Hikaru no Go, Alive: Saishuu Shinkateki Shounen Recommendations
Many readers probably don't think the same, but there is some very crucial similarities with Alive and Hikago.
1 is feeling, 2 is the ultimate meaning of the manga.
Both mangas trick you into thinking it's a generic shounen manga with a train, fight, train, fight equation and a slightly stupid and hot headed young MC. but in reality, both mangas are about life and they present it in such a unique and wonderful way. There is not many, if not, very little moments where we'll see the MC or other characters get powerups or training, of course they will gradually improve as they progress, but
these aren't done through a sudden need to get strong, but through a consistent progress of several years.
The so called training isn't presented to us through super quick and impossible methods either, but have relation to the either the protagonists talent and actual meaningful methods.
Both protagonists are also very well developed while retaining many qualities they possessed at the beginning, they both mature while keeping a childish idealism or goal, though compared to Hikago, the MC of Alive is less realistic, that's to be expected since one's about a realistic board game whilst the other is about saving humanity through alien viruses.
The romance aspect is also more important in Alive, However neither truly develop it with it as much importance as general shounen, but more of a, what happens, happens.
(unlike many people i don't actually mind the pairing and love the ending)
Lastly is the art style, both have art styles that gradually development into something amazing and beautiful whilst starting off with a style that's less refined and more generic.
Although that's not the important aspect, i find both to be increasingly similar near the mid stage or ends.
Its not like its the most realistic, but neither is it very generic, whilst Hikago turned from very Shounen to more Seinen, Alive did the opposite, that does not mean the story itself became shounen, but rather both art styles met in the middle.
This kind of art style is what I personally like best as it retains the love of anime and manga, and has a mature, beautiful, neat and easy on the eyes appeal. The very nature of the manga's seem to be emitted off of it. in other words they're both FABULOUS.
Most importantly about both mangas, is that they're both action/sports and shounen/seinen mangas with a very well hidden, well developed and well placed undertone of slice of life.
If your looking for something genre specific then I wont suggest this manga, but if your looking for something more akin to the "feeling" and "inspiration" then this is the manga.
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