Shamo

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Main characters of both mangas are similiar like 2 sides of the same coin. They both want to become stronger at all costs, tackling impossible challenges and overcoming them, developing and changing their character along the way. The difference is that Ryou from Shamo is a vile sociopath hated by everyone, like stereotypical villain from kung-fu movie. Other than that I think the Toma Takahara character from Shamo is very similiar to the Sasaki Kojiro from Vagabond, which is what motivated me to write this recommendation in the first place. They are both martial arts prodigies mastering their craft against all odds and they both have a certain delicacy about them. read more 

While Holyland is not nearly as graphic as Shamo, both share the similar theme of a deeply troubled youth who finds the strength to overcome with some form of martial arts. 

Berserk is set in a medieval European time setting full of monsters and Gods while Shamo takes place in modern-day Japan dealing with martial arts fights. These two pieces are mature works and share a pervasive dark mood throughout, and the art of both reflects that, being highly detailed and gritty -- don't ever expect flowers and rainbows. Both are chock full of violence, sex, rape, and two protagonists who share an immeasurable will to survive, ruthlessly fighting to defeat something that is undeniably a bigger force than they. Both of their journeys' will suck you right in, so be ready for a rough ride.  read more 

-Seinen -Main characters are harassed at the beginning -Both are about martial arts -Both are drawn very well -Both are full of brutality  

-Both is dark -Both is about Fighting, but focused on Characters -Both main characters was on juvenile prison -Both is tragic 

Both these manga series are testosterone filled, action packed stories that massage the primal male ego. They are attempts at trying to break down the cultural norms of what a male is asked to follow and build upon the primal, animalistic nature of males in the animal kingdom with a human touch. Sex, drugs, murder, rape, deception, trust, betrayal and family are ominpresent, important themes that surround and affect the main characters. 

both protagonist are super strong martial artists and they live in a work full of sorrow and pain.. the underworld, where yakuza and other clans find their place. Both of the character show no mercy when they fight and even kill their opponent.  

Imagine what would have happened if Ippo from HnI was not a super naive mother's boy who remains a virgin even after reaching boxing fame but was actually the complete opposite. The result is the male lead of Shamo, a psychopath jailed as a juvenile for murder of his parents and later on a serial rapist who puts on boxing gloves. Be prepared for a chaotic, raw, sick sense of pleasure and pain as you accompany the character through his crazy journey as an outlier. 

Both about struggling in Juvenile Prison. 

Just by reading the first chapter of Kengan Ashura, it immediately reminded me of Shamo, dark art and meaty muscle men, then both MCs lacks emotions, revolving around martial arts and bloody, ruthless attacks. It's so beautiful, I love these types of mangas :) 

zumou is essentially a shonen version of (seinen) shamo. while zumou is a lot less edgy, both have very visceral fight scenes, cool looking art, and similar subject matter, sumo and martial arts. shamo is a lot less of a sports anime but it does feel like a natural transition going from zumou to shamo 

I'm surprised no one recommended this yet, both badass MC, with really dark past, Rikudou is more focused on boxing, if you could handle dark themes like Shamo, then give this a try 

Shamo and Zero portray combat sports as a way of living and not as a sport, something to hold onto when nothing left. Both they address issues like fighting sports as a business, managers and the fighter as merchandise. The MC’s are not concerned about the success and reputation, even for being particularly virtuous in their discipline, their thoughts and feelings are outside of the entourage and system in which they are involved. Their only concern is to demonstrate its superiority to that or those that pose a challenge, cause that’s the only way for them to feel alive. 

Similar real life fighting manga that shows the world with no ornaments - the way it realy is. 

No superpowers, only your fists against the world. That is the destiny of a parent killer who has to become as strong as possible as soon as possible in order to survive and to find his way in life once more. 

Great art, martial arts, awesome fights and hated protagonists 

These two manga have a unique atmosphere, both dark and realistic, making for a gripping read. They explore the darkest, most shocking and disgusting aspects of society (rape, prostitution, drugs, physical and psychological violence, ...). We follow two evil and detestable anti-heroes. The first one is a paracide who evolves through street fighting, the second one a crook who evolves by extorting money from the weak. Violent, ruthless and morally questionable, they use any means necessary to achieve their goals. Both hated and loathed, they are fascinating and central figures in their universes. Their lives are pitiful, but their fates are similar. In both cases, the story is deep, complex and well-crafted. Art is sublime and immersive, blending well with the darkness of their story. Not for everyone. read more 

Both Kokou no Hito and Shamo follow stories of social outcasts focused on one goal - mountaneering and fighting, respectively. Both offer extensive sports trivia, explanations and glossaries. Detailed art. 

Raw evil, that's what the main characters in both of these manga represent. Not the stereotypical laughable shounen villain, but a bonafide albeit sometimes too realistic psychopath set in modern society.  

As I elaborated in my review, I felt Shamo is the true spiritual successor to Hokuto no Ken. I'd elaborate further but I felt even in my review I didn't find the right words to bring out why this is. Just a warning: I don't mean in terms of art, plot or character elements. I mean as an overall innovative manga with it's own unique package of bringing forth something that's close to one of a kind or at least innovative for it's time, Shamo was the closest thing I had felt to the experience of reading Hokuto no Ken in it's entirety. 

Both follow the story of a dude who aspires to be the strongest and fights many martial artists of different schools.  

The two manga series complement each other with their similarities of stories that are at times brutally violent and depict scenes that make one's skin crawl. If you are looking for a deep psychoanalysis of the male ego, then these are not the manga you are looking for. You'll be treated to a journey of crazy outlaws trying to create chaos and achieve their own selfish sense of order. 

Both mangas revolve around martial arts and the people who practice them while contaning plenty of graphic violence. None of the main characters from either story is what one would call "a good guy", they are driven by their ambitions, and they don't mind stepping over the bodies of their competitors. Garouden can in many ways be seen as a somewhat less character-driven and a more shallow version of Shamo.  

Both are full of dark and disturbing shit. Although Sun-ken Rock is more light hearted both will give you an unforgettable ride through the underground of modern society. 

Both manga leads the readers to root for the protagonist, despite it's morally indefensible acts. While Shamo worries more about developing a single character, it never really develops anything past the "corrupted by society" trope, while TWiM world is richer not only in terms of characters, but also reasons for their development and goals. 

Both main characters are really dark, thug like and brutally ruthless - basically both 'bad guys'. Lots of realistic fighting and no holding back on gore, although the gore/fighting in Shamo is more martial arts based and Shimauma is more torture kinda based. 

They both focus around fairly young men and brutal karate fights. Although, in Shamo the main character is more of a 'bad-guy', in Karate Shoukoushi the main character is more of a light-hearted and 'good' fellow, if that makes sense? They both have things like: - Karate fights that are both very graphic, page-turning and exciting; although in Shamo the results can be more deadly. - The main characters are both very driven and excel at karate. - Captivating supporting and main characters. - Strong opponents that push the MC's to the limit of their abilities and cause them to improve. - Endless possibilities and potential. 

I read the synopsis of this manga and i thought of Shamo right away. The only difference between the two is in Shamo the main character really did commit the murder but in both mangas they end up young in Jail. 

While both series are almost as different as night and day with one focusing on slice of life and the other focusing on a shounen-like manga they do have similar aspects such as: Both series focus on character development. Both series show how evil the world is.  

Both are dark action Manga, the fights contain gore and are really violent. Many fighter from Grappler Baki don't think about rules in a fight, so does Ryo from Shamo as well (except some times). There are some character, which could be the same person. In Baki there is an overpowered yakuza boss called Kaoru Hanayama, with scars on face, a big tattoo on the back and he doesn't have an actual fighting style. One opponent from Ryo in Shamo had the same qualities.