Sep 17, 2025
Kuro Kishi Monogatari feels like a very underrated manga, and one that really deserves a chance. World War II manga are already rare, and those focusing on the Eastern Front or the Panzer divisions are even rarer. Even though it is one of the few out there, it does a great job exploring the complexities of this front. The large tank battles like Kursk, with their freezing temperatures, silent nights, and thunderous cannon fire, are portrayed with striking artwork.
One point I did not quite like is its lack of accuracy in how some of the combat is shown. Historically, a Panzer IV equipped with the
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7.6 cm KwK 40/L48 gun, which entered service in 1942–43 on the Panzer IV G and H models, could penetrate a T-34 at around 1,500 meters with standard PzGr. 39 ammunition. Yet, in many panels the battles are drawn at very close range, which is historically inaccurate. Close-quarters fights like that only really happened early in the German invasion, when short-barreled Panzer IVs could only knock out T-34s with HEAT rounds at under 200 meters.
That aside, the art is excellent, and the attention to detail, such as the tank interiors, is genuinely impressive. The historical fidelity is also strong overall. While the characters are not based entirely on real people, they are well written considering the short length of the manga. What is true to history are the relentless waves of T-34s and the constant strain of poor German logistics. For me, this manga is a real treat for anyone interested in the Eastern Front.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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