“Tattoos are the mark of a hero! Tattoos are life! Ever since being saved by a man with a back tattoo as a child, Jimmy has dedicated his life (and skin) to the ancient art of tattooing. Given his school full of delinquents, it's no surprise that Tattoo Jimmy has become infamous for his skill at inking and brawling alike. So infamous that the biggest, baddest dudes around want to test their mettle against him…but Jimmy doesn't take shit from anyone. He's just got to stay in one piece long enough to meet his hero…even if it means bashing a few skulls along the way!” (Kodansha)
The perceived explosive life of the juvenile delinquent has made for endless fodder across Japanese media, birthing an abrasive, unapologetic, and action-heavy genre that has remained popular for decades. Furthermore, the genre has been used to explore deeper seeded issues that have affected youth acting as a means to not just craft sensational stories but also address the reason why ‘youth in revolt' exists. That said, Daiju Yanauichi's “Gang King” puts greater emphasis on the sensational element of the delinquent lifestyle, placing violence and humor at the front, an, admittedly, rather simplistic take on the genre.
However, those looking for entertainment in the genre are certain to be pleased with the offerings in the inaugural volume of “Gang King” as it offers absurdity in abundance, thanks to the uproarious personas that make up the gangs. This includes the king himself, Jimmy, whose obsession with tattoos acts as the catalyst for his status and many outbursts. Ruling as a ‘calm and cool' leader, the only time Jimmy becomes uncontrollably angry is when the art of tattoos itself is made a mockery. Then there is Psyko, my personal favorite, a wannabe with a comical haircut meant to instill fear that only results in him being the butt of jokes. There are other notable characters and the first volume even sees a dildo-wielding foe turn into a comrade, hinting that the series cast will continue to grow in amusing ways.
Looking at “Gang King” through a comedic lens, the manga is an undeniable success in the way it balances dark/crass humor and establishes strong personalities that have their own amusing quirks. However, the comedy's emphasis on crassness when it comes to elements of sexuality may be off-putting to some, notably the introduction of the dildo-wielding Zombie hinting at him torturing his troops with his fav toy in lewd ways. An apt comparison for cinema fans would be the early works of Takashi Miike within the yakuza/delinquent genre where much of the comedy was through purposeful offensiveness. This, admittedly, makes “Gang King” feel slightly anachronistic with a modern setting that would be appropriate in a 90's action/comedy. Yet, those who enjoy that type of comedy are bound to love how “Gang King” taps into the odd nostalgia of unapologetically offensive humor.
Visually, Daiju Yanauichi's art is not overly impressive, a fact which even comes across in his representation of Tattoo work, which in the realm of manga has plenty of gloriously beautiful representations of the art form. This is not to say that the work lacks visual flair, however, and Yananuichi does excel when dealing with action sequences, yet the greater draw lies in the humor and characters as opposed to the visuals. Unfortunately, the manga is only currently available in a digital release which does also hinder fully appreciating the art which always takes a different light on the page.
“Gang King” is going to have limited appeal given the somewhat outdated comedy style and its light approach to a genre that often allows for a deeper look into the issues Japanese youths face. None of this speaks against the quality of the work, however, but positions it for a small dedicated fanbase. Personally, having grown up with Japanese cinema that romanticizes the delinquent lifestyle from comedies to dramas, “Gang King” was a welcome throwback to the audacious entries in the genre. If those sentiments tickle your fancy, don't hesitate to give Daiju Yanauichi's love letter to the juvenile-delinquent genre a go.
