Apr 28, 2020
TDLR; If you're a delinquent manga fan, and you've got time to get through it all, and get through the mediocre first part, it's worth a read. But don't go expecting something that's good from the get-go.
Art-wise:
The worst aspect of Bad Boys, by far, is the art. There is some improvement overtime, and people used to older manga styles will probably find it a little less unpleasant to look at it, but, simply put, it sucks. Especially at the beginning, you're confronted with character facial proportions out of whack (the stereotypical 'anime girl' eye, massive foreheads, hella long chins etc), and often overly chaotic
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panels seen as 'comedy'. As the series progressed and grew more serious, I did find myself thinking just how impressive a certain panel might have been with better art. However, around 100 chapters in, you realise you've gotten used to the art, and it becomes less of a bother.
Character-wise:
Most characters are typically delinquent manga characters, not unpleasant to read but largely forgettable, and I can't say I grew any particular attachment to any of them. That said, I will give credit where credit is due and admit that Bad Boys has two pretty unique factors character-wise. Firstly, the MC's backstory - he's a rich kid who we see transition into the bosozoku world (albeit with a lot less hassle than would have been realistic) - and I suppose a MC who actually has a girlfriend is also pretty rare for delinquent manga. Secondly, strong female characters: there are the annoying obssessed-with-romance girls, but there are also some which we see mature into characters who impress you more than their boyfriends. For a delinquent manga, that's pretty special.
Story-wise:
First off, I'd like to inform you that the synopsis here on MAL gives you a whole lotta false hope. Bad Boys (despite the chaotic speed of chapters) is slow to get started with any of the actual gang content. It takes till volume 5 for you to be reading anything remotely of interest, and, even after that, there's a lot of unnecessary comedy-focused chapters and short rom-com arcs, none of which are that funny, for the simple reason that 90% of Bad Boys' humour is fart jokes. Nevertheless, there are the more serious arcs too - with the big arc from vol 15 to 20 particularly notable for just being hella good - and the series have its darker moments, including the death of a friend, gangrape and suicide. But, again, between these serious arcs, you have all the comedic filler chapters: a juxtaposition which gives you whiplash
Conclusion/TDLR:
If you want a solid delinquent manga, and you're not too fussy about art, and have got the time to read the boring first parts of Bad Boys, read it. Art and bad comedy aside, by the time you finish the 22 volumes, you do grow attached to it - and for that reason I'm probably being a lot more positive about it than I would have been, had I written this review later after finishing it. Frankly, as long as you don't expect something that's good from the get-go, reading Bad Boys, you won't be disappointed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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