Akagi

Today’s introduction is for the legendary mahjong manga Akagi, one of the masterpieces by Fukumoto, the creator of the Kaiji series. For readers outside of China, mahjong might not be very familiar, so let me give a quick explanation before diving into the manga. Mahjong is a strategic board game similar to poker, played by four players. It originated in China but developed into a distinct set of rules in Japan, where it’s considered more of a mind sport. Across Japan, you’ll find “mahjong parlors” (jan-sō) where people play. While technically illegal, gambling is often tolerated in these venues, though large-scale betting can get players arrested. (So if you ever visit Japan, don’t try illegal gambling!) These days, mahjong has even gone pro, with a professional league called the M-League. But back in the Showa era, it was more of an underground game often tied to yakuza dealings. Akagi tells the story of a genius mahjong player who rises within this dangerous world. Now you might be thinking: “Wait, how can a manga about some obscure mind game be entertaining?” To that, I say: Don’t worry—you don’t need to know mahjong to enjoy Akagi. Because in this story, the stakes aren’t just money… Akagi literally gambles with his own blood! Sounds thrilling already, doesn’t it? The true appeal of Akagi lies in the protagonist’s lone-wolf charisma and unmatched genius. The series follows Akagi from the moment he first plays mahjong as a teenager to his rise into an almost mythical figure of the underground. Interestingly, Akagi first appeared in another of Fukumoto’s works, Ten. He became such a fan favorite that Fukumoto later created Akagi as a standalone series. Ten actually shows the entire span of Akagi’s life, so if you want to see how his story ends, that’s where to look. It’s an older manga and can feel dated, but it fully captures Akagi’s greatness. What Akagi conveys to readers, in my opinion, is the question: “Are you really living your life in a way that excites you?” In today’s world dominated by the internet and social media, people often live by others’ values, worrying too much about risks, money, and losing status. Akagi, however, never thinks about such things—his only desire is to stake everything and feel alive in a true gamble. That fearless spirit makes readers think: “Damn, Akagi is so cool!” While the manga doesn’t cover the entirety of Akagi’s life, it captures the essence of his legend. For the full arc, you’ll want to check out Ten. Among mahjong-themed manga, Akagi is nothing short of legendary. Highly recommended.

September 4, 2025