A great first chapter or issue of a comic is very important. It can be stressful for the creator to make a good first impression that entices the reader while setting up the focus of the story. In some cases, a great first chapter that gets a reader hooked is hard to come by. Most are "okay", some are "meh" despite the series later on being good, and many are just plain boring. Today, let's celebrate a couple of series that have good first chapters.
Kingdom
One winter break I decided to read Kingdom. I had heard so much from it and some of my friends were reading it. In the first chapter, I wasn't prepared for what Kingdom really was. The story starts with Main Character Shin and his brother sparring when a scout from the Royal Kingdom happens upon them. Shin and Hyou are orphans in the countryside wanting to be great generals in the Chinese Army. The messengers takes Hyou to the capital but he returns later in a bloody and near death state. The chapter is able to set up the climate of Kingdom while illustrating the relationship Shin and Hyou have. Both are from different families that abandoned them and were living in the barn of a fat slob. They practiced day and night to become stronger. Seeing Hyou die in Shin's arms no less than a week after Hyou leaving was heart breaking. We saw them laughing at the beginning only to see them crying in the end. That's the tone of Kingdom. Anything can and will happen no matter who the characters are and that's what drew me into the series.
Ajin
After the terrible first episode of the anime, I decided to read Ajin. This may be one of the best first chapters ever as the action starts and never stops. We're introduced to key players from the very start including pro and antagonists. Seeing the main character die within the first chapter isn't a new concept but it is rather interesting each time it happens. Kei discovers his power, that he's an Ajin, and is on the run from the police before he can fully wrap his head around the situation. Calling on the help of an old friend, they both elude police in an effort to save themselves. It's a rush that never comes down the more you read, even past the first chapter.
Boku no Hero Academia
Despite how I feel about the series now, the first chapter of it was amazing. In a world where having superpowers, or "Quirks", is the normal, being a normal human being is not the wave for someone who truly wants to be a hero. Young Midoriya idolizes the number one hero All Might while wanting to be just like him, but he never will. Seeing Midoriya cry as his mother embraced him cause he'll never be a hero was sad. Being a kid and knowing you'll never be like anyone else or like your heroes is tough. But the story proves that that not all heroes wear capes. When Midoriya saves Bakugo from the slim villain while a crowd of adults and even heroes stood still proves that he had what it takes despite not having powers. The moment was surreal and feel good for Midoriya and the readers watching. In that moment I knew Midoriya would be my favorite character.
Binbougami ga!
Binbougami ga! is a cluster fuck of great content. It has everything you would want in the series and it shows it all in the first chapter. From Sakura proving to us how much of a spoiled rich kid she is to her fighting Momiji in the bathtub to her saving her butler at the end of the day. The dynamic between Sakura and Momiji is set in stone from day one. They'll play an eternal game of cat and mouse as we see Sakura evolve as a character. Its funny, it has action, suspense and damn are the characters good.
Akame ga Kill
I do not like this series. The ending was predictable and extremely mid. Regardless, the first chapter was great. Tastumi moves to the city from the countryside to stop evil and become strong with a couple of other villagers only to find out how crazy the capital is. The beginning is okay but once the action starts, the series' true nature is shown. People, including main characters, will die. It tells us this from the start. It's also very dark and gruesome. Tatusmi seeing Sayo hung from the ceiling with a missing leg and Ieyasu dying in a cage was wild. Who knew the MC would have his friends killed in the first chapter by terrible fates. Not only that, but Tastumi killed their killer without hesitation. This story had promise from the start as it was breaking down the mold that a lot of series had when it comes to the MC.
Sun Ken Rock
My second favorite manga of all time. I was hooked from the start as Ken Kitano beat the shit out of a couple of thugs for harassing and beating up the old man owner of the noodle shop. What went from a normal meal for Ken turned into a brawl after the thugs beat the old man and crashed his shop. Ken was a loser in the beginning. So to see this random, one room apartment loser beating the hell out of dudes with knives and suits was crazy. On top of that, the art was amazing. My favorite part is hearing Ken yell out how he'll protect the shop forever. Sometimes characters yelling out promises has a way of really making you a fan of them. To this day, he's my favorite character in Manga.
Attack on Titan
I had to update the post after publishing because I realized I left out this amazing first chapter. The first chapter to Attack on Titan was stellar. We were introduced to how sad and terrible life in the series is. Every day people feared that those Titans would break in and eventually they did. Seeing the despair on Eren's face which lead to his conviction of wanting to destroy all Titans was amazing. We saw the MC break down emotionally and mentally earlier on in the series where most won't even go that route. The suspense action, and art were truly something to marvel over as you progressed through the chapter. Not a bad panel in the entire chapter.
One winter break I decided to read Kingdom. I had heard so much from it and some of my friends were reading it. In the first chapter, I wasn't prepared for what Kingdom really was. The story starts with Main Character Shin and his brother sparring when a scout from the Royal Kingdom happens upon them. Shin and Hyou are orphans in the countryside wanting to be great generals in the Chinese Army. The messengers takes Hyou to the capital but he returns later in a bloody and near death state. The chapter is able to set up the climate of Kingdom while illustrating the relationship Shin and Hyou have. Both are from different families that abandoned them and were living in the barn of a fat slob. They practiced day and night to become stronger. Seeing Hyou die in Shin's arms no less than a week after Hyou leaving was heart breaking. We saw them laughing at the beginning only to see them crying in the end. That's the tone of Kingdom. Anything can and will happen no matter who the characters are and that's what drew me into the series.
Ajin
After the terrible first episode of the anime, I decided to read Ajin. This may be one of the best first chapters ever as the action starts and never stops. We're introduced to key players from the very start including pro and antagonists. Seeing the main character die within the first chapter isn't a new concept but it is rather interesting each time it happens. Kei discovers his power, that he's an Ajin, and is on the run from the police before he can fully wrap his head around the situation. Calling on the help of an old friend, they both elude police in an effort to save themselves. It's a rush that never comes down the more you read, even past the first chapter.
Boku no Hero Academia
Despite how I feel about the series now, the first chapter of it was amazing. In a world where having superpowers, or "Quirks", is the normal, being a normal human being is not the wave for someone who truly wants to be a hero. Young Midoriya idolizes the number one hero All Might while wanting to be just like him, but he never will. Seeing Midoriya cry as his mother embraced him cause he'll never be a hero was sad. Being a kid and knowing you'll never be like anyone else or like your heroes is tough. But the story proves that that not all heroes wear capes. When Midoriya saves Bakugo from the slim villain while a crowd of adults and even heroes stood still proves that he had what it takes despite not having powers. The moment was surreal and feel good for Midoriya and the readers watching. In that moment I knew Midoriya would be my favorite character.
Binbougami ga!
Binbougami ga! is a cluster fuck of great content. It has everything you would want in the series and it shows it all in the first chapter. From Sakura proving to us how much of a spoiled rich kid she is to her fighting Momiji in the bathtub to her saving her butler at the end of the day. The dynamic between Sakura and Momiji is set in stone from day one. They'll play an eternal game of cat and mouse as we see Sakura evolve as a character. Its funny, it has action, suspense and damn are the characters good.
Akame ga Kill
I do not like this series. The ending was predictable and extremely mid. Regardless, the first chapter was great. Tastumi moves to the city from the countryside to stop evil and become strong with a couple of other villagers only to find out how crazy the capital is. The beginning is okay but once the action starts, the series' true nature is shown. People, including main characters, will die. It tells us this from the start. It's also very dark and gruesome. Tatusmi seeing Sayo hung from the ceiling with a missing leg and Ieyasu dying in a cage was wild. Who knew the MC would have his friends killed in the first chapter by terrible fates. Not only that, but Tastumi killed their killer without hesitation. This story had promise from the start as it was breaking down the mold that a lot of series had when it comes to the MC.
Sun Ken Rock
My second favorite manga of all time. I was hooked from the start as Ken Kitano beat the shit out of a couple of thugs for harassing and beating up the old man owner of the noodle shop. What went from a normal meal for Ken turned into a brawl after the thugs beat the old man and crashed his shop. Ken was a loser in the beginning. So to see this random, one room apartment loser beating the hell out of dudes with knives and suits was crazy. On top of that, the art was amazing. My favorite part is hearing Ken yell out how he'll protect the shop forever. Sometimes characters yelling out promises has a way of really making you a fan of them. To this day, he's my favorite character in Manga.
Attack on Titan
I had to update the post after publishing because I realized I left out this amazing first chapter. The first chapter to Attack on Titan was stellar. We were introduced to how sad and terrible life in the series is. Every day people feared that those Titans would break in and eventually they did. Seeing the despair on Eren's face which lead to his conviction of wanting to destroy all Titans was amazing. We saw the MC break down emotionally and mentally earlier on in the series where most won't even go that route. The suspense action, and art were truly something to marvel over as you progressed through the chapter. Not a bad panel in the entire chapter.
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Keep hearing about Kingdom and Ajin. Dope list!
ReplyDeleteBoth are really good. Kingdom is a must read
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