Iron Knight

If you read this manga online, websites tend to present the one-shot version as "Chapter 0" and would highly recommend those of you interested in reading this to start with that first if you want to compare to the longer manga version. Otherwise, start with Chapter 1 (duh). I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this short manga and would say that it is fairly well executed short story. Reading some earlier reviews, I learned that some people are pointing out that it is a rip off of Attack on Titan. While I understand why others may consider it a poor imitation, I have to disagree. Theone-shot holds truer to the thought of an imitation, but if you read the completed manga, Yagi Tomohiro is able to make it his own. Though he keeps the basis of the Iron Knight in a post apocalyptic world, he incorporates his own ideas for the plot well. Tomohiro also does a phenomenal job on developing Teppei's character! He is able to make the reader truly concerned for Teppei and empathize with his situation. Yagi puts Teppei in a better light as he exhibits Teppei's iron moral (pun intended) in facing each new challenge. At the same time, Yagi doesn't overdo the emphasis on Teppei's role as the hero by clearly showing his weaknesses often. He is misunderstood and beat down often but able to stand right back up and keep going. A great trait for a "strong" hero, but it is appreciated that Teppei's ability to withstand strife is not constantly preached by the mangaka. In doing this, Yagi makes Teppei seem more realistic, showing that he can keep going on his journey the same way that one moves on in life. I enjoyed the overall simplicity of the art as it was intended to be a light read. I'm not saying that the drawing was rudimentary (quite the opposite), but it was nice to see that it paralleled the idea of the story. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates a story that, first of all, concludes, and is in itself an interesting read. I'm not going to label myself as having a refined taste for manga, I'm simply an enthusiast who enjoys manga. The Iron Knight really reminds me of the layout of a video game that I played (I can't remember what it was though). But, if this were the plot of a well executed video game, I would play it.

Iron Knight died after a one-shot, 17-ish chapters and a singular chapter after the fact. It was certainly short-lived, but it told its story in a straight line. It never explored the interesting possibilities this manga could have become, and it could've lasted longer; Much, much longer. Iron Knight tells the story of Teppei, a boy so naive and hard-headed it's sickening. He has the ability to become a goblin through the Goblin Virus epidemic and protects humans. He is simple, innocent, and square. His feelings are so dull, and not much is done to give his backstory attention so readers can relate to him.His personality could've reached a spectrum of different feelings; but instead, he's either happy, crying or angry. Near the end, Teppei undergoes a personality change caused by the virus, which happens completely between two chapters, remaining unseen by the reader. This breakdown could've been explored much further, to create that impending doom of this collapse. The plot could've jumped so far, to explore more situations and more feelings, but, it ended in 20 chapters, and two major arcs. Iron Knight has several battles that can be pleasing. Scenes are drawn well, and Teppei's goblin design is neat. There is some tedious fanservice. Yet, there are about 3 or 4 major battles, which, as I said, leaves room for so much potential. Iron Knight could've been a long running shounen that could dive its characters into emotion, explore a plot that could twist and turn, and leave its readers begging for more. I could've loved it. But instead of being that, it is dull, uncomplicated and simple.