Ranked #106

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (Manga)

When I first heard of this manga, I thought it was some sort of boxing manga. I'm not sure how I got that idea, but I avoided it for a while. Then I saw someone, with similar taste in manga to me, whose favourite manga seemed to be Katekyo Hitman Reborn! so I got excited and decided to check it out. I'm so glad I did.

I really had no idea what I was reading about or if there was ever going to be an overall plot, but I've just got to say, the first seven volumes of KHR! are HILARIOUS. About five volumes in, I finally decided to look up some info about the future plot and read about how the style of the manga changes in the eighth volume. It does become very action oriented and less about the comedy, but it's definitely still very funny.

(Sort of updated, 09.04.2009):

[Story]
I think the overall plot of KHR! is pretty unique. I feel like I've read a decent amount of manga, and I've never thought that anything in KHR! was predictable or similar to something I'd seen before (I've reread over 200 of the chapters without getting bored or losing interest). It's basically a supernatural mafia story centered around a pacifistic 14 year old 'future mafia boss' with lots of action, comedy, and a teeeeny bit of (one-sided) romance.

There are a few main story arcs and one overall plot involving the title character (Reborn) that is being revealed little by little, especially in the most recent chapters. Though the first chunk of volumes are more focused on random comedy, everyday life, and character introduction, quite a few seemingly insignificant events occur in those earlier short stories that become an important part of later plots, leaving you (or at least, me) in a sort of 'awe,' wondering how far back the mangaka had this all planned out.

The feeling I get most from the story is "excitement" because of the action and 'suspense' but there's also a sense of "family" or "loyalty" between friends that leaves a good feeling.

[Art]
The artwork is so lovely. I think the characters generally look a lot 'prettier' than most shounen manga characters, but I don't think they look like the boys in shoujo manga either. I guess it's more like character designs you'd see in shounen-ai stuff.. especially later on in the manga, it seemed like some of the male characters' facial features became gradually more feminine looking, .. so if you like big beefy men with exploding muscles, you may not like the character design.

But I, personally, really enjoy looking at the artwork (especially the eyes, they are really gorgeous). Everything is clear, well-drawn, and in proportion. During action scenes, it's easy to get a sense of the movement and the panels aren't just cluttered with only smoke, flames, and a million action lines.

The way some facial expressions are drawn is also very funny, plus the random outfits the mangaka puts Reborn in, or the design of Lambo with his afro, crazy eyes, and cow suit. It's hard to not laugh.

[Character]
The different character types and how they interact is what really drew me into KHR! I often will dislike or love a manga based on whether or not a character type I like is one of the main characters, but there are quite a few main characters in KHR! and they are all very different. Even if an in-depth background story isn't given for each character, it's not hard to see why each one is the way they are.

Like I mentioned before, there is also a sense of "family" between the characters even though they aren't related and, until the beginning of the story, were complete strangers. They are often at odds with each other, expressing their hatred with no hesitation (one character, in particular, hates group interaction entirely), but they are there for each other when it matters (so corny ;w;), though they aren't likely to admit they are helping even while actually doing so.

[Enjoyment]
I definitely have enjoyed reading KHR! It's exciting, funny, and has a few moments that 'move' you. I don't think it'd be a waste of time for anyone to try it out. Even for shoujo lovers, there's a lack of romance, but the boys are so nice to look at ;].

This is my first review and I've only written it because I was surprised there wasn't one here already. I know I've typed too much, sorry! read more

If you're able to stand seven manga worth of one chapter mini crack stories, only to get hit with a bag full of PLOT, then Katekyo hitman reborn might be the manga for you.

Tsuna Sawada, the main protagonist, is introduced as a middle school boy who can do nothing right, and is a constant screwup. In comes Reborn, an assassin in the shape of a baby, who's badassery knows no bounds, and who consequently informs Tsuna that he's the unlikely successor to the greatest mafia family in the world, the Vongola. Tsuna certainly doesn't want this thrown upon him, but has no choice in the face of Reborn's stark violence- soon enough, he starts training, building courage and character, making friends/potential allies, and battling bad guys for his right to rule as the Tenth leader of the Vongola.

The first seven books are all comprised of various one-shots, introducing the characters, their quirks, and setting the groundwork for the eventual plot. When the eighth manga begins, the story suddenly gets heavy- the main and side characters begin to loosely band together to fight a common enemy, and the fun, happy times begin turning much more serious. However, there's still the occasional humor- the manga hasn't quite lost it's fun tone, but all in all, it sucks you in much, much faster than the 'Daily Life' arc did.

Reborn has something that always makes you look back to the previous chapters- the artist, Akira Amano, has written the story so that there's tiny little hints and foreshadowing to any current plot- hundreds of chapters ago! After the crack chapters, the plot suddenly becomes engaging and complex- enough to keep any happy fan's mind brewing with theories and counter-theories.

The art is also amazing- while it starts off a little *too* clean, a little *too* boring, Amano develops her style and by the current chapter, it's flowing with a unique individuality that makes you linger over the full-page spread for minutes.

Speaking of art- the very best thing this manga has to offer, hands down, are the characters themselves. Their dynamics, their quirks- everything about them sets them apart from so many others with their almost realistic feel and complexity. From Gokudera, the spoiled rich kid who tries to act tough and make it in the mafia world, to Belphegor, a prince to a royal bloodline who murdered his twin when they were younger and now goes insane at the sight of his own blood, to Mukuro/Chrome, the complex duo who seem to contrast eachother as the sociopathic world conquester, to the small, innocent girl- and yet, who seem to only be able to live as a part of one another in a form of strange symbiosis.

Of course, there's your run-of-the-mill characters too. The Quiet Badass/Dues ex Machina, Hibari, the overly loud, overly enthusiastic Ryohei- but even they have their quirks (extreme patriotism, extreme big-brother complex) that don't make them boring in the slightest.

Think you can get past hitmen babies (who, of course, aren't *really* babies), inventive weapons, and being kept out of the main plot for seven manga? What if we promised you an amazing plot, fully-fleshed characters, and bad guys who keep you guessing until the very end?

The choice, of course, is yours. read more