Iron Knight

If you read this manga online, websites tend to present the one-shot version as "Chapter 0" and would highly recommend those of you interested in reading this to start with that first if you want to compare to the longer manga version. Otherwise, start with Chapter 1 (duh).

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this short manga and would say that it is fairly well executed short story. Reading some earlier reviews, I learned that some people are pointing out that it is a rip off of Attack on Titan. While I understand why others may consider it a poor imitation, I have to disagree.

The one-shot holds truer to the thought of an imitation, but if you read the completed manga, Yagi Tomohiro is able to make it his own. Though he keeps the basis of the Iron Knight in a post apocalyptic world, he incorporates his own ideas for the plot well.

Tomohiro also does a phenomenal job on developing Teppei's character! He is able to make the reader truly concerned for Teppei and empathize with his situation. Yagi puts Teppei in a better light as he exhibits Teppei's iron moral (pun intended) in facing each new challenge. At the same time, Yagi doesn't overdo the emphasis on Teppei's role as the hero by clearly showing his weaknesses often. He is misunderstood and beat down often but able to stand right back up and keep going. A great trait for a "strong" hero, but it is appreciated that Teppei's ability to withstand strife is not constantly preached by the mangaka. In doing this, Yagi makes Teppei seem more realistic, showing that he can keep going on his journey the same way that one moves on in life.

I enjoyed the overall simplicity of the art as it was intended to be a light read. I'm not saying that the drawing was rudimentary (quite the opposite), but it was nice to see that it paralleled the idea of the story.

I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates a story that, first of all, concludes, and is in itself an interesting read. I'm not going to label myself as having a refined taste for manga, I'm simply an enthusiast who enjoys manga. The Iron Knight really reminds me of the layout of a video game that I played (I can't remember what it was though). But, if this were the plot of a well executed video game, I would play it.

Today I will present manga (Iron Knight) written and illustrated by Tomohiro Yagi, the first release was on December 5 2013. Tomohiro just entered into the world of manga but he has long been known in the art, 2012 he was awarded the Golden Future Cup for Goblin Night and One Shot manga he created.

The story revolves around a young boy named Teppei Ushizume (and full on the words "Iron Soldier"). Although he does not live with his parents, because his mother died and his father has to be away from home for long periods of time because of his job, he stays with Tsubasa Himegami, a very close friend of his and her family until his father returns. Unlike other children, his body is hard as steel.
But the quiet life begins to change when more people appear to have a goblin virus. The virus changes people and turns them into a monster that attacks all around, but it seems that the majority of infected are criminals. Although caring boy, he ends up infected, but unlike the others, he can control himself and use his newfound powers to fight evil goblins. In a short time he encounters battles with groups of goblins, inexperienced he slowly learne their skills and capabilities. While moving through his hometown, he sees the destruction goblins made and it gives him a reason to defend people.

Throughout the work one can get a feel of the weight of emotions, on the other hand it calls the animal in us to go out and act as justice. The illustration is good and shows a lot of detail in the battles, as an artist, Tomohiro uses more free art features than the expressive detail.

As for the story, is popular but still would like to emphasize that somewhat resembles the modern epic stories such as Iron Man, but still described in the spirit of the Japanese tradition. As recently dabbled in the world of manga, I expect and hope to see soon more work from his workshop.

Iron Knight died after a one-shot, 17-ish chapters and a singular chapter after the fact. It was certainly short-lived, but it told its story in a straight line. It never explored the interesting possibilities this manga could have become, and it could've lasted longer; Much, much longer.

Iron Knight tells the story of Teppei, a boy so naive and hard-headed it's sickening. He has the ability to become a goblin through the Goblin Virus epidemic and protects humans. He is simple, innocent, and square. His feelings are so dull, and not much is done to give his backstory attention so readers can relate to him. His personality could've reached a spectrum of different feelings; but instead, he's either happy, crying or angry. Near the end, Teppei undergoes a personality change caused by the virus, which happens completely between two chapters, remaining unseen by the reader. This breakdown could've been explored much further, to create that impending doom of this collapse. The plot could've jumped so far, to explore more situations and more feelings, but, it ended in 20 chapters, and two major arcs.

Iron Knight has several battles that can be pleasing. Scenes are drawn well, and Teppei's goblin design is neat. There is some tedious fanservice. Yet, there are about 3 or 4 major battles, which, as I said, leaves room for so much potential.

Iron Knight could've been a long running shounen that could dive its characters into emotion, explore a plot that could twist and turn, and leave its readers begging for more. I could've loved it. But instead of being that, it is dull, uncomplicated and simple.

Iron Knight is a manga that has just been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. There's only been 5 chapters so I'm only judging on the five chapters that have come out.

Story (5/10): The story is about a 10 year old kid called Teppei. He wakes up one day in a post-apocalyptic world runned by goblins that eat humans. Apparently somehow he's able to turn into an iron skinned goblin hence the name "Iron Knight." With his new power, he's currently trying to find his parents that disappeared overnight.

Art (8/10): There's really nothing special. The drawings are pretty good.

Character (6/10): As for right now, there's not a big variety of characters. There's only the main character. Teppei is EXTREMELY naive. The main character is 10 so it explains his naivety.

Overall, this story is a near ripoff of Attack on Titan. The plot elements are the same except a couple things: lacks the darkness aspect, the character is very naive, and not really amazing action scenes.

Originally, I started off with the OneShot of Iron Knight and thought it was fantastic plenty of potential for a full serialization.

Low and behold when WSJ finally did serialize they toned down some of the darker themes and reduced the age of several characters to increase "broad appeal".

After just one chapter, I gave up on this version of it and felt content with just the OS. That was my true mistake however.

Story: 10

I've heard talk of how this is an Attack On Titan ripoff story and I can definitely see the similarites. What with the Demons attacking humanity and MC who becomes one to fight them. But they end right there. This takes place in a modern day society, with no walls protecting people.

To an extent though, you could say that this is how AOT must've been when the Titans first arrived in their world. In the beginning, we get to see how Teppei, our MC, is left alone with amnesia and discovering as to what has happened to the world he once knew. This plot line is closer to something like 11 eyes, HOTD, or even Deadman Wonderland.

Art: 8

The artwork itself is nothing spectacular, however the artstyle and designs are very beautiful and sometimes detailed. Especially when Teppei fully transforms.

The Demons are not so lucky as most are kindof outlines of their bodies without having evey detail put in with the exception of the most recent one.

Characters: 8

I did mention how he is younger and yes he is now 10 instead of 15 or 16. And he really shows his naivety and ignorance on occasions. That combined with his notions of Jutice make him seem more like Shirou from FSN.

But the difference is that Teppei is not overly idealistic and has accepted that he can't save everyone and that those who he do manage to save probably won't accept him because of what he's become.

Enjoyment: 10

This Serialization may not be as dark as the OS but it's definitely just as foreboding. At every turn and corner Teppei faces danger from not just Demons but himself as his own youth can make him choose decisions that put himself and those he's trying to save in mortal danger.

This gives this version a very tense atmosphere, while it can also try to throw some comedy in every once in a while.

Overall: 9

It hasn't gotten very far ( As of this review it's only 5 Chapters in), but it has some of the greatest potential seen in years and releases rather quickly ( As those 5 Chapters were put out in roughly a month and a half).

I would highly reccomend anyone to read the OS first to get feel for this and then move on to the Serialization and give it at least 3 chapters.

I hope this gets Licensed here in the US and maybe get an anime adaptation in about 2 or 3 years. Although I'm not certain how long this will go on.

Is this the "next" Shingeki No Kyojin????!!!

Iron Knight seems to have heavy influences from Attack On Titan manga (or Shingeki no Kyojin). Here some similarities:

1.- There´s a virus that turns humans into "goblins", and there´s death and destruction in the first chapter because of a global pandemic of the goblin virus.

2.- The protagonist´s father is missing, and implied to have a strong importance in the series. Also, he was a cop.

3.- Teppei can turn into a goblin with fire powers, and he fights goblins and people like him who only use their power for killing people.

4.- Teppei swears to revenge and protect mankind.

And now with the review.

Story: 9

The first chapter appears to be your typical Shonen Jump school manga, but a few pages later BAM! Chaos, death and destruction unleashes. And you wonder what´s gonna happen next, and who is the enemy. Comparisons with Attack on Titan are unavoidable, but these are good comparisons, the story itself has originallity, and is intense, fresh, well narrated and you just feel the creeps. This manga is DEFINITELY Shonen Jump next big hit (which can give the Shonen genre a different way of telling stories)

Art: 8

The art is typical from Shonen, but what differenciates it from the other shonen series, is that some scenes are gruesome and really f*cked up. We´ll see intense battles, gross monsters, innocent people (even children) getting gruesome deaths, despair and hope. The manga violence almost pairs up with Attack On Titan violence, though, is a tiny less violent to consider it properly a Seinen manga.

Character: 9

How can I explain in words the awesomeness of Teppei personality? Yeah, he is young, he is your shonen hero, BUT unlike Luffy and Goku, Teppei got brains. He carefully think of his way of acting, always thinks why is the world going to hell, and the causes that provoked it. Yet, he also have strength, and the determination to protect mankind.

Enjoyment: 9

As you felt excitement, fear, despair and hope on Attack on Titan, Gantz, Bleach and other type of action manga, Iron Knight guarantees to give you this, and maybe more. It has a strong plot, strong characters, and profound messages you´ll have to discover as they are implied.

Overall: 9

From the first page, you are sure to stay with Teppei. The adrenaline will run through your veins and spine. Sometimes, when watching a battle or a tragic twist plot on Iron Knight that reminds you of Eren struggles to save mankind, you´ll be thankful Attack On Titan had inspired other great mangas.

This is a review of the manga up to chapter 5.

I picked this up from a recommendation and I'm glad I did. I say this with no exageration: The first chapter alone could be sold as its own story and I'd buy it. It is masterfully paced, delivers everything you need to know at that point, the art is good and easy to follow, and the main character is very relatable.

I stress this, in a time where manga protagonists are cardboard cutouts of popular examples or have these egregiously dislikeable chracteristics to make them seem "edgy", Teppei stands out. He is idealistic, driven, energetic, and very sympathetic. The fact that he is a young boy helps, since it makes his idealism and shortcomings much more believable.

So far, Teppei's plight to find his father and those dear to him is the main drive of the story, and it works just fine that way. I genuinely felt sad when he felt sad, and I cheered when trimphed over the other demons.

The art style of the manga, while nothing that will rock your world, is very well done, and the sequential art in particular is easy to follow, even among hectic fight sequences. Expect lots of scenery gorn.

Overall, Iron Knight is a gem right out of the gate, and I sincerely hope it goes well enough in Jump to continue for as long as it can.

P.S: I just found out some people are calling it a rip off of Attack on Titan, because both are about "A kid whose world is attacked by monsters and he himself become one of said monsters", which is such a broad description that it could apply to several other works. Saying Iron Knight is a rip off of Attack on Titan with that is like saying One Piece is a rip off of Dragon Ball Z because there's a lot of punching in it. That is all.