Manga Underground v3.1

For some strange reason, the awesomely designed manga series has been named Black God, while it’s anime version is called Kurokami (the Japanese version). Suitably impressed by the anime review, I decided to read the manga urgently. However, it was two hours before I realized what was what.

However, now that I am settled and reading the manga series, I can say that I’m truly impressed. No, I’m being overwhelmed. Reading a manga has never been this interesting.

The story is crackling fast! The pace took my breath away; in the very first volume, we have a gigantic fight, lots of blood and a clear demarcation of good and evil. The story’s foundation, too, is intensely exciting. The theory of the Doppel Liners is completely similar to the premise behind the Jet Li-starrer The One, and assumes almost the same dimensions. This is offset by the existence of the Mototsumitama, that mythical race of supermen who seem far more than the weak adjective ’larger-than-life’ can convey. The fight scenes between them are intense to the point of greatness.

And what fight scenes! The drawing is crisp and fluid, and I did not for a second disbelieve that these characters wouldn’t simply jump out of the page (on the screen; yes, readonline!). The cute Kuro, the gruff Keita and the simply excellent Akane capture the frontal lobes very hard with their awesome design and conceptualization. The attention to detail clearly shows here, because there isn’t one body part that has been missed. The villains (mostly rogue Mototsumitama) have been sharply conceptualized, bringing home to us the real evil with which these beings actually plan to take over the world, using the Liners as dupes.

Moments of humor here are simply humorous. Kuro’s innocently moe antics will send you into paroxysms of laughter (as it did to me), while Akane’s childlike crush will have you dithering between intense “Oh, kawaii!” or withering disgust. The fanservice helps, though.

At the same time, the action and drama elements are also realistic enough for manga work. Kuro fights with lusty ardor, reminding one of the magnificent Saber. Her battle with the Baseball Guy and his boss, Seiji, is replete with blood and guys beating up half-naked girls-yet you won’t wanna flinch away for one moment of it. Especially not when she goes, “How do you like this vibration?”

All in all, Black God is a highly entertaining manga (manhua? manhwa?) that deserves your eyes glued onto the computer screen. The awesomeness will no doubt affect all you action-lovers out there, and the cosplayers can get their freak on with little Kuro-with all of us watching agreeably, of course.