TAKAMA-MAMA Said Knock You Out!

There's so much to love about Takama-ga-hara, the brawling series that brought some punch to the Weekly Shonen Jump line-up. From the crazy action sequences to the offbeat characters, this series is about as subtle as a brick to the head. Though I never thought Takama-ga-hara brought anything groundbreaking to the table, it will always have a place in my heart.

Takama-ga-hara's a story about Yamato Yamada, a high school student who comes from a fighting family. However, Yamato's not interested in going toe-to-toe with any fool who crosses his path. He wants to be a...manga artist! But can he resist his destiny of pugilistic greatness, especially after discovering that he possesses an insane ability known as kamiwaza, which upgrades his fighting prowess?

But let's be real here. The charm behind Takama-ga-hara is not its plot, it's all about the fights and the fighters!

Best Punch-Outs Since Mike Tyson...

Knocking someone out with a punch is nothing new in manga, especially for a pure battle manga like Takama-ga-hara. But have you ever seen a knock-out panel like this?

The Pen Is Mightier!

We've seen some interesting choices for battle weapons, like Gon's fishing pole and Orihime's hairpins, but a flying alphabet?! Kikuchi's kamiwaza powers is known as kanjification and turns his opponent's into Chinese characters, which he then traps inside his book.

Raging Hulk!

Volume 1 of Takama-ga-hara has some rather...unique characters. One guy fights with blades coming out of his body from every which way, another pompadoured fellow writes notes like a lovestruck girl, but perhaps the one who takes the cake is the little playboy who turns into a raging monster!

Final Analysis: This manga is bonkers! It's action-packed, it's got intriguing characters, and it's got some of the best action panels ever seen in manga. If you're into beat-em-ups and pure battle manga, then check out Takama-ga-hara volume 1, available now!

Takama-ga-hara volume 1 is available digitally at VIZmanga.com!

Not sure you're body's ready for the beat down? Then check out our FREE PREVIEW!

by John Bae