Good read love both of her books, if dark is what you like then this is it.
Author knows how to play with your emotions. Thanks Rare for your wonderful talent.. Keep it up.
<p>Many people might think Japan is a flawless country. In a way, yes, but in reality, no. This is precisely the central theme of Sanctuary. The manga aims to uncover disturbing and unbelievable truths about Japan and attempts to bring about change across the entire nation. Two individuals, having survived a refugee camp in Cambodia, return to their homeland, Japan, only to be horrified by its deplorable state. One decides to infiltrate and reform Japan's underworld by becoming a yakuza, while the other sets out to transform politics. Sanctuary is an extraordinary manga; few others delve into political subjects. You might assume this would make it dull, but it is anything but. It's exhilarating and gripping, with each character's emotions and feelings vividly portrayed and powerful. I've only read half of the series so far, yet I find the story utterly AMAZING. As expected from Buronson, who also authored Hokuto no Ken, such creativity and uniqueness are hard to come by. It's frustrating that virtually no one has heard of this manga. But here you are, reading my review, which means you're perfect :) </p>
How long can a shallow story, centered on determination and manliness, hold the interest of a thoughtful fan?
Well, this specific shallow tale manages to keep it engaging throughout its entire 108 chapters.
It's a story about two young boys who, after enduring the horrors of the Cambodian war and its aftermath, return to Japan, find it unworthy of their ideals, and decide to "conquer" it.
The hellish conditions the two boys survived explain the forging of their unyielding will, but not their charisma and suaveness. And the mangaka emphasizes these traits above all else. Their motivation for ascending to the top is somewhat shaky; they despised the image of Japan they saw upon returning from Cambodia—listless Japanese living mundane lives—so they resolve to dominate the worlds of politics and the Yakuza to remake Japan in their own hard-boiled vision. It's not a bad premise, but it can't entirely shake off an air of cheese.
So while the story's foundations are unstable, we can easily overlook it since Sanctuary often reads like Jojo with suits—the characters strike cool poses in stylish outfits while delivering manly one-liners. This art direction isn't surprising given that the story is written by the master of posing, Yoshiyuki Okamura, better known as Buronson, the creator of Hokuto no Ken.
Moreover, the narrative keeps our interest by alternating between the adventures of Akira, striving to become a Yakuza boss, and Asami, aiming to become the Prime Minister of Japan. Naturally, their relentless pursuit of the top brings them numerous adversaries—champions of the establishment or ambitious rivals like themselves—who test their resolve in various scenarios.
By now, you likely have a sense of how the manga unfolds. The "battles" offer enough bloodshed and intrigue to ensure entertainment, but as the manga progresses, realism diminishes. This lack of realism becomes irksome toward the end when the protagonists' plans expand to macroeconomic scales, and the resolution of conflicts grows increasingly implausible.
Overall, the flashy presentation of Sanctuary effectively masks its shallowness, aided by Ryoichi Ikegami's stunning artwork, delivering an entertaining story with thought-provoking and inspirational moments. If you've ever enjoyed a Shounen work, you'll find something appealing here. 7.0/10.
Sanctuary is a seinen manga that delves into crimes, syndicates, yakuza, politicians, domination, parties, sex, rape, corruption, and wars. It can be likened to the manga version of The Godfather, Mafia, or Scarface. The story initially focuses on the yakuza side before shifting to the political arena. Despite only being at chapter 24, it has already secured a place in my top ten. The narrative flows smoothly without any disruptions or moments of disinterest.
Synopsis - Akira Hojo and Chiaki Asami are childhood friends who have endured hardships and survived them. They arrive in Japan to attend school and quickly witness the country's pervasive corruption and public apathy. Outraged, Akira and Asami vow to create a new Japan—a sanctuary with a reformed political system free from corruption, empowering people to actively participate in shaping their nation’s future. To achieve this, Hojo and Asami aim to conquer Japan through two distinct paths: the Japanese Diet and the yakuza. A game of rock-paper-scissors decides their respective routes, with Hojo venturing into the underworld and Asami pursuing the position of Prime Minister.
Sanctuary is a dark, political thriller that chronicles the journey of these two friends as they attempt to transform Japan from within and establish their sanctuary.
Story - 8.5/10 The plot intricately weaves together political and yakuza crime—two contrasting worlds united into one cohesive narrative. The two friends strive to take over Japan, wielding immense power to reshape the nation. This concept is both unique and rare in the realm of seinen manga. The storyline features unexpected twists, enhancing its unpredictability. The pursuit of power comes at a cost, involving significant struggles and losses. The setting effectively captures the atmosphere of both the underworld and the political world.
Art - 7.5/10 The artwork is mature and realistic, aligning perfectly with the manga's dark and gloomy tone. Characters are well-drawn, each with distinct facial features, though occasional differentiation challenges arise. Readers will adapt to this aspect over time.
Characters - 8/10 The characters in the story are distinctive, each embodying unique personalities that complement their designs.
- Akira Hojo: An ambitious young man climbing the ranks of the yakuza, determined to reform Japan from the ground up.
- Chiaki Asami: A rookie politician committed to unseating the entrenched elder statesmen in power.
- Kyoko Ishihara: The new female deputy chief police inspector investigating Hojo's criminal activities.
- Reiji Tashiro: Hojo's loyal right-hand man.
- Tokai: A violent yakuza from the Sagara group, an admirer of Akira Hojo, with a penchant for non-consensual encounters.
- Norimoto Isaoka: A corrupt Liberal Democratic Party (L.D.P.) secretary general who opposes Asami.
Overall - 8/10 In conclusion, this manga is ideal for seinen enthusiasts and those who appreciate dark, gripping stories.
[Infos taken from http://myanimelist.net/manga/1461/Sanctuary/]
<p>This is technically my first experience with gekiga manga, and wow, this was likely a poor introduction. Structurally disjointed, confusing, and with artwork that only occasionally makes a significant impact... this piece left me with the impression that gekiga is art-house manga designed for a select audience to appreciate, while everyone else is excluded. Maybe that's excellent for those it's intended for, and I'm certain that if I invested the effort to comprehend the historical context of this work and the sociopolitical movements in Japan at the time, I might leave with a different perspective. But art crafted for a highly specific era in a distant part of the world shuts the door on accessibility, which ruins its timelessness and (particularly in this case) its overall quality.</p>
Sanctuary is an outstanding manga that delves into politics, crime, and society. Let's break it down:
The story of the manga is exceptional and above average. It's one of those narratives that comments on its historical period—the 90s in this case—similar to Evangelion or Akira. While these other mangas critique from the perspective of young teenagers rebelling against the harmful and indifferent adult mindset, Sanctuary takes a different approach by focusing on young adults who aim to dismantle this apathetic mentality within Japanese society.
In this regard, the work features a truly gripping plot where the protagonists, Hojo and Asami, must reach the top to enact change, whether on the side of light (government) or darkness (Yakuza). To achieve this, Asami must confront government leaders clinging to power and willing to do anything to preserve the status quo; while Hojo needs to gradually ascend within his organization to gain national influence.
The characters in the manga are superb. Whether they are antagonists like Isao or Yakuza bosses, or even young individuals striving for the same change as the protagonists, they all possess the determination needed to achieve their goals.
Protagonist Hojo is an excellent character driven by the desire to transform his country. He employs his intelligence to combat organizations and seize power, whether through dialogue or violence—a hallmark of being a Yakuza.
Asami, another protagonist, aims to attain a high position in politics to effect change from within. In doing so, he must be cunning in gathering information to persuade or pressure politicians unwilling to relinquish power. This part of the manga is less thrilling but still engaging.
The artwork is magnificent! Whether in action scenes, character expressions, or conveying the brutality inherent in the story, the art excels.
In conclusion, Sanctuary is an exceptional manga with a great story, compelling protagonists, and stunning art. It also has a satisfying ending. The only criticism I have is that the ending could have been more extended from where it left off. However, I understand that it concludes with a message of hope for change, and thus ends appropriately.<p>
Popular Reviews
Author knows how to play with your emotions. Thanks Rare for your wonderful talent.. Keep it up.
Well, this specific shallow tale manages to keep it engaging throughout its entire 108 chapters.
It's a story about two young boys who, after enduring the horrors of the Cambodian war and its aftermath, return to Japan, find it unworthy of their ideals, and decide to "conquer" it.
The hellish conditions the two boys survived explain the forging of their unyielding will, but not their charisma and suaveness. And the mangaka emphasizes these traits above all else. Their motivation for ascending to the top is somewhat shaky; they despised the image of Japan they saw upon returning from Cambodia—listless Japanese living mundane lives—so they resolve to dominate the worlds of politics and the Yakuza to remake Japan in their own hard-boiled vision. It's not a bad premise, but it can't entirely shake off an air of cheese.
So while the story's foundations are unstable, we can easily overlook it since Sanctuary often reads like Jojo with suits—the characters strike cool poses in stylish outfits while delivering manly one-liners. This art direction isn't surprising given that the story is written by the master of posing, Yoshiyuki Okamura, better known as Buronson, the creator of Hokuto no Ken.
Moreover, the narrative keeps our interest by alternating between the adventures of Akira, striving to become a Yakuza boss, and Asami, aiming to become the Prime Minister of Japan. Naturally, their relentless pursuit of the top brings them numerous adversaries—champions of the establishment or ambitious rivals like themselves—who test their resolve in various scenarios.
By now, you likely have a sense of how the manga unfolds. The "battles" offer enough bloodshed and intrigue to ensure entertainment, but as the manga progresses, realism diminishes. This lack of realism becomes irksome toward the end when the protagonists' plans expand to macroeconomic scales, and the resolution of conflicts grows increasingly implausible.
Overall, the flashy presentation of Sanctuary effectively masks its shallowness, aided by Ryoichi Ikegami's stunning artwork, delivering an entertaining story with thought-provoking and inspirational moments. If you've ever enjoyed a Shounen work, you'll find something appealing here. 7.0/10.
(Above 18+ ..underage peeps stay away, Not that you would)
Manga - Sanctuary (Sankuchuari)
Authors - Ikegami, Ryoichi (Art), Buronson (Story)
Genres - Action, Drama, Police, Seinen, Thriller
Sanctuary is a seinen manga that delves into crimes, syndicates, yakuza, politicians, domination, parties, sex, rape, corruption, and wars. It can be likened to the manga version of The Godfather, Mafia, or Scarface. The story initially focuses on the yakuza side before shifting to the political arena. Despite only being at chapter 24, it has already secured a place in my top ten. The narrative flows smoothly without any disruptions or moments of disinterest.
Synopsis - Akira Hojo and Chiaki Asami are childhood friends who have endured hardships and survived them. They arrive in Japan to attend school and quickly witness the country's pervasive corruption and public apathy. Outraged, Akira and Asami vow to create a new Japan—a sanctuary with a reformed political system free from corruption, empowering people to actively participate in shaping their nation’s future. To achieve this, Hojo and Asami aim to conquer Japan through two distinct paths: the Japanese Diet and the yakuza. A game of rock-paper-scissors decides their respective routes, with Hojo venturing into the underworld and Asami pursuing the position of Prime Minister.
Sanctuary is a dark, political thriller that chronicles the journey of these two friends as they attempt to transform Japan from within and establish their sanctuary.
Story - 8.5/10 The plot intricately weaves together political and yakuza crime—two contrasting worlds united into one cohesive narrative. The two friends strive to take over Japan, wielding immense power to reshape the nation. This concept is both unique and rare in the realm of seinen manga. The storyline features unexpected twists, enhancing its unpredictability. The pursuit of power comes at a cost, involving significant struggles and losses. The setting effectively captures the atmosphere of both the underworld and the political world.
Art - 7.5/10 The artwork is mature and realistic, aligning perfectly with the manga's dark and gloomy tone. Characters are well-drawn, each with distinct facial features, though occasional differentiation challenges arise. Readers will adapt to this aspect over time.
Characters - 8/10 The characters in the story are distinctive, each embodying unique personalities that complement their designs.
- Akira Hojo: An ambitious young man climbing the ranks of the yakuza, determined to reform Japan from the ground up.
- Chiaki Asami: A rookie politician committed to unseating the entrenched elder statesmen in power.
- Kyoko Ishihara: The new female deputy chief police inspector investigating Hojo's criminal activities.
- Reiji Tashiro: Hojo's loyal right-hand man.
- Tokai: A violent yakuza from the Sagara group, an admirer of Akira Hojo, with a penchant for non-consensual encounters.
- Norimoto Isaoka: A corrupt Liberal Democratic Party (L.D.P.) secretary general who opposes Asami.
Overall - 8/10 In conclusion, this manga is ideal for seinen enthusiasts and those who appreciate dark, gripping stories.
[Infos taken from http://myanimelist.net/manga/1461/Sanctuary/]
The story of the manga is exceptional and above average. It's one of those narratives that comments on its historical period—the 90s in this case—similar to Evangelion or Akira. While these other mangas critique from the perspective of young teenagers rebelling against the harmful and indifferent adult mindset, Sanctuary takes a different approach by focusing on young adults who aim to dismantle this apathetic mentality within Japanese society.
In this regard, the work features a truly gripping plot where the protagonists, Hojo and Asami, must reach the top to enact change, whether on the side of light (government) or darkness (Yakuza). To achieve this, Asami must confront government leaders clinging to power and willing to do anything to preserve the status quo; while Hojo needs to gradually ascend within his organization to gain national influence.
The characters in the manga are superb. Whether they are antagonists like Isao or Yakuza bosses, or even young individuals striving for the same change as the protagonists, they all possess the determination needed to achieve their goals.
Protagonist Hojo is an excellent character driven by the desire to transform his country. He employs his intelligence to combat organizations and seize power, whether through dialogue or violence—a hallmark of being a Yakuza.
Asami, another protagonist, aims to attain a high position in politics to effect change from within. In doing so, he must be cunning in gathering information to persuade or pressure politicians unwilling to relinquish power. This part of the manga is less thrilling but still engaging.
The artwork is magnificent! Whether in action scenes, character expressions, or conveying the brutality inherent in the story, the art excels.
In conclusion, Sanctuary is an exceptional manga with a great story, compelling protagonists, and stunning art. It also has a satisfying ending. The only criticism I have is that the ending could have been more extended from where it left off. However, I understand that it concludes with a message of hope for change, and thus ends appropriately.<p>