By killing the Godfather, Kenshiro believed he had brought down the rival Poppy Union clan. But a new leader has emerged from the ashes and the fourth volume of Soten No Ken sees a new war brewing.
The Godfather 2
This new leader of the Poppy Union, Zhang Taiyan, has restored order to the debris of his clan. While dominating the entire city of Shanghai, this mafia group collapsed within days following Kenshiro’s return from the beginning of Soten No Ken. This powerful warrior of the Jade Syndicate came to realize his revenge killed the godfather then he recovered his fortune and even freed his friend and leader who was believed to have disappeared. Pan Guangling wants to restore his power over the whole city to his mafia group.
The struggle between the Jade Syndicate and the Poppy Union is reignited, but they are no longer alone. Indeed, the two clans gather very broad alliances in anticipation of war. We discover who is behind the Poppy Union and this explains the mediocrity of previous leaders who were only straw men. Through these covenants, Soten No Kenbecomes a political series where Tetsuo Hara gives his opinion on the geopolitical context of the time. His vision of Japan’s responsibility in the war seems much more modern than in many recent series. The mafias also have to deal with the representative of France, Colonel de Guise. Through this character, the reader enters the colonial administration of the city which, like the mafia, is divided into several clans and ravaged by corruption. Malraux, captain of the police in the French concession, is indeed seeking to strengthen his power. Born in China, de Guise mainly served France in the previous volume, but his moral values and revelations about his family lead him to take sides in the gang war rather than crush the two groups.
Stronger and stronger
In this fourth volume of Soten No KenScreenwriter and designer Tetsuo Hara continues his momentum: blow everything without taking any gloves. This is seen in the fights which become more unreal over the volumes. Fighters practicing Hokuto Sôkaken have inhuman talents. Zhang Taiyan can stick his finger through someone’s skull to the brain and by touching a specific area, he forces him to do whatever he wants. Kenshiro compels people to tell the truth the same way. Tetsuo Hara continues to mock the proportions reaching a titanic level here. The depiction of violence is also more gory. Strangely, this representation of violence coexists with a presence of the Buddhist religion. We are however far from the cannons of the temples: tattooed monks, the five fangs of the Hokuto Sôkaken come from Hebbei to crush the Jade syndicate. Religion therefore sides with evil.
Seven in China?
The frontality in Soten No Ken also passes through the characters of the characters. The words or images are sometimes outrageous. In the first chapter, a mobster with a huge metal clamp prepares a kidnapping in a park, but has to wait for his boss who is in the middle of a carnal exchange. You would think that Tetsuo Hara has the goal of going through the Seven Deadly Sins through the leaders of the Poppy Union. Everyone is prey to a devouring obsession. After the gluttony of the previous one, lust is the main motivation of the new godfather Zhang Taiyan. He is particularly interested in married women whom he perverts.
The problem for the reader of 2022 may be shocked especially that this is accompanied by a representation of women for the less dated. Zhang’s lovers barely speak and constantly cling to men to be at their service. On the other hand, other women are saints who often end badly. The opposition is clear with Kenshiro. He now knows that the love of his life, Yuling is not dead and wants to find her. Meanwhile, he meets women, but remains very blue flower. On the contrary, Zhang only believes in female conquest and despises love.
Editor’s job Mangetsu is also to be welcomed. Not only the series Soten No Ken is excellent value for money, but it also indicates on the back cover the names of the translator (Odilon Grevet) and the letterer (Tomiko Bénézet-Toulze). Two pages at the end of the volume explain the context of the 1930s and help identify historical figures present in the manga.
Soten No Ken continues on its line, but by pushing the button even more. Mafia wars become open and collective. The fights and the representation of the bodies become unreal. Fighting fans will find their pleasure there, hoping to discover the rest of this colonial saga.
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A New Godfather Turns Everything Upside Down In Soten No Ken T04