The 1980s was a significant era for the cyberpunk and futuristic genres, and mangas such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell are outstanding works that have become classics, partly due to the success of their film adaptations. Meanwhile, other works like Bubblegum Crisis, which is loosely connected to AD Police (though you wouldn't know it just from reading this manga), became cult classics, while others, like AD Police, were either forgotten or never gained much recognition.
Story:
Set 32 years after Tokyo's destruction by a massive earthquake—Tokyo seems to be a magnet for disasters in mangas—we follow the AD Police, a specialized squad tasked with combating Boomer-related crimes. The initial chapters feel disconnected and serve to introduce us to the squad's operations and the chaotic, destructive nature of their work. Later, we encounter what can be considered the main plot: a Boomer attempting to ascend to godhood and liberate the "souls" of all other Boomers, aiming to position them as humanity's evolutionary successors. My primary issue with the story, and the manga overall, lies in its brevity. With only nine chapters, each around 12 pages long (except for the final one), there simply isn't enough time to delve into the themes or explore the characters' perspectives. The theme at the end, questioning whether machines represent the next step in human evolution, feels underdeveloped and flat due to the lack of space.
Characters:
The main characters, Leon and Gina, don't make much of an impact for most of the story. Leon, in particular, has almost no influence on the narrative, whereas Gina plays a more significant role in the later chapters, acting as a counterpoint to the terrorist's plans and the Boomer's aspirations for godhood. Gina's personality is enjoyable and engaging, while Leon lacks depth, an issue that could have been resolved with an additional 5-10 chapters.
Art:
The artwork is good, clean, and reminiscent of Akira in some ways. It effectively supports the story and is visually pleasing but not particularly innovative or groundbreaking.
Final Thoughts:
The primary drawback of AD Police is its short length. It's an enjoyable manga but could have been so much more with an additional 5-10 chapters, allowing for character development, particularly for Leon, and providing insight into how the characters perceive their world. I wanted more depth and exploration of the premise, which, while familiar (it evokes strong Blade Runner vibes with the Boomers), was intriguing and had potential. I believe some of the missed opportunities might be addressed in Bubblegum Crisis, which I have yet to explore.
Popular Reviews
Story:
Set 32 years after Tokyo's destruction by a massive earthquake—Tokyo seems to be a magnet for disasters in mangas—we follow the AD Police, a specialized squad tasked with combating Boomer-related crimes. The initial chapters feel disconnected and serve to introduce us to the squad's operations and the chaotic, destructive nature of their work. Later, we encounter what can be considered the main plot: a Boomer attempting to ascend to godhood and liberate the "souls" of all other Boomers, aiming to position them as humanity's evolutionary successors. My primary issue with the story, and the manga overall, lies in its brevity. With only nine chapters, each around 12 pages long (except for the final one), there simply isn't enough time to delve into the themes or explore the characters' perspectives. The theme at the end, questioning whether machines represent the next step in human evolution, feels underdeveloped and flat due to the lack of space.
Characters:
The main characters, Leon and Gina, don't make much of an impact for most of the story. Leon, in particular, has almost no influence on the narrative, whereas Gina plays a more significant role in the later chapters, acting as a counterpoint to the terrorist's plans and the Boomer's aspirations for godhood. Gina's personality is enjoyable and engaging, while Leon lacks depth, an issue that could have been resolved with an additional 5-10 chapters.
Art:
The artwork is good, clean, and reminiscent of Akira in some ways. It effectively supports the story and is visually pleasing but not particularly innovative or groundbreaking.
Final Thoughts:
The primary drawback of AD Police is its short length. It's an enjoyable manga but could have been so much more with an additional 5-10 chapters, allowing for character development, particularly for Leon, and providing insight into how the characters perceive their world. I wanted more depth and exploration of the premise, which, while familiar (it evokes strong Blade Runner vibes with the Boomers), was intriguing and had potential. I believe some of the missed opportunities might be addressed in Bubblegum Crisis, which I have yet to explore.