Manga review : Juujika no Rokunin by Nakatake Shiryuu

 

Jujika no Rokunin is a dark and intense thriller manga by Nakatake Shiryuu. My review this time will focus on the first series, which consists of the first five chapters. These early chapters introduce readers to the main character, Shun Uruma, and the beginning of his journey shaped by trauma and driven by a deep desire for revenge.

 

The first chapter, entiled Human Subject a's Transformation,  begins by looking at Shun Uruma's terrible life. He is a quiet and kind child, but becomes the victim of merciless and relentless bullying by a group of his classmates. This chapter sets the tone for the entire series, with graphic and disturbing scenes that show the depth of the cruelty he received. After that incident, Shun accidentally met his grandfather and it was at that time that Shun was trained intensely by his grandfather to help Shun get revenge. And that's how the story of the manga Juujika no Rokunin begins.

 

The second chapter, entitled The Last Test, the story begins with Shun who has become a teenager, he spends the days at school like any other child in general, but everything starts to feel different when his childhood friend starts showing strange movements, and from that moment on, Shun finally feels better. Be alert to the movements they make.

 

In the third chapter, entitled A Single - Minded Desire, When Shun had succeeded in making himself more wary of his childhood friends, Shun was caught off guard by one of Shun's childhood friends, Sen Kouji, who suddenly showed a change in attitude towards him, such as suddenly asking Shun to go for a walk, inviting him to eat at a restaurant, even He saved a kitten that was almost run over by a truck and because of that, Shun's vigilance towards Kouji slowly decreased which made Shun let his guard down and sure enough, Shun was suddenly knocked unconscious by his partner and taken to a certain place.

 

The fourth chapter, entitled Uruma's Dissection - Pure Love, When Shun realized that he had been taken by Kouji to an empty warehouse while tied up, helpless Shun could only remain silent looking at his friend who was obsessed with torturing him, and indeed Shun was tortured by shooting a nail gun at the soles of Shun's feet and other parts of his body. otherwise, but things turned around for Shun when Kouji wanted to strangle Shun. Kouji didn't realize that Shun was free from his bonds so Shun freely moved his hands and made Kouji faint.

 

The fifth chapter, entitled A Gentle Bloodlust, When Kouji wakes up, now Kouji is tied to not wearing clothes and at that moment Shun takes his revenge. When Kouji was confused about the current situation, Shun in a calm tone told Kouji that the skin on Kouji's front body had been skinned by Shun while he was unconscious, which made Kouji scream in pain. Not only that, Shun also fired a gun with plastic bullets at Kouji right at the part where Shun was skinned. Because he couldn't stand the pain, Kouji finally died.

 

Character Description:

- Shun Uruma: Initially a gentle and quiet child, Shun underwent a major transformation. His pain, both physical and emotional, shaped him into someone who was willing to go to any lengths to get justice. He is an interesting character, where his innocence is replaced by a strong sense of purpose.

 

- Grandpa Shun: A former soldier who understands what it takes to survive in a world full of darkness. He recognizes Shun's need for revenge and takes on the role of his mentor, helping Shun channel his pain into strength.

 

- The Bullies: Shun's bullies, namely Shigoku Kyou, Ushiro Yuuga, Kuga Daichi, Sen Kouji, Madoka Hiro, who are just his 12 year old classmates are described as truly vile individuals, respectively with a twisted personality. Their cruelty is intense, and they appear to feel no guilt, making Shun's desire for revenge feel reasonable.

Why This Manga?

Jujika no Rokunin delves into the dark and raw side of human emotions, especially revenge. The intense scenes and complex psychological elements make the story feel gritty and real. The initial storyline is easy to follow, but its emotional depth keeps readers hooked as they witness Shun's journey from victim to vengeful hunter. The art style adds to the atmosphere, bringing a disturbing yet engaging intensity to the story, and it's easy to imagine how impactful the series would be if adapted into a suspense-filled animated series or live-action drama.

 

Overall, I think this manga is worth reading for fans of psychological thrillers and dark revenge stories. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy complex stories with ambiguous moral themes, Jujika no Rokunin is a compelling read that captures the essence of despair, resilience, and revenge.