Wild Adapter

There's something to be said for books or manga that you just can not forget. Normally, there are two types of books or manga that fall into this category, really bad manga or amazingly good manga. Luckily, this one falls into the latter.

I picked up Wild Adapter after falling for one of Minekura's other manga series, Saiyuki. I didn't expect to consider it on par with Saiyuki, but this is where I was most surprised. Love at first sight you may say.

The story centers on Makoto Kubota, his 'stray cat' Mureno Tokito and the unusual nature of their relationship in the violent world they exist in. The story begins with Kubota and a glimpse into his life and character before we enter into the main story. Having gone through life with a less than a vague interest in things arond him, Kubota, a high school student, ends up becoming the leader of youth group in a Yakuza organization. It's his initial association with this group that leads him into stumbling into the mystery that is WA - Wild Adapter. Things become even more complicated when Kubota picks up a stray, Minoru Tokito.

The characterization in this is amazing. Both Kubota and Tokito are amazing characters and their personalities are a gorgeous clash. Kubota is calm and collected, at first glance he seems harmless but his character has a very dark side that makes the reader want to know more and see more of him, whereas Tokito is honest to the point of rudeness, impulsive and dependant on the former.

This is where the ambiguity of this manga comes in. They are both extremely possessive of each other. Scenes in this manga between the two through out the troubles they face together made my fangirl heart flutter because they were so warm and sweet. It's the contrast of the sweetness against the world they exist in that make those moments in the manga so much more; it's a perfect and addicting contrast. Without spoiling too much, there are heavy hints that the relationship between these two goes beyond platonic, and when I say heavy, I mean bordering on flaunting it in your face.

Now that having been said, the plot in Wild Adapter is very strong. It keeps the story going and doesn't let down the reader; in fact it just makes you want to demand the next volume as soon as you finished. Coupled with the ambiguous relationship between the two leads and then add to it the art, and you've got a masterpiece of a manga in your hands.

Minekura-sensei's art is just beyond words. The way she plays on expressions and how she draws a single glance from Kubota or Tokito, they convey so much it's truly incredible. It's safe to say that, in the art department, Minekura easily stole the show for me above all others.

Tokyopop packaged this well in my opinion. We get some very gorgeous colour pieces by Minekura of the main boys in WA at the beginning of the volumes, not to mention some more black and white through out - one especially of Tokito resting his head in on Kubota's lap whilst wearing nothing but a sheet over himself, so there's plenty of eye candy. Add to that some notes from the Minekura herself with some preliminary sketches of the characters and I say you have something well worth your money.

To sum up, one of the best series out there with hot guys and touching moments amidst the violence and intriguing plots. Minekura has outdone herself.