最強伝説黒沢

SAIKYOU DENSETSU KUROSAWA

MANGA

STATUS
COMPLETE
VOLUMES
11
RELEASE
September 1, 2006
CHAPTERS
90

DESCRIPTION

Kurosawa is sick and tired of his boring, ordinary life growing old as the less popular site foreman in Anahira Construction. The turning point comes when his 44th birthday comes along, and no one remembers or celebrates with him. Realizing he lived a life without drive or purpose, Kurosawa tries to go past his comfort zone to turn his life around. Will his newfound shenanigans help him or hurt him when he gets caught up in fights with delinquents?

(Source: Manga Planet)

CAST

Kurosawa
Shuuhei Nakane
Ryouichi Miki
Junichi Asai
Yoshiaki Sakaguchi

CHAPTERS

RELATED TO SAIKYOU DENSETSU KUROSAWA

Cover Art for Shin Kurosawa: Saikyou Densetsu

MANGA ActionShin Kurosawa: Saikyou Densetsu

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Cover Art for Koushiki Ekkyouden: Fukumoto All Stars

MANGA ComedyKoushiki Ekkyouden: Fukumoto All Stars

REVIEWS

ManlyButterBath
100/100
The strongest man in the world is only as admirable as an ordinary ant.

At the crossroad in my life, I didn't know which way to go. I just mindlessly choose a random direction... then, after regretting my decision I tried to retrace my steps. However, without even realizing it the sun had already set.

December 10th, 2002. A middle-aged man is sitting all alone at a table in a family restaurant, sobbing... eating a meager dinner... on his birthday nonetheless! He's got none to celebrate it with; frankly it's been decades since he's even had a friend. Not even his coworkers wished him a happy birthday, despite his best efforts to make it blatantly obvious. Is it like this for everybody? Is he the only one living like this? All the other people his age managed to work their way up the corporate ladder and create a family for themselves, so why is he different? He doesn't know. He just doesn't know! His youth flew away so quickly, and now he's been left with nothing but regrets.

This is how Kurosawa's story begins. Life wasn't too kind to him: he's ugly, overweight, awkward and a bit stupid. His coworkers ignore him at best and he's, well, just a plain old sad geezer. However, being alone on his birthday once more makes him realize that he wants to become popular, to be appreciated for who he really is, to seek his own redemption!

...and he fails spectacularly at it. At first!

That's a samurai! I always wanted to become like him! [...] A samurai still wears his helmet and armor! He still tries to survive until the very last moment! Even he does not wish to die!

But he keeps on trying and trying. His struggle is a desperate one, because unlike his younger coworkers he's at the end of his rope. He's not young anymore, and no matter what he does he'll inevitably get older and older. Yet his desire for a better tomorrow sparks a fire in him that allows him to overcome his emotional scars in order to do what he's been wanting to do his entire life: cheer for his own achievements, or better yet, achieve anything at all! Making a friend or two in the process wouldn't be too bad... maybe he can at long last find love?!

It is up to you to find out what happens by reading this manga. If it wasn't clear enough, I'll admit this is my favorite manga. It's also my favorite work of fiction altogether. And to be perfectly honest, it's also not the best manga I've read from an "objective" point of view. The art is very... controversial. I personally love it and I believe it fits perfectly this kind of story, but it's also fair to call it ugly or even grotesque at times. The secondary characters also aren't that great and are mostly used to advance Kurosawa's psychological growth. Sometimes the story might be too silly or too depressing for its own good, but believe me: this manga is worth reading. I dare not call it a masterpiece, although it is one deep down in my heart.

Am I as admirable as that ant...?

Yes you are, Kurosawa. Yes you are.
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hazelbasil
95/100
At a pivotal moment in my life, I found myself at a metaphorical crossroads, unsure of the path to choose...

"At a pivotal moment in my life, I found myself at a metaphorical crossroads, unsure of the path to choose. I made a choice without much thought, only to regret it later. Trying to backtrack, I was caught off guard by the realization that night had already fallen." - Kurosawa

Saikyou Densetsu Kurosawa, also known as The Legend of the Strongest, Kurosawa, is an exceptionally creafted tragicomedy manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. This work is among Fukumoto's notable creations, such as Kaiji and Akagi. It narrates the compelling journey of a middle-aged man, Kurosawa, grappling with a midelife crisis.

Kurosawa's life has been anything but easy, marked by his unattractive appearance, characterized by a large chin and a notably misshapen nose. His series of poor choices has led him to become a distressed, isolated, and unpopular construction worker in his middle age, devoid of friends or family. His story unfolds when he realizes on his 44th birthday that none of his colleagues remember this significant day. In his despair, Kurosawa decides it's time he celebrates his own victories, seeks companionship, and finds love.

As the story progresses, it centers around Kurosawa's endeavors to gain popularity at his workplace and reclaim the joys of his youth by pursuing various dreams. Despite his best efforts, his social awkwardness hampers his progress, leading to rejection and animosity from his peers. However, Kurosawa starts to make some headway, earning respect from others, but he must conquer his biggest challenge: his age. Unlike characters in animes like Welcome to the NHK and Watamote (these respective works are also in my top 10 of all time by the way), who also face social challenges but have time on their side, Kurosawa is racing against time.

Kurosawa's journey is about challenging societal expectations and standing up to those who look down on him, armed with nothing but resilience and determination. He transforms from a depressed loner to a commendable man who tackles his issues with courage and assertiveness. His evolution draws a parallel to the samurai, showcasing a readiness to battle for his beliefs, which makes his story especially moving and inspiring for the reader.

Despite his flaws, including his tendency to drink, display anger, fantasize, and engage in fights, these aspects add depth to Kurosawa, making him a relatable character. His flaws make him human and vulnerable, despite his physical strength.

Saikyou Densetsu Kurosawa skillfully weaves comedy and tragedy, enriching Kurosawa's journey with humor that complements the emotional depth of the story. Nobuyuki Fukumoto's distinctive art style, featuring characters with unique, sometimes unattractive features, perfectly encapsulates Kurosawa's essence. The occasional shifts in art style for visual metaphors or humor add a refreshing element to the narrative.

Fukumoto's talent for evoking deep emotions through character monologues shines in this manga, offering powerful insights into Kurosawa's inner turmoil and aspirations. These monologues are a highlight, bringing the reader closer to Kurosawa's struggles on a very personal level.

Having read Saikyou Densetsu Kurosawa, I consider it an incredibly impactful and inspiring manga and one of my personal favorite piece of fiction. It's not perfect, the pacing in the beginning (particulary the first 20 chapters or so) can dissuade some, Fukumoto's aesthetic is something that also doesn't seem to be popular (though I love it) and sometimes the story can feel too much like an emotional rollercoaster with the tone shifting frequently to high ends on both spectrums. While I acknowledge my bias, I believe it stands out as a masterpiece in storytelling and deserves widespread acclaim.
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