Mar 1, 2023
This is my first ever review, which should demonstrate just how passionate I am about Jiganshi X. Jiganshi X is incredible for many reasons, but primarily I’d say its interesting characters, and ability to subvert expectations. Warning, very mild spoilers.
The characters instantly strike you with a wave of nostalgia as it clearly takes some minor inspiration from Naruto as the main characters are a trio that protect their village . The main character, Xiauhu, rather than being a loud annoying kid, is much more cold and calculating as eloquently demonstrated by his quote, “I have a plan”. He’s a very interesting and complex character
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as he clearly likes to defeat the Jiganshi by himself but will employ teamwork when needed, this is not a thematic clash, but rather an internal character conflict. The other two main characters are delightful to read and bring a new perspective and conflict to the story. Chauyun may initially appear as your stereotypical rival character, but in actuality the character beautifully deconstructs the trope very quickly as he learns there is no reasoning for a rivalry. The third one, although he admittedly doesn’t have much going on, that is intentional as a way to calm the story since every other character does, while also bringing excellent comic relief. There are many other interesting characters such as the unique and personable sensei and the Xiahu’s father, but I don’t want to spoil too much.
The mangaka is also a master of expectation subversion. I’m chapter two the sensei talks about how they need to employ teamwork, only for teamwork to shockingly not be utilized. Perhaps my favorite example is in the middle of a fight, the beginning of the next chapter ends with them somewhere completely different hiding from the Jiganshi. This beautiful, powerful, yet unexplained Daoshi technique eloquently subverts the traditional battle Shonen format pushing the genre/demographic to new limits.
There is much more to talk about, but that’s for you to explore in this beautiful manga.
Characters: 10
Plot: 9 (still being developed)
Setting: 10
Power System: 10
Little girl from chapter 2: 10
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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