Sep 5, 2023
Yankee Juku e Iku is a story about a boy with a dream.
Ikariishi is a delinquent. Not much is revealed about his past, his goals, or his ideals. Throughout the story, he doesn't really become a better person or change his life drastically. It's quite difficult to tell exactly where the plot is supposed to be going, because it seems to have a mind of its own.
There is no narration in this very blunt manga, just pictures and dialogue. Many of the characters are butt-ugly, including its protagonist. It's strong point is neither action nor comedy, and its characters are about as complex as real
...
high school students—in other words, either angry, horny, or somewhere in between.
It's almost too realistic.
The first chapter immediately thrusts us into the world of Ikariishi, a typical scary-looking delinquent handing out ass-kickings like a beast. By pure chance, he finds himself being dragged to a random cram school by a very pretty girl who mistakes him for one of her classmates. Seeing how motivated she is to get into a good high school, he just... decides to study along with her. In the meantime, one of his past rivals is back from juvie and wants revenge. On the day of the entrance exam, Ikariishi is forced to pick between saving his best friend and getting a chance at a normal high school life.
Contrary to what we expect from the manga medium, Ikariishi truly does look intimidating. The manga holds no punches when it draws the characters—most of them are ugly, fat, or creepy. But whether their outwards appearances portray them as drop-dead gorgeous or horrifyingly hideous, they are all mostly self-absorbed pushovers or assholes. Perhaps this is the brutal reality that is glorified by delinquent manga, the unbridled, unavoidable violence. The reality of living in a world where the strong rule over the weak. The circumstances that force a young dreamer to become a pillar of strength for his friends, and the hope that he can someday pursue his own dreams.
Or not. It's up to interpretation, really.
This manga is very blunt. Teens rebel just for fun, bully out of boredom, and rarely think about anyone except themselves. Most teachers are bystanders, and parents show that they are far from perfect. Ikariishi himself is no hero of justice, and he makes mistakes. But considering how often he's faced with difficult choices, he usually tries to pick the right ones.
Yankee Juku e Iku completely disregards traditional storytelling and tropes in manga. It strikes a strange balance between parody and deconstruction, teetering and tottering towards either side without ever committing to one. But at the end of the day, it's fun as hell to read, and that's really all that matters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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