Donketsu

Name: Donketsu
Rating: 4.4 (89 reviews)
Author: Taashi

4.4

(89 reviews)

Author: Taashi

Publisher: Shōnen Gahōsha

Magazine: Young King

Volumes: 28 volumes (Part 1),14 volumes (Part 2)

Release Date: 2011-09-26

Age Rating: 18+

Donketsu Synopsis

"Donketsu" is an authentic Yakuza manga set in Kokura, Kitakyushu. The protagonist, Masatoshi Sawada (nicknamed "Rokemasa"), belongs to the Kozuki-gumi of the Gachirin-kai syndicate. Rokemasa is infamous for a legendary incident that occurred 20 years ago when he fired a rocket launcher into a rival group's office. However, his reckless and violent behavior makes him an outcast within his own organization, still stuck at the lowest rank of the yakuza hierarchy even in his late 40s. Despite his rough reputation, Rokemasa uses his overwhelming strength and fearless attitude to stir up conflicts and trouble throughout Kitakyushu’s criminal underworld. Around him gathers a colorful cast of characters, including Tatsuo Uchimura, a young marijuana dealer, and various unique yakuza figures. The story is full of intense battles, humorous moments, and deeply emotional episodes. This manga vividly portrays Rokemasa's wild daily life, the younger generation inspired by him, and the authentic gangster culture of Kitakyushu, complete with local dialect and gritty realism. It seamlessly blends violence, comedy, and human drama into an unparalleled form of entertainment.

Donketsu Rating Metrics

Story

4.5

Characters

4.9

Artwork

4.3

World Building

4.2

Themes

4.0

Pacing

4.2

Donketsu Editorial Reviews

If You See Rokemasa, Run!

I'd like to introduce my personal favorite hardcore Yakuza manga, "Donketsu." I've read various underground and yakuza-themed manga over the years, but "Donketsu" easily ranks among the top. Typically, yakuza manga focus heavily on the nobility and code of honor of the yakuza. However, "Donketsu"'s protagonist, Rokemasa, is entirely different: he's a troublemaking thug who simply loves to fight. While the yakuza are often glamorized in Japanese media, in reality, they are essentially mafia figures. "Donketsu" vividly portrays the true nature of the yakuza, highlighting their violent tendencies. The story is set in Kyushu—a region known in real life for its notoriously aggressive and combative yakuza. The protagonist is Masatoshi Sawada, known as Rokemasa, infamous for previously attacking a rival gang's office with a rocket launcher (hence his nickname: "Rokemasa"). He has absolutely zero interest in climbing the ranks and is incredibly greedy. Basically, he's a total scumbag. Despite this, his overwhelming fighting strength and charisma attract numerous followers who admire and respect him. "Donketsu" showcases Rokemasa's reckless lifestyle and fighting style, offering readers an exhilarating sense of catharsis. Moreover, the surrounding characters are just as outrageous, with figures like Chakashin essential to the series' charm.

July 5, 2025

The True Face of the Yakuza

As previously mentioned, many Japanese manga and movies tend to romanticize the yakuza. In contrast, "Donketsu" brutally captures their authentic violent nature. For instance, there's a particularly intense storyline depicting the rise of "Hangure" gangs (criminal groups not affiliated with traditional yakuza), who begin encroaching on yakuza territories. When conflicts erupt between Hangure and the yakuza, the sheer brutality depicted is enough to make readers want to avert their eyes. Additionally, "Donketsu" accurately reflects the strict hierarchical relationships between primary and secondary yakuza groups in Japan today, as well as their power struggles and factional rivalries, which add significant depth and interest to the narrative. Of course, while "Donketsu" is a work of fiction, these factional battles do reflect reality to some extent, making it an excellent resource for those curious about the true nature of yakuza culture in Japan.

July 5, 2025