Real Bout High School #1 [Paperback]

Reiji Saiga (Author)

Book Description

Series: Real Bout High School | Publication Date: April 23, 2002

In a school where martial arts are standard curriculum, Samurai Girl Ryoko is the top fighter and most popular student around or is she? Things change when the uncouth fighter Shizuma Kusanagi transfers in from Kansai. He may not have the grace of Ryoko, but his amazing fighting abilities could make him the most dominant martial artist at Daimon High. Principal Todo encourages rivalry between the competitors, setting up a dangerous "K-Fighting" tournament where even the teachers can join in and settle once-and-for-all just who is the top dog on campus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (April 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193151495X
• ISBN-13: 978-1931514958
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Manga, October 28, 2003

By 

"iso_allen" (Irving, Tx United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Bout High School #1 (Paperback)

It's hard to say what I like best about this series because I like pretty much everything about it.
The art is the first thing to note. It is a well drawn series with beautiful characters. There are a lot of scenes where they simplify the characters down for comic effect - which comes off good and is well placed.
The story has a lot of humor in the beginning. As the story progresses through book five the story takes a more serious tone but doesn't lose the humor that has made the series so good.
The characters are forced to face who they are and who they want to be as life seems to throw all sorts of challenges their way. There is a lot of heart in the story and it's easy to get into how they feel. The situations they get into are sometimes farfetched but how they face them or run from them is very human and is what makes the story so great.
The characters are just fun, lovable, and quirky. From Ryoko's single minded determination to be a great woman (through combat none the less) to Shizuma's blazing ego and desire for food as he fights his way through school.

From start to almost finish (as the series hasn't ended at this time) the series is great.<

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars High-octane action, January 1, 2006

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Bout High School #1 (Paperback)

Were "Ranma 1/2" drained of its fantasy elements, it might resemble "Real Bout High School," a martial-arts high school comic that goes by almost too fast. The first volume introduces us to its hot-headed protagonists, but moves by almost too fast -- it would have been much better if the authors had slowed down enough to really introduce us to Daimon High's inhabitants.

When the "Vipers" attack in the street, Ryoko Mitsurugi thrashes them -- but soon she receives some help from an uncouth, unibrowed boy. At first she gives him no more thought, until Shizuma Kusinagi shows up at the Intracampus Martial-Arts Competition, and wipes the floor with his rivals. Then... he transfers.

Now Ryoko has a new rival, which reinforces her insecurities about her femininity. Then Shizuma introduces the concept of the K-Fight to Daimon High, where students and teachers can settle their differences via combat. And now Ryoko finds herself ensnared in a romantic rivalry, while Shizuma ends up challenging a teacher to fight him.

As an action story, "Real Bout High School" fits the bill -- lots of fighting, in different styles, between all sorts of people -- including a student-teacher brawl brewing at the end. The artwork is solidly drawn, full of detail and slapstick extra.... although with the usual focus on women's barely-covered bodies (with especial emphasis on Ryoko's rather thick legs).

Actually, there is almost too much action. The plot moves at a lightning-fast speed, so you might miss key developments. And some of the characters -- such as perky fighter Azumi and violence-loving principal Mr. Todo -- are only introduced during the fights themselves. It feels very rushed in places, and could have used a few more chapters devoted to characterization.

But if they are not so easily understood, then Ryoko seems to be -- she's tough and dedicated to the samurai ideal, but also insecure about her abilities, her femininity, and her appeal to kendo hottie Tatsuya. And Shizuma is both gritty and funny, whether giving Ryoko a noogie or blasting away twenty opponents.

While the first "Real Bout High School" feels rushed, it has plenty of action and sets up the start of an interesting series. Now that it's started, it has time to flower.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD MANGA, August 17, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Real Bout High School #1 (Paperback)

Hi (...) I'm as a new fan of manga I've only read about 7 so far but I have already become obsessed with them and intend to read more. I look back on this manga quite fondly as it was the first I ever read it was good lots of action,good plot and halorious storyline as well as indepth characters the only thing holding it back from 5 stars is the fact that it at times was VERY confusing but all and all it was good manga and what started my obsession.