Golden Kamuy

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Ah yes, the manga where everyone is a black ops special forces commando. The manga where action scenes are short but intense instead of dragging out for 3 chapters. The manga where drama lasts for 2 panels instead of a whole volume plus 30 chapters of unnecessary flashback. The manga where the puns and comedy parts are actually funny. The manga where characters are unique, believable, charismatic, and easy to like. Do I need to continue? The answer is yes. Because no amount of praise can honor the glory that is this manga.

Golden Kamui is a story about a war veteran, Sugimoto the Immortal, from ... the Russo-Japanese war that ends up hearing about a hidden treasure somewhere, that was stolen from the Ainu people. He then sets out to pursue this treasure for the woman he loves. Soon he meets up with an Ainu child called Aspira that has rights to the gold, and the two join up to find this gold and split it.

If it wasn't clear already, I'm going to lay it right out. I love this manga. It is amazing, I love everything about it, it's art, it's historical background, it's puns, the story keeps me engrossed, believe you me folks, this is one of the best manga out there. One of the super rare hidden gems in the gigantic pile of garbage that is everywhere in the manga world. And on that note, lets keep it that way shall we?

Story: 10/10

Golden Kamui is one of those manga that don't try to be more than what it is. The story doesn't try to create some grandiose scheme that involves the fate of Japan much less the world. In fact, the story being set in Hokkaido, it stays that way. Furthermore, only a couple of people know about the gold.

The leader of those bandits that stole the Ainu gold is the only one who knows where it actually is, and being arrested, he devises a plan to tattoo the location of the treasure in his fellow prisoners. While being transported, all those prisoners escape and are now all throughout Hokkaido.

And that leads us to the factions involved. Basically there are three factions trying to get their dirty hands on the gold. Sugimoto and company, the 7th division of the japanese army that is considered to be the elite of the elite, and the heroes of the bakumatsu (basically old samurai dudes). And how are they going to gather all the map fragments together? Well, that is simple, they just need to hunt down the prisoners and skin them. Because apparently that is the most natural thing to do since everyone arrived at the same conclusion.

The story has a good mix of seriousness and goofy moments. Puns are original and fit the setting very well. Every aspect of the story, be it action, drama, comedy, flashbacks, etc aren't longer than they need to be. Furthermore, the story doesn't rely on cheap tricks to make it interesting.

I wouldn't be doing the manga honor if I didn't mention the amount of research the author must have put into this. Throughout the manga, there will be several parts explaining Hokkaido at the time, the Ainu culture, way of life, tools, and specially the Ainu cuisine. If you were wandering why actions and drama parts that usually take 15 chapters to complete in other manga were short here, well, that is because it is more interesting to know that the brain and eyes of pretty much every single animal in Hokkaido is a delicacy according to the Ainu.

Characters: 10/10

Here is where this manga shines like a herd of unicorns flying through a rainbow. Characters are unique, with relatable motives even if they are not the most righteous. Furthermore the contrast between the characters is superb. Lets take the first and most obvious example between Sugimoto and Aspira.

Sugimoto the immortal is a war veteran that got his title because well, he was such a badass that he would go kill russians while being shot, stabbed, you name it. He was pretty much a God in the battlefield. So you can imagine the contrast when someone like him teams up with a little girl from an Ainu village. Not that Aspira isn't badass in her own right.

Furthermore Sugimoto is the good sort of badass protagonist. Not the generic badass but boring protagonists that most authors try to create.

While we are at it kids, remember when I said at the beginning that everyone in this manga was a commando? Well that's right, everyone is badass. Even the lowest nameless grunt that would be just meat in any other manga is a badass. How badass you ask? Well guess you will have to read it to find out ;) Lets just say that halfway thorough I was questioning myself, as I am sure you will too, "why is everyone in this mange so badass"?.

Going back to the motives why everyone wants the gold, well all of the motives are actually quite selfish with Sugimoto's being possibly the most selfish of them all. So there isn't really an antagonist here in the proper sense of the word. Not even a villain actually. It really depends in the point of view.

Art: 10/10

I usually don't like to dwell much on art because it is a matter of taste. But I really find the art of Golden Kamui unique. And not just the drawing. The expression that every character makes is really one of the selling points here. No amount of explanation here can exemplify how amazing it is. Just read it for yourself.

Enjoyment: 10/10

Seriously, this is the best manga that has come out in the last couple of years, and one of the best overall. I started reading this from chapter 5 and you have no idea how happy I am whenever a new chapter comes out.

Overall: 11/10

Alright kids, this manga seriously deserves more recognition. But not much more mind you. I don't want the popularity to affect the quality. So, if you were lucky enough to come across it, go read it, it is amazing, but don't tell any of your friends.

It's always a bittersweet feeling when a great long-running series ends, it's a lot like parting with a dear friend who has kept you company for years and could always be relied on to cheer you up. And now that Golden Kamuy has ended its eight-year-long rollercoaster of emotions, and done so on a high note and under its own terms, I'm not treating it lightly when I say it is a gem that only occurs maybe two or three times a decade. You need to read it. If Satoru Noda keeps up the level he set for himself, he may well become the next ... Naoki Urasawa of the manga world. Hear me out.

Set in Japan immediately after the Russo-Japanese War of 1904, Golden Kamuy tells the tale of a young war veteran Saichi "The Immortal" Sugimoto and a teenage hunter Asirpa as they try to uncover the secret location of several dozen kilogram of hidden Ainu gold by assembling a puzzle map... tattooed directly onto the bodies of two dozen escaped convicts, and do so faster than the other groups vying to take the treasure for their own means. It is a grounded, notably adult-oriented, uniquely Asian counterpart to the genre of Western, with one of the tightest narratives you'll ever find in a manga. Unlikely alliances, sudden reveals, chases and shoot-outs, indigenous lifestyle tidbits, surprise homoerotic gags or thinly veiled pop culture references: you never know what awaits you in the next chapter. There is sharp edge but no gratuitous edginess typical of modern seinens, there is deliberate nudity but no tired fan service; the experience is meticulously crafted and always kept fresh and on point.

Akin to an experienced trapper, Golden Kamuy is effortlessly evading the pitfalls that plague long-running weekly manga. Its planning is bulletproof: it's evident that the entire plot was written *well* in advance, down to relatively small details that only become apparent in the final act, as all pieces of the puzzle gradually converge and reveal connections between the characters' backstories that drove their allegiances and set them on a collision course towards each other. It's similarly adept at evading deliberate oversimplification of art: characters are uniquely designed, backgrounds richly detailed. People are never hard to tell apart by their face or clothing, landscapes are lush, urban settings gritty, animals move like animals do (which is not as trivial as it sounds at all). Action scenes are easy to read and track. Male characters—granted, most of them are trained soldiers fresh off the battlefields—have well-defined facial features and chiseled musculature... and yes, you WILL see most of them in various stages of undress, haha. Noda has said it very explicitly that he is fond of male nudity and will keep drawing it in all of its forms. If this is a deal-breaker to you, better turn back now before you're hit in the face with an assortment of burly pecs and tight buttocks.

But what I'd like to specifically focus on are the characters. Golden Kamuy has a very large and diverse principal cast almost entirely composed of adults—with the notable exception of the female lead, Asirpa—all of which have depth, unique personality traits, and funny little quirks that breathe life into their interactions. The main antagonist, the ever-charismatic First Lieutenant Tokushirou Tsurumi, is a delightful character and a strong driving force that deserves at least paragraph all to himself if we're talking best antagonists in manga. No wonder even his allies are so engrossed in his mission they refer to it as "The Tsurumi Theater" and call dibs on the front seats. It's a sign of an excellent writer to never have characters with one-dimensional morality or unchallenged idealism as their sole motivation: pretty much everyone in the story has their own agenda, and their factions and alliances only last so long as their goals align—which, when it comes to a hunt for money, obviously isn't very long. After all, they are out there for all kinds of reasons: taking revenge, achieving freedom, restoring historical justice, experiencing the joy of battle, protecting their honor, family, loved ones, or state interests, honoring old obligations and promises, or simply seeking the good life enabled by sacks of hidden Ainu gold. It's always such a pleasure to see characters with their own thoughts, feelings, and agency to act upon them. But it's an even greater pleasure to see that their thoughts and feelings are informed by their experiences and remain compelling—even when not healthy or relatable. Golden Kamuy is, above all, a story about human beings, and human beings are fundamentally flawed. Even when a character is an absolute scumbag, you are always given an insight into what made them so. You can establish a connection with a fellow human being in that character, and—even if it's just for a tiny moment—sympathize.

Lastly, but not least importantly, there's Noda's trademark offbeat humor that sets the tone for the series. Golden Kamuy is a very serious story in principle—what with so many people trying to murder and skin each other—and it probably would've worked well if it were played completely straight like a typical Western. But yet another aspect that sets it apart from other similar stories is how utterly wacky the humor is—or rather, when and to which end it is used. The ease with which Noda builds up tension at the turn of a page and immediately defuses it a page later with a well-placed visual gag is nothing short of extraordinary. Very few authors can switch between drama and comedy without tripping over themselves—let alone do it so confidently, with such grace and, at times, almost morbid indulgence. When Noda wants to do a poop joke, he will have the characters enthusiastically point to animal poop for Asirpa to explain whose poop it is and what it tells about the creature it came from. When Noda wants to do a nudity skit, he will have male characters chased by a wild wolverine into a sauna, where, OF COURSE, they will immediately and fully undress and start lashing at each other with sauna whisks. The conveniently sudden appearance of a sauna doesn't even have time to register before you start laughing at the enthusiasm with which characters—who just barely escaped mauling!—enter a whisking competition. Panels, chapter taglines, and action scenarios occasionally reference other manga, live-action movies, and even Key & Peele sketches—without so much as breaking character. (Before you ask: Naturally, there is a JoJo reference.) Watching a master at work is an absolute delight.

Golden Kamuy is an incredibly rare experience that would be criminal to overlook. It fuses together a fast-paced, thrilling adventure narrative, a large cast of charismatic and compelling characters, deep historical insight, and loads of well-written humor—and it excels at every single aspect. Truly a one-of-a-kind manga and my personal favorite.

(If you come here with a question whether to read the manga or watch the TV anime series: definitely read the manga. While the the anime isn't bad per se, it sacrifices a lot of the charm of the original work and cuts too many corners in its presentation. It's just a very watered-down experience.)

See, the problem with Golden Kamui is that it's so good that I'm worried about having to adjust to the slower pace of most mangas.

Golden Kamui is one of the best stories I've ever read - take note: not one of the best mangas I've ever read, but one of the BEST STORIES over all genres and media (not too sure why this manga has an average of 8, can't imagine anyone giving it lower than a 9). The story is amazing; if you're put off with the thought it might be too "heavy" since it's historical fiction, the manga explains all the historical context ... well so you just have to sit back and relax. I don't usually delve into storyline because I always think it's better to experience it for yourself, so just take my word for it and try at least the first chapter.

The art is absolutely spectacular. I'm not a visual artist, but I am a biologist. Every time I see the art (of the animals, especially) I'm always so impressed by how well (and accurate!) they're all rendered. The direction of the layouting and pace is perfect. Golden Kamui's one of those mangas that can go back and forth between comedy and drama without it being awkward.

Most of the time, the reason I stick with a story is because of how much I love the characters. All the characters in this story are unique, I'm sure that you'll find all of them very interesting and entertaining. While the story is pulled by the main arc/goal of the story, I think it's still a character-driven story that allows the characters' quirks to shine despite the main arc.

To be honest, I was unsure about reading this at first as well. From the screencaps I saw, I couldn't really piece together what the story was about and I saw the comedy and drama moments in snippets so I didn't know what to expect BUT just let me say: it lives up to its hype!

One third gritty treasure hunt, one third Ainu cooking adventures, one third Ainu history/hunting lessons.

Now i'll start off by saying i don't follow a lot of manga series that came out within the last couple years. Most are average at best, with boring stereotypical characters, a lack of momentum in the plot line, un-inventive action sequences and typically forgettable dialogue.

However i think i've found a gem amongst the rough. Golden Kamuy is a historical Seinen series that depicts our main protagonist Sugimoto after the Russo-Japanese war in the Meji era. Nicknamed the 'Invinicible Sugimoto', he gained a reputation for being damn near invincible on the ... battlefield, doing anything and everything to get the better of his opponents. We follow Sugimoto after this period, as he soon receives critical information about a secret Ainu Tribe treasure haul that has been kept hidden for years upon years.


Story:

I've already given a little description so i won't talk much about the story. What i will say is that the mangaka has really dedicated himself to spending as much time as possible, fleshing out the time period and the varying cultures present within it. Attention to detail is impressive, as little things like the 'Ice walls' of Hokkaido are given proper acknowledgement. The Ainu Tribe especially has been fleshed out to the point i feel like i know quite a bit about their culture, traditions, hunting tactics, equipment, myths etc.

10/10

Art:

Beautiful, visceral and realistic are the words i'd use to describe the art of this series. The Hokkaido landscapes are breathtaking gorgeous, offering scenic views of the snowy mountain sides and grounded views of the bustling town. Action sequences are great enhanced by the sweeping movements, good in-between panels, attentive detail on gory faces and fantastic choreography. Furthermore the characters themselves are drawn in a mostly realistic manner. Anime-esque features are apparent, but subdued for the most part. You do get the occasional chibi face or dis-proportioned face for comedic effect though.

9/10

Character:

All the characters so far are distinctive and don't really fall too much into any tropes. Sugimoto is badass,unrelenting, cunning and truly representative of his nickname. Asirpa is the little Ainu girl who is Sugimoto first companion. Though unlike most little girl characters, she actually proves to be more essential to finding the treasure, hunting, survining and strategising than Sugimoto himself. It's even noted at one point that Sugimoto literally relies on Asirpa. Shiraishi is another character who has joined the trio now of treasure hunters. Slick and renowned for his escape abilities, Shiraishi is partly a source of comedic relief but also a competent tactition that with every passing chapter, seems to be integral to their success. I'll note their food outings are some of my favourite character interactions in the series. The extremely odd dishes they consume, coupled with the often disgusted facial reactions make these moments a joy to watch.....and there's a lot of them, so get used to it.

However the different factions other than Sugimoto's crew are the highlight for me. Hijikata of the newly formed Shinsengumi, the 7th Division commander and 'boner guy' Taizo are all unique, cunning and legitimately terrifying antagonists. The 7th division commander especially reminds me of the villain of the film 'No Country for Old Men'. Hijikata is my favourite overall, as every single time he appears something badass and grand occurs. His pistol and sword set also notch him a few extra points. I won't go into their characters too much (due to spoiler territory), but i'll just say i love every single character in this series.

10/10

Enjoyment:

I'm sure this is obvious if you're reading this.......but of course i love it! I think the above states everything that needs to be said. Bottom line though, is that this is the only series i look foward to reading weekly (alongside Gintama).

10/10

Overall:

9.7/10=10/10

To start things off, I usually don't write reviews. The only time when I write reviews is when I feel like a manga deserves it. And Golden Kamuy definitely deserves to be in that category.


Story: The story of Golden Kamuy isn't exactly something unique; it's basically treasure hunting. But the thing is that Golden Kamuy is a manga that contains several genres that usually doesn't go well with each other. We've got historical, adventure, gore, comedy, action, cooking, psychological, etc. God knows how much this manga is going to cover. Golden Kamuy is basically a big fat cluster of ... genres, and the amazing part is that it goes well. The way that the author describes the scenes is simply great.


Art: The art of Golden kamuy is easy to distinguish. The design is fairly good, and the way that the author writes the scenes are easy to understand. Also the gore in this manga is pretty explicit, which may not appeal to younger people, but after all, this is a seinen.


Characters: The characters of Golden Kamuy are all crazy in their own way. Even the MC and the heroine isn't an exception, which is something that we don't see very often. The characters in the manga stand out in both good and bad ways, sometimes to a degree that it's too much to keep a straight face. Personally I thought this was great because the dialogues between the characters are so interesting thanks to the craziness.


Enjoyment: As I said before, this manga covers many genres, and for that reason, it's very chaotic and hilarious. I myself wasn't sure what to expect when I first decided to read it, but I realized after reading a few chapters that I was missing out on an astounding manga.


Overall: Overall Golden Kamuy is an amazing manga, and not once did I regret reading it. The only reason why I didn't rate 10 is because it's ongoing. It's a wonder why it hasn't become popular, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to read something really funny and interesting.

With its recent conclusion, Golden Kamuy has stuck the landing and guaranteed its continued reputation as one of the finest adventure manga ever made. Author Noda Satoru's myriad fascinations, such as Japanese history, Ainu culture, judo, serial killers, western (meaning the genre) films, and cooking, are continuously present in the story and make it feel really special and personal to him. The plot starts out simplistically enough as a sort of reimagining of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, but with every story arc comes a set of surprises and new context that makes it so much more. Alliances exist in the world of ... Golden Kamuy, but are always fragile, as nobody is to be trusted. This tense setting is used to its fullest potential time and time again to bring about incredible, massive climaxes befitting of the Sergio Leone movies from which Noda is sure to have drawn his inspiration. None of this is to say that the series never takes its time to breathe, there are countless low-energy, reflective moments as well as gut-busting comedic sequences that are just as big a part of what makes Golden Kamuy special as the action and adventure present in the main plot.

The illustrations here are already distinctive and impressive, particularly on the cover pages, but what Noda excels at the most is character designs and giving the pages a good flow. It's often taken for granted, but the ability to gracefully string panels together to tell a story with just the right speed and feeling to them, is just as important a skill as being able to draw, and this is a series which excels in that regard as well as in everything else I value in an adventure oriented manga. What was already an instant favorite of mine long before its conclusion, has officially sealed the deal. I loved this series to death and am endlessly excited to read whatever its creator makes in the future.

And there goes Golden Kamuy. Absolutely, one of my favorite manga and also a masterpiece I'll never forget. Golden Kamuy brings a lot of unique and interesting characters, what sometimes was hard for me to decide on which side I would stay by. Even though, Ogata kept being the best one to me (SPOILER: well, I gotta say it's not like a character always must have a good heart to be liked, GK shows the thing is more complicated than that and you'll understand it). Thus, Satoru Noda succeed in developing a story that, in a balanced manner, contains action, comedy, drama and even culinary. ... Although the final arc was kinda rushed, it doesn't exclude how stunning Golden Kamuy was. And always will be.

Good morning ladies. Today we are making Golden Kamuy.

Ingredients

- Seinen
- Realism
- History
- Action
- Humor
- Unique Characters
...
Directions

Fry your Seinen in medium heat. I like my Seinen with some Shounen juice so you might add some as well.
Add realism on top and cook it until you are on the edge of realism. Not everyone can pull this off.
Now you have realism in place, add some history with cultural information. You must add history accurately or it will give a bad taste.
Pick some bizarre action and mix it in.
Lastly, add the humor. If you have some running gags in the home, add it in.
Serve with unique characters, but make sure they are very unique. I grow my characters myself to make sure they are unique.
You need to have good cooking skills and cultural information to pull this off. Good luck.


Now on a serious note, you might notice I rated this 10 in every category. It is because this manga really does that well in every category. Some of the points I like most about this manga:

- Some of the most bizarre and clever and funny action sequences of manga, reminding of Western and Jackie Chan movies.
- Gray area characters. To the point where you even question the morality of the protagonist.
- Well written characters. Every character is so good in their own way. You may pick a random character, say that it is your favorite character, and nobody would question you. And somehow every character is very human. Every one of them has strong and weak points and the manga does not betray this.
- Wide list of topics it presents. Several artisanries like cooking, hunting, fishing, camping, mining, weaponsmithing, equestrianism... It is best when a manga also teaches you things.

Overall, I think Golden Kamuy is one of the best manga to date and it is under-appreciated, hence why I wrote this review.

If you're on the hunt for a great story, look no further! I've recently come across one of the best stories ever and I can't rave about it enough. The plot is incredibly interesting and well thought-out with a mystery that will keep you glued to the series from the very first chapter. The setting is unique and well-developed, and the characters are some of the most varied and charismatic I've ever encountered. Even the villain and secondary characters are excellent, making for a truly immersive and captivating reading, or viewing, experience. I highly recommend that everyone read, watch, or talk about this story with ... others to keep it alive and ensure it reaches as many people as possible. You won't regret it!

I don't think I can express how much I have enjoyed reading Golden Kamuy. It was first recommended to me through Manga FB groups, like jojos, and Kengan Ashura, using the hotsprings panel of everyone naked, thought it looked kinda fun and decided to give it a try.
Golden Kamuy is legitimately one of the best written manga ive read, with so much love poured into it, the attention to detail to make it fit to history is amazing. I haven't been so attached to characters in manga since Full Metal Alchemist, and the way the story and the characters progress is flawless IMO.
I learnt so ... much about the Ainu culture, even though I knew next to nothing of it prior to reading Golden Kamuy, and Ive come to find a deep appreciation for the culture, something that as a Mexican I would probably never have been exposed to in my circle.
The art is amazing, but in that regard I can understand that its style might not be for everyone. Still I believe it reflects perfectly everything from the heartwarming moments, to the visceral ones, to the funny, and dramatic ones.
Since I began reading it I have not been able to stop thinking about it, and I doubt I will be able to stop after just finishing it. I know this is long, but in short, if you like history, if you like survival, if you like character relationships, learning about cultures, and a lot more things.
You have to read Golden Kamuy

Golden Kamuy was probably the first manga I really fell in love with, a true masterpiece in storytelling.

I was drawn by the premise of an adventure set in Hokkaido at the end of the Meiji Period. A race for gold by several different parties each made of up individuals with differing goals. Hokkaido really was sort of the "Wild West" of Japan and the manga goes through great lengths (in often ridiculous and funny ways) to show that.

Putting that aside though, I stayed for the characters and story, so intricately woven together and written beautifully. They are really the highlight of Golden Kamuy. I ... cannot think of a single character that was wasted or underdeveloped, especially from the main cast. Each character feels real and human. This is because the author invites you to understand their very human motivations.

Why go after the gold? Why fight, kill, and risk your life for a shiny rock?

Some characters simply want to be rich, others pursue the gold for their national ambitions, some characters are simply loyal to their friends, commanders, or lovers...

The story then, rather than a clash of ideology, is a simple human struggle. Each character has a dream, however absurd, impossible, or naïve that dream is, they each try to grasp it, if only for a fleeting moment. In doing so, they inevitably conflict with other's dreams and hopes. Yet they press on towards, in what seems like an inevitability in human existence, conflict and violence.

At its core, Golden Kamuy asks:

What motivates a person?

As for its answer, it imparted unto me a reminder of the individual struggle every single one of us goes through and the almost ubiquitous characteristic humans share. The capacity of love; love for home, for friends, for family. From this emotion, we draw the capacity to accomplish great and terrible things.

We are all searching for that thing, the gold that will bring us and those around us happiness. But perhaps what is most valuable, more valuable than a shiny rock, are those whom we cherish and are cherished by.

Great art, an engaging story, beautifully written characters, and life lessons to boot.

What more can I ask from a story?

I don't like to write reviews for something that isn't finished, but since lots of people will wonder if they should read this because of the anime, the answer must be HELL YES!

Golden Kamui is a weird and unique manga in all aspects. It starts off like a classic treasure hunt, and remains a historical military adventure story at its core, but from one certain point onwards, the insanity and madness just skyrocket off of every possible chart. From a story about war veterans and ex-convincts struggling to survive and adjust into the new reality the war has left behind, all while exploring the culture ... of a certain tribe, and the way they live through nature (mainly through the cooking of the food they are producing as hunters), at some point Golden Kamui managed to be versatile and incorporate a ton of other genres into its story. Not only did it not fail at achieving something this complex, it doubled its appeal.

You have been warned: Golden Kamuy is not a series from the faint of the heart. The art is realistic and some REALLY messed up things just keep on happening. The more you get into it and you think that you've seen everything, something even more bizarre, creepy, disgusting or incredulous thing will pop up in no time. The comedy becomes stronger, the characters generally more likeable, and the plot twists come one after the other. Aside from the protagonistic duo, Sugimoto and Asirpa, there are no certain allies or enemies. Everybody jumps from one side to the other according to his/her own goals, good persons and bad persons alike.

To make you understand, there is a homage to Hitchcock's movie Psycho, Jojo references and a panel where the main characters sit like in Da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper". And these are just THE EXTREMELY LIGHT STUFF of the insanity that is Golden Kamuy! If you are someone who enjoys their manga with a great tone of violence, an intriguing plot and outrageous comedic situations alternating with serious stuff, this is the manga for you!

What does it mean to give something a 10? I believe that a 10 represents perfection, the peak of the medium. Something you can return to after many years and still find enjoyment or new aspects to appreciate, or details that you never noticed on your first or second time reading it.

I truly believe that Golden Kamuy is flawless. You rarely see a series like this set up so many things over 8 years of publication and ultimately pay them off in an ending that is thematically and narratively satisfying. Most importantly, Golden Kamuy challenges the reader and trusts you to draw your own conclusions ... about the story and the characters without being told what to feel. Satoru Noda has crafted a work that I feel will stand the test of time for decades to come.

There are so many things I want to say about Golden Kamuy, but it speaks for itself. You're missing out on something truly incredible by not giving this a chance. It's a perfect 10.

This is my first review (and probably only review) for a series. It bothers how underrated this series is in the West because it deserves so much praise. All I can hope for with this review is more people hear of Golden Kamuy my beloved.

I first stepped into Golden Kamuy on a whim, choosing it almost entirely at random from my list of anime I had heard of but knew nothing of. Having watched the entire 3 seasons in the space of a couple weeks, I absolutely could not wait for more and I almost immediately ordered the first manga volume. My God, I'm so ... glad that I did. Over the course of the year, this series has become my all time favourite ever, and I'm going to tell you why it should be yours too.

STORY- 9/10
The story begins in a way that immediately hooks you and introduces you to our main character Immortal Sugimoto, who, at the same time as the reader, learns of the entire series' main driving plot point: the Ainu gold. Twenty-four prisoners of Abashiri are tattooed with a map pointing to its location. For myself, this is what did it. I couldn't help but want to read on, I had to know more about each and every one of these prisoners. You may think it might get quite repetitive, following the same basic formula of finding - and skinning - tattooed prisoners as they're located but no, each and every prisoner has a distinct personality and interesting story behind them. Overall, as the story has progressed, it keeps hooking me over and over again, with most chapters during important arcs ending on cliffhangers and plot twists to keep you coming back.

ART- 10/10
The art is phenomenal. Even now I taken aback by the detail in each and every panel. I cannot fathom how he does it, but Noda Satoru pumps out these chapters weekly! Countless double page spreads of scenery trick you into thinking that it's just a photograph, the detail is beyond insane and really fits with the atmosphere of the series. Animals and architecture look amazing too, again being incredibly detailed and with a high degree of realism, really putting you into the story as though you're there. My single gripe with the art is that sometimes the characters look a little out of place when the scenery is drawn realistically, as well as this, the size of the characters' ears has always bugged me but it's nothing to negate points for.

CHARACTER- 10/10
My lord, the characters. Each and every character is so full of personality. I don't think there is a single character who I think is poorly written. If you dislike, or even hate a character, that is intentional. I absolutely love how almost every character in the main cast is morally grey (dubiously) and switches sides to whichever suits their current goals. In my opinion, this is great, because it means you can't rest easy, as your favourite character could be betrayed by anyone at any moment, creating a great deal of tension. (Tsurumi is my favourite btw <3)

ENJOYMENT- 9/10
My score here is only lower than a 10 because some arcs (particularly earlier ones) feel a little all over the place with how many characters there are to keep track of, and this made it quite confusing for me as a new reader. As someone who isn't Japanese, and isn't particularly well versed on other country's histores, the setting seemed quite alien at first: late 1800s/early 1900s Japan. However, it's obvious that Noda has put countless hours into researching the details of this time period to get the exact intricacies correct and it really shows. Every time something is brought up that might not make sense to a Western viewer it is explained in detail. I could even argue that I have learnt more about history from this manga than I ever have in a class.

As an addendum, I read this manga mostly online via the Everyday Heroes scans. If you plan to read online, I greatly recommend this as the translators have put so much effort into making the series accessible for everyone, including explanations and further elaborations at the end of each chapter to explain and references that might have gone over your head.

OVERALL- 10/10
Golden Kamuy is truly amazing. I recommend it to everyone who ever talks to me about manga as I believe there's something there for everyone, be it characters, story or art. The current arc is going to be the final one and it's already so very hype, I hope the ending lives up to that. Give Golden Kamuy a try if you enjoy a Japanese setting or history in general.

Right. So you're wondering whether this manga is worth your time or not, huh.

Well, my answer is an absolute YES. But you won't be satisfied with only that, will you... really, you'll only find yourself reaching the same conclusion as I did. If you must insist however, here goes:

The manga introduces the plot and one of the main characters right off the bat. It's a historical fiction that tackles topics like war, gold hunting, crime and ethnic issues in rather realistic and gruesome ways. But while it does start off depicting events of the Siege of Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese war from the perspective ... of a Japanese soldier dubbed "Sugimoto the Immortal", the reader is gradually acquainted with the untamed yet beautiful wilderness of Hokkaido and the culture of its inhabitants, the Ainu, through the 2nd main character: a cunning, young girl named Asirpa. The two pair up in search for hidden gold, with the task of acquiring pieces of code from escaped convicts.

All in all, I would give the story a 7/10 (good). While it did not quite impress me at first, it immediately stood out from the usual world-saving, annoyingly linear plots out there. Not only that, but the various factions it introduces, the conflicts that develop between the characters through sudden and unexpected turns of events throughout the manga and the fact that it gives no obvious, omnipotent villain (which, let's admit, we've all grown rather tired of) make it out to be a crazy, enjoyable ride. And damn, the author is exceptionally good at balancing out dark and appalling scenes with comedic moments - sometimes ridiculous(ly good), sometimes simply wonderful and heartwarming.

The art is really good. Besides the fact that it took a little getting used to, there's no denying that the author does an outstanding job combining comedic and unforgettable features with realistic, well-researched elements. You'll learn a lot of interesting facts about war, hunting, Hokkaido and the Ainu people by reading this manga!

The characters are, I must say, on another level. They have depth given by interesting backgrounds and origin stories, each with their own beliefs, morals, ambitions and goals - thus making it nearly impossible to paint them only black or white. And that's where things really get interesting, because given all that, it'll be up to you to decide what to make of them...

If it's enjoyable...? All that, and you still ask? I have never been so invested in a story before in my life, so go figure. I could honestly go on and on about it but I tried to keep it as brief as possible.

Overall, I'll give it a 9 out of freaking 10.
...
9.5.
The abundance of fan service has really, completely won me over... you'll see what I'm talking about :^)

This is one of the most unique manga I've read, and it's one hell of a wild ride. It's an exhilarating mix of weird comedy, gripping action, badass characters and Man vs Wild-style documentary. That doesn't mean it's without its flaws though, and I'll try to explain my opinion as thoroughly as possible in this review.

NARRATIVE STYLE: one of Golden Kamuy's most distinctive characteristics is that it has a bit of a documentary vibe, as it aims to describe Hokkaido at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as introduce the fascinating traditions of the Ainu people (including cooking). On the whole it's very ... interesting stuff *but* it can get a bit dense sometimes, as it feels like the author is trying to cram as much historical information as possible in each chapter. I had a lot of trouble with that at the beginning but it got much better later on, I guess I simply got used to it.

COMEDY 9/10: another of this manga's characteristics is that it features a lot of comedy, mostly in the weird/dark category à la Dorohedoro, but also a lot of sexual innuendos as well as various running gags. Not everything made me laugh, but the best moments are absolutely hilarious and had me in tears.

STORY 8/10: Golden Kamui follows a fairly classic treasure hunt plot, but one of its best assets is how it handles the air of mystery. The protagonists have to work with shady characters to get what they want, so there's quite a bit of suspicion between them, and the threat of betrayal is never too far. That gives the story a nice atmosphere of suspense.

Other than that, the manga strikes a nice balance of thrilling action scenes and “slice of life”/cooking/documentary-style moments as mentioned above, so that it never gets boring. I did note a few inconsistencies and narrative asspulls, but these never really detracted from my enjoyment.

CHARACTERS 7/10: probably an unpopular opinion, but this is the manga's weak point for me. Many of the main characters are well-written, with distinctive personalities and compelling backstories, and character interaction is handled very nicely on the whole. It's pretty easy to get attached to most of them. But, at this point in the story (Chapter 129), the crew around Sugimoto has simply become way too large, there are too many superfluous characters, some of them are complete non-entities, while others had some potential at first but were then relegated to mere comic relief. I feel that the current cast is in severe need of trimming, a few of them should've died earlier but didn't and thus have completely overstayed their welcome.

Asirpa (the second protagonist) is an example of character-writing that I'm not too happy about. For the first 50 chapters or so, it seemed that her main role was to act as Sugimoto's guide and make him discover the Ainu world, which is alright but made her seem like a plot device at times. That went on until a certain plot twist, which aptly turned the whole situation upside down, even though we haven't really felt much repercussion of that until now. I'm hoping that she will get some much-needed development in the next few chapters.

ART 7,5/10: I don't have much to say about it, it gets the job done and the backgrounds in some panels look absolutely beautiful. The characters' expressions are nicely conveyed, and their faces are sometimes distorted for comedic effect.

All in all, despite the couple of flaws I mentioned, Golden Kamuy has been getting better and better with each chapter, and is easily one of the most entertaining manga currently running. I can't wait to see where it goes next, as I'm sure it has the potential to become even more amazing in the future.

It is almost impossible to find something to properly dislike about Golden Kamuy. Between brutal physical engagements, engaging and tantalizingly mysterious characters, and an air of lighthearted realism above it all, reader's can expect a fun but still dignified experience. Noda Satoru was clearly confident in his ideas here, and executes them with such smooth strokes that the ride never feels like it's about to fall off the rails. The premise, the pacing, the writing, the art... all of it is tight-knit together and marvelously implemented.

There's nothing else I feel like praising here, as I think this is a series best went into without ... any spoilers whatsoever.

10/10 for both serious and casual readers. There is more than something for everybody. Just beware the many nude men.

I first discovered this series in 2015, when I downloaded some manga apps on my phone. Initially I thought that a Japanese Western sounded meh. Then, in 2018 the anime was announced, and I was hooked by the first PV. I had a month before the anime release, so I went and binged the whole manga. I have followed both anime, manga and OVAs since. An exquisite journet nonetheless. So let's start with the in depth review.

1. Story: 10/10

The story is addictive at least. When you start reading, you can't stop. This is a problem now that I am caught up with it and reading ... weekly, since I literally devour the chapter. It begins from a basic premise and then branches out and expands to this literal adventure, with the scenic Hokkaido as the setting. The best of the series' qualities is the combat. I was amazed how incredibly skilled the author is to convey action scenes. There is always the feeling of tension and speed, while the strikes, the slashes, the explosions, everything echoes inside your mind. And we still haven't touched the combat as it is. Fast paced, realistic and violent, these characters are no teenagers trying to play heroes, they are not adults fighting for justice, but for their own survival, and they will fight like beasts for it. When a character bleeds, it has meaning, but when the combat becomes unrealistic, when the author saves characters from severe wounds, get ready because the next plot element is incoming, and impact is guaranteed.
The absurdity and the comedy. This manga is absurd, in a way that it is captivating. World history references, world art references, movie references, pop culture masked and transfigured to fit the setting of early 20s century, manga tropes performed in such ridiculous fashion that they become incredible comedic moments and at last, the suggestive humour. This series has a lot of Suggestive humour, which at times may trigger some sensitive readers, but in general it is incredibly absurd, out of place and you never thought that it could fit there and make you go loooooooooooool. Moments that are played seriously for our characters are totally comedic for us, and watching some characters are lowly degenerates adds a refreshing touch to the whole story.

2. Art 10/10
I already referred to some of the art qualities while explaining the action packed story telling, and accidentally described the scene compositions :P, and thus, I will be quick here. The art is good, the character designs are rememberable, cool and blend beatifully with the next part which is the scenery. The sceneries are magical. This is the only comment I need to do, just read the manga and then you will understand. No words can convey my feelings. So to the next part.

3. Character 10/10
What to say, there are so many things about the characterization that we could write till tomorrow, but I will keep it short. The characters are humans. You will say, "you don't say" but yeah, they are humans, they worry, the love, they hate, they feel depressed, they feel unmotivated, they need to feel freedom, and this last one is very very important. I am writing this review in 2021, and if you are reading from the future you may not understand, but in 2020 and 2021, people needed this feeling of freedom, and this characters gave it to us. Personally, watching the characters duke it out, fighting savagely gave me motivation, it energized me to not give up. Their darkest sides, their griefs resonated within me, because they were human emotions, and I know that I would feel the same being in their place. All the characters are likeable, and enjoyable, that deaths hit you, because you know that they are gone.

4. Enjoyment 10/10
I mean, of course it would be a perfect score, since until now I have not stopped praising the series. From the previous takes on each section, you understand. Binged the series in a month, rewatched the first season of anime twice, gladly watched the whole anime and reread some arcs from the manga for fun. Golden Kamuy is the Western you did not think you needed, but actually when you have it, you don't leave it.

5. Overall
To summarize, I fell in love with this series. I placed it in my top 10 almost immediatelly, and it continues to amaze me even until now. With my current taste, I doubt that there will be another series to kick Golden Kamuy out of my Top 10, and this is terminal. I recommended it to friends, tried to promote the manga even before the anime, and really planning to buy all the volumes one day (at least when my pay days begin again T-T).

Man, what a journey! I remember the day i wanted to started this manga thinking "yeah, it has a nice score on MAL, it should be a good manga for sure" ... and holy cow i'd have never expected it to be so good, more like SO UNIQUE, its sense of humour, the typical "serious attitude" of other good historical works but with that original style that makes you think "this story is one of kind", honestly, this is really a good manga. You start reading it and after 2 min you are like "oh so it gives you notions about cooking as well, nice" ... and then "oh so it's also uniquely funny from time to time" and then again "oh it even shows you how a specific enthnic group of people (and yeah you even discover differences inside each group of them coming from different areas) live their lives and how they see the same world you live in" and it goes over and over like this, cause this work is full of notions about anything and in most of the cases it's even too specific, so full respect to the author for the researches he made to create this Masterpiece.

I, in fact, enjoyed the hunting, the thought process of the animals during their own hunt and the way of escape from hunters or other predators, the art of war (it has an immense study behind it, it was insane all the way), the difference of the awareness of both the russians and japanese towards the war, how the latter ended winnin the war, the references to movies and other works, i'd talk for hours mentioning all the things i learned by readin this manga and how it has become at the end my favourite of all time.

So yeah, this was Golden Kamuy for me, you really enjoy and feel the same emotions i felt readin it!

One Piece, but samurai and soldiers instead of pirates.

Story:
The plot is about finding gold by collecting the skins of escaped convicts as they create a map of sorts. It's centered around a wonderful cast of characters exploring, questioning and exploiting one another yet still managing to get along for some comedies sake, like eating, and this doesn't take too much away from the underlying plot itself.

Character & Enjoyment:
Oh my god, the cast of characters are just oozing out coolness. I was burning and still am to see Sugimoto and Hijikata go at it. The collide of opposing forces chasing the gold is super thrilling, I ... haven't been this engaged when it comes to character dynamics since Death Note. Overall Golden Kamuy manages to combine action and wits into an explosive adventurous thriller.