Buyuden

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I have never felt atractted to any boxing theme mangas. However Buyuden was different. The story begins in a simple way (boy meet girl and later he follow the girl's doing beacause he likes her and admires her), but it catchs you with his graphics and the story development.

The first thing I like is the graphics, they are nice, a good example of shounen manga. What I like about the graphics is that not all the characters look like an Hercules, with muscles in every inch of their bodies. I know is obvious they're not like that because many of their characters are children. But ... even so, when they focus adults boxer characters, they are not awfully muscular either. I don't like realistic faces, and many of boxing theme manga characters have them. To be sincere, I was not very interested in boxing theme mangas until I read Buyuden. When I read Buyuden, I saw another face of boxing. I never thought boxing was so awesome!

Another thing I like about Buyuden is the characters. I like Isamu, he is so arrogant but after he meets Moka, he gradually changes, even though he doesn't realize this fact. Also, Moka is a very interesting character. I like this kind of characters, strong and not the typical lady-like girls.

The story is simple, but I like it. It's the cliche story in sports shounen manga, the main character discover the sport, starts to pratice it and then he wants to be the best of the best player, competitors of this sports, but there are many difficulties the character has to face in order to improve. But even if the sequences of the story are similar in many other sport mangas, Buyuden focus very well the boxing moves, the punchs and you don't get lose with the quick movements (this happens in some mangas). Also, they explain you many of the boxing terms, so you understand what the disadvantage and advantage in each characters.

As a conclusion, if you really like this kind of story, the character build up to a top competitor mixed with comedy and nice boxing scenes, you would like to read this manga.

Probably the only one where I will give it an even rating across the board but I think this is accurate.

The story is actually quite cool, being a fan of boxing myself it was nice seeing a newer boxing manga because they are rare. Aside from the ending which I didn't like, the only other aspect of this that I disliked was how literal they made the techniques. For instance they would make it so the MC struggled against an enemy that he could easily defeat only to have him win after 'figuring out' something he already knew, or they had the MC pretend ... the be bad only to show that he is good. It was kind of ridiculous in that regard.

The art was basic, you could see what was happening and feelings were properly portrayed through the expressions so that is good. I just don't particularly enjoy the art style itself.

Other than the things I mentioned about the MC pretending to be bad, he was a really likeable character who had great character progression, same as most other relevant side characters. I didn't like that Moka was chubby though, I liked it even less when they kept making her give up on her weight loss.

I won't spoil the end of the story for you but it was seriously a letdown.

The story is typical, weak boy, meets girl, event, boy wants to get stronger(Nartuo smile with hands behind head).

Art is similar to Ippo, it has got this old fashioned style. Not as dated as Ranma, but a maybe one step above.

Perhaps my biggest grip are the characters; they feel like cards board cutouts of heros/heroines of a B rated action flick.

I started reading Buyuden after being recommended from Holyland, and boy there is a huge difference. This manga is not even close to being like Holyland. It still retains alot of its shonen characteristics. So if you are looking for shonen, feast on ... this. Otherwise avoid like the plague.

First of all, sorry for my bad english and forgive me for any grammar errors.

Well, I'll write this review in a general perspective of the piece. Buyuden is a normal boxing manga. It has all the elements of a shounen/martial arts: A typical highschool boy gets to know some way that might make him stronger, and this simple desire is what keeps him moving forward.

But this had some new points that I have never seen in any boxing/martial arts manga. Well, the first one is that Take Isamu, the protagonist, wants to learn boxing only because he met a cute girl (Kaname Moka) ... that pratices it, an so he has this sole motivation to introduce himself in the world of boxing.

Second point, the fights. They're not as emotional, tecnical, strategic and epic as Hajime no Ippo's fights. They're pretty simple and very fast. But the point here it's the results. The main pugilists struggle A LOT to defeat an oponent, and don't win the fights very often. They have to think fast, know their own weaknesses and punch under the adrenaline and pressure of a boxing match. They can't win with their motivations and willpower only. That is a strong point for creating realistic fights. Perhaps the strongest point in this manga.

The art is good, especially in the fights. From the beginning to the end, it doesn't change much.

Now to the weak points. Although the story is interesting in the beginning, it walks in the same path as any shounen manga. Take Isamu only continues in the world of boxing for the desire of becoming stronger, even if he says that he does so to "Complete Moka's dream".

The characters... well, they're not very developed. They do change, but it's nothing gradual and slow like Holyland. It's a bit unreal, but it doesn't mess up the story.

For conclusion: This is not similar to Hajime no Ippo, and neither to Holyland. This is Buyuden. It's not a unique manga, but it has it's differences with other shounen/sports/martial arts. I had a good time reading it, as a boxing fan myself.

My advice is: Are you a boxing/martial arts fan? Are you looking for some refresing reading? Do you just want to see some fast punching fights? Them Buyuden is for you, give it a shot.

Are you looking for a unique manga? Are you not a fan of boxing/martial arts? Are you looking for a manga with a strong story? Them, don't waste time reading it.