Any suggestions for manga, like the TV show, Arrow? That is, the main character disappears for a period of time in his backstory and then returns home, changed and a badass.

Thanks!

Why are you searching for manga if the show is based on a US comic character from 1941 ? Here are the essential Green Arrow comic runs in order of release:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Arrow#Neal_Adams_and_D ennis_O.27Neil.2C_1969.E2.80.931983

Neal Adams´s legendary run in Green Lantern from 1970 that made the character who he is today. Mike Grell´s near 100 issue run, starting with the 1987´s Longbow Hunters mini. Kevin Smith´s run from 2000 (it is somewhat flawed) and the Brad Meltzer storyline immediately thereafter in 2004. The Jeff Lemire´s run from the N52 (the "Outsiders War" will soon be adapted on the show) starting in 2013 and Green Arrow Rebirth by Ben Percy from 2016. The self explanatory Green Arrow: Year One by Andy Diggle is also a must.

All of these, besides the "late in continuity" 2000-04 stuff, are the basis for the show.

Last edited by residentgrigo at 8:15 am, Nov 20 2016

________________
I also read EU/US comics and am a librarian.
Manga-Masters, My ANN-Lists + Imdb

Because I'm looking for a certain type of story and Arrow was the best example. Does it matter what medium the example was from?

That sounds pretty much like the premise of Gankutsuou and Übel Blatt. It also happens a third of the way through Claymore. In Ubel Blatt the main character was always a badass however when he returns he is a different kind of badass.

None of these, or Berserk (someone will bring it up) remotely compare to Olly´s origin or the show´s style. X -a shy young boy returns as an unfeeling (not really) magical warrior- or Akumetsu -a run of the mill high school student turns out to be a planted clone assassin- come closer but manga don´ t do quintessential US superhero tales / origins.
"American manga" flop for the same reason, as copycat writing is no writing at all.

Even the American style vigilante drama Until Death Do Us Part didn´t do a superhero / Batman-origin and stuck to the Japanese style of long dojo training for the protagonist. The topical playboy to badass story is also an American trope and going manga won´t help you.
To quote a certain Nolan film: I recommend you buy American unless EU comics fancy you. Largo Winch somewhat fits the Arrow trope.

Last edited by residentgrigo at 12:06 pm, Nov 21 2016

________________
I also read EU/US comics and am a librarian.
Manga-Masters, My ANN-Lists + Imdb