Summary
The crime trope is a recurring theme in Japanese action manga and anime. So much so that it’s even bled into other genres that technically have no real correlation to it. There are so many fun and adorable slice-of-life comedy yakuza anime and manga that seem to really take out the seriousness of its criminal elements. With that said though, most of these anime and manga are aboutorganized crime and mafia, and are mostly centered around white-collar crimes. The ones with the more heinous crimes are comparatively less common and are always dealt with more carefully.
Nevertheless, there are some really great manga out there that dive deeper into the life of crime and showcase what it’s like to be on the other side of the law. Because the world is so used to seeing traditionally goody-two-shoe characters as protagonists, seeing a ‘bad’ person as one may come off as a surprise. In any case, these manga, given their unconventional settings, delve into some weighty topics and must be approached with caution.
Genre
Thriller
Even among the myriad manga centered on criminal activities, the 2003 mangaKurosagistands out as one that is explicitly about fraud and swindling—bad in its own right, but not as awful as some of the others on this list. On that note, it still has an oddly noble premise and is, to the best of its ability,wholesome to an extent.
It follows the story of Koshiro Kurosaki, a man whose life was shattered by a tragedy when his family fell victim to a white swindler (or a ‘Shirosagi’). In theKurosagiworld, swindling is divided into factions: white swindlers are known to swindle everyone they get their hands on, red swindlers are known to only steal from the opposite gender, and black swindlers—well, they’re the real deal who swindle from other swindlers and leave them in ruins. Driven by his traumatic past, Kurosaki becomes a black swindler in hopes of preventing others from going through what his family did.
Action, Drama
Ryuko, one of the most underrated crime thrillers of this day, is a 2010 manga that initially started off as a self-published project and was only recently picked up by an official publishing company. It’s one of the rare crime manga in the industry that features a hardcore, battle-scarred, andseasoned female protagonist. Ryouko’s character defies the typical “tough but cute” female lead stereotype that’s recently seen a surge in the manga world.
It’s centered around Ryouko, a high-ranking member of the Japanese Mafia, who is transferred to the fictional Kingdom of Forossyah to protect the King’s daughter after a brutal coup d’état. However, what begins as an ‘official mission’ turns extremely personal for Ryouko when she starts discovering long-hidden secrets about her presumed dead mother.
Action
Jormungandis a 2006 manga featuring a premise that, in spite of itself, showcases a uniquely realistic and unexaggerated side of illicit multinational arms dealing businesses—it’s like something one would witness on the big screen. It’s also another manga on this list that features a strong, level-headed female protagonist with an exceptionally hardcore history and reputation.
Koko Hekmatyar is an arms dealer and the head of an international shipping corporation. Most of her work, because of its illegitimacy, involves her traveling around the world, accompanied by a group of mercenaries she’s personally handpicked. The latest addition to her band of guards is a child soldierwith a dark pastand a burning hatred for arms dealing.
Drama, Psychological
As of now, most of the entries on this list revolve around non-violent, white-collar crimes—but that narrative largely changes withBrutal. It is a 2019 manga that revolves around very heavy themes surrounding life, death, crime, punishment, and human morality. It has a very psychological aspect that definitely leaves its readers in a massive ethical dilemma.
This manga is centered around Hiroki Dan, a promising young detective with a seemingly perfect life. Blessed with good looks, professional success, and the advantage of being the son of a former commissioner, Dan has everything good going for him. However, beneath the guise of perfection, he harbors a dark, brutal secret. He’s a ruthless, possibly sinister, man who has quietly eliminated numerous vile criminals, all of whom evaded justice because of legal loopholes and walked free from prison.
Crime, Thriller
Released in 2011,Gangstais another manga on this list that focuses on organized crime, but there’s a catch. It distinguishes itself from other organized crime manga by blending itsthemes with fantasy elements. One could even consider it a more mature iteration ofPsycho-Pass, catering to a more adult demographic with its dark undertones.
The manga is set in the fictional city of Ergastulum, where crime is rampant and there’s not a lot of accountability. The reins of the city are held by four elite mafia families and they use its ever-growing, unrestrained crime rate to control its people. However, underneath all that lies a darker reality for the citizens of Ergastulum. In actuality, the city is essentially a large prison, built as an excuse to imprison a large population of ‘superhumans,’ known as twilights.
Drama, Political
Sanctuaryis an old, classic manga that was released in 1990 and gained traction for its mature portrayal of politics and Japanese mafia syndicates. It’s one of those rare manga that is recognized for its sophisticated and complex storyline while remaining within the boundaries of realism. It could even be considered reminiscent of a Martin Scorsese or Quentin Tarantino film.
It follows the story of two friends, Akira Hojo and Chiaki Asami, with an intertwined past marked by trauma, brutality, and the resilience to survive. They’ve seen the worst of the world and are determined to fix it by any means necessary. How do they do it? By playing a game of rock-paper-scissors to decide their fate. Hojo becomes a mob boss, and Asamijumps into the political world.
Action, Thriller
Black Lagoonis a 2002 ongoing manga that has had quite a fan following because of its unconventional premise and highly complex characters. Even within the realm of crime manga,Black Lagoonstands out as different because of how much depth it has. In other words, it’s thankfully devoid of ‘brainless’ action sequences that go on forever without rhyme or reason.
It follows a group of mercenaries who unexpectedly end up taking a salaryman from Japan into their unlikely bandit group. Rokuro Okajima happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when the ship he’s on gets hijacked by a band of ruthless pirates. Faced with the grim realization that he’s the least likely person to be saved during this ordeal, Okajima makes the daring decision to join the very mercenary group that has taken him hostage.
Drama, Thriller
Banana Fishis a timeless crime thriller that was first released in 1985 and eventually reached its conclusion in 1994. Set primarily in thestreets of the United Statesduring the 1980s, the manga beautifully captures the gritty essence of that era. However, as nice asBanana Fishsounds, it’s a turbulent emotional rollercoaster that leaves its readers feeling completely overwhelmed—so, having a tissue box nearby doesn’t sound like a bad idea here.
The story ofBanana Fishfollows the tragic tale of a beautiful but unfortunate seventeen-year-old gang leader known as Ash Lynx. Ash has not had a very colorful past, and its shadows continue to haunt him. Now, as a slightly more grown-up version of himself, he starts to uncover some dark secrets that send him spiraling down a rabbit hole of organized crime.
