By The Nightfall

I’ve read almost all of Muse’s books and this one was by far my favorite. I was anticipating the outcome of every chapter. I fell so in love with the struggles and triumphs of all characters. Not one character was left without a sacrifice and a redemption. Theon is hands down my favorite character.

I only discovered Bokko thanks to the Hidden Gems of Manga club, so before diving into the review, I want to give them a shout-out. If you're looking for some great but lesser-known manga to read, check them out at https://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=8776  

While Bokko does explore underlying themes about the inevitability of war and human nature, these are more like nice additions to the main course of an action-packed adventure. The story is set during China's Warring States period, arguably the peak of military activity, and this is effectively conveyed in the manga through constant action and the mindset of side characters. Despite most people's goals at the time revolving around conquering their neighbors and ruling the country, our protagonists' ideals are completely opposite. All Kokuri wants is for as few people to die as possible, hoping to convince others to abandon futile conflict and live in peace. It's an impossible goal, but one that resonates with the reader. To achieve such a task, as a member of the Bokk clan that originally established Kokuri's ideals, he is trained in various defensive techniques and military tactics.  

This forms the foundation of the manga. The rest revolves around Kokuri's personal journey, the people he encounters along the way, and his relationship with the new leadership and ideals of the Bokk clan, which have strayed from what he believed was righteous. There's not much to say about the story without just recounting events, which I'd like to avoid. Instead, I'll mention that it delivers entirely on its promises. Despite a somewhat rushed conclusion and minor deviations from the grounded and historically authentic setting, it's an excellent read and a real page-turner. I would keep opening new volumes thinking I'd read just one chapter to complete a story thread and then end up reading more and more because I wanted to see where it would go and what would happen. Tight pacing isn't something I come across often in both anime and manga, but Bokko truly excels here. There's a perfect balance between fast-paced action, where several pages might be dedicated to observing events unfold without unnecessary text, and more contemplative moments where the manga isn't afraid to slow down and convey important information.  

However, none of this would matter if the writing wasn't up to par. Throughout the intense journey, Bokko never falls into the trap of repetition, despite the theme lending itself to it. There are always new complications for the main characters, and there's always a need to outwit opponents with innovative solutions while dealing with countless restrictions and obstacles. I can't say I was the biggest fan of some of the more over-the-top elements, like the insect squad and certain mutants present in the larger arcs, but aside from a few instances, I don't think they significantly impact the manga.  

When it comes to characters, I can't say this is a strong suit of the manga. They are serviceable but not particularly well-developed. Most exist solely to serve the plot and lack depth or significant arcs. Their personalities are fleshed out, and that's about it. You know who's who and what they're about, which is enough to understand their roles and anticipate where things might lead. Surprisingly, one character who stood out to me was Shirou, Kokuri's childhood friend. He's also one of the very few multifaceted characters with internal conflict. Throughout the manga, he struggles between loyalty to his friend and loyalty to the Bokk clan and his research. This conflict concludes beautifully in the final chapters when his choice is made, and he has to face the consequences. While it's a bit rushed, it was still one of the more impactful moments.  

The art is worth mentioning too. While the paneling is fairly conventional (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), the artwork itself is stunning. There's a strong aesthetic quality to the gore in Bokko; even when things get gruesome, it's captivating because it captures the strange allure of violence, drawing you into all the grotesque details. Beyond that, there's a lot of technical skill on display that's quite evident. The artist behind Bokko has a solid grasp of fundamentals and human anatomy, which is crucial in an action-adventure manga where visual presentation can make or break it. When this technical talent is combined with an eye for aesthetics, it creates a manga that's hard to look away from.  

In summary, even though Bokko may not be a masterpiece, it's still an incredibly enjoyable read. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially those who enjoy fights won through wit rather than sheer strength and stories set in ancient China, as it delivers on both counts. <p>

I had gone through more than 100 manga before I picked up Bokkou, and I haven't encountered any series that strays from its original storyline as drastically as this one does. (The Promised Neverland is a close second.)  

If the series had stuck to focusing solely on the siege, I believe it would have been far more enjoyable. Instead, it embarks on an adventure that seemed illogical to me and felt like a convenient escape due to the author losing interest in their initial concept.  

The sole reason I finished this series was because it's set during China's Warring States Period. As someone passionate about history and a fan of Kingdom, I was curious to see how Bokkou would tackle that era.  

If you're looking for a manga centered around ancient Chinese warfare, skip Bokkou and opt for Kingdom instead.

This is my first review, and I hope you enjoy it.  

"Bokku or Stratège" revolves around the story of Kakuri, a member of the Bokk clan who plays a crucial role in safeguarding the village of Ryo. Initially, with no prior knowledge about this manga before diving into it, I assumed it would be centered on martial arts. However, it turns out to primarily focus on war strategy, set around 500 BC.  

Story 7/10: The narrative moves at a fast pace without feeling overly rushed, allowing Kakuri to shine as a skilled military strategist. Following the first arc, the story delves deeper into the world of the Bokk clan, exploring the rationale behind their actions. While the progression remains solid, the ending feels somewhat hurried, as if the creators anticipated cancellation and rushed to conclude. Despite this drawback, the story stands out as one of the manga's strongest aspects.  

Art 6/10: The artwork is decent but requires some adjustment, especially when encountering Kakuri in the first chapter. Nonetheless, the overall drawing quality is commendable. The violent scenes are adequately portrayed, though I've seen better examples. Given that the manga prioritizes war strategy over sheer violence, I believe it does an admirable job in this area.  

Characters 7/10: Character development is minimal, yet I don't consider this a flaw. The manga provides sufficient insight into the characters to make them enjoyable while leaving much to the reader's imagination. This isn't a story focused on character backstories; after all, during wartime, personal histories often take a backseat (though that's a joke).  

Enjoyment and Overall 7/10: This manga was highly enjoyable. It begins strongly and offers a refreshing twist, differing from my initial expectations. Had the ending not felt so rushed, it might have earned a higher rating. Nevertheless, it remains a solid manga worth checking out.  

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great book

About the 85th chapter