Asumi Kakeru
Martial Master Asumi

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Kawada the author of Hinomaru Sumo is back, this time with Martial Master Asumi a series about MMA. Unfortunatly the series did not catch on in Japan, which let to the series being axed and a sudden end to the series. But even with this sudden end the author managed to write a masterfully crafted story.

Martial Master Asumi looks absolutly gorgeous. The art is clean, vivid and makes the characters pop out of the pages. The characters are well written and diverse in personality. The author managed to make all the characters, even if they only appear for one fight have good motivations and ... a good backstory. The story starts of pretty slow, but quickly takes a turn when the MC starts to play matches. Afterwards the series manages to stay interesting and it sucks you in. The ending was good and not rushed, but it was quite sudden and leaves you disapointed that there is not more.

In conclusion Martial Master Asumi is a good story with amazing art and wonderfully written characters. The series is well worth your time and I can do nothing but recommend it.

Martial Master Asumi is the best manga to run in Weekly Shonen Jump since Ruri Dragon. Hands down.

It has a large cast of characters that each have their own dilemmas personalities, distinct enough that they don't feel like they blend together or the author is giving you too much. It should be noted that there are some well-written women, most of whom get fight scenes and some solid spotlight.

Asumi's own dilemmas are compelling. The current "main villain" is arguably not evil or a fully bad person, especially when we the manga shows his perspective, he just happen Asumi's own very personal villain.

The art is ... solid and knows when to really punch itself up with detailed spreads for the high-intensity action.

The tone is well-balanced, knowing when to be serious, when to show some heart, and when to take it easy and be a little silly.

As someone who doesn't know anything about combat sports, the nuances of MMA are explained well. It's detailed enough to make fights feel incredibly complex and filled with mindgames (and not just people just beating each other up) but it never gets too overwhelming. It almost gives the fights a Hunter x Hunter-like feel.

Martial Master Asumi is just a really cleanly executed shonen. It might not yet be doing anything *amazing*, but it's very good in all aspects. Please read this manga. It's a bit up in the air if it will get axed or not, but I'm really hoping it doesn't...