“And the lightweight world champion is…Yu! With one weight division conquered, K sets his protégé's sights on the next target: junior welterweight. This inevitably pits Yu against Yuto Takeda, a tenacious boxer who earned his belt through nothing but hard work—the antithesis to Yu's natural talent. Will Yuto prove to be the first force powerful enough to derail Yu's unstoppable path of destruction…?” (Ize Press)
Combat sports are considered among the first competitions that humanity engaged in, with both wrestling and various martial arts integrated into every culture. The stories around sports have deep roots as well, often following a familiar structure of underdog stories or deserved champions dominating their discipline. Indeed, there have been variations as a desire for more complex stories around professional competition has developed, but it is seldom one that entirely breaks the mold. JH's “The Boxer” does just that, and it may be one of the most unique takes on the sports genre.
Volume four of “The Boxer” established there would be a shift away from Yu by stating that the ‘true hero's story' had yet to be told. It was a shocking reveal that left an ambiguous note as to what this would mean for the direction going forward. Volume 5 answers that question by introducing a character structured closer to what one would consider the protagonist in a story like this, pushing through limitations with hard work to obtain glory. However, it becomes apparent that the series is building up ‘heroes' only to fall before Yu and further cement his dominance until the ‘real hero' of the story appears. This approach feels like a reverse of the more popular formula outlined in classic boxing comics like “Hajime No Ippo” and “Ashita No Joe.” Yet, JH manages to make it approachable despite lacking that defined protagonist.
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While previously touting JH's work as a masterpiece in the genre, this sentiment does begin to wane slightly as the tone shits. Not all readers will take to the bait-and-switch of the plot, and others will lose interest in the lack of traditional structure. Still, if that is not a concern, all praise-worthy elements of the story continue even after the switch. This includes JH's evident passion for the sport and the dedication it takes, using creative visuals and narrative to create an instant connection with characters, and consistently engaging action.
Visually, the book still benefits from JH's unique artistic approach, where attention to detail mixed with a semi-unconventional approach to exploring action and the psyche of the fighters makes it a joy to experience. Coming off of the recent conclusion to JH's “The Horizon,” one notices some cracks in the visual presentation, including the lack of backgrounds, which is a constant issue with the WebToon format. Still, JH stands tall above the competition even with the realization that the work is slightly rushed compared to his more visually defined works.
The shift in the focus of “The Boxer” may prove divisive for a few, but for those already invested deeply in the story, it is difficult to see this affecting a substantial amount of the readership. Moreover, changing the story's structure offers a fresh take on the genre, pulling the reader into the plight of other remarkable athletes who provide a broader view of the sport. To keep the same excitement from the inaugural release to the fifth volume is a testament to the storytelling ability of its creator and an almost certain guarantee of the longevity of the series—essential reading for fans of the sports genre.
