キーチVS

KIICHI VS

MANGA

STATUS
COMPLETE
VOLUMES
11
RELEASE
June 28, 2013
CHAPTERS
111

DESCRIPTION

Ever more uncompromising in the face of injustice, Kiichi has become a star. Known around the world for shaking the Japanese establishment, he doesn't intend to stop there. Now at the head of a big company, between school of thought and mafia, whose members number in the thousands, he wants once again to get the population moving, even if it means provoking the powerful of the country!

(Source: Editions Delcourt, translated)

CAST

Kiichi Someya
Keiichiro Kai
Aya Tanaka
Misato Saji

CHAPTERS

RELATED TO KIICHI VS

MANGA DramaKiichi!!

REVIEWS

KiChUgO
98/100
"He will grow up to become a man of unparalleled virility"
Kiichi is my first time experiencing a Hideki Arai manga and he hasn't disappointed me at all. The story revolves around a young boy named Kiichi Someya who was prophesied to become a man who has the strength, energy and charisma to change the world (Virility). The predominant and reoccurring theme of Kiichi is how a single person can stand up and make a huge impact and difference in the society which is completely run by a corrupted government and the influence of people with money and power. Might be my favourite aspect of the manga. Arai sensei has illustrated the government which was run by corrupted people who hid themselves behind the law after committing atrocious crimes by their influence and money accurately and which is relative to the current state of the society that we live in. I love the way Arai sensei has incorporated reality into this manga. Kiichi at first doesn't start off with facing the evil society. At the beginning it shows the life of our protagonist a.k.a Kiichi Someya. He goes through various life scenarios which were exponentially gruesome and uncanny for a normal 3 year old child. But because of these challenges he was able to know more about human nature and how the world works despite being a dumb brat. Kiichi has been represented as the evolution of human beings throughout the whole series, started as a primate and concluded as a human who upholds the true meaning of humanity more than anyone else. Kiichi easily has one the best developments and progression in animanga. Kiichi and Kai's dynamics is of the striking and remarkable aspects of the story. Their amazing team work to expose the criminal politicians and big shots, having conflicting ideas at the beginning of VS, then later on realising the mistakes they have made in the way to inform people about the corrupt government and finally weaving together the best way to disclose the information is just perfectly done. The whole execution of the 2nd plan might be my favourite sequence in the manga. Kiichi and his ways of reacting at first was questionable but his charisma has upheld his way of executing them. Love Kiichi so much man. His speech and actions moved me. Throughout the whole manga, Arai sensei gives us readers many reality checks which are very concerning and eerie to us humans as it characterises some of the worldly things that are actually happening. Kiichi is such a thought provoking manga that ends up questioning ur morale. And the conclusion of Kiichi is tragic yet poetical. Hate to say it but it's the best conclusion u could give to Kiichi and probably one of my fav endings in fiction. He sacrificed everything for the upcoming generation and his loved ones so they could live in a better society. In conclusion,

This is easily my 2nd fav socio-political fiction I've experienced and moved mountains for me. I never expected this manga to be emotional but it made me cry at the end which is something rare for me to do.
Thank you Arai sensei for creating Kiichi

9.75/10
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Schtori
100/100
It was a work that brought tears to my eyes.
Throughout its narrative, Kiichi VS serves as a sobering reflection of societal realities, prompting readers to ponder moral dilemmas and confront uncomfortable truths. Its conclusion, though tragic, resonates with poetic beauty, as Kiichi sacrifices everything for the promise of a better future for the next generation.

The dynamic between Kiichi and Kai stands out as one of the manga's most compelling aspects. Their collaborative efforts to expose corrupt politicians and elites, characterized by initial discord followed by a realization of their shared mission, are executed flawlessly. The culmination of their plan is a standout moment, showcasing Kiichi's initially questionable methods ultimately justified by his unwavering charisma.

Initially, "Kiichi" doesn't thrust the protagonist into confrontation with the nefarious elements of society. Instead, it meticulously delves into Kiichi Someya's upbringing, showcasing the character's resilience in the face of harrowing challenges from a young age. Through these trials, Kiichi gains insight into the complexities of human nature and the workings of the world, evolving from a mere primate into a paragon of humanity.

Truly a masterpiece. This manga is exactly what depicts the current state of this country. It touches my heart more than any book or educational material that tries to hide from children's attention by covering it up with lies and deceptions. Many people are swayed by the media and can only give the right answers without even having an opinion of their own. Many people give up and live without thinking until their graves. I think this is a work that will wake up those people.

I admire the author's ability to draw the story to the end without major failures or derailments, while responding almost in real time to Japanese political and social movements at the time. Many times along the way, I wish I had stopped the story in the children's section, so Keach could have remained a hero in my mind, but I still felt compelled to see it through to the end. I was disappointed. The gruesome ending was something that could have been expected from a certain point, and I think that if it hadn't turned out that way, it would have betrayed the trust of the readers. Still, I wanted to know what kind of anger he would feel if he were to see the real world of recent years, which has been engulfed in delusion and hatred, going even further below than the "realistic" profit and loss account that Kiichi hated.

In summary, "Kiichi" ranks as one of my top socio-political fictions, leaving a profound impact that moved me to tears—an uncommon occurrence for me. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Arai-sensei for crafting such a powerful and thought-provoking work in "Kiichi."
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smolet
92/100
Kiichi... you are Alive!

PREFACE:
"There's Daddy, Mommy, and Kiichi. Daddy was born in the mountains, Mommy grew up by the sea, and in the city, we held hands before we even met. But in the end, it led to your birth, Kiichi."
My experience with Kiichi was a journey of ebb and flow, its story often teetering between highs and moments of lag during its buildup arcs. While these preludes occasionally dragged, once the narrative took flight, it became a dopamine ride. The charm lies not only in Kiichi's growth but in how the political rhetorics has been presented in an unadulterated manner from the lenses of the Japanese side of things.

PROTAGONIST:
"Kiichi, born on the day of prediction, would turn out to be a man of unparalleled virility."
Initially, Kiichi appeared unremarkable, almost a cliché of the "cool, edgy protagonist" often seen in seinen works. Yet, a significant shift occurs during the time skip to his adolescence. While early story arcs faltered due to their weak buildup, Kiichi's evolution shone as a highlight, breaking free from these narrative shortcomings. My perception of him transformed as he began to break out of his shell, connecting with characters like Kai and facing his past traumas. These experiences shaped his erratic behavior — vulnerable, and prone to adopting others' beliefs.
But fast forward to Kiichi VS, and he has matured, adopting a logical, more socially conscious demeanor. This transformation not only marked a shift in Kiichi’s character but also in how I saw him. Juxtaposing the naive child he once was with the man he became underlines a factor in play: the weight of responsibility and duty often demarcates childhood from adulthood. Having endured more than most could fathom, Kiichi’s young mind grappled with the harshness of mortality. In response, he shouldered burdens far too heavy, attempting to mimic adulthood’s facade while subconsciously yearning for security and simplicity. By the close of the first book, traces of change begins to appear.

Kiichi VS presents a matured Kiichi whose sparks of rebellion flares more into flames of life upon meeting his soulmate. This love reawakens a long-lost innocence, softening his hardened resolve and drawing out a new tenderness. The battle within him shifted, from a life driven by rage against death to one focused on cherishing life. Through love, Kiichi's understanding of life and death matured — not as opposites but as intertwined facets of living fully. During the Mt.Fuji spreads we see Kiichi was nothing more than a normal human, shouldered by weights of responsibilities, weights of his parents death, which he sub-consciously blamed himself, breaking away from those shackles of duties, he broke free. Where he lowered himself to the normality of the typical, he wanted love the final piece which defined him. All he ever wanted was Love, a forgotten chunk.

POLITICAL VIEWS:
It wouldn't be a big surprise if Kiichi never received an official english translation or high recognition especially in the west, considering how Arai unveiled the truth of “Americanization” in the Japanese society. Much like Billy Bat, Kiichi stood firmly when it came to showing the dark side of America and it's actions without sugar coating or pulling the punches. The prequel book dives into the corrupt facets of Japanese Government, shedding light to the ignorance of the upper echelons on the societal issues like Homelessness, Homicide, Corruption, Political Exploitations etc, while giving more emphasize on Child Prostitution.
My views about the manga took a big turn from this moment on, presenting the true nature of the government and society to such a depraved activity while the society is being ignorant to it and not batting an eye while the government is taking no measures about it but also unsurprisingly having an active participation in the very act of child prostitution itself. This isn't fiction this is reality in Japan; Child prostitution or CP isn't a big deal in Japan, By the gradual molding of the laws and judiciaries this case is now being overlooked and being turned into the new normal. An example to jog your memory is the Controversy of the Rurouni Kenshin Mangaka, who held a surprising amount of CP in his custody but got off the leash with a $1000 fine.
On the Sequel Story, Kiichi VS the story takes a turn more towards the international stage, by bringing in the “American” aspect to the play. American government holding a special treatment in Japan where any crime done by the US Army officials wouldn't be an issue as America is the scaffold for Japan. Arai didn't go softly when expressing this issue into his manga, boldly showcasing what the Americans have done to the Japanese society. The Mad Cow disease is another example in the manga on how an American Capitalism driven more importance to business than human lives.

Even after Japan became republic and democratic the direct influence of another country (America) meddles with their decision making, a dog in the leash scenario. Arai tries to put the limelight into this problem which most Japanese people are ignorant about or just didn't know about. The story is more political than you think it is. The political problem's being overlapped with each other into fooling the people with the facade of “it’s for the betterment of the nation and people” is more than natural and this doesn't apply to any one nation but many. While most of the people reading this would be not understanding what this all means especially the American influence on Japan watch this video.

The manga comprises of two parts: Kiichi & Kiichi VS. It always boggled my mind as to why the sequel manga's title was named Kiichi VS? VS in usual terms means versus, but who is Kiichi fighting against? Could it be with himself, or could it be the invisible figure without a singular identity, The Social Construct a.k.a The Society. The invisible figure which manipulates the masses?

FINAL VERDICT:
Lke i previously said, my experience with Kiichi as a whole is filled with ebb and flow. The story seriously lacked in an interesting build-ups which made the whole journey a rough one, not necessarily a bad one... or atleast “Kiichi” picked the drowning ship up. Also let me set this straight, Politics in a story is always a good thing, Politics or Governance is one of the best form for the depiction of Human vices and Human virtues in tantamount scale. It's one of those spices which elevates the narrative exponentially.
The story is more grotesque and realistic than I initially thought it to be. Arai did a great job working with the expression of his Political and Social views of Japan while trying the best to be unbiased. The vileness of the human society and the corrupt mechanisms inbuilt into this system which sub-consciously made the people weak in the spine, lacking the push to criticize against, there was a need for revolution, a need for the VOICE, This made Kiichi. The story was really well put, bringing real life references to put up a sliver of realism to the already grotesque setting. The manga was phenomenal. Kiichi as a protagonist was exceptionally crafted, growth from a rebellious uncontained fire to a polished diamond, Kiichi's growth is something to be witnessed. Became one of my favourite protagonist all over the animanga genre.
A great manga but definitely not the pinnacle nor the greatest piece of literature, the strength's were often overshadowed by the flaws present, but it wholly presented what the story meant surmounting those obstacles.

“KIICHI... YOU ARE ALIVE!!!”~~~~

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