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Manga/anime with a genius / awe-insipiring underdog main characters

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Post #492709
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2:48 am, Aug 29 2011
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I've been reading/watching a lot of manga/anime and have come to a point where I'm out of manga/anime to read/watch. I essentially like manga/anime where the main character is such a genius/bad-ass in what he/she does that other characters can't help but feel jealous/look-up/get drawn to this character. The main character should also be the genius/prodigy/source of inspiration and not some side-character that the main character only meets along the way. The main character can also start as an underdog but needs to develop in such a way that he/she becomes on par with/probably even greater than his/her genius counterpart.

It can be any genre but I prefer non-ecchi/smut mangas since I feel that they often deviate too much from the main plot. But if the main character/plot is just so awesome that you absolutely feel that anyone should read it, please feel free to recommend it!

Examples of mangas I've read/love are:

Shounen / Main stream

1. One Piece
2. Full Metal Alchemist
3. Naruto
4. Bleach
5. Fairy Tail
6. Ao no Exorcist
7. Katekyo Hitman Reborn
8. Hunter x Hunter
9. Code Geass

Sports

1. One Outs
2. Hajime no Ippo
3. Major
4. Initial D
5. Nononono
6. Major
7. Fantasista
8. Hikaru no Go
9. Eyeshield 21
10. Prince of Tennis
11. Slam Dunk

Entertainment / Arts / Music

1. Skip Beat!
2. Subaru
3. Glass Mask
4. Nodame Cantabile
5. Piano no Mori
6. Beck

Historical

1. Basara
2. Samurai X
3. Gamaran

Mystery/Psychological

1. Detective Conan
2. Death Note
3. Akagi

Martial Arts

1. The Breaker
2. History's Strongest Disciple
3. Holyland

Cooking

1. Yakitate! Japan
2. Addicted to Curry

Shoujo

** For shoujo, since they focus on love and relationships, I prefer main characters that are not too naive / such a cry baby that they're always expecting their "prince" to save them. I really annoys me when this happens. The main character doesn't necessarily need to be strong literally, but needs to have a strong will/strength of character.

** I also don't like shoujo wherein the main object of attraction is just so perfect (i.e. S.A.).

** The main character should also develop throughout the manga (i.e. In "Wallflower", there seems to be so little development on Sunako's character that there's already 100+ chapters released and she still essentially remained the same as the first few chapters! These mangas can be such a drag to read!)

1. Tokyo Crazy Paradise
2. Saiunkoku Monogatari
3. 1/2 Prince
4. Crimson Hero
5. Kare Kano
6. The One
7. Dengeki Daisy
8. Fruits Basket
9. Ouran Highshool Host Club
10. Kimi ni Todoke
11. Gakuen Alice

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Post #492717
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3:55 am, Aug 29 2011
Posts: 1422


maybe Toriko
Eat-man

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Post #492720
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4:05 am, Aug 29 2011
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If you like AnE, then you might like D.Gray-man - it's also about exorcists, and the main hero have this genius-like-vibe ^^
Also you should try Rave Master - it's previous work of Hiro Mashima, author of Fairy Tail smile

For shoujo and cool heroine - definitely Beauty Pop!

As for "a series you should read" - for me it's Pandora Hearts. Great plot, characters and this crazy intrigue xD

Last edited by Shourii at 4:11 am, Aug 29 2011

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4:14 am, Aug 29 2011
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I'm gonna say Gurren Laggan - there's a main character at the beginning that's "awe-inspiring" and later the other main character becomes very much the same.

Post #492726 - Reply to (#492722) by tailor31415
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4:29 am, Aug 29 2011
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Quote from tailor31415
I'm gonna say Gurren Laggan - there's a main character at the beginning that's "awe-inspiring" and later the other main character becomes very much the same.

second!
i'll add liar game because you liked one outs

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5:16 am, Aug 29 2011
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There's a manga that is surrounding a boy who likes this girl who wants to become a pro-boxer. It's called Green Boy: Shouting to You. The main female is awe-inspiring. At first the boy likes her because she's strong and stuff but later on in the manga, he changes and decides to box, too. So, he's sorta the underdog. There's some drama because it's a romance manga but if you're not really crazy about it, I'm sure you'll love it. (On-Going)

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Post #492768 - Reply to (#492717) by Avian3
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9:07 am, Aug 29 2011
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Quote from Avian3


I'm already reading Toriko but Eat-man seems interesting. I'll add that to my reading list. Thanks!

Quote from Shourii
If you like AnE, then you might like D.Gray-man - it's also about exorcists, and the main hero have this genius-like-vibe ^^
Also you should try Rave Master - it's previous work of Hiro Mashima, author of Fairy Tail smile

For shoujo and cool heroine - definitely Beauty Pop!

As for "a series you should read" - for me it's Pandora Hearts. Great plot, characters and this crazy intrigue xD


Thanks! All your recommendations seem interesting! I'll check them out and add them to my reading list.


Quote from sarah-eats-cupcakes
Quote from tailor31415
I'm gonna say Gurren Laggan - there's a main character at the beginning that's "awe-inspiring" and later the other main character becomes very much the same.

second!
i'll add liar game because you liked one outs


Yeah, Gurren Laggan seems to be just what I'm looking for. I'll also check liar game. Thanks tailor and sarah.

Quote from ImaginaryMuffin
There's a manga that is surrounding a boy who likes this girl who wants to become a pro-boxer. It's called Green Boy: Shouting to You. The main female is awe-inspiring. At first the boy likes her because she's strong and stuff but later on in the manga, he changes and decides to box, too. So, he's sorta the underdog. There's some drama because it's a romance manga but if you're not really crazy about it, I'm sure you'll love it. (On-Going)


I do like to do read a good romance manga, but I tend to be picky with it. Shoujo just tend to be plagued with "cry-babies" so I generally try to be cautious about it. I'll check "Green Boy: Shouting to You". If you have any other romance themed mangas with "strong" main leads, please feel free to recommend. Thanks!

Last edited by lambchopsil at 9:37 am, Aug 29 2011

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1:37 am, Aug 31 2011
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Oh, I forgot. There was a manga that I absolutely adored when I was younger. Actually maybe more as an anime. It's called Law of Ueki or Ueki no Housoko. It's about a tournament where each kid has a power granted to them by a tenkaijin (teacher/masters) and they have to fight each other with this special power, however if they hurt a normal civilian, their power gets taken away. If they win the tournament, they get to choose any power of their own and their master gets to become the next "God". It centers around a boy who's power is to turn garbage in to trees. Seems weird but it's actually pretty good. biggrin

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Post #493191
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1:48 am, Aug 31 2011
Posts: 38


I would recommend Vampire Juujikai.

Post #493227
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8:27 am, Aug 31 2011
Posts: 278


Since I'm a webcomic fan. I'm gonna add some to these lists

Noblesse
Tower of god
Trace
Dr. Frost
Paladin
The Breaker: New Waves (webcomic and continuation of the breaker)

Other non webcomics
Ubel Blatt (is on hiatus now, but it's still worth reading it till the latest chapters)
Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made
9 Banme no Musashi
Id
Black Lagoon
Beelzebub


Post #493437
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3:32 am, Sep 1 2011
Posts: 3


@ImaginaryMuffin
Yeah, I remembered watching Ueki no Housoko as an anime when I was a kid too! It's actually one of the first few animes I've watched, along with One Piece, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Rurouni Kenshin. biggrin

@irinake
I've been getting mixed reviews from my friends regarding Vampire Juujikai that I've been putting it at the back of my reading list. The manga description seems interesting though so I think I'll check it out. Thanks irinake!

@Myuym
I've already started reading "The Breaker: New Waves". I've picked it up as soon as I've heard that there's a sequel to "The Breaker". But, wow! I love your recommendation list! Thanks a lot!

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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss
Post #496133
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10:51 am, Sep 14 2011
Posts: 1


ok i know exactly what you are looking for!!!!!{read it seqence wise}
recommendation1-CLAYMORE{absolutely fabulous all characters develop throughout,nail-biting suspense,exciting cliffhangers eyes }
recommendation2-HISTORIE{dude(not sure if u r or not) read it. no one who has started reading it could resist staying up all night to finish available manga scans(i personally did) smile wink grin}
recommendation3-ASHITA NO OUSAMA{even though it is shoujo manga its very gud biggrin }
recommendation4-SAVER{it is shoujo+ lead heroine is almost perfect(i know u did not like SA but this is special!!)+time travel+kickass attitude(she is better than tsubasa from TKP) biggrin }
recommendation5-BEAUTY POP{very cute smile }
recommendation6-ANATOLIA STORY{though starts of weak she becomes quite reliable by the end of series}
recommendation7-PRIVATE SECRETARYP.A.(some people did not like the drawing though i personally did not mind it)
recommendation8-CITY HUNTER[it is very good. watched both manga and drama though i think manga is better]
recommendation9-MxO[i liked it bigrazz ]
enjoy!

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7:49 pm, Sep 14 2011
Posts: 245


Have you read Bloody Monday? It's about a genius hacker going against terrorists smile
Zetman - about the making of a dark superhero

Post #496223
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8:46 pm, Sep 14 2011
Posts: 182


You should definitely give Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna a read, and you'd probably also like Iris Zero.

Post #496236
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9:55 pm, Sep 14 2011
Posts: 92


"Saver" is awesome! This has everything! Strong female lead, cross-dressing (female lead), time-travel, bishies, romantic sub-plot, beautiful drawings, engaging and suspenseful plot, kind of lengthly, and complete. She's just awesome all the time, don't be turned off by the summary blurb- I promise it's not that weird and she doesn't end up with that guy at all!!!! The other characters show character growth as well.

Myuym- "Ubel Blatt" is back!!!!!!! chapter 99, i think, came out a few days ago.

Lastly, i would recommend "Moonlight Sculpter"- now it's kind of a korean novel, not a manga or anime but Weed, the protaganist is made of pure awesome!! He's crafty and calculating, and sort of an underdog since everyone underestimates him but he's EPIC and slowly everyone else around him realizes it. The novel is still on-going at 30 volumes, only 1 and a half volumes are translated currently. It's a gamer setting, like 1/2 prince (scanned by same people). I really recommend it!

Last edited by rychels at 10:02 pm, Sep 14 2011

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