Akira Toriyama is undoubtedly most recognized today for creating the Dragon Ball manga series and the expansive franchise that followed. However, prior to this, he was already well-known for his comedic works, with even the early Dragon Ball showcasing elements of that humor. This manga essentially functions as a gag manga set within the Dragon Ball universe.
There isn't much in terms of an overarching story. It follows three Neko Majins, primarily focusing on Neko Majin Z, as they embark on various adventures encountering either peculiar or everyday individuals, leading to humorous and bizarre situations. The narrative lacks depth, concentrating more on the quirky humor present in each chapter. Personally, I found the humor to be decent—nothing particularly laugh-out-loud funny, but equally devoid of any truly unfunny or poor moments. With only a few chapters, the manga concludes before the humor grows stale or monotonous, maintaining its charm as a quick and enjoyable read.
The artwork is quintessentially Toriyama—well-executed and adept at enhancing the comedic scenes, ensuring they don't come across as dull or uninspired. Some characters are amusingly exaggerated, whether through their designs or reactions. Additionally, the rare instances of fight scenes between characters are depicted quite effectively.
The characters themselves lack substantial development. They serve adequately as comic relief but possess little else. The Neko Majins resemble Buu in personality, albeit in feline form, leaving little room for discussion. They function suitably within these brief comedic segments and as nods to Toriyama's other creations, yet otherwise fail to leave a lasting impression. That said, I do appreciate the sporadic Dragon Ball cameos.
In summary, this is a decent, concise gag manga that humorously parodies certain aspects and characters of the Dragon Ball universe without overstaying its welcome or becoming tedious. If you're particularly fond of gag manga and insist on it being set in the Dragon Ball universe, this might just be worth your time.
A whimsical Toriyama-inspired story that blends much of the early action from Dragon Ball with his trademark gag comedy style. Although it lacks a substantial plot, it covers eight distinct one-shot chapters featuring few recurring characters aside from the titular "Neko Majin," a carefree cat who trained under Goku in canon. Along the journey, a handful of canonical characters make fleeting appearances, most notably Vegeta, but also Uub, some members of Goku's family, and the introduction of Frieza's son, Kuriza. While Kuriza is significantly underused, his inclusion adds an enjoyable element, and it makes sense for Toriyama to keep the door open for another Frieza-like storyline. Kuriza has the potential to achieve everything Frieza did, and more, effectively serving as a reincarnation in every respect. I wish there had been more exploration of this character, as well as some backstory on Neko Majin's training. Nevertheless, there's little to criticize, and it serves as a delightful, light read for anyone who appreciates Dragon Ball. <p>
STORY:
Neko Majin Z revolves around a Neko Majin named Z. Sounds straightforward, right? In this universe, there are 28 Neko Majins, all equipped with minor magical abilities but exceptionally skilled in martial arts. One day, Z meets up with his buddy, and they set off to earn some cash to purchase cola. During their quest, they encounter a Saiyan couple who have just arrived on Earth. Mistaking them for tourists, Z and his friend devise a plan to con the Saiyans into paying for a photo opportunity with a Koala costume (which Z dons). The Saiyans agree, offering a ruby paperweight as payment. As the wife poses for the picture, she picks up Z, who, in a bold move, grabs her breasts. This act sends the male Saiyan into a rage, prompting him to transform into a Super Saiyan. He fires a ki blast at Z, presuming him dead. However, Z, far stronger than anticipated, decides to transform into a Super Saiyan himself just for fun. He then thrashes the Saiyan man, finishing the battle with a Neko Hame Ha. Defeated, the Saiyan couple departs Earth. Armed with the ruby paperweight, Z and his friend indulge in an abundance of cola, leaving them overjoyed.
VERDICT:
I found this manga excessively cheesy overall. Neither the plot nor the characters were compelling. The Dragon Ball parodies felt exaggerated, featuring an overweight, bald Saiyan capable of achieving Super Saiyan form, only to be effortlessly beaten by a fat cat (Z). While there are moments that might elicit laughter, such as the breast-grabbing scene or the pun on Kame Hame Ha, this type of humor isn't novel. Nothing about this manga stood out as original or engaging. I wouldn't recommend purchasing it unless you're an ardent Toriyama enthusiast.
Popular Reviews
There isn't much in terms of an overarching story. It follows three Neko Majins, primarily focusing on Neko Majin Z, as they embark on various adventures encountering either peculiar or everyday individuals, leading to humorous and bizarre situations. The narrative lacks depth, concentrating more on the quirky humor present in each chapter. Personally, I found the humor to be decent—nothing particularly laugh-out-loud funny, but equally devoid of any truly unfunny or poor moments. With only a few chapters, the manga concludes before the humor grows stale or monotonous, maintaining its charm as a quick and enjoyable read.
The artwork is quintessentially Toriyama—well-executed and adept at enhancing the comedic scenes, ensuring they don't come across as dull or uninspired. Some characters are amusingly exaggerated, whether through their designs or reactions. Additionally, the rare instances of fight scenes between characters are depicted quite effectively.
The characters themselves lack substantial development. They serve adequately as comic relief but possess little else. The Neko Majins resemble Buu in personality, albeit in feline form, leaving little room for discussion. They function suitably within these brief comedic segments and as nods to Toriyama's other creations, yet otherwise fail to leave a lasting impression. That said, I do appreciate the sporadic Dragon Ball cameos.
In summary, this is a decent, concise gag manga that humorously parodies certain aspects and characters of the Dragon Ball universe without overstaying its welcome or becoming tedious. If you're particularly fond of gag manga and insist on it being set in the Dragon Ball universe, this might just be worth your time.
Neko Majin Z revolves around a Neko Majin named Z. Sounds straightforward, right? In this universe, there are 28 Neko Majins, all equipped with minor magical abilities but exceptionally skilled in martial arts. One day, Z meets up with his buddy, and they set off to earn some cash to purchase cola. During their quest, they encounter a Saiyan couple who have just arrived on Earth. Mistaking them for tourists, Z and his friend devise a plan to con the Saiyans into paying for a photo opportunity with a Koala costume (which Z dons). The Saiyans agree, offering a ruby paperweight as payment. As the wife poses for the picture, she picks up Z, who, in a bold move, grabs her breasts. This act sends the male Saiyan into a rage, prompting him to transform into a Super Saiyan. He fires a ki blast at Z, presuming him dead. However, Z, far stronger than anticipated, decides to transform into a Super Saiyan himself just for fun. He then thrashes the Saiyan man, finishing the battle with a Neko Hame Ha. Defeated, the Saiyan couple departs Earth. Armed with the ruby paperweight, Z and his friend indulge in an abundance of cola, leaving them overjoyed.
VERDICT:
I found this manga excessively cheesy overall. Neither the plot nor the characters were compelling. The Dragon Ball parodies felt exaggerated, featuring an overweight, bald Saiyan capable of achieving Super Saiyan form, only to be effortlessly beaten by a fat cat (Z). While there are moments that might elicit laughter, such as the breast-grabbing scene or the pun on Kame Hame Ha, this type of humor isn't novel. Nothing about this manga stood out as original or engaging. I wouldn't recommend purchasing it unless you're an ardent Toriyama enthusiast.
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