I'd like to introduce the appeal of the manga "Enban Maze."
The twists and turns and the back-and-forth are incredibly entertaining, making this a highly recommended work.
Darts isn't the main theme; rather, it's a manga about outsmarting each other using darts as a subject.
overview
I originally became interested in this manga after seeing an ad for it on my smartphone, and when I started reading it, I found it incredibly interesting and got hooked.
The manga is already complete in six volumes, and it's short enough to read in one go.
Although I recommended this darts manga, it's not a manga about competitive darts, but rather one that focuses on psychological warfare.
The matches were all played under special rules.The key is how you can think outside the box within the framework of the game of darts.
Since you can basically do anything as long as it's not explicitly prohibited by the rules, the flexible thinking that comes from this is very interesting.
Synopsis
"In a massive underground darts arena, darts players from the underworld battle for immense wealth, and sometimes even their lives!!"
“Karasuma Kou, a highly skilled darts player known as the "Demon of the Maze," takes on Kamiya, a ruthless debt collector, in a darts match with a 10 million yen stake.
With an unwavering heart and arrows that always hit their target, Karasuma lures his wicked and ruthless opponents into a labyrinth from which there is no escape.
A thrilling and exhilarating darts action game that will send shivers down your spine!! Already creating a huge buzz!!
In this way, the early stages of the game consist of individual episodes where you fight against various opponents.
From the middle of the story onward, the plot unfolds with Karasuma battling even more dangerous darts players employed by an organization with which he has a history, and confronting the organization itself.
Highlights
The highlight is the deception and strategy involved in the battles against a variety of opponents.
It's incredibly satisfying to watch the rules being announced, and then Karasuma outsmarting them, confusing his opponent, and leading them in the direction he wants.
For example, the rules for the first match are as follows:
(Quoted from Wikipedia)
The stakes were 10 million yen.
The loser must pay an additional penalty of 100 yen multiplied by the winner's total score.
The game is a "count-up" format consisting of 8 rounds of 3 throws each. The player with the highest total score at the end of the game wins.
- If both players are tied in total score at the end of round 8, an additional sudden-death round will be played until a winner is determined.
- Once the game begins, for any reason whatsoever, neither the 'players' nor the 'bettors' are allowed to leave the venue until the game ends (everyone else is free to come and go).
Since we are both people who can get perfect scores, even if we play normally under these rules...
The match will never end if it keeps ending in a draw.
How do we end that?
Pay attention to the "labyrinth" created by the protagonist, Karasuma, as you read.
Enban Maze (1) (Afternoon Comics)(Amazon)
Collection of Impressions and Memorable Quotes (Contains Spoilers)
Basically, it's a book you can read without getting frustrated or stressed.
When there's a scene that suggests the protagonist is going to win, instead of wondering "What's going to happen next?", I find myself wondering "How is the protagonist going to win?".
I'm always impressed by how they exploit loopholes in the rules or use the given rules to achieve victory, one after another.
Finally, I'll choose some lines from this work that personally resonated with me.
These are just my favorite lines, regardless of their importance in the story.
"While the customer is always right, in this situation, even a god must obey us."
(Kazuma Kinumori, Volume 1)
The very first line isn't spoken by the protagonist, but
His polite yet subtly intimidating demeanor left a strong impression on me.
"This is a dead end."
(Karasuma Kou)
It's a catchphrase that comes up many times, but somehow it just doesn't feel right...
But since it's a declaration of victory, it feels good to hear this line anywhere.
"You guys do it too, right? Haven't you ever looked at someone who's worse off than you and felt relieved thinking, 'I'm better off than that guy'?"
That's what I'm doing too. I'm just a little more... enthusiastic than other people... You understand, right?
(Soji Sorayama, Volume 1)
I felt like my opponents were more formidable in the early stages of the match.
I can understand that line to some extent, so I found myself relating to it a little.
"...Thanks for your kind words. We'll never meet again, so you don't need to worry about it."
(Karasuma Kou, Volume 1)
I think it's cool how Karasuma can casually give such an arrogant reply.
"Darts is a sport where there's a 'perfect score'."So when people who can get a "perfect score" compete against each other, there's only one thing to compete on... which means that the ones whose resolve wavers will inevitably lose first."
(Kiyoroku Kahara, Volume 1)
This character's name hasn't been revealed in this scene yet.
This perfectly captures the essence of sports where perfect scores exist.
The same could be said for archery and bowling.
"Now for today's final question: A mother and her lover are about to fall off a cliff—who would you save?"
"If you absolutely insist, then I'll go for the lighter one."
(Karasuma Kou, In response to the mysterious alarm clock, Volume 1)
Even Kurapika from HUNTER×HUNTER would be surprised by this answer.
This phrase perfectly expresses Karasuma's strong will.
At that time, it was still just superficial strength.
"It's okay to get lost. There's more than one path to take."
(Karasuma Kou, Volume 1)
Humanistic words.
In this manga, Karasuma isn't portrayed as completely cold and ruthless, so I got the impression that he's kind of sweet on the surface but not really.
"Have you finally realized? You're in a maze right now."
(Karasuma Kou, Volume 2)
During the match against Seiroku.
It feels really good to smugly defeat someone who thinks they have the upper hand.
"Nobody said it was a one-time thing, right?"
"This is a dead end, isn't it?"
(Kazuma Kinumori, Volume 3)
This episode features Kinumori-san in action.
He, too, created a spectacular moment that showcased his exceptional talent in a different way.
"But something's not right. If I had the skill to miss here, I would have been dead a long time ago."
(Karasuma Kou, Volume 3)
When his darts failed to stick, Karasuma became convinced that the game was being cheated.
It's a cool line that gives off a sense of awe.
"You're a 'turtle.' I'm not talking about the old folktale, I mean you're literally a 'slowpoke.'"
I'll prove it now."
(Karasuma Kou, Volume 3)
This development is cool.
I wondered how they would win, but now I understand.
"Admit your mistake, Karasuma Kou. Your pathetic acrobatics have value."
I've never felt this way before. I'm having so much fun right now."
(Shido Miyako, Volume 4)
Despite being an enemy, Ms. Miyako has a resolute way of thinking.
An enemy character who reflects on their mistakes is a sign that they will become an ally.
"Celebrating the victory of the opponent you lost to? It's not a bad kind of pain."
(Shido Miyako, Volume 4)
These words come out because, deep down, you acknowledge the other person.
He looks handsome and cool in a coat with his hair down.
It's a great scene depicting everyone enjoying the party.
Enban Maze (1) (Afternoon Comics)(Amazon)
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Rakuten Market: Enban Maze (1)