Kenji

Story: 8 A story of a child that takes interest of Chinese martial arts. That kind of story plot is not easily found, even today. Although, the work is not the most recent one, the story is superb. It takes you through Chinese military and martial art history. This story opens people's view of martial arts, and informs the reader of how great and deep the history or Chinese martial arts is. The main character grows stronger every day, and he goes through strong opponents. Although the story goes through what a average Shounen Manga criteria, I would not even consider it even Shounen or Seinen.It's a historical manga that opens people eyes about Chinese martial Arts. Art: 7 The art is not the greatest, but it suits the orient of the manga very well. The artwork is not very detailed, which is perfectly okay, because it seems the author wants to get the point across, saying that Chinese Martial Arts can be performed, and performed well even without being muscular. Which is why, the artist did not go into detail of the human body parts. The details are insignificant. Character: 9 The main character is a pure-heart child that has not a single ounce of corruption dwelling inside. The character is very modest and aware of the fact that he is ignorant of his ways. Not many characters are made that way nowadays. Most are made cocky or pessimistic. Enjoyment: 9 What better enjoyment is there, when the fact; you are learning about Chinese Martial Arts so easily and explained so well that, basically anyone can understand it. There are many fight scenes and some very thrilling scenes as well. Overall: 8 One of the best martial art works I have ever witness so far. I believe it'll be hard to surpass this work. This work goes into such detail of a Japanese child's life as he learns about Chinese Martial art. You can see his growth from is childhood to adulthood. There is also no big time leap, like most do, at most in this work; there will be a time leap only when nothing insignificant occurs, such as him living his normal life.

Chinese martial arts in manga are normally very misrepresented. Most of the times,the "kung fu fighter" is just some bruce lee imitator,some big boobed chun-li wannabe or some cheap dragonball z rip off. This manga is not only the complete opposite of this but it might THE absolute best chinese martial arts themed martial arts made The author,which was a bajiquan practioner in real life,clearly made this manga with love and care because the detail this manga goes into is fantastic. It details techniques and concepts in rich details,presents us with less know chinese comunities like the HUI (aka chinese muslims),less known kung fu styles like Xinyiliuhequan. andeven some semi-exoterical concepts like chi and martial phtlosophy. The main character kenji is little bland,but that is ok because,even if his name is in the cover,the true protagonist here is the chinese marrtial arts culture and we are only seeing through his eyes. This manga is an absolute must read for any lover of chinese martial arts like me.

Firstly I should warn potential readers that this is like an encyclopedia for martial arts. There is a lot of explanation regarding the techniques and such. Whether the martial arts are all true or not I do not care and am not bothered to find out as it will not change my opinion. The story progresses at a standard pace throughout the manga which is a good thing because this is not not one of those flashy manga with fast fight scenes but once you have finished reading it feels like you have read an interesting novel full of pictures. It provides a lot of knowledgeon martial arts and some places in China. I wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to learn the art from the manga with all it's detail. The basic outline for the story is a young boy named Kenji who is being taught martial arts by his grandfather. Kenji is a kind hearted boy but trouble always seems to follow him. The grandfather is the father of Kenji's father. Typically parents want their kids to go to good school and university and get a well paid job but because Kenji keeps getting into fight and and continued to learn martial arts from his grandfather his mother worries what will become of her sons life. She tells her husband to tell his father to go back home as the grandfather live alone and he came over for a visit. The grandfather takes this chance to go to China and meet the brothers that taught him martial arts during the China and Japan war. Eight years has gone by and the family have not heard from the grandfather. Kenji has gone through a lot from fighting, learning martial arts from other teachers and gaining an arch rival by the name of Tony Tan. Because of a fight with Tony in his school Kenji is on indefinite leave. He takes this chance to go to China in search for his grandfather and so his adventure begins into the true world of martial arts. LOL...I know I said basic but once I started I couldn't stop and I can't seem to cut it down. Anyway the manga may seem slow at times and the technical stuff may get over your head but I suggest you read because this adds to your reading of the manga, the fight scenes and the cultural scenes. I was hoping for a bit more at the end to show how Kenji's life went on but you get a goodie bag just as good. That should be it so I take my leave.