Top 10 Best Yakuza Manga That Are Worth Reading – Hey guys!. In this post, I’ll be discussing a list of Top 10 Best Yakuza Manga That Are Worth Reading. Yakuza manga is a genre of Japanese manga that revolves around the Japanese organized crime syndicate known as the yakuza. The yakuza are notorious for their criminal activities, including extortion, smuggling, gambling, and illegal businesses.
Yakuza manga often depict the world of the yakuza, their members, their code of conduct, and their struggles for power and survival within the criminal underworld. Yakuza manga typically feature themes such as loyalty, honor, brotherhood, violence, and betrayal. They often portray the lives of yakuza members, their conflicts with rival gangs, and the challenges they face in their pursuit of power.
Yakuza manga are known for their intense and gritty storytelling, showcasing the brutal and dangerous nature of the criminal underworld. They often explore the complexities of yakuza culture, traditions, and hierarchy, as well as the moral dilemmas faced by yakuza members. Let us jump right into it.
10. Shinjuku Swan
Shinjuku Swan is a manga series that follows the story of Shiratori Tatsuhiko, a scout for Burst, a talent agency in Kabukicho, the red light district of Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan. Tatsuhiko is a determined and ambitious scout who is constantly engaged in fierce competition with other talent scouts to recruit the best talent for his agency.
He navigates the cutthroat world of Kabukicho’s entertainment industry, where money, connections, and ruthless tactics are the keys to success. However, Tatsuhiko’s job becomes more complicated when he finds himself entangled with the yakuza, the Japanese organized crime syndicate.
He encounters yakuza members who have their own agendas and interests in the talent business, and he must tread carefully to protect himself and his talent while juggling the demands of his job. As the story progresses, Tatsuhiko faces various challenges and obstacles, including rival scouts, hostile yakuza members, and the moral dilemmas of his profession.
He forms alliances and makes enemies, all while trying to survive in the ruthless world of Kabukicho and pursue his dreams of success in the entertainment industry. Shinjuku Swan delves into the gritty reality of the entertainment business and the dark side of Kabukicho, shedding light on the harsh realities, dangers, and compromises faced by talent scouts in pursuit of their ambitions.
9. Kizudarake no Jinsei
Kizudarake no Jinsei is a manga series written and illustrated by Tetsuya Saruwatari. The story centers around Jinsei Nagai, also known as “Bare-Knuckles Jinsei,” a tough and battle-hardened yakuza member with a tragic past. Jinsei is known for his bare-handed fighting style and is covered in scars from his countless battles.
Despite his tough exterior, he longs for a normal life and struggles with the violence and brutality of the yakuza world. One day, he saves Ayumi, a young girl who happens to be the daughter of Masayoshi Enjouji, the new police chief. As Jinsei forms an unlikely bond with Ayumi and her family, he finds himself drawn towards a new path.
He decides to leave his yakuza past behind and start a new life, seeking redemption and a chance at happiness. However, leaving the yakuza world proves to be more challenging than he anticipated, as he must confront his own demons, face the repercussions of his past actions, and navigate through various obstacles.
Throughout the series, Jinsei grapples with his inner conflicts, reconciles with his past mistakes, and seeks to protect his newfound family from the dangers that lurk in the shadows. Along the way, he encounters allies and adversaries, faces moral dilemmas, and strives to find his place in a society that often sees him as an outcast.
8. Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari
Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari is a manga series by Tsukiya that revolves around Tooru Kirishima, a 28-year-old yakuza boss known as “The Demon of the Sakuragi Group.” One day, Tooru finds himself unexpectedly tasked with taking care of his boss’s daughter, Yaeka Sakuragi. Yaeka Sakuragi is a strong-willed and independent young lady who is determined to live life on her own terms.
She clashes with Tooru’s strict and traditional yakuza ways, leading to comedic and sometimes heartwarming interactions between the two. Despite their differences, Tooru and Yaeka slowly develop a unique bond as they learn to understand and accept each other’s perspectives.
As Tooru juggles his responsibilities as a yakuza boss and his role as Yaeka’s caretaker, the manga explores the challenges and complexities of their relationship. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including rival yakuza groups, and navigate the intricacies of yakuza politics.
Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari is a story that combines elements of comedy, romance, and yakuza culture, providing an engaging and entertaining read for fans of these genres. It showcases the dynamics and relationships within a yakuza family while delving into the growth and development of the characters as they navigate their unconventional situation.
7. Raise wa Tanin ga Ii
Raise wa Tanin ga Ii is a manga series written and illustrated by Asuka Konishi. The story follows Yoshino Somei, a high school girl who is the granddaughter of the leader of a yakuza organization called the Somei Group in Osaka. Due to an arranged marriage between the Somei and Miyama groups, Yoshino is forced to move to Tokyo and live with her fiancé, Kirishima Miyama.
As Yoshino navigates her new life in Tokyo, she faces various challenges and conflicts associated with the underworld of yakuza. She encounters bullying from Kirishima’s fangirls, and realizes that Kirishima is not the ideal prince charming she imagined him to be. However, Yoshino remains determined and resourceful, using her intelligence and wit to overcome obstacles.
Along the way, Yoshino forms unexpected friendships and alliances, including with Kirishima himself, as they face various threats and enemies together. The series delves into the complexities of yakuza life, exploring themes of family, loyalty, friendship, and self-discovery.
Raise wa Tanin ga Ii offers a mix of action, drama, and romance, as Yoshino strives to find her place in the world of yakuza while also uncovering her own strengths and identity.
6. Sanctuary
Sanctuary is a manga series that follows Akira Hojo and Chiaki Asami, two childhood friends who grew up in the slums of Tokyo. Despite their impoverished upbringing, Akira becomes a powerful yakuza boss, and Chiaki becomes a prominent political figure.
Both are disillusioned with the corrupt and stagnant state of the Japanese government and society. Akira and Chiaki form a pact to change Japan and create a “sanctuary” where their ideals can be realized. Akira uses his yakuza connections to gain power and influence, while Chiaki enters the political arena to advance their shared vision of reform.
As they navigate the dangerous world of politics and crime, Akira and Chiaki face numerous challenges and adversaries, including rival yakuza clans, corrupt politicians, and powerful business tycoons. They must make difficult choices, form alliances, and confront their own inner demons in order to achieve their goals.
Sanctuary is known for its gritty and realistic portrayal of Japanese politics and the yakuza underworld. It delves into complex themes such as power, corruption, idealism, and the pursuit of justice. The series also explores the strained relationship between Akira and Chiaki as they struggle to balance their personal ambitions with their loyalty to each other.
5. Tokyo Crazy Paradise
Tokyo Crazy Paradise is a manga series written and illustrated by Yoshiki Nakamura. The story is set in the year 2020 in Tokyo, where crime rates are high and crimes against women are prevalent. The protagonist, Tsukasa, was raised as a male by her parents to protect her from these dangers.
Tsukasa aspires to become a police officer like her parents and fight against the yakuza, but her parents passed away, leaving her and her three brothers in debt. To settle her family’s debts, Tsukasa reluctantly accepts a job as a bodyguard for Ryuji, her classmate who happens to be the leader of Tokyo’s most formidable yakuza group.
Despite her initial reluctance to work for the yakuza, Tsukasa is determined to protect her family and carries out her duties with skill and determination. As Tsukasa and Ryuji navigate the dangerous underworld of Tokyo, they face various challenges, rival gangs, and criminals. Tsukasa must keep her true gender a secret while using her martial arts skills and street smarts to protect Ryuji and herself.
Along the way, they form alliances with other skilled fighters, face personal struggles, and uncover secrets about their pasts. Tokyo Crazy Paradise is known for its engaging plot, action-packed scenes, and well-developed characters. It combines elements of romance, comedy, and drama, and explores themes of family, loyalty, identity, and the complexities of relationships.
4. Hinamatsuri
The story follows the unlikely relationship between Nitta Yoshifumi, a young yakuza member, and Hina, a mysterious girl with supernatural powers who appears in his apartment one day. Nitta is a mid-level yakuza member who lives a relatively normal life, until one day a strange object crashes into his apartment.
From the wreckage, he discovers Hina, a girl with telekinetic powers who has the ability to move objects with her mind. Hina claims to be an alien, and she quickly becomes a source of chaos in Nitta’s life as she uses her powers recklessly, causing destruction and mayhem wherever she goes. Despite their initial tumultuous encounter, Nitta reluctantly takes in Hina and becomes her caretaker.
As they start living together, Nitta realizes that Hina’s powers are incredibly potent and can be both a blessing and a curse. Hina’s presence also attracts attention from other individuals with supernatural abilities, including fellow psychics and otherworldly beings, leading to further comedic and sometimes action-packed situations.
As the story progresses, Nitta and Hina develop an unconventional bond, with Nitta acting as a reluctant father figure to Hina, who in turn learns to navigate the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including Nitta’s fellow yakuza members, other psychics, and Hina’s classmates.
3. Gokusen
The story revolves around Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young woman who comes from a prestigious yakuza family and becomes a teacher at an all-boys high school. Kumiko, known as Yankumi, is the granddaughter of the head of a yakuza clan.
Despite her family background, she is determined to become a teacher and make a positive impact on the lives of her students. She is assigned to Shirokin High School, a school notorious for its delinquent students, where she becomes the homeroom teacher of Class 3-D.
From the start, Yankumi faces challenges as she tries to gain the respect and trust of her students, who initially view her as an easy target due to her small stature and kind demeanor. However, they quickly realize that she is not an ordinary teacher, as Yankumi is fiercely strong, fearless, and uncompromising in her values of justice and loyalty.
She also has a unique way of dealing with troublemakers, often resorting to unconventional methods to help her students and teach them important life lessons. As Yankumi builds relationships with her students and gets to know them on a personal level, she discovers that many of them have their own struggles and dreams.
2. Gokushufudou
Gokushufudou is a manga series written and illustrated by Kousuke Oono. The story follows the daily life of Tatsu, a former yakuza member known as the “Immortal Dragon,” who has retired from the underworld and become a househusband. Tatsu is a feared and respected figure in the criminal world, known for his incredible strength and merciless fighting skills.
However, after marrying his wife Miku, Tatsu decides to leave his criminal past behind and become a full-time homemaker. He takes on household chores with the same intensity and dedication as he did in his yakuza days, often resulting in hilarious situations as he navigates the challenges of domestic life.
Despite his tough exterior, Tatsu is a loving and caring husband who goes above and beyond to support his wife and create a warm and loving home for her. He takes on various household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and even dealing with nosy neighbors and other unexpected encounters, all while maintaining his yakuza-like demeanor and sense of honor.
As Tatsu tries to adjust to his new role as a househusband, he encounters various comedic situations and interactions with other characters, including his wife Miku, his former yakuza comrades, other housewives, and even rival homemakers. Gokushufudou is known for its comedic and lighthearted tone, as well as its unique blend of yakuza action and slice-of-life humor.
1. Sun-Ken Rock
Sun-Ken Rock is a popular manga series that tells the story of Ken Kitano, a young Japanese man who travels to Korea to confess his love to his classmate, Yumin. However, upon arriving in Korea, Ken becomes embroiled in the world of organized crime and ends up becoming the leader of a gang called “Sun-Ken Rock” to protect Yumin and fulfill his promises to her.
As Ken rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld, he faces numerous challenges and enemies, including rival gangs, corrupt officials, and other powerful criminals. With his determination, strategic mind, and exceptional martial arts skills, Ken becomes a force to be reckoned with, earning a reputation as a formidable leader and fighter.
Along the way, Ken forms alliances, makes friends, and encounters a colorful cast of characters who become members of his gang. However, he also faces betrayal, heartbreak, and personal demons that test his resolve and loyalty to his gang and his love for Yumin.
Sun-Ken Rock is known for its intense action sequences, intricate artwork, and complex characters. The series delves into themes of loyalty, friendship, sacrifice, and the consequences of living a life of crime. It blends action, drama, romance, and comedy to create a compelling and thrilling story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yakuza manga provides readers with a thrilling and gritty glimpse into the world of the yakuza, the Japanese organized crime syndicate. These manga are known for their intense storytelling, vivid artwork, and themes of loyalty, honor, and violence.
Whether it’s through the struggles, conflicts, and relationships of yakuza members or the intricacies of yakuza culture and traditions, yakuza manga offer an engaging and captivating reading experience for fans of the genre.
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