Oyaji

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Synonyms: The Old Man

Japanese: 親父

Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: 3

Chapters: 25

Status: Finished

Published: 2000 to 2001

Genres: Action, Drama

Demographic: Seinen

Serialization: Big Comic Superior

Authors: Moriyama, Tsuru (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 7.62¹ (scored by 3,444 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #2335²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #3333

Members: 7,474

Favorites: 101

7.62

Ranked #2335Popularity #3333Members 7,474

MangaBig Comic SuperiorMoriyama, Tsuru (Story & Art)

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Volumes: /3

Chapters: /25

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Synopsis

Living in poor neighborhoods of Osaka, Kumada watch over his wife and two young children. He is huge and riddled with scars and he works hard, smokes and drinks of sake as if it were mere water, gruff and scary, he talks little. But Kumada deeply loves his family and will protect it at the peril of his life when members of a yakuza clan set on fire to his house to facilitate a real estate transaction. Jailed for the murder of those who failed to burn his people alive, Kumada was released fifteen years later and found his family. He will have to face the distrust of his children who know nothing of their father except that he had abandoned them. But he is determined to regain control of their education, starting with his son, an urchin abused by the tough guys of the district.

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Oyaji

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Reviews

Jan 3, 2026

anotherburnedfox

Recommended

"Oyaji" es un seinen de comedia, drama y acción, que nos sitúa en la vida de un hombre endurecido por la vida en los barrios bajos de Osaka, que intenta reconectar con su familia después de pasar quince años en prisión, y tratar reconstruir su vida desde cero en un entorno hostil y violento.

Su problema, es que tiene un tono bastante inconsistente, A ratos parece un retrato sobrio de un hombre que debe enfrentarse al peso de sus errores pasados, y en otros... cae en escenas sobreactuadas o incluso caricaturescas de violencia que funcionan más como comedia involuntaria.

El protagonista es un padre duro, silencioso ... y brutal en combate encarna ese típico ideal de masculinidad que veíamos mucho en mangas de los 70s y 80s. Su determinación por recuperar a su familia y proteger a su hijo maltratado tiene honestidad, y hace que al menos el personaje sea bastante entretenido de ver.

El dibujo es funcional para el tono seinen de la obra, facciones duras, escenas de acción contundentes... pero tampoco destaca visualmente de otros mangas con temáticas similares. La obra tampoco se extiende innecesariamente y concluye en tres volúmenes, lo cual puede ser un punto positivo para quienes odian las tramas circulares e interminables, pero también significa que ciertos temas quedan apenas explorados de verdad.

En conjunto, Oyaji es una lectura recomendable, interesante por su premisa y ciertos momentos muy chads y masculinos, pero también irregular en tono y ejecución.

ENG:

"Oyaji" is a seinen manga blending comedy, drama, and action. It tells the story of a man hardened by life in the Osaka slums, who tries to reconnect with his family after spending fifteen years in prison and rebuild his life from scratch in a hostile and violent environment.

Its problem lies in its inconsistent tone. At times, it feels like a sober portrait of a man grappling with the weight of his past mistakes, while at others, it descends into overacted or even cartoonish scenes of violence that function more as unintentional comedy.

The protagonist is a tough, silent, and brutal father who embodies that typical ideal of masculinity so prevalent in manga from the 70s and 80s. His determination to reunite with his family and protect his abused son is genuine, making the character at least somewhat entertaining to watch.

The art style is functional for the seinen tone of the work—hard features, impactful action scenes—but it doesn't visually stand out from other manga with similar themes. The story also doesn't drag on unnecessarily, concluding in three volumes, which might be a plus for those who dislike circular and endless plots, but it also means that certain themes are only truly explored.

Overall, Oyaji is a recommendable read, interesting for its premise and some very chad-like and masculine moments, but also uneven in tone and execution.

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Aug 1, 2018

tisetise

Recommended

One word:Epic. Not too much character development aside from Oyaji, but what did you expect, its only 25 chapters. Its a great short story, realistic, telling us about the real world, the filth, the worker class people and their everyday struggle to survive. A man who deply loves his family and who would do anything for them, a kindhearted man, that looks like a bear. And with a backround not so healthy, wet, he managed to become a real family man and protector. 10\10 overall, if someone wants to read a heartwarming story, not romantic shit, but realistic hard life, its it worth spending ...

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May 19, 2018

Bofthree

Recommended

"You will not understand until you are a parent yourself." -Every parent on Earth

That phrase has been around since the dawn of parenting. If you are not a parent or guardian, then it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE for you to fully appreciate the man known as Oyaji (No, having a pet doesn't count. Seriously.) At first glance, you would think, "Oh, this is just another family drama. Nothing new." or "Oh, this is about a badass, manly man." You are very, VERY wrong. This is NOT about how badass you can be. It is NOT a soap opera. This is an artistic portrayal of EVERY loving ... parent in the world. This is the feeling we all share towards our kids. Oyaji is the embodiment of sacrifice. You will never understand parenting until you have learn to sacrifice for your child, whether it be time, energy or even blood.

This manga utilizes two ways to portray parenthood: The art and the story.
The art is the surface of what people will see and experience day by day. It represents the difficulties, the roughness, the ugliness of raising a child. I once saw countless people berating the author's art style, but perhaps it was the author's intention. Oyaji isn't presented to charm you with flowery art, but lay down bare the reality of life. Both the actions and emotions are exposed. You will see everything. The scrunched up face of a crying mother, the terror of a young man, the joy of a united family, the pride of a father. Hopefully the art doesn't deter you from reading this masterpiece. (Yeah, I said it. It's a masterpiece.) You would regret not reading this, especially if you're a parent or guardian.

Secondly, the story. The story is what we want in the long run. It's moving. It's powerful. It's inspiring. The author doesn't allow the father to be invincible, all knowing nor flawless. Every parent is just like Oyaji. We have flaws and fears. Our worries makes us vulnerable. We hide it and harden ourselves to ease the minds of our children. We all hope that someday, when our kids are old enough to face the world, maybe they can sit down at the table and listen to everything that we've suppressed to not only guide them, but to restore our sanity.

Oyaji is a tragic character. He endured hardships since he was born, but through these hardships, Oyaji, both in childhood and adulthood, have given us a few valuable lessons. My advice will not be the 'be all, end all.' The times will change. The world will change. I might give the wrong advice, my kids probably won't follow my words, or maybe they will be in a situation that I'm not familiar with. But no matter what, they must face their problems with courage. Oyaji has taught me that courage is timeless.

Unconditional love isn't full of kisses, sunshines and rainbows. Sometimes love means you punch someone in the face and wake them up from their delusions, so that they can learn to stand up and face their fears. Sometimes love can be harsh truths rather than comfort lies. Sometimes love means letting yourself become transparent, even just a little, to reach a new understanding. Sometimes love means you have to let go of your children's hands, while other times you chase after them with everything you've got.
Oyaji has taught me that people express love in many ways, but love will always be love.

Years ago, I read and appreciate Oyaji as a man. Now, I've read and respect him as a father.
Please give this a read. I guarantee you that Oyaji will guide you toward a meaningful life, just like the knuckles of his fists.

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Poll: Oyaji Chapter 1 Discussion ZetaZaku - Jun 9, 2013	4 replies	by Necronomicon »» Oct 14, 2023 1:11 PM
Poll: Oyaji Chapter 4 Discussion joe_g7 - Oct 29, 2017	1 replies	by Mcdoclin »» Sep 4, 2023 4:43 AM
Poll: Oyaji Chapter 3 Discussion aa-dono - Jan 10, 2017	2 replies	by Mcdoclin »» Sep 4, 2023 4:42 AM
Poll: Oyaji Chapter 2 Discussion aa-dono - Jan 10, 2017	1 replies	by Mcdoclin »» Sep 4, 2023 4:42 AM
Poll: Oyaji Chapter 24 Discussion joe_g7 - Oct 29, 2017	3 replies	by INU4SH4 »» Dec 5, 2020 4:42 AM

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