I had high hopes at the beginning of Holyland, which is more of a shame that it went so wrong after vol.5.
The setting is very original, a bullied guy who goes to the world of the streets at night, in order to find his own place.
This does not, however, work in the long run for the author, as it gets repetitive and the fights gets unimaginative. I was annoyed with the manual of martial arts that the authors peppers in every chapter, it destroyed the dynamic for me.
Also the characters are not very believable, Shin and Mai especially, are just too out of place with Kamishiro.

... Last updated on August 23rd, 2014, 5:10pm

This is a decent manga, but not a great one. It's like a slice-of-life manga about real-life street fighters. The manga is filled with remarkably accurate information about fighting techniques, but I highly doubt that those advanced teachings, which often require tons of training to perform, would ever come into play in a street fight.

Although it contains accurate information about fighting techniques, this is supposedly a manga. As such, the slow pacing and total lack of direction of the story makes the series uninteresting. Not being Japanese, I can't really relate to the setting or problems faced by the characters and the main character's constant pondering about his place in society is boring and highlights how unfocused everything is.

... Last updated on August 10th, 2010, 11:09am

I got tired of reading this manga after a dozen chapter cause i couldnt stand the constant explanation. I mean, i get it, he punches the guy in the face, no need to go on and on about it.

this manga was not and is not great. ok the fighting is good nut thats it. you have a guy who is weak a crybaby an loser. hes fighting for no reason just to have a place where their is noting but drugs an fighting waste of my time an waste of yours just watch the fighting scenes their good

To tell the truth, I really didn't like this manga. It is about a pitiable kid who has martial arts potential and is truly sad because he's been bullied all his life. He's some kind of Shinji-Ikari look-alike (and is almost the exact same in personality) who can't decide whether he'll go full pitiable kid, or someone who can take out the friggin trash. This manga has no charm, no personality. It's cyclical nature only adds to the boredom. Forced to beat up kid, discovers new thing, talks to other boxer, repeat. The very few arbitrary developments are what gives this manga any flavor at all. It tries to be a street fighting guide, but in the end, it is a manga. And attempting to be like a guide is not good for a manga in the same way that a gangster wearing short-shorts and a fitting polo along with tube socks pulled up doesn't work. And talking in a high pitched and flamboyant voice and accent (respectively).

flaws. flaws everywhere.
what the mangaka trying to do? does he intend to teach us about boxing (in such patronizing way, i hate his guts), or is just that bad in maintaining his story's flow?

It takes me back when I try to teach newbies some basic principle in some martial arts, I talked a lot, and that makes my junior didn't progress. This manga is just like that. It talked a lot and the progress is soooo slow that makes even me bored.

While it is a good read, most of the martial arts and fight info is incorrect. Anyone with even basic fighting experience would know this and can easily shoot down most of the points the author tries to make about fighting. While the narrative makes the fights and explanations sound very realistic. they are not and really shouldn't be followed or taken to heart. Take my word for it, I've been doing marital arts for over 15 years and have been forced into street fights before.

... Last updated on August 13th, 2013, 5:16am