What do you think?
Rate this book
Tiger & Bunny #1
Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 1
Humans turned genetic superheroes fight crime—and compete as sponsored reality stars?
Superpowered humans known as NEXT appeared in the world 45 years ago. Some of them fight crime in the city of Stern Bild while promoting their corporate sponsors on the hit show HERO TV . The people love their superheroes, even if they don’t completely understand them, and not all of the NEXT use their powers for good.
Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but his ratings have been slipping. Under orders from his new employer, Wild Tiger finds himself forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie with an attitude. Overcoming their differences will be at least as difficult for this mismatched duo as taking down superpowered bad guys!
Superpowered humans known as NEXT appeared in the world 45 years ago. Some of them fight crime in the city of Stern Bild while promoting their corporate sponsors on the hit show HERO TV . The people love their superheroes, even if they don’t completely understand them, and not all of the NEXT use their powers for good.
Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but his ratings have been slipping. Under orders from his new employer, Wild Tiger finds himself forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie with an attitude. Overcoming their differences will be at least as difficult for this mismatched duo as taking down superpowered bad guys!
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2012
4 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 6, 2016
Really loved this ! Unfortunately, not all has been translated to English yet (or it could be that I couldn't find it).
June 7, 2013
This is going to be a combined review for volumes 1 and 2, so be warned, there may be some spoilers lurking ahead. But I’ll try to keep them to a minimum. After watching the anime series last year, I totally fell in love with the world that is “Tiger and Bunny”. I’ve grown to love anything with superheroes in them, especially ones that are able to make fun of themselves. I think everyone’s going to fall in love with the “Tiger and Bunny” series like I have, and I think everyone will find something to like in it, too. If you’re looking for a great new superhero manga (or anime) with lots of wackiness and fun, definitely choose “Tiger and Bunny”.
The first volume basically introduces us to the world of NEXT and its superheroes, and how the entire competition to be the King of Heroes. We’re introduced to Wild Tiger, Bunny, Blue Rose, Sky High, Fire Emblem, Dragon Kid, Rock Bison, Origami Cyclone, as well as the villains Lunatic, the organization Ouroboros, and others that make for an explosive world where crime becomes a race against time for fame. People don’t get scared, because they know the superheroes are out there, going against each other so they can become the King of Heroes. There’s also the element of “not being cool anymore”, as we see in Tiger’s case in the very first chapter, and how one has to keep one’s image up in order to keep competing in the contest. I thought that all of this was very interesting – that saving the day isn’t about saving people, but about saving one’s image to the media and the fans instead. It’s a clever little social commentary about the world today, even if the NEXT world is a parallel one to ours, and how the drive for fame has eaten our world whole.
I can honestly say that the creators at Sunrise (who originally came up with the concept for the anime, which later turned into this manga) that they’ve done their American-type superhero research, and it really shows. It’s more that slightly critical – at least, in the way I read it – of the drive for fame in our current culture and using superheroes as a vehicle for that. However, Tiger is different, still insisting he’s not about the fame, but about justice, which is where our tale truly begins. There’s also mentions of Free Agents (as in, who do you work for?) and organizations like NEXT, making references to American sports. I thought that was a great way for Tiger and Bunny to initially meet and how the world of superheroes has become twisted, making it all about the money when it should be all about saving the day. Business strategy and ratings, fame and fortune – all of these things have blinded the rest of the superheroes, including the newest of all, Bunny – aka Barnaby, the guy who teams up with Tiger to start taking the bad guys down. And mixing in all of these media phenomena into how these superheroes (and villains) act was a really clever move.
It’s made clear from the first chapter on that Bunny is Tiger’s foil and vice-versa, initially a move used to help boost ratings as NEXT’s first superhero duo to compete. So we have the odd couple, at first really chafing against each other, since both have different objectives. This first volume documents them learning to work together. However, not all is lost with these greedy superheroes – they can and do work together when Tiger and Bunny (with Bunny made as the chief superhero to take care of crime in Stern Bild) can’t quite handle the bigger bad guys alone, and that made me quite happy. At the end of volume one, we’re introduced to the villain organization Ouroboros in a very mysterious cliffhanger – are they the ones behind these criminals that are so strong that Tiger and Bunny need back up to beat them?
Volume 2 goes a little bit more into Tiger and Bunny’s origins, their lives as children, and their decisions to become superheroes that stem from those painful times, as well as their methods of using their superpowers in order to stop criminals. As usual, Tiger and Bunny fight over which is the best method while Bunny rockets to fame as the newest superhero to be declared top cop in Stern Bild, and we get to see a great amount of variation on his personality – his “outside” and “inside” faces (in Japanese, known as “omote” and “ura” – acting one way in public, and another in private) – something that I wasn’t really expecting for Sakakibara to go into detail with Bunny, but I’m glad she did.
We also see more into Tiger’s private life as well – and what’s more interesting? His family (wife and daughter) don’t know he’s Tiger the Hero. Again, a very clever move on Sunrise and Sakakibara’s part in order to keep the tension going, and even though there’s no lack of tension with all of these heroes trying to get on top for fame and fortune, it’s a nice personal touch that further puts the strain on Tiger and Bunny’s new (albeit forced) partnership. We also see some significant character development for Bunny – how his want for fame is starting to melt away and how he’s starting to really share Tiger’s work ethic of saving people. Not that he’d actually admit that aloud.
Admittedly, volume 2 does have some filler material in it made to squash Tiger and Bunny together so that they can get used to each other – not much actual saving going on here. But what we do get is important, and we start to see these two personal journey arcs start to align in intent, which was great in how quick that went. We also get to see them use their powers outside of their superhero suits, and start to bond over their actions together saving lives and fighting crimes. And there’s no shortage of laughs – so much of it is couched in comedy that if you didn’t look beneath that layer you wouldn’t always see what’s really going on – Tiger and Bunny are really becoming one team, and that drive to become the King of Heroes is starting to turn back into what it should be – saving people.
Final verdict? If you’re looking for a fresh new series with some laughs and some rather sobering social commentary lying just beneath the surface, I recommend the “Tiger and Bunny” series. Volume 1 is out now, and Volume 2 will be out July 2, 2013 from Viz in North America – so definitely be sure to check it out when you get the chance!
(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
The first volume basically introduces us to the world of NEXT and its superheroes, and how the entire competition to be the King of Heroes. We’re introduced to Wild Tiger, Bunny, Blue Rose, Sky High, Fire Emblem, Dragon Kid, Rock Bison, Origami Cyclone, as well as the villains Lunatic, the organization Ouroboros, and others that make for an explosive world where crime becomes a race against time for fame. People don’t get scared, because they know the superheroes are out there, going against each other so they can become the King of Heroes. There’s also the element of “not being cool anymore”, as we see in Tiger’s case in the very first chapter, and how one has to keep one’s image up in order to keep competing in the contest. I thought that all of this was very interesting – that saving the day isn’t about saving people, but about saving one’s image to the media and the fans instead. It’s a clever little social commentary about the world today, even if the NEXT world is a parallel one to ours, and how the drive for fame has eaten our world whole.
I can honestly say that the creators at Sunrise (who originally came up with the concept for the anime, which later turned into this manga) that they’ve done their American-type superhero research, and it really shows. It’s more that slightly critical – at least, in the way I read it – of the drive for fame in our current culture and using superheroes as a vehicle for that. However, Tiger is different, still insisting he’s not about the fame, but about justice, which is where our tale truly begins. There’s also mentions of Free Agents (as in, who do you work for?) and organizations like NEXT, making references to American sports. I thought that was a great way for Tiger and Bunny to initially meet and how the world of superheroes has become twisted, making it all about the money when it should be all about saving the day. Business strategy and ratings, fame and fortune – all of these things have blinded the rest of the superheroes, including the newest of all, Bunny – aka Barnaby, the guy who teams up with Tiger to start taking the bad guys down. And mixing in all of these media phenomena into how these superheroes (and villains) act was a really clever move.
It’s made clear from the first chapter on that Bunny is Tiger’s foil and vice-versa, initially a move used to help boost ratings as NEXT’s first superhero duo to compete. So we have the odd couple, at first really chafing against each other, since both have different objectives. This first volume documents them learning to work together. However, not all is lost with these greedy superheroes – they can and do work together when Tiger and Bunny (with Bunny made as the chief superhero to take care of crime in Stern Bild) can’t quite handle the bigger bad guys alone, and that made me quite happy. At the end of volume one, we’re introduced to the villain organization Ouroboros in a very mysterious cliffhanger – are they the ones behind these criminals that are so strong that Tiger and Bunny need back up to beat them?
Volume 2 goes a little bit more into Tiger and Bunny’s origins, their lives as children, and their decisions to become superheroes that stem from those painful times, as well as their methods of using their superpowers in order to stop criminals. As usual, Tiger and Bunny fight over which is the best method while Bunny rockets to fame as the newest superhero to be declared top cop in Stern Bild, and we get to see a great amount of variation on his personality – his “outside” and “inside” faces (in Japanese, known as “omote” and “ura” – acting one way in public, and another in private) – something that I wasn’t really expecting for Sakakibara to go into detail with Bunny, but I’m glad she did.
We also see more into Tiger’s private life as well – and what’s more interesting? His family (wife and daughter) don’t know he’s Tiger the Hero. Again, a very clever move on Sunrise and Sakakibara’s part in order to keep the tension going, and even though there’s no lack of tension with all of these heroes trying to get on top for fame and fortune, it’s a nice personal touch that further puts the strain on Tiger and Bunny’s new (albeit forced) partnership. We also see some significant character development for Bunny – how his want for fame is starting to melt away and how he’s starting to really share Tiger’s work ethic of saving people. Not that he’d actually admit that aloud.
Admittedly, volume 2 does have some filler material in it made to squash Tiger and Bunny together so that they can get used to each other – not much actual saving going on here. But what we do get is important, and we start to see these two personal journey arcs start to align in intent, which was great in how quick that went. We also get to see them use their powers outside of their superhero suits, and start to bond over their actions together saving lives and fighting crimes. And there’s no shortage of laughs – so much of it is couched in comedy that if you didn’t look beneath that layer you wouldn’t always see what’s really going on – Tiger and Bunny are really becoming one team, and that drive to become the King of Heroes is starting to turn back into what it should be – saving people.
Final verdict? If you’re looking for a fresh new series with some laughs and some rather sobering social commentary lying just beneath the surface, I recommend the “Tiger and Bunny” series. Volume 1 is out now, and Volume 2 will be out July 2, 2013 from Viz in North America – so definitely be sure to check it out when you get the chance!
(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
July 11, 2017
Alright, my understanding of this so far is that it's a similar concept to One Punch Man (kinda) in the fact that there's a lot of superheroes.
This is definitely more serious and far less comedy. I enjoy the art style better as well.
I'm not sure where it's going to lead, but this is a rather short series, so I'm looking forward to finishing it if I'm able to find all of it.
This is definitely more serious and far less comedy. I enjoy the art style better as well.
I'm not sure where it's going to lead, but this is a rather short series, so I'm looking forward to finishing it if I'm able to find all of it.
April 21, 2013
I had been recommended to watch this anime, and did not do so, since I knew nothing much about it. So, when I saw this "baby" pop up on Edelweiss awhile ago, I decided to give it a go to see if it lives up to the hype. Well, it does a decent job, y'all. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
---------------
If you grew up on the Marvel and DC comics about superheroes, as I did, and are now more into mangas than comics, then this is a series you will likely enjoy. It's not as serious as those we read as children--and, even at (many) times, seems to poke fun at superheroes--but, it's all in fun. And, it is definitely enjoyable.
Our main 2 heroes are Tiger and Barnaby. They both have the same power, which makes them 100x's strong for only 5 minutes, and each of them thinks they are the very best. Sadly, neither of them are. Barnaby thinks he is better because he is younger. And, Tiger thinks he is the best because he has been doing this "job" longer. Needless to say, neither of them likes being the other's partner at all.
That changes, once Tiger rescues a boy named Tony. Tony is meant to become a hero when he gets older as well, but feels that he cannot, since the other children ridicule him for his power. His power is that he can move things, just by touching them. Tiger explains to Tony--the same thing that superhero Legend once told him--that any power can be great and that no power is useless when it comes to saving people. Suffice to say, Tony does end up helping them alot in the end.
---------------
I would definitely continue reading this series.
---------------
This volume was presented to me as an eManga by VIZ Media, via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed here are my own.
---------------
If you grew up on the Marvel and DC comics about superheroes, as I did, and are now more into mangas than comics, then this is a series you will likely enjoy. It's not as serious as those we read as children--and, even at (many) times, seems to poke fun at superheroes--but, it's all in fun. And, it is definitely enjoyable.
Our main 2 heroes are Tiger and Barnaby. They both have the same power, which makes them 100x's strong for only 5 minutes, and each of them thinks they are the very best. Sadly, neither of them are. Barnaby thinks he is better because he is younger. And, Tiger thinks he is the best because he has been doing this "job" longer. Needless to say, neither of them likes being the other's partner at all.
That changes, once Tiger rescues a boy named Tony. Tony is meant to become a hero when he gets older as well, but feels that he cannot, since the other children ridicule him for his power. His power is that he can move things, just by touching them. Tiger explains to Tony--the same thing that superhero Legend once told him--that any power can be great and that no power is useless when it comes to saving people. Suffice to say, Tony does end up helping them alot in the end.
---------------
I would definitely continue reading this series.
---------------
This volume was presented to me as an eManga by VIZ Media, via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed here are my own.
July 15, 2016
I was hoping to enjoy this more than I did. This manga seems much more geared to children ages 7-12, even though it says it is a teen manga.
We have two main superhero characters that share the same superhero power. One is more experienced but seems to be less popular, the other is the up and coming rookie. I felt both it be shallow characters that come across as more interested in their image than actually helping people. Luckily they redeem themselves some as when there is a real threat they can put aside differences and work together. Sadly though, the story thus far is too predictable for me to get into. On the plus, there is some good action and silly comedy. My younger brothers would likely enjoy this series far more than I did.
So while this was not a hit for me, it does not mean it is a bad series. I just felt that for a "Teen" manga it could use some improvement and be a bit more inclusive for older readers. While reading, I couldn't help but remember my own childhood with Power Rangers being popular. That is what this reminded me of in some ways. A few mature plots attempts but still overall, the story just seemed too immature. It is like trying to watch Sesame Street, Dora, Backyardigans, etc as an adult. No thanks. I'll just leave it to the kids to enjoy alone.
I want to thank Viz Media (via Edelweiss) for the review copy of this manga. All opinions and thoughts expressed are strictly my own.
We have two main superhero characters that share the same superhero power. One is more experienced but seems to be less popular, the other is the up and coming rookie. I felt both it be shallow characters that come across as more interested in their image than actually helping people. Luckily they redeem themselves some as when there is a real threat they can put aside differences and work together. Sadly though, the story thus far is too predictable for me to get into. On the plus, there is some good action and silly comedy. My younger brothers would likely enjoy this series far more than I did.
So while this was not a hit for me, it does not mean it is a bad series. I just felt that for a "Teen" manga it could use some improvement and be a bit more inclusive for older readers. While reading, I couldn't help but remember my own childhood with Power Rangers being popular. That is what this reminded me of in some ways. A few mature plots attempts but still overall, the story just seemed too immature. It is like trying to watch Sesame Street, Dora, Backyardigans, etc as an adult. No thanks. I'll just leave it to the kids to enjoy alone.
I want to thank Viz Media (via Edelweiss) for the review copy of this manga. All opinions and thoughts expressed are strictly my own.
July 1, 2013
If you like your comics with superheroes in them, and especially if you happen to be a fan of the premise of Booster Gold, you should probably give this one a shot.
Superheroes exist, supported by corporate sponsorship and competing to be the best hero (or, in some cases, just hanging around in the background and getting the sponsor airtime, something fans of racing, another sponsor-driven thing, may be familiar with)
Things seem pretty straightforward in this volume - we only know the characters as their superhero personas, nothing of their personal lives, and the whole thing is just basically setting up the different ways different heroes respond to situations. But it was fun and entertaining, with good design - I was worried I'd get confused between all the costumes, which are a bit more mech inspired than Western superhero comics, but they were pretty easy to tell apart.
Superheroes exist, supported by corporate sponsorship and competing to be the best hero (or, in some cases, just hanging around in the background and getting the sponsor airtime, something fans of racing, another sponsor-driven thing, may be familiar with)
Things seem pretty straightforward in this volume - we only know the characters as their superhero personas, nothing of their personal lives, and the whole thing is just basically setting up the different ways different heroes respond to situations. But it was fun and entertaining, with good design - I was worried I'd get confused between all the costumes, which are a bit more mech inspired than Western superhero comics, but they were pretty easy to tell apart.
July 25, 2015
3.5, I rounded up because it's a pretty cool concept, though I could've rounded down because I'm not a fan of superheroes not getting along. The art is fine and I'd be interested in seeing the anime upon which this is based.
December 21, 2019
not really my style
October 15, 2024
A friend recommended... either this or the anime, and... sorry, Friendo, I just can't really get into either. I've read this volume and watched the first episode, and neither really held my interest. I know there are some shows/books/etc. where apparently if you can get past the first few, they're FANTASTIC, but I have a rather large reading list, so. Sure, I could POSSIBLY get into watching the show once I catch up on all the other stuff I'm following, but I'm disinclined at least at the moment.
It actually sort of makes me think of either Cowboy Bebop or a prototype My Hero Academia, with the "Superhero High School" doing better than "Reality Show Superheroes." Like Cowboy Bebop, it focuses on—at least at the start—a middling hero (Kotetsu/"Wild Tiger") who apparently gets the short end of the stick in catching the "bounty." Tiger's (and "Bunny's") powers actually seem kind of ridiculous, in that they're specifically limited: having 100x strength for exactly five minutes at a time (with "at a time" not yet clarified). Their outfits are completely ridiculous, and I forget any of them as soon as I look away (exception: Tiger's casual outfit isn't too bad).
About all I like (other than Tiger's street clothes) is the ending of the "A Good Beginning Makes a Good Ending" storyline, since it's a nice sort of lesson... and certainly it seems like it would be more useful than Tiger's/Bunny's. I guess maybe most of the stories are like this, hence the recommendation? But I don't know. I'd have to have another volume LITERALLY fall into my lap for me to keep reading (and watching, I don't know—new things keep getting added all the time to distract me from ever finishing the anime for this). I can't even be interested for the sake of the creator, since this seems to be based on the anime, rather than the other way around. Feels like a lot of "Design by Committee" going on... though it's possible that's sort of a meta joke? I don't know.
Recommended if you like reality shows, maybe? I don't, so I can't say. Definitely would be interesting to see if it would cut down on police brutality and etc. if the police adopted a similar tactic (and I don't mean whatever Cops is about, but actual sponsored competitions to get the bad guys/rescue hostages/evacuate disasters).
Edit to add: Forgot to mention the "LGBTQ" tag is for the what I'm sure is "comedic" Fire Emblem grabbing Rock Bison's behind and flirting with him. I mean, if it's just supposed to be a tasteless punchline, ick. Still, it's in there, so.
It actually sort of makes me think of either Cowboy Bebop or a prototype My Hero Academia, with the "Superhero High School" doing better than "Reality Show Superheroes." Like Cowboy Bebop, it focuses on—at least at the start—a middling hero (Kotetsu/"Wild Tiger") who apparently gets the short end of the stick in catching the "bounty." Tiger's (and "Bunny's") powers actually seem kind of ridiculous, in that they're specifically limited: having 100x strength for exactly five minutes at a time (with "at a time" not yet clarified). Their outfits are completely ridiculous, and I forget any of them as soon as I look away (exception: Tiger's casual outfit isn't too bad).
About all I like (other than Tiger's street clothes) is the ending of the "A Good Beginning Makes a Good Ending" storyline, since it's a nice sort of lesson... and certainly it seems like it would be more useful than Tiger's/Bunny's. I guess maybe most of the stories are like this, hence the recommendation? But I don't know. I'd have to have another volume LITERALLY fall into my lap for me to keep reading (and watching, I don't know—new things keep getting added all the time to distract me from ever finishing the anime for this). I can't even be interested for the sake of the creator, since this seems to be based on the anime, rather than the other way around. Feels like a lot of "Design by Committee" going on... though it's possible that's sort of a meta joke? I don't know.
Recommended if you like reality shows, maybe? I don't, so I can't say. Definitely would be interesting to see if it would cut down on police brutality and etc. if the police adopted a similar tactic (and I don't mean whatever Cops is about, but actual sponsored competitions to get the bad guys/rescue hostages/evacuate disasters).
Edit to add: Forgot to mention the "LGBTQ" tag is for the what I'm sure is "comedic" Fire Emblem grabbing Rock Bison's behind and flirting with him. I mean, if it's just supposed to be a tasteless punchline, ick. Still, it's in there, so.
December 26, 2017
Initially a little hard to get into; without my love for and familiarity with the animated series, I'm not sure I would've been able to figure out what was going on in a lot of the opening action sequences. It's definitely a book that works better for someone who already knows the story, since it skips a lot of the plot and character-building moments. What I did really like about it, though, was the change in perspective. The series is (at least at the start) largely from Kotetsu's perspective. That may be part of why he immediately became my favorite; it's hard not to fall under his bumbling, good-hearted, truly heroic charm.
What's neat, though, is seeing through Barnaby's eyes as he takes that same journey. We get to see his reaction to his hero suit, his introduction to the corporate-forced partnership with Wild Tiger, and his gradual realization that there might be more beneath Kotetsu's difficult-to-work-with surface than he'd assumed.
Unfortunately, this was the only volume the library had; I'd like to see if the others follow this same pattern of filling in gaps/switching the POV. It's actually a much better reason for fans to pick up the manga, since simply rehashing the existing storyline is a bit unnecessary when the show itself is so good on its own, with the crisp, colorful animation and excellent voice acting to give it depth.
What's neat, though, is seeing through Barnaby's eyes as he takes that same journey. We get to see his reaction to his hero suit, his introduction to the corporate-forced partnership with Wild Tiger, and his gradual realization that there might be more beneath Kotetsu's difficult-to-work-with surface than he'd assumed.
Unfortunately, this was the only volume the library had; I'd like to see if the others follow this same pattern of filling in gaps/switching the POV. It's actually a much better reason for fans to pick up the manga, since simply rehashing the existing storyline is a bit unnecessary when the show itself is so good on its own, with the crisp, colorful animation and excellent voice acting to give it depth.
June 5, 2023
One of my absolute FAVORITE series! Honestly, I didn’t know there was a manga of Tiger & Bunny out or I would have read it sooner!
It’s always really cool to see the similarities and differences in the art style and dialogue between manga and anime series. I love how closely the manga and anime are portrayed and one of my favorite scenes is still as funny in the manga as it is in the anime.
The characters and superhero/power system are my favorite elements of this series. Kotetsu is so goofy and brave while Barnaby is calm and mature - they have horrible chemistry…which somehow is perfect chemistry for this story! The other heroes are also interesting and I can’t wait to get further into the story!
It’s always really cool to see the similarities and differences in the art style and dialogue between manga and anime series. I love how closely the manga and anime are portrayed and one of my favorite scenes is still as funny in the manga as it is in the anime.
The characters and superhero/power system are my favorite elements of this series. Kotetsu is so goofy and brave while Barnaby is calm and mature - they have horrible chemistry…which somehow is perfect chemistry for this story! The other heroes are also interesting and I can’t wait to get further into the story!
June 24, 2017
Brilliantly irreverent and over-the-top, this series is exactly the kind of superhero shenanigans I love. It plays with a bunch of anime and manga tropes without bothering to take itself or its setting too seriously. It pokes fun at superheroes; it pokes fun at anime; it pokes fun at itself, and it manages to do it with love and good humor. This is an excellent introduction to a series I'm about 85% certain is going to be one of my new favorites.
February 20, 2023
I’m sure the show is more fun to watch. As a manga, this is all of my least favorite things in manga.
- female character who’s barely a character and exists to be sexualized? ☑️
- male characters with no personality? ☑️
- more big fights than any real moments where you get to see them as characters? ☑️
This is just rock ‘em sock ‘em robots and the world reminds me a lot of BNHA, but without the fun. This is just the first volume but there wasn’t anything here that interested me enough to keep going. However, I checked out 2 volumes from the library, so I’ll probably at least read vol 2.
- female character who’s barely a character and exists to be sexualized? ☑️
- male characters with no personality? ☑️
- more big fights than any real moments where you get to see them as characters? ☑️
This is just rock ‘em sock ‘em robots and the world reminds me a lot of BNHA, but without the fun. This is just the first volume but there wasn’t anything here that interested me enough to keep going. However, I checked out 2 volumes from the library, so I’ll probably at least read vol 2.
June 10, 2022
I really enjoy this concept of a mutation evolution (kind of like x-men), but what makes this so funny to me is these “hero” are there to defend their city, but also are trying to rank points on a real…reality tv show, so they are hampered by sponsors and commercials and such.
October 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this first volume. I've never watched the anime, so I wanted to read the manga adaptation first before diving into the anime. I thought the comedy was good and set a narrative that was easy to follow. I'm looking forward to future volumes and starting the anime.
August 18, 2017
It made me laugh at multiple points. It's a ridiculous set-up with a goofy world and satirical characters. It's a fun, quick read. Not serious in the least.
August 27, 2017
Tiger and Bunny was a fairly engaging introduction to a superhero story. The art is clean, and it's a good alternative or choice for fans looking for a concept like Boku no Hero Academia. It touches on the underlying question of what would happen if superheroes (or in this case NEXT) were marketed for consumerism.
December 17, 2017
Not as good as I had hoped. Maybe the anime is better.
July 14, 2018
This was fun! It had kind of an Incredibles-meets-American Ninja Warrior vibe that I am oddly into. Will keep reading the series.
January 22, 2019
I don't know why, but I do really like this series. I feel like manga is getting saturated with hero manga, but this one stands out to me. I am excited to see where this goes.
April 15, 2021
No words- I really enjoy this- Go read it- or watch the anime :)
June 22, 2021
The way I describe this series is a mix of Power Rangers and X-Men with corporate sponsorships. It is my favorite anime and I deeply enjoyed this manga adaptation of the series, changes and all.
August 12, 2021
BEAUTIFUL LOVE HOW THE STORY PROGRESSES
October 16, 2022
If I had read this before One-Punch Man I think I would have been more interested in it. Solid premise, but execution for me was lacking.
February 12, 2023
Kind of reminds me of One Punch Man 🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2024
It's my favorite manga you're not gonna get much more from me than that right now.
December 24, 2024
3,5 stelline
August 27, 2014
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.
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.
December 27, 2017
Tiger & Bunny is basically about a Batman and Robin-type duo where Robin hates Batman and Batman just doesn’t understand why. They also wear mech suits.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews