Crows

This manga took a long time to grow on me. I would occasionally try to read it, since I love delinquent manga, and give up after three or five chapters. Once I got past that, though, I realized what I was missing. This is considered a classic of delinquent manga for a reason, after all.

The story that exists is mostly a shonen-style parade of fights. Literally, one fight after another, with glimpses of character development in between. The fights themselves are pretty damn awesome, covering everything from full out gang rumbles to one on ones. However, unlike most shonen, the parade of fights makes sense, since everyone's goal is to become the strongest of the strong, the toughest of the tough, baddest of the bad, you name it. And by everyone, I mean everyone. There are practically no characters who AREN'T a delinquent who show up in this manga. No teachers, normal students, random salarymen, etc. except for some quick gags. There are downsides, though: the sometimes boring exposition about gangs and their members and movements (the delinquent equivalent of Dragon Ball Z-esque exposition about techniques and power levels.) but there's often a saving touch of humor in the characters to get you through. It starts out seeming overly serious and complicated in the first arc, but once you get past that the story really picks up and never drops the ball.

Not only that, but the glimpses of character development are better handled than a lot of manga with a similar storytelling structure, making you actually care about the characters who are fighting. The characters themselves are nothing short of brilliant. You wouldn't expect a cast of nothing but delinquents aiming for the top to have variety, but there's a surprising amount; brash and hilarious Bouya, reserved and brooding Rindaman, charismatic Bulldog, etc. The other thing about these characters is that they actually develop in between and during fights: the reveal of Bouya's unexpectedly caring side, Bulldog's transformation from a goofy one-shot character into a powerful leader; his Kurotaki Alliance's transformation from a ragtag mishmash of his former foes into a group of real friends, etc., etc., and so forth.

The first impression you get of this manga may be an overly serious focused troop movements sort of thing, but eventually the characters manage to sneak in their charm, so keep reading!

Crows is about Bouya Harumichi, a second-year transfered to Suzuran, a highschool full of delinquants. By becoming the number one of the school, he meet others gangs from other highschools.

It is a very fresh story, and even if its clasified as a shounen, it is more a seinen, as you can see blodd, and thematics like death are seen. It has the same style as GTO ( and if you haven't read GTO, do it !), with epic fights, friendship and lot, lot of stupid gags.

Story: 8/10 It is mostly cut in little parts, but every one of those is linked with the next one. It's well built, and even if Bouya is the main character, most of the others are seen because of the impact of their gang action on Bouya's life.

Art: 8/10 Well draw, and fights are very beautiful and easy to follow

Characters : 10/10 They all have a personnality, and are well disagned. You can feel a lot of empathy for some, and even want to become friend with them, as if you are in their gang. They are all different, and you can really feel their feelings.

Enjoyment 10/10 It is only my opinion, but this manga really enjoyed me, as I like GTO a lot, it is quite the same humoristic tone, and I really like this rock'n roll style, with bikes and pompadour. Alson, I love streets fights a lot ^_^

Overall: 9/10 READ IT ! Note that, if you prefer watching anime, or just want to make an opinion of it, there is a 3-episodes OAV that tell just the first chapters.

See ya!

Bouya Harumichi is a new transfer student in Suzuran High, filled with hard-core delinquents that don't think studying comes up to snuff. The students there form gangs and brawl with each other for the title of TOUGHEST JACKASS (not literally, guys, but close to); some however, just hang around and kick ass on the side, not bothered with the 'kiddy' game. Unfortunately for Harumichi, his reputation started even before he officially transferred, but Hell, what's a tough guy to do?

I do, I do like the story. All head-banging-rib-punching-pipe-wielding-punks of it, it had hilarious characters made vivid by the don't-mess-with-me illustrations, who had enough attitude to over-inflate the egos of an entire highschool. After reading this, you'd wish you could fight that way too. It was fun to read of the ruckus Bouya had been apart of. You kinda wish you were part of the gang, too, ya know? But, it was still a blast to read through still be warned: you have to be a little consistent and read it. No "a chapter a day", no "I only have time for this many chapters" and definitely, no "this is boring, even though I just read half a page, I'm still dropping it".

The art was spectacular and added a great feel to the story [it felt real bad-ass], the illustrator gave great attention to give each character an image that fit their personality. It was (HUZZAH!) proportional and (DOUBLE HUZZAH!) shaded. With the number of huzzah's you may have had the tiniest inkling that it rocked, {and you maybe just right}.

The enjoyment level was great, it had light-hearted humour and was filled with waves of honourable moments (some of you maybe thinking "what does THIS MEAN??!", I mean read it {you know you really want to...}) and scenes filled with ass-kicking. You really don't want to miss this.

So would I recommend it...

Okay, I'm gon' tell ya da truth. Until volume 6 beginning of chapter 21, the Manga kicked (multiple) asses, but (yes, there is a but) I don't know about the to-die fans of the series but after chapter 20, the story kinda ended (at least for me) and chapter 21 was more like an epilogue to tell you the truth. Sure, officially the story didn't end there but I felt closure and not only that, if you continue to the end of chapter 21, I dunno, I felt something missing from the characters and plot. The battle was won, objective completed, I was thinking more on the lines of 'stand down, soldier. Your job is done. You can go home' type of ending rather than a continuation.

But Heck, that's just me.

Nevertheless, it is a great Manga and only fruitcake punkasses wouldn't read this (no offence to fruitcakes, but I'm more of a not-a-big-fan-of-fruitcake person). So if you wanna see sick art, funny characters and a good plot to boot: I invite you to read this story of a transfer student that didn't know what hit 'em.

Most of my friends were into the Crows:Zero movie and i honestly didnt think too much of it. later i found that it was based on a manga, then i thought"hmmmm...manga, lets check it out"

Then bam! the series totally captivated me. the story is good and the characters although a lot all have impacts. the best part of the manga is that when it ends it kind of brings this feeling that nothing lasts for ever. Although the characters had lots of adventures they kind of move towards their future goal like in real life. the fights are wonderful and they totally make ur blood boil.

the protagonist is good although naive bt cares a lot for his nakama. the arcs are done well.

And overall the manga was an enjoyable read. So i'd say
9/10

I saw the reviews giving this manga a score of 7-8 and thought that it might turn people away, so i will try to review this manga. This is my second review so if i make any mistakes dont be hard and feel free to point them to me. Now lets get on with the review:

Story 8/10: The story focus on the adventures of Bouya Harumichi a second year transfer student at the school of Suzuran, some might say the worst school to be in. It follows Bouya and all his friends/foes on their 2 year journey to end the school. Those 2 years consist of a lot of fighting along with tragic and happy moments. Dont expect much from the story but its really enjoyable and will keep you focused until the end.

Art 8/10: The art is nothing crazy, dont expect to be amazed from how good it is or to be suprised from how weird it is. The design of the world is always detailed and really good. For the characters mostly its detailed and its really good but during comedic moments the details are less but its still remains good. Also the art during the fight is pretty clear and you wont find your self struggling to understand what is going on.

Character 10/10: This is character focused manga and all the characters are amazing. Lets start from the protagonist Bouya, he is person that does only what he likes and that consists of 4 things, chasing girls,eating,sleeping and fighting. In my opinion Bouya is one of the best characters i have ever seen. The rest of the characters are top notch too. They are all interesting to say the least. I am sure you gonna end up loving most of them.

Enjoyment 9/10: The manga is really enjoyable. The protagonist will make you laugh during at times and make you excited during others. I believe that this is a manga that everyone should read, even if you dont like fighting manga or school manga i believe you gonna enjoy this one.

Overall 9/10: I will sumirize what i already said, the story is simple and easy to follow but still interesting to see whats going to happen, the art is really good but nothing spectacular, the characters are all awesome and its rare for me to have a manga that i like every character and its pretty enjoyable. The manga is not dark and doesnt contain gore. Now i will also have to say that if you are looking for fighting focus manga you are gonna be satisfied but if you are looking for a manga that is focused on school/bulling/classes etc this is not the manga you are looking for, i still suggest you read it tho.

With that said i would like to explain something. Sometimes you cant explain how good a manga is with just a review, and example for the scenario is Blame!. No matter what review you read you have to experience it yourself to understand how good it really is.

it's amazing how 'Crows' doesn't try to be complex but ends up having its moments like that. The story may seem silly, but within the general context it is quite good, the author fulfills what he promises to do, he promises to make a good manga for criminals and he delivers it. Not much to say about this work, it is consistent, all arcs are well structured, the fights are well done and fair, the protagonist has his motivations and is very charismatic, drama is not difficult to understand and how I said before it works and delivers what it promises. It's definitely my favorite delinquent manga, because of the characters, almost all the characters in this work are quite charismatic.