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[Bardock]

http://www.yasushi-baba.com/
Home page of the author.. Though that doesn't tell me much ^_^

[residentrenzo]

Oh, that's the funny karate manga by Baba Yasushi.

I read this regularly on-line. It's about the Second Karate Club from a Reinan a fictional sports university. The style's named "Kaburagi-ryu" school of contact knockdown karate. They use gloves sometimes, lots of kumite.

The gaijin's name is Pedro Barboza, a gay brazilian BJJ purple belt. But I'm pretty sure there's no she-male gaijin character in the story. One of the main characters is Mutou Ryuuji, a born genius fighter and the inspiration for the main character, Minoru.

Perhaps reading this manga re-awakened my interest in karate? I think it's a work of fiction that depicts facts with absurd and irreverent humor, pretty much like seinen manga.

[Ryan M Villarosa]

Osu.

Garouden is another good, martial art manga.

[kazama]

form where i can buy this manga in english ? (as a comic book i hate reading on the screen )

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by kazama

form where i can buy this manga in english ? (as a comic book i hate reading on the screen )

I don't think any of the above manga's licensed in English countries

[kazama]

i hope that it will be licened in English very soon

[residentrenzo]

I dunno, some content's kinda too strong for US audiences.

In the States the standard/tradition has been set by DC, Marvel, et al. They try adhere to moral, ethical and sometimes patriotic values. (nothing wrong with that, it's a form of popular art after all).

In japanese manga, gay/crossdressing characters are not uncommon (check Urusei Yatsura, Ranma1/2, InuYasha).

[Shoshinsha]

Yeah its a great series, i've read both Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru and Full Contact in scanslation, since i cant find legal versions where i live ...
Those 2 series actually helped getting me interested in Karate

[IronCastKnight]

The profound badness of Full Contact actually made me die a little inside. Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru, on the other hand, is actually really good, though sometimes it has parts which irk me. Pedro is definitely the best character.

Another series I like is Kotaro Makaritoru, which manages to mix together comedy, martial arts, and fanservice without being as painfully and unrelentingly stupid as History's Strongest's Disciple Kenichi. Or as poorly drawn. Plus, one can watch as the author develops a fascination with Judo and karate, progressing from just using it as a vague to motive behind the comedy to focusing on it in a serious and well researched fighting manga fashion.

As for Shamo... Well, it's like a bizarro Ashita no Joe that's about The Deadly Karate wherein every character is an asshole. It's not fun or interesting or exciting, and it doesn't even have the trainwreck factor of HSD Kenichi that makes that readable, so it's just tedious and ugly.

Oh no I have revealed that I am a huge nerd

[Shoshinsha]

Dunno, i dont think Full Contact was that bad... as for Kotaro, i read the 1st chapter and all i could think was WTF? + i dont really like the art style, but i guess its all up to personal taste

[Martin H]

"Tough" is a decent martial art manga, although It cannot decide if it is a realistic martial art or borderline superpower martial art style manga. Basically it is about a guy fighting his way through bizarre "anything goes" tournament.
In my mind that is the draw of "Karate Shokoshi Kohinata Minoru". It stays realistic, and does not flip out into secret superpower magical technique storylines.

One tip is to check out "Holyland". It is about a wimpy guy reluctantly turning into a streetfighter, picking up moves form different sources (boxing, karate, judo etc) as he goes along. It is pretty good

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by Martin H

"Tough" is a decent martial art manga, although It cannot decide if it is a realistic martial art or borderline superpower martial art style manga. Basically it is about a guy fighting his way through bizarre "anything goes" tournament.
In my mind that is the draw of "Karate Shokoshi Kohinata Minoru". It stays realistic, and does not flip out into secret superpower magical technique storylines.

One tip is to check out "Holyland". It is about a wimpy guy reluctantly turning into a streetfighter, picking up moves form different sources (boxing, karate, judo etc) as he goes along. It is pretty good

Agreed Holyland is good

Also check out All-Rounder Meguro a very realistic MMA Manga Where one of the main charecters has a Traditional Karate Background

[Shoshinsha]

Originally Posted by Martin H

"Tough" is a decent martial art manga, although It cannot decide if it is a realistic martial art or borderline superpower martial art style manga. Basically it is about a guy fighting his way through bizarre "anything goes" tournament.
In my mind that is the draw of "Karate Shokoshi Kohinata Minoru". It stays realistic, and does not flip out into secret superpower magical technique storylines.

Yeah im reading tough too, good series so far, only Kiryuu, Son-O and the like are obviously unrealistc... good series though