Shounen Illegal Rare by Shiibashi Hiroshi

[dark123]

Illegal Rare
By : Shibashi Hiroshi
Serialized in : Weekly Shounen Jump
Genre : Fantasy & Mystery
Synopsis :

Supernatural creatures live alongside humans, but these "rares" are being hunted to extinction over time. An organization is being formed to protect these rares, and allow them to live their lives as they like. The starting members of this organization are few; there's the masked Fukumen, the Black Vampyr king AxL, and they are soon joined by the sweet-voiced mermaid Mirror. Together, they will protect the rares from the deadly hunters! made by [user] tethysdust[/user]

By the Mangaka of Nuranihyon no Mago

First chapter thanks to Red Hawk Edited Mangas
http://manga.redhawkscans.com/reader/read/illegal_rare/en/0/1/

 

[WyldViolet]

I thought it was a good first chapter.
Still think it's a bit too edgy but it definitely has potential.

 

[Teeba]

Aw man, I really wanted to like it. Like Nensense said, it feels like its being edgy for the sake of being edgy, but not actually being dark in anyway. The art is great, if a bit cluttered. The only interesting character so far is Fukumen. I dunno. It was weird chapter, but I wouldn't mind reading the next couple of chapters to see if it improves to my liking.

 

[Korean Kuroko]

Yay this day has finally arrived.

 

[Leoat12]

Really good chapter, it showed everything that a first chapter could have: the presentation of the world and the problematic, showed during a case of this problematic. Shiibashi chose the best case ever, there is no other way to show his excellent art than drawing a mermaid (I'm a big fan of mermaids XD), and AXL is awesome along with his power. The system of ranking of the species is easy to understand and it brings many possibilities of creatures, something that can take advantage of Shiibashi's great art, Nurarihyon no Mago showed this with youkais.

Well, it was a chapter with enough explanations, good pacing and excellent art, it looked like a oneshot. Next chapter will be the beginning of the story, truly. I want to see Miria as a better character, not only someone that works in a PR.

Fukumen is the mystery, I think he is a illegal rare, too, but his mask hides his identity.

 

[kidopitz27]

the first chapter really didn't give me the push i need well it is the first chapter so i will just have to wait for the next one also the guy in my first impression was he looks like Rorschach from watchmen

 

[SharkBait]

I found most of the story not to be something to really care for at this point in time. It feels like a been there done that type of ordeal. Throwing the Im the last vampire only reinforced these ideas.

I will still continue it, perhaps it will become a lighter and more entertaining affair once the cast forms?

 

[Nayrael]

On Chapter 5 RAW (note: can't read Japanese :P):

Spoiler

I am gonna guess and say that the horn grew when he kissed Kana the girl. Damn Co*kblock :/
So Kana and Youhime finally meet one another.
Awww, the boy released his Fear... soon he will have his own Drove of a Hundred Unicorns.
Forget that, we will soon have a Direction-less Vampire Detective King Riding a Unicorn... wat?

I will still continue it, perhaps it will become a lighter and more entertaining affair once the cast forms?

The feel is the same as with NuraMago IMO: there is some gore and dark elements, but generally it is more laid back series (chapter 4 really felt like one of those NuraMago chapters where youkai just got to fool around).

 

[Leoat12]

Chapter 2 is out

The fun is just beginning... The unit is just starting its job; the tension really rose in the end of this chapter with the introduction of the dark pawn, who is the same character of the oneshot Shiibashi made, by the way. Axl is the type of character who is fucking awesome since the beginning, has the strongest power (or one of the strongest) and doesn't deny that, always calm and reliable, no wonder why Fukumen rely on him that much, despite of some flaws. XD
After know that Gargo was a werewolf I understood why he didn't want to get Marble and sell it despite of his subordinates wishes, because he knows how the rares are treated and everything got clear when he met with Axl and confused him with a hunter, although there is no reason for this. He has traumas, like any other rare and seems a really hard guy to convince. Let's see what Axl will do about this. Seemed like he could win that battle easily, but he found better not caught Gargo against his will. Gargo is not that strong, by what Axl said. Looking forward to see a clash between Axl and Medici to save Gargo.

 

[FanOfAniManga]

I have to say, for a story taking place in AD 564, their technology is super advanced. Look at all the computers and printers they have at their work desks, not to mention the mobile touchscreen devices Axl and Fukumen were using and the jumbotrons across the city.

For the time the story took place to have been stated impromptu in the middle of this chapter, it really makes me wonder if this is a sign of Shiibashi's lack of planning. If so, I'm going to be a bit worried, because I think his storytelling ability quite sophisticated otherwise.

I mean, in terms of story structure, I'm finding Illegal Rare very similar to Kurokuroku, except Illegal Rare is much better. Both series have the main character stumbling across a level-minded deuteragonist and looking to get a job from them at a secret government agency protecting the fragile existence of monsters, but it's not all it turns out to be, so they have emotions to go through.

But whereas Kurokuroku tried to go for a stereotypical wimpy "OMGWTF y0k@1 everywhere!" thought process of the main character that doesn't amount to anything relevant or entertaining, Axl's emotions and even his life actually tie in with his job. I think this chapter demonstrates that example, having to struggle even with his own kind to protect them. That is, despite werewolves and vampires being enemies, they're ultimately both Rares in danger of being hunted down.

It's funny, because I originally read Kurokuroku thinking it'd be remotely similar to Nurarihyon no Mago. The presence of yokai? Yes. Storytelling ability? Heck no.

 

[WyldViolet]

I'm seriously enjoying this series.
Reminds me a of a more grounded Medaka Box but in a fantasy setting.
I was seriously worrying the series would be some crappy grimdark edgy battle manga, but I was happy that the four chapters out right now are embracing a lot of comedy with for the most-part standalone chapters.
I'm really hoping that this (along with iShoujo) don't get axed.

 

[Nayrael]

Spoiler: Chapter 2

- lol at humans not being aware that it is wrong to hunt Rares ^^;
- vampire is happy about hunting vampire hunters and getting paid for it XD
- "lets deepen our relationship co-workers"
- poor AxL is happy to be mocked XD
- so Mirror is one of those girls that turns on bishie vampires eh ;P
- "I was hoping to break the ice by complimenting on your fur " - AxL is hilarious XD
- I somehow have a feeling that Rares are also employed as hunters (seeing as Puppy didn't care that AxL was a Vampire and all)
- not too surprising, the Dark Pawn aer Hunters (well, the Dark Pawn in NuraMago were also hunters of youkai so...)

 

[Leoat12]

For the time the story took place to have been stated impromptu in the middle of this chapter, it really makes me wonder if this is a sign of Shiibashi's lack of planning. If so, I'm going to be a bit worried, because I think his storytelling ability quite sophisticated otherwise.

I don't think it is a failure of narrative, this resource of narrative (put the date along with the place) is often used. He just emphasized the year, making me think that it can be important at some point.

Spoiler: Chapter 2

- lol at humans not being aware that it is wrong to hunt Rares ^^;

Spoiler: Chapter 2

It shows how far the civilization went. The unit of protection is really necessary.

 

[SharkBait]

The 2nd chapter could have been something other than werewolf vampire thing, worst it was a weak story and though comical a bit uninteresting. It feels like this story this chapter ought to have spanned more than one chapter.

 

[Nayrael]

The 2nd chapter could have been something other than werewolf vampire thing, worst it was a weak story and though comical a bit uninteresting. It feels like this story this chapter ought to have spanned more than one chapter.

It ain't a Werewolf Vs. Vampire thingy, the current bounty just gets to be a Werewolf and Hiroshi made a reference on the stereotype.
Also, the Werewolf arc lasts two chapters so it doesn't span only one chapter. I am not sure where you even got that idea seeing as the chapter made it pretty clear that dealing with the Werewolf is not over yet and that he should soon end in trouble.

 

[Teeba]

I'm seriously enjoying this series.
Reminds me a of a more grounded Medaka Box but in a fantasy setting.

How does Illegal Rare remind you of Medaka Box? Just asking out of curiosity.

This chapter was so much better than the last one. I kind of like the formation of a Rare Protection Unit, and the fact that its a branch under the police(?) is interesting too (its not a completely rogue "getbackers" kind of group -- its legal).

I enjoyed Axl's dorky, socially awkward attitude and I think it cuts through a lot of his dark brooding image. Fukumen is still the most interesting character to me, and I'm really starting question his motivations for making this group happen. Mirror got a pathetic amount of screentime, shame on you author.

Actually, female characters in general seem to be the biggest weak point in the series so far. Mirror is doing her job well in PR, but it feels more like a secretarial job at the moment. I'm hoping this is because the author wants to establish all the main characters, and there will be at least another reoccuring female character showing up soon.

I'm pretty sure one of the werewolves (Gargo) is going to end up working with the protection unit. Like Axl said, vampires and werewolves are sworn enemies...but in manga terms that means there's a rival character that needs to be fulfilled. So there's that. Not much else to say, other than I'm going to keep on reading.

 

[Leoat12]

Regarding Fukumen, I can only think of two reasons for this motivations by now:
1) He is a rare, too, but he is hiding his indentity with the mask for some reason. Maybe, like the mermaids have his voice as signature, his specie's face is its signature.
2) In the past, he was saved by a rare and swore help them by some way. The fact that he uses mask could be because of some injury, or because the salvation has some complicated problem and he doesn't want to reveal his identity.
With just two chapters it is very daring of me to speculate, but that's it. XD

Mirror is nice and all, but she really isn't suitable for battles. Can you guys think in some mythological being who is female and is suitable for battles? It is also another interesting part of the series, I wonder what type of beings will be called rare and in what way.

 

[Teeba]

^ The funny thing is, mermaids in folklore are pretty viscious and badass. They use their voices to hypnotize sailors and then drown them in the middle of the ocean. There's also harpies and sirens, who are very similar to mermaids. If we're talking only about voices, banshees are often female and they scream you to death. This is why Mirror being a mermaid is disappointing to me. She could have more agency but as of two chapters she doesn't. Then again I'm hopeful the status quo will change, either by including another female character, or by giving Mirror some character development.

As for primarily female mythological creatures, there are quite a few. Gorgons are related to Medusa (in the original myth Medusa is a sister to gorgons), they have reptilian features, hair full of snakes, and can petrify people with their sight. Then there are witches, who can be as human or non human as mythology suggests. Witches have the ability to transform themselves, ride on brooms, and change people into animals. Succubii are also well known mythological features that are mostly female. (I don't think I need to explain that one).

Besides that, mythological creatures aren't normally defined into being always female and always male. There are male and female vampires, and there are definitely male and female werewolves. Djinns are also creators in Islamic folklore that are a race, so they have both male and female. There are nymphs, who can control an element they are close to. Nymphs are normally depicted as female even though they too are also a race. You could also crack open Tolkien's universe, pick a race, and plug them into Illegal Rare. There are also centaurs. Basically, most of mythology has legendary creatures that are races in their own right (which is is different I suppose than Japanese mythology).

Since most of mythology that's been preserved is male-centric, its up to the author to shake things up a bit.

 

[Leoat12]

It is really a wide universe of creatures; Illegal Rare has everything to be interesting with that uncountable number of creatures. Hiroshi Shiibashi has a brilliant art, which is ready to reinvent many creatures and not just describe them as they are in the legends. Let's save this post for later reference. ^^

Mermaid rarely are described in manga that way, vicious and badass, Disney stereotype of mermaids lives even now. Mirror behavior is expected taking in consideration this, and the fact that she is not suitable for battle is because she is in mainland, her (and any other mermaid) true power is revealed when she is in the water, even his voice to attract sailors depends on the water. We have to wait a chapter where the ocean is the main scenario; there we will see Mirror in the spotlight. Her power is very selective.

The unit has to grow up and we will have another female character eventually, someone who is good fighting in the mainland, hopefully.

 

[Korean Kuroko]

Mirror is nice and all, but she really isn't suitable for battles. Can you guys think in some mythological being who is female and is suitable for battles? It is also another interesting part of the series, I wonder what type of beings will be called rare and in what way.

The first thing that came to mind was Banshees which are tradicionally female.