However, before this review becomes just another slobbering testimonial, allow me to present some more specific evaluations. The story is strong. The story intertwines both large scale and personal developments for the main characters and the parallels between organized crime and politics make me wonder exactly which path is truly the path of darkness. Fumimura creates such a vivid world that it is difficult to believe it is entirely fictional. There's incredible realism and detail for his character designs, and the staging fuels the intensity and emotion generated by the story.
Characters are also strong and intense.
Fumimura and Ikegami team up beautifully to portray each of the main characters such that the reader develops an emotional investment in the fate of these fascinating people. One such character, Ishihara Kyoko, is the Deputy Chief of the Roppongi Police and also the main love interest for Hojo. I'm not quite sure where this misogynistic slant comes from. Fortunately, the rest of the manga is so well constructed that this is only an occasional annoyance. Running themes and social commentary about Japan can easily be applied to the USA or to many of the corporations that I have encountered.