Mangas
10 Yakuza Manga That Will Make You Enter the World of Organized Crime
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The yakuza are notorious for their criminal activities, including extortion, smuggling, gambling, and illegal businesses.
Yakuza manga typically depicts the world of the yakuza, its members, their code of conduct, and their struggles for power and survival within the criminal underworld. Yakuza manga often feature themes such as loyalty, honor, brotherhood, violence, and betrayal.
They often portray the lives of yakuza members, their conflicts with rival gangs, and the challenges they face in their quest for power.
Yakuza manga are known for their intense and gritty stories, showing the brutal and dangerous nature of the criminal underworld.
They often explore the complexities of yakuza culture, traditions, and hierarchy, as well as the moral dilemmas faced by yakuza members. Let's get right to it.
10. Shinjuku Swan
Shinjuku Swan is a manga series that follows the story of Shiratori Tatsuhiko, a scout for Burst, a talent agency in Kabukicho, the red-light district of Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Tatsuhiko is a determined and ambitious scout who is constantly engaged in fierce competition with other scouts to recruit the best talent for his agency.
He navigates the cutthroat world of Kabukicho's entertainment industry, where money, connections, and ruthless tactics are the keys to success. However, Tatsuhiko's job becomes more complicated when he finds himself entangled with the yakuza, Japan's organized crime syndicate.
He encounters yakuza members who have their own agendas and interests in the talent business, and he must tread carefully to protect himself and his talent while juggling the demands of his job.
As the story progresses, Tatsuhiko faces various challenges and obstacles, including rival scouts, hostile yakuza members, and the moral dilemmas of his profession.
He forms alliances and makes enemies, all while trying to survive in the cutthroat world of Kabukicho and pursue his dreams of success in the entertainment industry.
Shinjuku Swan delves into the harsh realities of the entertainment business and the dark side of Kabukicho, shedding light on the harsh realities, dangers and compromises faced by scouts in pursuit of their ambitions.
9. The Great Pyramid
Kizudarake no Jinsei is a manga series written and illustrated by Tetsuya Saruwatari. The story centers on Jinsei Nagai, also known as "Bare-Knuckles Jinsei", a tough, battle-hardened yakuza member with a tragic past. Jinsei is known for his bare-handed fighting style and is covered in scars from his numerous battles.
Despite his tough exterior, he longs for a normal life and fights against the violence and brutality of the yakuza world.
One day, he saves Ayumi, a young girl who happens to be the daughter of Masayoshi Enjouji, the new police chief. As Jinsei forms an unlikely bond with Ayumi and her family, he finds himself drawn down a new path.
He decides to leave his yakuza past behind and start a new life, seeking redemption and a chance at happiness.
However, leaving the yakuza world proves to be more challenging than he expected, as he must confront his own demons, face the repercussions of his past actions, and navigate various obstacles.
Throughout the series, Jinsei deals with his inner conflicts, comes to terms with his past mistakes, and seeks to protect his new family from the dangers that lurk in the shadows. Along the way, he encounters allies and adversaries, faces moral dilemmas, and struggles to find his place in a society that often views him as an outcast.
8. Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari
Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari is a manga series by Tsukiya that revolves around Tooru Kirishima, a 28-year-old yakuza boss known as "The Devil of the Sakuragi Group".
One day, Tooru unexpectedly finds himself tasked with taking care of his boss's daughter, Yaeka Sakuragi. Yaeka Sakuragi is an independent and headstrong young woman who is determined to live life on her own terms.
She clashes with Tooru's strict and traditional yakuza ways, leading to comical and sometimes heartwarming interactions between the two. Despite their differences, Tooru and Yaeka slowly develop a unique bond as they learn to understand and accept each other's perspectives.
As Tooru juggles his responsibilities as a yakuza boss and his role as Yaeka's caretaker, the manga explores the challenges and complexities of their relationship.
Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including rival yakuza groups, and navigate the complexities of yakuza politics.
Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari is a story that combines elements of comedy, romance, and yakuza culture, providing an engaging and entertaining read for fans of these genres. It showcases the dynamics and relationships within a yakuza family while delving into the growth and development of the characters as they navigate their unconventional situation.
7. Raise the Tanin ga II
Raise wa Tanin ga Ii is a manga series written and illustrated by Asuka Konishi. The story follows Yoshino Somei, a high school girl who is the granddaughter of the leader of a yakuza organization called the Somei Group in Osaka.
Due to an arranged marriage between the Somei and Miyama groups, Yoshino is forced to move to Tokyo and live with her fiancé, Kirishima Miyama.
As Yoshino navigates her new life in Tokyo, she faces various challenges and conflicts associated with the yakuza underworld. She faces bullying from Kirishima's fangirls and realizes that Kirishima is not the ideal Prince Charming she imagined him to be.
However, Yoshino remains determined and resourceful, using her intelligence and wit to overcome obstacles.
Along the way, Yoshino forms unexpected friendships and alliances, including with Kirishima himself, as they face various threats and enemies together. The series delves into the complexities of yakuza life, exploring themes of family, loyalty, friendship, and self-discovery.
Raise wa Tanin ga Ii offers a mix of action, drama, and romance as Yoshino struggles to find her place in the yakuza world while also discovering her own strengths and identity.
6. Sanctuary
Sanctuary is a manga series that follows Akira Hojo and Chiaki Asami, two childhood friends who grew up in the slums of Tokyo. Despite their impoverished upbringing, Akira becomes a powerful yakuza boss, and Chiaki becomes a prominent political figure.
Both disillusioned with the corrupt and stagnant state of the Japanese government and society, Akira and Chiaki form a pact to change Japan and create a “sanctuary” where their ideals can be realized.
Akira uses his yakuza connections to gain power and influence, while Chiaki enters the political arena to promote their shared vision of reform.
As they navigate the dangerous world of politics and crime, Akira and Chiaki face numerous challenges and adversaries, including rival yakuza clans, corrupt politicians, and powerful business tycoons.
They must make difficult choices, form alliances, and confront their own inner demons to achieve their goals.
Sanctuary is known for its gritty and realistic portrayal of Japanese politics and the yakuza underworld. It delves into complex themes such as power, corruption, idealism, and the pursuit of justice.
The series also explores the strained relationship between Akira and Chiaki as they struggle to balance their personal ambitions with their loyalty to each other.
5. Tokyo Crazy Paradise
Tokyo Crazy Paradise is a manga series written and illustrated by Yoshiki Nakamura. The story is set in the year 2020 in Tokyo, where crime rates are high and crimes against women are prevalent. The protagonist, Tsukasa, was raised as a man by her parents to protect her from these dangers.
Tsukasa aspires to become a police officer like her parents and fight the yakuza, but her parents have passed away, leaving her and her three siblings in debt.
To pay off his family's debts, Tsukasa reluctantly takes a job as a bodyguard for Ryuji, his classmate who happens to be the leader of Tokyo's most formidable yakuza group.
Despite her initial reluctance to work for the yakuza, Tsukasa is determined to protect her family and carries out her duties with skill and determination.
As Tsukasa and Ryuji navigate Tokyo's dangerous underworld, they face numerous challenges, rival gangs, and criminals. Tsukasa must keep her true gender a secret while using her martial arts skills and street smarts to protect Ryuji and herself.
Along the way, they form alliances with other skilled fighters, face personal struggles, and uncover secrets about their pasts.
Tokyo Crazy Paradise is known for its gripping storyline, action-packed scenes, and well-developed characters. It combines elements of romance, comedy, and drama, and explores themes of family, loyalty, identity, and the complexities of relationships.
4. Hinamatsuri
The story follows the unlikely relationship between Nitta Yoshifumi, a young yakuza member, and Hina, a mysterious girl with supernatural powers who appears at his apartment one day.
Nitta is a mid-level yakuza member who lives a relatively normal life, until one day a strange object falls into his apartment.
From the wreckage, he discovers Hina, a girl with telekinetic powers who has the ability to move objects with her mind.
Hina claims to be an alien, and she quickly becomes a source of chaos in Nitta's life as she uses her powers recklessly, causing destruction and chaos wherever she goes. Despite their tumultuous initial encounter, Nitta reluctantly takes Hina in and becomes her caretaker.
As they begin to live together, Nitta realizes that Hina's powers are incredibly potent and can be both a blessing and a curse.
Hina's presence also attracts the attention of other individuals with supernatural abilities, including psychic companions and otherworldly beings, leading to even more comical and sometimes action-packed situations.
As the story progresses, Nitta and Hina develop an unconventional bond, with Nitta acting as a reluctant father figure to Hina, who in turn learns to navigate the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including Nitta's yakuza companions, other psychics, and Hina's classmates.
3. Gokusen
The story revolves around Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young woman who comes from a prestigious yakuza family and becomes a teacher at an all-boys school. Kumiko, known as Yankumi, is the granddaughter of the head of a yakuza clan.
Despite her family background, she is determined to become a teacher and make a positive impact on her students' lives. She is assigned to Shirokin High School, a school notorious for its delinquent students, where she becomes the homeroom teacher of Class 3-D.
From the beginning, Yankumi faces challenges as she tries to gain the respect and trust of her students, who initially see her as an easy target due to her small stature and gentle demeanor.
However, they quickly realize that she is no ordinary teacher, as Yankumi is fiercely strong, fearless, and uncompromising in her values of justice and loyalty.
She also has a unique way of dealing with troublemakers, often resorting to unconventional methods to help her students and teach them important life lessons.
As Yankumi builds relationships with her students and gets to know them on a personal level, she discovers that many of them have their own struggles and dreams.
2. Gokushufudou
Gokushufudou is a manga series written and illustrated by Kousuke Oono. The story follows the daily life of Tatsu, a former yakuza member known as the "Immortal Dragon", who has retired from the underworld and become a househusband.
Tatsu is a feared and respected figure in the criminal world, known for his incredible strength and ruthless fighting skills.
However, after marrying his wife Miku, Tatsu decides to leave his criminal past behind and become a full-time househusband. He takes on household chores with the same intensity and dedication he did during his yakuza days, often resulting in hilarious situations as he navigates the challenges of domestic life.
Despite his tough exterior, Tatsu is a loving and caring husband who goes above and beyond to support his wife and create a warm and loving home for her. He takes on various household chores such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and even dealing with nosy neighbors and other unexpected encounters, all while maintaining his yakuza demeanor and sense of honor.
As Tatsu tries to adjust to his new role as a househusband, he encounters various comedic situations and interactions with other characters, including his wife Miku, his former yakuza associates, other housewives, and even rival housewives. Gokushufudou is known for its lighthearted, comedic tone, as well as its unique blend of yakuza action and everyday humor.
1. Sun-Ken Rock
Sun-Ken Rock is a popular manga series that tells the story of Ken Kitano, a young Japanese man who travels to Korea to confess his love to his classmate, Yumin.
However, upon arriving in Korea, Ken becomes involved in the world of organized crime and ends up becoming the leader of a gang called “Sun-Ken Rock” in order to protect Yumin and fulfill his promises to her.
As Ken rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld, he faces numerous challenges and enemies, including rival gangs, corrupt officials, and other powerful criminals.
With his determination, strategic mind, and exceptional martial arts skills, Ken becomes a force to be reckoned with, earning a reputation as a formidable leader and fighter.
Along the way, Ken forms alliances, makes friends, and meets a colorful cast of characters who become members of his gang. However, he also faces betrayal, heartbreak, and personal demons that test his resolve and loyalty to his gang and his love for Yumin.
Sun-Ken Rock is known for its intense action sequences, intricate artwork, and complex characters. The series delves into themes of loyalty, friendship, sacrifice, and the consequences of living a life of crime. It blends action, drama, romance, and comedy to create a gripping and emotional story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yakuza manga provides readers with a thrilling and gritty glimpse into the world of the yakuza, the Japanese organized crime syndicate. These manga are known for their intense storytelling, vivid art, and themes of loyalty, honor, and violence.
Whether through the struggles, conflicts, and relationships of yakuza members or the complexities of yakuza culture and traditions, yakuza manga offers an immersive and captivating reading experience for fans of the genre.
That’s it for today’s post on Top 10 Best Yakuza Manga Worth Reading. If you disagree with the points in the post and have some of your own opinions, share them with us in the comments section below. Keep visiting Animangeek for more information about Anime and Manga.
