Tiger & Bunny is an interesting concept for an anime (and now manga). Though having some typical anime/manga tropes, in general it is to non-Japanese Western style super-hero comics what Avatar: The Last Airbender and later shows are to anime and manga. In other words, it is an affectionate parody, deconstruction-reconstruction, and homage all wrapped up in one.
The story takes place in an alternate future thirty years after some wierd genetic mutation (think of Marvel Comics's mutants or DC Comic's meta-humans) has begun given certain folks born every year super-powers. Some of these folks turn to crime, while others turn to heroism. In this world, the story deconstructs the idea of "hero insurance" as The Incredibles did, but along a different route. The heroes really are employees of private companies who cover the costs of the destruction they do for the publicity they bring the company. There is even a corresponding television show Heroes TV (no, seriously, and it actually doesn't come across as corny) that they "compete" on for points to get the prestigious prize of the "Hero of the Year".
Of course, this is where the main conflict comes in since the "competition" is each hero being awarded points for how they do their crime-fighting, people-saving, so on, on the camera for the audience. The newer heroes are only concerned with points, while the older breed, including one of the two main characters, Kotetsu (the titular "Tiger") doesn't get as many points as he cares more about doing what is right than racking up points or minimizing property damage. Needless to say, this causes a clash of beliefs between Kotetsu's idealism, and the cynicism of others, including Kotetsu's new partner, Barnaby. It is, in fact, this same annoying (and costly to his corporate sponsor) idealism that causes them to order him to pair up with Barnaby (against both their wishes, amusingly enough). They both also share the same powers, which helped to create a nice contrast between the two men.
Make no mistake, though, that the story is very much Kotetsu's and Barnaby's, as the titular duo, and that in the end, it makes the point beautifully, with both men having good and bad point. Though, to be honest, Kotetsu's idealism is the winning philosophy.
In fact, for much of the narrative, there is a back and forth between showing that Tiger's idealism can be foolish and unhelpful at times, while also taking apart cynicism by showing it in all it's negative implications. Not to give away too many spoilers, but the back-and-forth will continue for much of the series, given how the anime the manga is adapted from went. Heroism and idealism are eventually shown to be better than cynicism, but they can't solve everything, and sometimes being more cynical is necessary. Sometimes it never can turn out well.
I really thought this type of decon-recon effort was interesting. The typical tropes of American super-hero comics were torn apart, but then reassembled again. In the end, the story takes the point of view that neither the idealism of some comics, nor the cynicism and supposed "realism" of other comics, would work out in many situations. BOTH are needed, though idealism is the best go-to position since you want your heroes (those who fight for us) to truly be the best of us and truly care.
The artwork wasn't the best I've seen, but it was very good. It doesn't have the beautiful panels of Sailor Moon or Ah My Goddess, but it does have better, crisper, and more pleasing depictions than most manga. I think it's about the quality of Rurouni Kenshin in that it isn't the best ever, but is quite good.
All in all, this was a great comic that really captures the American super-hero mythos better than any other non-American comic, and even many American ones. A really effort, as I said, at parody, homage, and so much more.
Highly Recommended.
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Andrew Johnson
As a massive fan of the original anime this manga ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 26, 2015
