a few volumes, I got used to it, and the artist improved. The art kept me reading. Whenever I considered dropping the manga, a beautifully drawn image appeared, making me think, "Okay, one more chance." I loved the female characters' hair and eyes, reminiscent of the FBI woman in Death Note. The backgrounds were detailed, adding realism. Asian characters looked authentically Asian, with slanted eyes, unlike other manga where everyone looks similar.

I often mentioned struggling to keep reading or hating it initially, which might discourage some, but if you enjoy unconventional stories, give it a try. I'm stubborn, so once I started, I finished it and don't regret it. I miss it now. Until volume 8, it was tough, but afterward, I enjoyed it immensely.

I hope this helps somewhat. (And I hope this review isn't too illogical.)

Written by the author best known for Alive and Skyhigh, both adapted into successful films, this manga surpasses them both. It's often labeled as 'underrated,' a fate of true masterpieces.

Tsutomu Takahashi's crime thriller Jiraishin breaks away from typical manga conventions, resembling more an adaptation of gritty US TV shows like NYPD Blue or even The Equalizer. This Japanese take on crime drama is distinct and captivating.

The story presents disturbing cases involving depraved yet fascinating characters, usually leaving trails of dead bodies. Each case's setup and resolution are bold and assured, filled with moments that will shock, captivate, and repel you with their graphic imagery and storytelling.

Set mostly in 90's Japan, the era's quirks—like giant brick cell phones and fashion—are superbly recreated. Some cases occur in other countries, showcasing varied locales and the dark side of different parts of the world.

Enter Kyoya Iida, the main character: a brooding cop unlike any in manga. Cold, economical, blunt, yet subtly emotional beneath his tough exterior. You don't need to see him cry when things get personal; excellent scene composition by Tsutomu does the job splendidly.

Jiraishin looks stylish beyond measure. Don't be misled by its early 90's setting; it's far from outdated. The manga exudes a dirty kind of beauty, essential for depicting passionate crimes. Criminals driven by emotions, greed, or disorder—all motivations for compelling narratives of chaos.

You'll witness plenty of real, intense situations. Unlike MPD Psycho's fantastical corpse arrangements, Jiraishin delivers dark quakes reverberating through society's underbelly, rippling up to the surface, and devastating innocent lives like tsunamis.

Investigations into murder cases often encounter obstacles due to legal constraints. When conventional methods fail, the case is handed over to Kyoya Ida, a top detective known for his ruthlessness, lack of emotion, and willingness to commit homicide if necessary. "Jiraishin" is a mystery manga that primarily showcases various murders, ranging from brutal killings to complex, enigmatic cases.

The manga does not follow a definitive storyline; each volume focuses on a specific case. The author meticulously introduces the characters and setting while withholding enough clues to maintain reader interest. Set in the 1990s, this backdrop enhances the somber atmosphere and lends realism to the detective's actions, which might be illegal by today's standards. The cases are diverse, involving disturbed individuals driven by beliefs, unsettling family issues, international gangs operating in Japan, and more. While this may seem straightforward, what sets it apart is its human and realistic portrayal of emotions. All characters are vulnerable to death, highlighting the fragility of humanity through the narrative.

However, the episodic nature of the manga has its drawbacks: there is no continuous storyline or character development. It can be challenging to explore relationships deeply. Nonetheless, the author skillfully weaves these elements through various situations presented throughout the series.

The cast of "Jiraishin" is small but varied, with distinct personalities. Detective Kyoya Ida initially appears as the most ruthless, emotionless, and cold-hearted killer. Yet, as the manga progresses, readers notice subtle displays of emotion from Ida, adding depth to his character. The author effectively portrays the motives behind the characters' actions, lending authenticity to the story.

Character development and fleshing out are somewhat limited. The manga focuses more on showcasing different murder cases and presenting characters rather than deepening their backstories. Nevertheless, the art style of "Jiraishin" is well-drawn and distinctive, especially regarding characters and backgrounds. This contributes to the dark atmosphere and humanity of the story through effective use of shading, facial expressions, and behavior.

In conclusion, "Jiraishin" successfully portrays the cases and the intended dark atmosphere through impressive, yet human and realistic interactions and murders. Although there is a lack of character development and background details, this does not detract from the overall story. This manga is certainly worth reading for anyone interested in the mystery genre.

Thank you for reading.

Well, I truly didn't enjoy this manga.
If you inquire why, my response would be because upon finishing it, I felt a sense of disgust and sadness towards the world. Perhaps that was the author's intention all along.
Kyoya gives me the impression that he's not quite human. I don't find him appealing.
However, to offer a different perspective, the artwork is genuinely impressive.

I tend to favor manga with deep psychological narratives from which I can glean some wisdom by the end (yes, that might be cliché, but it's my preference). So, if you're on the lookout for something twisted and eerie, take your time to read Jiraishin; you'll likely appreciate it.

Visible, apparent improvement from an artist always leads to a fulfilling experience. People often overlook the immense growth required for a creator to produce a masterpiece. Discovering the early works of my favorite storytellers has inspired me to continue writing. While Takahashi Tsutomo isn't among my favorites, he possesses a unique style and skillset. Despite his inconsistency, he authored "Bakuon Rettou," proving his capability.

At one point, though, he didn't have it all figured out. Before "Bakuon Rettou," "Blue Heaven," "NeuN," or anything else, Tsutomo created "Jiraishin." Honestly, at its core, it doesn't differ much from mainstream episodic cop shows like "Criminal Minds": episodic mysteries with detective work and action, most lacking continuity. However, even from the start, "Jiraishin" distinguishes itself by not pulling punches. Moral characters die, evil acts are never glossed over, and our protagonist Ida rarely displays empathy or remorse. None of this is innovative, and it doesn't prevent "Jiraishin" from feeling underwhelming in its first half. Ida isn't particularly interesting and doesn't develop much as a character, while the forgettable supporting cast doesn't help either. The art gets the job done, but the soft style clashes with the gritty story. The episodic plots range from good to mediocre, with few offering genuine mystery. "Jiraishin" begins as an average manga with few unique elements.

However, something intriguing happens. For those paying attention, "Jiraishin" improves. A new character appears, and Ida's dynamic with her surpasses his interactions with other characters. The art becomes more dynamic and detailed, better fitting the gritty tone. Each case's plot starts tackling more interesting concepts and moral questions. Dialogue also sees significant improvement. "Jiraishin" evolves into a pretty good manga, despite its slow start. Ida still lacks compelling characterization, and commentary on his role as a loose cannon could've been deeper. Nevertheless, "Jiraishin" serves well as a cool detective story and should be read by fans of Tsutomo's other works.

Jiraishin is a journey... into the darkest corners of human nature. Each volume of this manga presents a harrowing murder case.

For each case, Jiraishin delves deep into the mind of the murderer as Kyoya Iida, the protagonist, moves closer to cracking the mystery. Every killer embodies a different facet of humanity, but the author skillfully illustrates how they reached their breaking point. The narrative reveals how these individuals ended up in such dire situations and how far they are willing to go.

Kyoya, the protagonist, is remarkable. He’s the Batman everyone secretly desires—unbound by regulations and unafraid to take extreme measures to achieve justice, even if it means eliminating his targets. He epitomizes the dark, brooding antihero beloved by many.

The artwork is decent, though not extraordinary. The sketchy, heavily shadowed style perfectly captures the grim atmosphere that defines this manga. Similarly, the storyline is straightforward—an episodic series of cases without an overarching plot (until the final two volumes)—but it serves its purpose well.

In summary, Jiraishin is not for the faint-hearted or those seeking light-hearted entertainment. Each volume offers a gripping exploration of humanity at its worst. It can be disheartening, yet it remains a compelling read.