Akagi (manga)

Akagi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. It centers around Shigeru Akagi, a young mahjong prodigy who enters the world of high-stakes gambling at the age of thirteen. The story follows his exploits and legendary winning streaks, particularly his battles against seasoned and often corrupt gamblers.

The series is known for its distinctive art style, characterized by sharp lines, exaggerated facial expressions, and a gritty, almost grotesque depiction of the characters. Akagi's intellectual prowess and uncanny ability to read his opponents are central themes. The manga explores the psychological aspects of gambling, the desperation of the players involved, and the heavy price of victory.

Akagi is technically a prequel to Fukumoto's earlier mahjong manga Ten: Tenhōdōri no Kaidanji, featuring Akagi as a supporting character. However, Akagi became far more popular and established Akagi Shigeru as an iconic figure in the world of Japanese gambling manga.

The manga has been adapted into various media, including anime series, live-action television dramas, and video games. These adaptations generally follow the storyline of the manga, focusing on Akagi's mahjong matches and the tense atmosphere surrounding them. Akagi remains a highly influential work within the gambling manga genre.