Hideo Kojima loves sniper, particularly in the event that they’re feminine. His Steel Gear Strong franchise options 2, Sniper Wolf and Quiet, plus The Finish if you wish to pad the depend. So when the gaming auteur really helpful a manga with a younger feminine sniper protagonist, it wasn’t an enormous shock—however that didn’t imply I wasn’t intrigued.
Miharu’s Seat of Conflict, written by Hamada Gouten (Shimazaki within the Peaceable Land), is loads like the favored manga-turned-anime Gunslinger Lady. However as an alternative of a league of younger feminine assassins, it blends typical shonen tropes of a younger rogue coming to belief her companions, set in opposition to a extra mature, seinen backdrop. Past its deal with ladies carrying huge weapons, the manga additionally examines basic Kojima themes, what it means to be a soldier, battle, and the geopolitical state of Japan. However regardless of its heavy subject material, the story isn’t afraid to be goofy and heartwarming, both.
Miharu’s Seat at Conflict is at the moment accessible to learn free of charge in Japanese on Manga One, with English translations floating round on-line and findable by Google. The effort is value it, particularly for those who’re a Kojima head like me.
The manga is about throughout a fictional WWIII outbreak, during which Japan has been devastated and partially occupied by overseas powers. Miharu is a younger lady with extraordinary sniper expertise whose private mission of revenge turns into intertwined with the bigger battle to save lots of her homeland. She crosses paths with Shou, a former professional marksman who’s misplaced the desire to combat, and collectively they’re drawn into key battles that might decide the destiny of their nation, forming a tense “sniper buddy” dynamic as they confront each exterior enemies and their very own psychological burdens in a war-torn Japan.
Their partnership feels harking back to numerous variations of Batman and Robin; a lighthearted grownup holding a miraculous pre-teen at bay. Or Hit-Lady and Massive Daddy from Kick-Ass, a younger lady usual for violence with an grownup father determine enabling her, coaching her, however figuring out when to deal with her like a baby. Most of all, nonetheless, Miharu and Shou resemble Strong Snake and Otacon. Miharu is stoic and calm, there to be taught new data; Shou offers that data and acts as her spotter. He’s a bit extra concerned within the discipline than Otacon, however their designs and personalities are almost similar. Shou is comedic and goofy, regardless of his data and expertise as a soldier. He additionally wears glasses and has a ridiculous afro that will little doubt be seen on the battlefield and trigger a hindrance. Their odd-couple partnership is hilarious, with their odd-couple methods, but in addition heartfelt, as Shou is among the few individuals Miharu can heat to. Miharu even has a bit of stuffed pig plushy named Buu-chan that she treats like her help animal, which Shou additionally treats as an equal companion on the sector, a lot to Miharu’s delight.
With out spoiling an excessive amount of, Miharu is the product of battle, and he or she was left alone to see these horrors, hardening her as a survivalist out for revenge in opposition to a person who sacked her dwelling and killed the individuals most vital to her. Now that she’s been recruited into the army, she views it as dwelling, however doesn’t know the way to be a member of this discovered household, as a result of she’s been out on her personal for thus lengthy. She believes may is correct, and it is as much as Shou and their squad chief, Louise, to show Miharu that battle isn’t about violence; it’s about tact and negotiation. Miharu is tasked with studying teamwork, not relying solely on her personal energy, and that troopers should not assassins; they’re deterrents. To be soldier, she should step exterior herself and her path of revenge, which makes Miharu’s eventual confrontation with the thriller man (who appears to be like like Vulcan and Skullface put collectively) all of the extra attention-grabbing. The camaraderie at play evokes the dynamics of Assault on Titan, and you’ll anticipate simply as many mates to get knocked off on this story.
Fujimoto Kenshi’spaintings is superb, too, and the paneling is phenomenal. They’re huge and broad, showcasing characters in full scale or highlighting their design, together with the large sniper rifle Miharu makes use of. It additionally makes studying a breeze and fewer complicated to digest, not like extra modern manga. The motion can be ruthless, with army arms blowing complete torsos clear from beneath individuals’s toes. Headshots look as wonderful as they do ugly, and I couldn’t assist however cheer at a unbelievable trick shot Miharu pulls off, adopted by a grimace in any respect the blood splatter within the subsequent panel.
In the event you’re knee-deep into Demise Stranding 2, however miss a few of the core points that made you like Kojima’s work within the first place, give Miharu’s Seat of Conflict a learn — after which pray it will get in style sufficient for an anime adaptation quickly.
