Tokyo Revengers is a manga series by Ken Wakui that combines the genres of action, science fiction, thriller, and yankī (delinquent) in a story about time travel, gang wars, and fate. The protagonist, Takemichi Hanagaki, is a 26-year-old loser who gets a chance to go back to his middle school days, when he was dating Hinata Tachibana, his first and only girlfriend. He learns that Hinata was killed by the Tokyo Manji Gang, a notorious group of criminals that has been terrorizing the city for years. He decides to join the gang and change the future by preventing Hinata’s death and stopping the gang’s rise to power.
The manga has 31 volumes and 279 chapters, and it was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from March 2017 to November 2022. It won the 44th Kodansha Manga Award for the shōnen category in 20201. It has also been adapted into an anime series, a live-action film, and two spin-off manga2.
The manga has received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised its gripping plot, dynamic characters, emotional moments, and realistic depiction of the yankī subculture. Some of the common themes that reviewers have highlighted are:
- The concept of time travel and its consequences: The manga explores the paradoxes and dilemmas that arise from altering the past and the future, as well as the ethical and moral implications of doing so. Takemichi often faces difficult choices and unexpected outcomes as he tries to save his friends and loved ones from their tragic fates. He also learns that changing one thing can have ripple effects on other aspects of history, creating new problems and enemies along the way.
- The portrayal of friendship, loyalty, and brotherhood: The manga showcases the strong bonds that form between the members of the Tokyo Manji Gang, who share a common goal and a sense of belonging. Despite their differences and conflicts, they support each other through thick and thin, risking their lives for their comrades. The manga also depicts the rivalries and alliances that exist between different gangs, as well as the respect and honor that they uphold in their battles.
- The character development and growth: The manga features a large cast of diverse and memorable characters, each with their own backstory, personality, motivation, and role in the story. Takemichi is the main focus of the manga, as he undergoes a significant transformation from a timid and hopeless loser to a brave and determined leader. He also influences and inspires other characters to change for the better or worse, depending on his actions. The manga also explores the complex relationships that Takemichi has with his friends, enemies, love interests, and mentors.
Overall, Tokyo Revengers is a manga that offers a thrilling and engaging reading experience for fans of action, drama, romance, and suspense. It is a manga that will make you laugh, cry, cheer, gasp, and feel invested in the fate of its characters. It is a manga that will make you think about the meaning of life, the power of choice, and the importance of friendship. It is a manga that will make you want to read more.
About The Author
Ken Wakui is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for his series Shinjuku Swan and Tokyo Revengers. He started his career in 2005 with Shinjuku Swan, which won a jury recommendation at the Japan Media Arts Festival and was adapted into two live-action films. He launched Tokyo Revengers in 2017, which won the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category and was adapted into an anime series and a live-action film. He is also the author of other manga such as Abaddon, Budgerigar, and Desert Eagle12.
Wakui’s manga are influenced by his experiences with street gangs, bar hosts, and the yankī subculture. He often explores themes such as time travel, fate, friendship, loyalty, and brotherhood in his stories. He has a distinctive art style that features realistic and detailed character designs, dynamic action scenes, and expressive facial expressions
