The God Of High School

I know, I know.... I write about GOH so much but what can i say, it's worth all my time.
Before we dig deep into GoH, lets get a brief introduction on what Manhwa is. Its is sometimes referred to as Webtoons and these are Korean drawn comics. Unlike manga, they are read left to right and it's typical of Korean webtoons to be in colour which is the case for GoH. This has always given them a cutting edge in comparison to the mainstream black and white.

Lets get down to business, GoH is written and drawn by Yong Jae Park inspired by the Monkey King which is a mythical and ancient chinese chracter  that we all love. The manhwa revolves around a carefree and lovable pratagonist Jin Mori who was raised and  trained in Tae Kwon Do by his grandfather since he was a baby.Jin's reputation of being unbeaten earns him an invitation to a tournament where all the strongest High school fighters in Korea are gathered to have a face off with the prize being the fulfilment of any wish.  The tournament is  puppeteered by an organisation responsiblle for bitch slapping an entire island off the face of the earth, yes, they flattened an entire island!

The story is a martial arts action packed comedic adventure set up in a modern era that is in constant interplay with an ancient sage era. There are three realms at play in GoH, arranged according to strength, the Heavenly real which is the home of the nephilim, the Sage realm home to the nine kings and the human realm place of the humans.The story gains flesh using the tournament as the backbone. It's not mind bending their is no inception to it as such, even the slow pokes can pick up on whats going on. The story is not stuck only to the tournament as along the way, the author introduces an outside the tournament plot which on merging with the events transpiring in the tournament,further catalyzes the story as it's an eye opener that sheds light on the actual agenda behind the tournament. The tournament is specifically enthralling as new characters keep on popping onto the puzzle board of what is a highly imaginative story.

Many otaku's, me included cannot stomach a show with scribbled, kindergarten level art work and this believe me, is a major turn-off. However, worry not as that's not the case here. With art that makes "The Monalisa" look like a fat blob of meat, GoH certainly is worth it's hype. It's endowed with mind blowing dazzling art and some of the best fight scenes I've come across which are the embodiment of what the author tries to convey to his readers. It makes you feel like your in a simulation spectating a blood rushing onslaught between fighting geniuses, so good it literally gives you goosebumps. The aurthor pays attention to important scenes, which he details to the dot . I love the way he transitions between serious scenes and comedy by using the chibi version of the characters. I'm having a real hard time here of translating this artistic master piece into emotion but I've driven my point home. Nevertheless he can never be perfect and if we closely look the characters, we can notice how funny their noses look like.

Characters are the fuel of any show be it in or out of otaku world and the more admirable they are the better.Take an example of our childhood love, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, exactly now you know what i mean. GoH has a variety of characters however, the show is anchored on three of them that is the pivotal character Jin Mori who is the icing on the cake, the beautiful Yu Mi-Ra and Han Dae-Wi the loner.
The support roles played by these two become integral to Jin's progression, both in ability and as a character. Other key figures in the plot are the Heavenly Princes,the Nine Kings, Nox Bishops and The Six.
Power progression is balanced and there are no unnecessary random power ups or divinely powerful individuals having everything of something,though a certain sword swinging manga protagonist doesnt seem to agree on this.


Those who haven't yet read it, im asking you to take a leap of faith you wont be dissapointed. Once you start reading GoH, it's a one way flight, it's as contagious as a virus and more addictive than the strongest stuff out there. The heavens smile every time a new chapter is released, the stuff is so good it keeps you at the age of your seat time and again.Since the time i came across it has become a manga killer as it rose the standards of what i read.To me, GoH transcended the levels of  being ranked as it's too awesome but, most manga sites give it a whooping 4.85 rating on a scale of 5. Yong Jae Park has an ingenious workshop up in his brain that is ticking endlessly giving us one of the best fist for fist comic to be ever drawn, only disputed by The Breaker and Veritas and together these three make the perfect martial arts remedy.

Love to hear what you think!