With the rise in popularity of video games and anime, Japanese popular culture has become hugely popular in the world scene. Video games like Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, Super Mario, etc. are some of the biggest games in the world, and there is nary a person in the world right now that has not, at the very least, heard of Dragon Ball Z and the adventures of Son Goku.
One of the most popular forms of media to come from Japan has, for sure, been manga. Manga refers to comic books made in Japan, and the medium is believed to have been around for a very long time. However, manga as we know it today, came around in the 40s, after World War 2, and it was largely inspired by American comic books and strips.
Today, the medium is more popular than ever, and more and more people are becoming curious and invested in it. So, for those looking to start out, these are some of the best manga that you can read in order to get acquainted with the form.
Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji
Kaiji Ito is a depressed, unemployed shut-in, who spends his time stealing the emblems of expensive cars and playing video games. However, when one day he gets approached by a loan shark, he is forced to enroll in a gambling tournament in order to pay back all of his debts. Throughout the series, Kaiji becomes one of the greatest gamblers, defeating his enemies in increasingly ingenious ways.
Kaiji has spawned an anime adaptation, as well as live-action films, video games, and even a stage show. The story is a fun romp with some poignant criticisms of consumerist culture. For gambling aficionados, Kaiji is sure to be a blast, and for those who might be inspired to try their hand at gambling after reading the series, check out casinoburst.com, and have fun playing all the classic games from the comfort of home.
My Hero Academia
Superhero media is more popular than ever before, with films like The Avengers, The Batman, the Suicide Squad, and the Guardians of the Galaxy stealing the spotlight from most blockbuster films. For fans of the genre, you can’t go wrong by checking out My Hero Academia. Set in a world where 99% of the human population has developed a superpower (in the series called Quirks), the story follows the quirkless Izuku Midoriya.
When the young man proves his worth as a hero, he is approached by All Might, the number 1 hero in the world, and is offered to inherit his quirk. Midoriya accepts and enrolls in UA, the most prestigious school for young, up-and-coming, superheroes. Fun, light-hearted, and fast-paced, you will likely be able to finish the series in less than a week.
Monster
Moving away from the light-hearted action/adventure of My Hero Academia and into the realm of psychological thriller, Monster tells the story of a doctor who, early in his career, decides to save the life of a child instead of a corrupt politician. The child survives; however, years later comes back as the mysterious serial killer Johan Lieber, leaving the doctor who saved him questioning whether he has made the right choice.
