As promised, here's what I what I get out of these chapters, roughly summarized and putting aside the obviously gorgeous and mind-blowing artwork (fanboy inside), I hope this will help lots of faithful readers to appreciate even more Boichi's masterpiece.
For the tl:dr fans, you can just read the parts in
CAPS AND BOLD. They should be enough to prove me point in a more timely fashion.
As for those thinking I go too far in my interpretation, I'll just answer that as Sun Ken Rock's editor (in scanlation ofc) I spent up to several hours on each pages and that allow me to appreciate it wholeheartedly. Lots of time to think too
Anyways, here you go. Per request of Lucyfer, whom I harbour no ill will but was the one who made me dive and explain, I present you my analyse of SKR as far as 10 chapters back. Enjoy
SKR level 105:This chapter starts on a light note as Ken goes around his underlings to see if they fought as true members of his ganga. He is reaffirming his position as the boss, something he rarely do.
What's more, we can see a certain touch of nostalgia in his "voice" and expression as he fully know that after this day nothing will be the same. That's why he needs to know if they are true faithful and worthy members of the Sun Ken Rock gang. Would they be able to continue if we were to be taken out or put in jail?
After one of the
most hilarious face Do-Heun ever made, we are abruptly brought back in the dark side of the fight. The member of the all-powerful Hakuryukai are getting inpatient to say the least. They chose to simply discard the plan of using Ban Phuong's assassins who keep getting overcome by those worthy members of the SKR gang and so
TAKE THE HEAVY WEAPONRY out. What's more, to ensure their victory,
THEY CHOSE TO USE THE HOSTAGE dear to the opposite's gang boss and don't even stop to kill her guard, a member of Ban Phuong's team. They are determined to stop to nothing and possess the drive and means to reach their sinister goal.
SKR level 106:Ban Phuong is still seeking the truth behind Ken's action and will. He is also wondering about the hostage's true identity as he believe she hold the key to this answer. When he goes to meet her, he see that the Hakuryuukai's men will stop to nothing to make an example out of her.
What's even more important is that this chapter is the one where
YUMIN FINALLY DISCOVERS KEN'S TRUE "WORK".
That's also when Yumin, under the shock of the revelation disclose here identity to Ban Phuong who now
UNDERSTAND KEN AND IS FINALLY DETERMINED TO FACE HIM.
Ban Phuong also chose to wipe the threat that were those Yakusa, he do this as a preventive measure for what's to come as well as to protect Yumin who is dear to someone who he respect despite the fact that everything oppose them. I believe there is also a bit of revenge for his fallen comrade in this action.
SKR level 107:For the third time in the manga,
KEN FINALLY MEETS BAN PHUONG.KEN IS HEARTFELT as Yumin now know his true implications. The setting is planted however unlike shitty shonen broshit it doesn't just directly in some mindless fight. Ken isn't fighting without aim, especially since his loved one is safe and unhurt. He wants to understand Ban Phuong's motive and shows that he knows him well.
Ban Phuong plans to put an end to Ken's and so does he. However he wants to do so to bring the troubled Ban Phuong back to the right path.
Now that both of our protagonist made their will and aim clear,
THE FIGHT CAN BEGINS.
SKR level 108:The last time they fought, all the way back to
level 11 of the 2nd volume and even though he found his determination admirable Ban Phuong played with Ken like a baby. Will history repeat itself?
After the live he had these last years Ban Phuong grew even stronger and was far from believing that Ken could put any kind of fight but Ken catch him off-guard and dive right in the fire. However, ban Phuong has both the strength and skills of a killing machine and starts to pown Ken severely.
IN JUST A FEW PAGES, KEN IS COEVERED IN BLOOD laying on the floor. But Ken isn't done for, as Samson who was granted miraculous strength by God to face his enemies, he put his hair back in shape and
HE JUMPS BACK INTO THE FIGHT with redoubled determination.
Yumin who was still chained can no longer ignore her rage and her side that is the daughter of the strongest Yakuza gang kicks back in (little prop to the glare on the earing). She breaks free from her restraints and plans to go commando (in more than one way
ifyouknowwhatimean.jpg) on our two fighter's ass. As was often commented
HELL HAVE NO FURRY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED.
SKR level 109:A whole chapter with a single sentence. Of course it will seem fast however the dynamism of the fights is breathtaking and was rarely as expressive in any manga out there. But I said I woudn't talk about the graphic side of SKR so let's pass that.
Ken is obviously overpowered by Ban Phuong, the little motivation he built back as the end of the previous chapter doesn't help much as he gets his ass handed to him. He solely survive thanks to his wild side. Because if you hadn't remarked,
DESPITE BAN PHUONG BEING OVER SKILLED, KEN IS HIS OPPOSITE IN A FIGHT.
A rare wildness and a self-taught style that will be the key of a possible future victory as he hold no chance in a battle of skills.
Ban Phuong intensify his hunt.
Another point that makes this chapter seems fast is that unlike other shonen brocrap they don't shout all those useless and annoying technique name every time they move a finger.
SKR level 110:The unpredictability of Ken allow him to take back the upper hand in the fight as he bet everything on a "mid-air jump between building interception". How about THAT for a killer technique name? I'm sure it'd be damn more impressive if he was shouting it at the time... yeah right...
Anyways,
IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT KEN BRING BAN PHUONG TO THE FLOOR and show that he has a ray of hope and a chance to bring him down. He now understand what happened to bring an entity such as Ban Phuong to existence and knows that a system allowing this has to change... or disappear.
That is a milestone in itself but the real focus of this chapter is that
KEN FINALLY REJOIN TAE-SOO ON HIS VIEWS OF THE STATES AND GANGS, HE NOW PLANS TO FOLLOW THROUGHT WITH TAE-SOO'S PLAN. Another more recent side of Tae-Soo's plan is to make Ban Phuong join the SKR team but even if Ken won against most of his men, and brought them to look up to him, they are still loyal to Ban Phuong and will follow him wherever he goes.
Ban Phuong is down but that's not what hurts the most as he is obviously overcome by Ken's might.
SKR level 111:BAN PHUONG EXPOSE ONE OF HIS REASONS TO FIGHT KEN, he resent him for the rejection he got back in level 11 when Tae-Soo first went to welcome him in the gang. He held Ken responsible for what he went through these last years and lead to this point.
But Ban Phuong isn't some stupid one track idiot, his characters is incredibly deep and Ken catch on the fact that he still regret his choice of
not saving Miss Yoo in level 7.
HE CAN'T HOLD HIS HEAD HIGH IN SHAME but Ken wants him and will help him right his wrongs once they are done with the fight. Ban Phuong is stunned by this anouncement.
Another reason why Ban Phuong fights against Ken is because
HE WANTS TO PUT AN END TO HIS ASCENSION BEFORE HE COMES TO A SINISTER END BY THE HANDS OF THE HAKURYUUKAY. In his own sense, he protects Ken and is confident in his capacities to overcome him. But Ken can also see how tormented Ban Phuong is and wants to help him too.
Both men are pumped up by each others word and head to what could be called the final stage.
For those who don't understand how such a break in the fight could happen, let's me remind you that they don't fight without meaning. What brought to this fight is the will of this two men and before closing the curtain they must put everything on the table.
On a side note, Ban Phuong could be seen as what could have become of Ken had he not met Yumin and the future SKR team back then.
Both had people dear to them murdered because of the "system". They both have a sure charisma and are gifted fighters, up to the time Ken met Yumin he was heading the wrong path and would have undoubtedly done a mistake that would bring him in a (bad) Yakuza gang. Ban Phuong never found someone who believed in him nor supported him when he went through a similar phase and we now see the result. Ken is the first one that he really respect and who understand him. That's why in his way he tries to get him out of arms way even if that means fighting him.
This is an important point that I hope to have made understandable.
SKR level 112:The fight resume, wildness against skills. However Ban Phuong is still held back by his feelings toward Ken (damn, that sounds so gay). Ken understand that Ban Phuong hold no will to kill him and make it known. After Ken's little taunt, Ban Phuong lets everything out and will
FIGHT FULL FORCE.
From somewhere else
YUMIN SPOTED THEIR LOCATION AND IS ON HER WAY. A decisive factor for what's to come.
ps: damn, she's cuuuute~
SKR level 113:Yumin is still mad and pantyless.
A THIRD PARTY ENTERS THE GAME. If Ban Phuong's team was plan A and the heavy weaponry plan B, then there is obviously a plan C which appears here as a clean up team all geared up (note to self that the Hakuryuukai seems to work by teams of 3). Mystery sexy gal is a plus too
All stops are off and Ken gets pounded by Ban Phuong, the difference in strength and overall fighting abilities is too great.
HE IS SENT TO THE FLOOR, DOWN FOR THE COUNT.
That's when
EVERYONE'S FAVORITE POLICE WOMEN ENTERS THE FIGHT, gun blazing up front and determined to protect someone dear to her. Ammunitions are a limited resource but katana however are devastating in expert hands.
PLAYER 2 ENTERS THE GAME!SKR level 114:Yumin's expert sword handling force Ban Phuong to
PICK UP A WEAPON, till then he always fought bare handed no matter who was the opponent. Yumin is strong and he has to be wary of that katana.
But Yumin is too frail and exhausted, hardly a match for the monster. Even without a chance, she'll stand strong
AND PROTECT KEN.
Ever heard of the
SUSPENSION BRIDGE EFFECT? Look it up. Those 2 already close characters are brought close by the adversity and Ken's honest apologies are what was needed to close the deal.
YUMIN IS BACKING KEN AND HE DOESN'T BACK DOWN EITHER.
Ban Phuong didn't renounce on protecting them and tell them to save themselves. However, Ken new-found support bring the fight in him (especially since he had quite the time to catch his breath while Yumin was fighting).
To resume:
"DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE TO MY WOMAN".
SKR level 115:Ken tag out Yumin who had it rough facing the Ban Phuong powerhouse. His woman is looking and he has to prove himself strong, that's all the motivation needed for him to dive back in.
BUT KEN ISN'T ALONE, THE MIGHT OF COUNTLESS PERSONS BACK HIM and Yumin was the one who remembered him of that. His fists hold the will of them all. He use his favorite weapon to disarm Ban Phuong and bring him on his knee before going back to their primed
HAND TO HAND FIGHT.
Hope all this will make you enjoy even more the next chapter of SKR and all those to come. Cheers
Edited by Weaper, 22 January 2013 - 10:13 PM.
Sign In
Create Account
Back to top
