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Maoh: Juvenile Remix #1

Maoh: Juvenile Remix, Vol. 1

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In the city of Nekota, where rapid modernization threatens everything the longtime residents hold dear, one young man has stood up to oppose progress. Inukai and his team of vigilantes, known as Grasshopper, protect the citizens from the rising crime wave and the greedy hands of businessmen bent on turning every block into a modern strip mall. But what is this public hero’s true motive? Is this angelic man actually a devil in disguise?

High school student Ando has the special ability to make others say out loud what he’s thinking. But will this be enough to uncover Inukai’s secrets and stop the plot to control the city?

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

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Megumi Ōsuga

34 books2 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Shaun Duke.
87 reviews14 followers
May 5, 2011
Maoh is another series I discovered with my Utopian Studies glasses on, something which I am quite pleased about. Of the three manga titles I picked up at MegaCon (Utopia's Avenger and Library Wars are the others), Maoh is the most complex and interesting, delving deep into the dark recesses of citizen-based justice, bullying, and self-identity, all within the first volume.

Maoh takes place in Nekota, a city that is rapidly modernizing, taking with it the world its residents have come to love. Gangs roam the streets, crime is on the rise, and greedy businessmen are trying to take everything they can while the city falls apart around them. But a vigilante group -- known as Grasshopper and led by the charming and beautiful Inukai -- has risen
up to restore "peace" and "prosperity" while opposing the New World's "progress." Caught in the middle is Ando, a high schooler who has done everything he can to conform and hide his real self. But Ando's discovery of the dark side of Grasshopper -- deadly beatings and psychotic murder attempts -- forces him to change, to think about who he is and who he wants to be in a city creeping closer to the edge of sanity...

If one were to focus on the strongest aspect of Osuga's adaptation of Isaka's story, it would have to be characterization. Ando is both a sympathetic character and an intriguing one. Seeing the changing city of Nekota through his eyes provides a unique, almost anti-heroic perspective through which the major developments of the book can be consumed (M.A.O.H., as it turns out, stands for "minor acts of heroism"). It is through that perspective that one begins to understand the intricacies of what is going on and its implications. As Inukai gains more power, Ando grows more weary and concerned, both about his wellbeing and the wellbeing of the city and its citizens, both of which force him to reevaluate his world view and his rules for engagement (i.e. rules that he has written to keep his "weirdness" away from prying eyes).

The development of Ando's character, as such, presents itself in a kind of complex of character interactions. Instead of reducing Maoh to a simple-minded and overly direct narrative of self-discovery (such as one which hinges on increasing a character's power), Osuga has created a narrative which plays out through numerous subplots. Ando's interactions with a fellow classmate (who has become a member of Grasshopper and begun beating or attempting to kill off the bullies in their school), for example, direct him to consider how he has contributed to the conditions of a hierarchical class system in their high school and the morality of vigilante justice. Both weigh heavily on his conscience, but the storyline isn't resolved in the first volume precisely because this is tied into the larger narrative of Inukai's rise to power, which Ando knows is based on a morally ambiguous set of violent actions.

A similar activity is present in Ando's attempts to understand his relatively low-key magic. While Ando does have the ability to make others say what he is thinking, it is not a skill he is particular good at (having just discovered it), nor a skill which he is inclined to let others know about. His ability, then, plays an active role in his development as a character, forcing him to reshape his perspective on his life and consider the ramifications of his attempts to build an unexceptional persona for himself, in much the same way as his murderous classmate has raised similar questions. His use of his ability also escalates as he becomes more confident, acting as a kind of barometer.

Ando's magic and interactions with classmates are only two of the many ways Osuga sets up a multi-volume journey through a dislocated youth's self-discovery. These narrative strands present themselves in Ando's relationship with his brother, his interactions with seemingly random characters in the city (who might make appearances later), and even in his disconnected interactions with Inukai (whom he never meets, but sees in action on a number of occasions, good and bad). I think it is fair to remark that Inukai's increased authority in the story is a little rushed, but pacing in manga is sometimes faster than in other forms of literature, in part because manga is often serialized by chapter. Regardless, the treatment of Ando's character makes for a story that is gripping and challenging.

The only serious flaw in Maoh, however, is in its out-of-place family-based humor. In any other narrative, I might have found the silliness of Ando's brother and his brother's girlfriend amusing; many jokes are had at their expense (the brother because he can't cook and is somewhat lazy, and the girlfriend because she is portrayed as exceptionally dimwitted). But the serious tone of Maoh means that such moments are always sucking something away from a tension that needs to be there for the darker aspects of the narrative to hit their stride. I hope that future volumes either pull back on this kind of humor or find more appropriate ways to insert humor into the story. There is always room for humor in a serious tale, but it always comes down to timing. Here, I think the silliness of the humor detracts from an intense narrative, though only slightly, since such moments were few and far between.

Despite the above flaw, I think the first volume is a fantastic read. Fans of Anthony Burgess might find Osuga's story intriguing, while manga readers may be drawn to the subtlety of the narrative. If you're not a manga fan, you might give this one a shot. If not, then you're missing out. Maoh is complex and a tad sadistic, which all the best manga and anime always are.
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,808 reviews30 followers
April 10, 2023
I picked this one up years ago, funnily enough in Waterstones where I recently picked up three assassins. It was the cover that made me curious and after that a quick Amazon buy for the other nine books.

So, this is a re-read but not one that was logged as one book slips into the next and then I can’t tell them apart. I’m going one by one this time and finally pausing after each individual book.

I liked the artwork. You could tell that it definitely had that serious psychological vibe whilst being set in a high school. From the start Inukai creeped me out and you can tell he’s up to no good.

The closeness of the brothers is sweet. I’m still curious about Shiori, because no one could be that clumsy and the way her boyfriend laughs? Come on Junya, your girlfriend just flashed everyone.

The ventriloquist power is cool. I’m curious how Ando got roped into the journalism club since he’s so quiet and focusing on blending in. He does have this moments. His curiosity with the think mantra is interesting but speaking out against Inukai in a cafe with a dodgy looking owner? Me thinks he needed a bit more thinking. The foreshadowing death was both creepy and yet done peacefully.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,130 reviews11 followers
June 11, 2010
I thought this first volume of Maoh was decent. Crisp, clean drawing. The characters and story felt a little flat, but right at the very end there seemed to be a good set-up for a richer story/experience in volume two.

The story...
Ando is a high school student that discovers he has a special ability, what he calls "ventriloquism." He can make other people say the things that he's thinking. He wants to somehow use his ability with good purpose, but can't figure out how to do that. He does some minor experimenting in volume one. Much focus in this volume is given to Inukai - the leader of a vigilante group called "the grasshoppers" that's helping to rid the streets of all criminal activity. Is Inukai really helping to create a Utopia, or is he more like the devil giving people what they think the want and tricking them into actually aiding him in his own cause? Ando starts to question just that at the conclusion of volume one.

It will be interesting to see of volume two does indeed get deeper into the story with Kotaro Isaka creating more depth of both story and characters. I'll continue with this one in the near future; I'm not ready to give up on it yet...
Profile Image for Candice M (tinylibrarian).
455 reviews140 followers
November 2, 2010
In the run-down city of Nekota, sixteen-year-old Ando may or may not have a secret power that he doesn't understand. Ando's "weirdness" has alienated him from his peers in the past, so all he wants to do is keep his head down and graduate.

Meanwhile, a gang of vigilantes named Grasshopper, led by the mysterious and charismatic Inukai, has been protecting the citizens from local thugs. But at what price? Is Inukai really as large-hearted as he seems?

Will Ando discover Inukai's secret?

Many of the main themes of this title (bullying, revenge, social responsibility, neighborhood development, etc.) seem very timely.
Profile Image for Amr Ahmed Mansoor.
134 reviews25 followers
September 27, 2014
The main idea of the good ones turn to be evil is good
The ability of andou is soooo weak and don't even count as esp
He failed in convencing me
Profile Image for Vora.
159 reviews
March 24, 2025
Ce tome 1 sert d'introduction à une future confrontation entre Ando et Inukai. Le manga est plutôt bien rythmé et les dessins, sans être exceptionnels, ne sont pas désagréables. Ce qui me gène d’avantage ce sont les nombreuses similitudes entre Death Note et le Prince des Ténèbres que l’on peut voir dès ce premier tome, notamment Inukai, qui par sa personnalité et son but nous rappel Light, et la rivalité qu’on sent venir entre Ando et Inukai. De plus il est question d’un Death Note dans un rêve d’un des personnages, alors clin d’œil à l’œuvre d’Obata ou plagiat éhonté ? A suivre dans les prochains tomes.
Profile Image for Ash Link.
1 review
October 17, 2022
This book series is absolutely incredible. I really love the storyline and just the way every little thing fits in. At first it really doesn't make sense but over time the dots begin to connect.

To be perfectly honest with you, (in my opinion), all the bad reviews on this book just aren't true. I WILL defend the series and author if I have to.

The heavy symbolism is written wondrously, everytime I read it I realize another small detail in the story. I have a hard time explaining things "in general" but I will say I can answer most questions anyone has about the series. ^_^
Profile Image for Amanda Setasha.
1,688 reviews54 followers
July 28, 2017
Definitely super dark and horror like story. The main character has some kind of ESP, but we don't know the details yet.
Seems like the good start to a series. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
3,670 reviews7 followers
December 31, 2019
Not sure where this is going, but not really interested enough to find out.
Profile Image for John Ryan.
161 reviews
March 2, 2022
I really liked this Manga and intend getting the next few.
Profile Image for MlleLady.
65 reviews
July 12, 2025
Très sympa franchement, je ne m'y attendais pas. Hâte de lire la suite hihi.
Profile Image for Nikki in Niagara.
4,393 reviews175 followers
June 5, 2010
Reason for Reading: I was drawn to the urban fantasy angle of the plot.

Ando, a high school student, has the ability to make others say what he is thinking. He used this power as a child, but stopped when he told about it and was ridiculed. Now he is discovering he still has the power and putting it to good use. At the same time a group of vigilantes called the "Grasshoppers" has become very popular as they protect citizens from crime and the greedy businessmen who want to turn the area into a big city metropolis of shopping malls. They have a very charismatic leader who seems to hold a spell over all who meet with him, but Ando has seen him at his worst and starts to follow him to find out what he's really up to and how his group's numbers are increasing so fast. The man may seem angelic to all who follow him but Ando wonders if he might actually be a devil with ulterior motives.

I found this story very intriguing. Ando and his brother are orphans so they are able to come and go as they please. All the art is very detailed with none of the usual manga gimmicks except in the character of the Grasshopper leader who is the stylized man who looks like a woman. This makes his character stand out right away and adds to his charisma. There are also a few s*xually suggestive representations of females which are obviously meant to appeal to the male readers. As Ando tries to help a school mate who is always picked on by bullies he finds the Grasshoppers have got to him at some point too, altering his character, making Ando very leery of this group and the leader in particular. There is quite a bit of violence but not excessive. Then there are some downright creepy scenes which just added to keeping me glued to this story. The ending is quite intense leaving one very anxious for the next volume. A shadowy glimpse is given on the next page with some intriguing phrases and just barely visible illustrations which then placates us with the words "Coming Soon". But a quick search gives me Aug. 10 as the release date for Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 will be out before the year is over. I will certainly be continuing on with this series!
Profile Image for hujanlia.
108 reviews5 followers
March 28, 2011
Ando, a teenager who usually avoids conflicts, finds that the small town he lives in started to get awry due to a town development program.
But the citizens aren't too happy because lots of them might lost thier jobs.
Other thing that Ando found out is that he has this power he called ventriloquism, in which he's able to transfer his words to other people's mouths to be spoken.

Pledging to protect the original town state and it's citizens and stop the development program to later develop it by the citizens own efforts, a group consists of young people called themselves as the 'Grasshoppers' starting to emerge and build their good reputations.
They also have their charismatic leader, Inukai.
After some incidents, Ando then found out that Inukai and his Grasshopper gang aren't as noble as they appear.

But with all the citizens trust them, and how Inukai is praised almost like a God, who would believe Ando?
Strifing to find his own courage and confidence, Ando promised himself to stop Grasshopper and Inukai from ruling the city with their own rules.

This manga is based from a novel (or maybe a manga version of the novel, can't be really sure since I've never read the novel).
Actually it has an interesting idea, but this manga is not quite well-paced that sometimes the intensity just drops easily after moments of high-tensed actions or sometimes just, well, flat.
Profile Image for Matthew.
320 reviews6 followers
December 23, 2010
I'm on the fence with this one. The main story focuses on Ando, a high-school student who discovers he holds the power to make anyone say whatever he wants. Set against the backdrop of the failing city of Nekota, a number of side-stories spin around Inukai and his Grasshoppers, a team of vigilantes sworn to do whatever it takes to clean up the city within five years. Most of the city is quite taken with Inukai, but Ando has seen some things that make him suspect the intentions of the Grasshoppers may not be entirely sincere. Character-wise there are some interesting themes developing, especially as Ando moves from someone who likes to live with his head down to a person willing to take a risk by doing the right thing.

My only problems with this title are the frequent use of fan-service. The women in the series are primarily only treated as visual candy and cheap, bawdy jokes. I have no problem with this kind of humor when done well (ie the satircal use of it in One Piece), but it really doesn't fit in with the otherwise serious tone of the story. I'd probably read the second volume, though, to see how the story develops and Isaka's treatment of women continues.
Profile Image for Sarai.
1,010 reviews17 followers
October 6, 2010
This was an interesting story and will be interesting to see what happens in the next books. It seems to be an ongoing story. I liked the relationship between the two brothers, and the uncertainty the main character feels about a local hero. Definitely will be reading more to see what happens.


Product Description
In the city of Nekota, where rapid modernization threatens everything the longtime residents hold dear, one young man has stood up to oppose progress. Inukai and his team of vigilantes, known as Grasshopper, protect the citizens from the rising crime wave and the greedy hands of businessmen bent on turning every block into a modern strip mall. But what is this public hero's true motive? Is this angelic man actually a devil in disguise?

High school student Ando has the special ability to make others say out loud what he's thinking, but will this be enough to uncover Inukai's secrets and stop the plot to control the city?
Profile Image for Stéphanie.
466 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2011
Ce tome 1 sert d'introduction à une future confrontation entre Ando et Inukai. Le manga est plutôt bien rythmé et les dessins, sans être exceptionnels, ne sont pas désagréables. Ce qui me gène d’avantage ce sont les nombreuses similitudes entre Death Note et le Prince des Ténèbres que l’on peut voir dès ce premier tome, notamment Inukai, qui par sa personnalité et son but nous rappel Light, et la rivalité qu’on sent venir entre Ando et Inukai. De plus il est question d’un Death Note dans un rêve d’un des personnages, alors clin d’œil à l’œuvre d’Obata ou plagiat éhonté ? A suivre dans les prochains tomes.
Profile Image for Steve Gougeon.
27 reviews
June 12, 2010
okay, it's a 3 stars for me, but I'm willing to stick with it and wait out for volume 2. I guess I was expecting the main character to do so much with his "special" ability that I didn't care so much for all the other actors around him. It's a fairly deep cast, well developed... Looking forward to seeing where it goes in volume 2.
Profile Image for Marcus.
475 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2023
Even though this opening volume didn’t hook me as much as it did when I was a kid, I can still see why it captivated me in the past.I like the main protagonist and the artwork is pretty good too, especially when something creepy goes down.

If I remember right things start to kick off in the next two volumes, I hope those hold up a bit better
Profile Image for Joy.
1,184 reviews90 followers
Read
December 3, 2010
In a rundown city, a group of vigilantes called Grasshopper claims they are out to change the world. But is their leader Inukai's charisma blinding people to his true intentions? Ando, a boy who may or may not have some unusual powers, is about to find out.

Profile Image for Anna Kļaviņa.
818 reviews203 followers
June 17, 2011
The first volume seems very promising.

Inukai seems very interesting anti hero and Ando character is complex, supporting characters are fine too, plot is attention grabbing and l liked the art.
Profile Image for Glasdow Teacosy.
Author 2 books22 followers
November 30, 2011
What a clever book. At first it seems an allegorical exploration of good versus evil using school bullying, but it seemed to dig into the true nature of evil as the story progressed. Is violence no longer violence when it is done with a smile and a gentle voice? The deluded seem to think so.
Profile Image for Kyle.
33 reviews4 followers
June 22, 2011
I'm on the fence about this. I like this sort of grim and gritty shonen manga, but I'm left wondering if a woman is really the right person to write a comic like this.
Profile Image for Morbus Iff.
758 reviews20 followers
September 24, 2011
Grasshopper is of some interest and more use of ventriloquism should be entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews

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