Akumetsu

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I believe many of us agree that Akumetsu does not really have the most groundbreaking, deep story we've read. Or the most original protagonist, or even the most unique plot. But to me, this show stood out as one of the only mangas I've read that really screams political discontent.

You can feel the author's rage in each and every chapter. the political unrest was real during that time in japan, but rarely do you see such open critics about the politcal corruption and neglect by the japanese government.

To me, that was a breath of fresh air, and the sole aspect that hooked me ... until the end of the story.

STORY: 6

Great a story that is not black and white: good guys use questionable means and bad guys may not be so bad. Alas, some of the bad guys are still just evil whereas the story could have done a better job by showing and exploring the systemic nature of corruption. There's different arcs and some could have been dealt with quicker, that's a lot of volumes for a manga that could have been short and to the point.


ART: 6

Gets the job done.

POLITICAL POTENTIAL: 6
...
Finally a title that goes head deep into politics! It's great that a manga author tries to tackle politics and economy but his point of view stays contained within the paradigm of 'economic growth = good' so the analysis and opinions coming out from this manga are embarrassingly outdated. Things like social sciences, alternative political organization or environment are out of the picture.
Most things revolve on the trope of 'Japan is on the decline because of incompetent politicians' and it's annoying because the trope ignores that Japan is one of the richest countries on earth, does not understand that the ecological footprint of the country is already unsustainable (and any improvement in the economy would make things worse) and eludes the fact that the crisis is more existential : without economic growth what is the goal of the country? What keeps society together?

There is also a welcome discussion on violence and its use but it's not going very far neither.

FEMINISM: 4

Love interest, damsel in distress, rape attempt, the usual package except for one strong female character.

CONCLUSION: 5

Akumetsu is not bad and it's a nice read if you are into vigilante justice. Otherwise it still has qualities if you don't mind the length, violence, and political naivety.

Pretty cringey and bad manga series, starts off with a bunch of politicians acting like perverts from a hentai manga and goes from there. The moral and politician lecturing does it no credit and the series drags throughout the middle. It is NOT as good as Death Note, not nearly as exciting in execution and much more preachy in it's message while Death Note remains more subtle in moral implications. Although to be fair Akumetsu does not have a drop in quality as noticeable as Death Note... but that is because the series is bad the whole way through whereas Death Note has moments of ... true brilliance.

(Not worth reading)