Smuggler
- Genre: action suspense
- Author: manabe shohei
- Artist(s):
- Year: Mar 25, 2000 to Jun 24, 2000
- Original Publisher:
- Status： Finished
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Rating(4 / 5.0, 11 votes)
5 stars
5(45%)
4 stars
3(27%)
3 stars
1(9%)
2 stars
2(18%)
1 stars
0(0%)
Popular Reviews
Smuggler is a four-chapter crime adventure filled with Tarantino-like underworld antics and the humor typical of Korean gangster films. Picture Pulp Fiction crossed with A Bittersweet Life, and you'll get an idea of the atmosphere in Shohei Manabe's manga. Various groups of men clash violently due to their risky professions—whether they be assassins, gangsters, or smugglers. There isn't really a central character we follow, but the new recruit who joins the clean-up crew seems like the most relatable figure, and we even get a flashback about him. However, the characters we're more likely to enjoy are the assassins and the leader of the smuggling clean-up crew, naturally leading to some conflict.
The story follows the assassins as they go about their business, which catches the attention of the yakuza, who then hire the smugglers' services. But life rarely goes smoothly. The fun comes from watching these characters, burdened with massive chips on their shoulders, navigate increasingly chaotic situations. Manabe injects subtle humor into the mix, reminiscent of directors like Tarantino or Kim Ji-woon, both of whom would be perfect for adapting this onto the big screen, though they might be accused of repeating themselves.
The art in Smuggler is detailed and tidy for background settings, as is common in seinen manga, but the character designs are particularly intriguing. The cast has very striking facial features, which won't appeal to everyone but at least stands out and fits well with the unsettling narrative.
Smuggler is a cool thriller that builds up to a viciously brilliant climax and a satisfying conclusion.
9.4/10