Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon (ブラック・ラグーン）is a Manga written and illustrated by Rei Hiroe. It was published in Shogakukan's Seinen magazine Monthly Sunday Gene-X and first serialized in 2002. It is well known for its extremely realistic portrayal of criminal life not unlike Grand Theft Auto and is set in an Island City known as Roanapur which was infamous for its high crime and corruption levels. It has been serialized and published by Viz Media in English.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) Most of the action is very awesome and fast paced as it tends to also parody the generic high octane action from Hollywood movies in a well executed way and even if it feels at times unrealistic. It still feels very well-done and satisfying in a great sense.
 * 2) Very well-written and likable characters as they feel fit for the high crime theme and tone and are given great development such as Rokuro Okajima who at first is timid and insecure, becomes a sadistic, badass character who feels like an actual pirate and the relationship development of him and Revy is very well-written.
 * 3) Very great and well-written episodic stories that show the reality of crime life and corruption and how harsh it affects others and tends to be an obstacle for most individuals.
 * 4) Very great art and characters designs that do well for a crime themed Seinen especially the female characters who look badass and are prepared for awesome and kick-ass action.
 * 5) Very great disturbing atmosphere that warns the reader if they really want to step afoot in the tough part of the world while balanced with hilarious dark comedy.
 * 6) It got an anime adaptation and it almost has no filler and is extremely faithful to the manga by Madhouse.
 * 7) The idea of an Island city becoming a paradise for crime and corruption and a place for many criminals and corrupt authorities is very well executed and interesting.
 * 8) Very well-written tragic backstories for the characters which shows why they joined a criminal or terrorist group and some of them still have moral standards and qualms.
 * 9) The Japanese version tends to use broken English in a very humorous and comical way and many arcs after the first 3 Volumes tend to use them more often.
 * 10) Great cast of strong female characters that have very well-written personalities and have weaknesses to give them tactics to survive the world of Black Lagoon such as Revy, Eda, Roberta, Shenhua, Balalaika, Gretel and  Fabiola.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The characters can be unlikable at times. Though this can be forgiven since most criminals and corrupt authorities are supposed to act this way considering how most of them act arrogant, narcissistic, violent and sadistic in real life.
 * 2) Some parts can get strange and illogical such as Revy and Dutch feeling uneasy when Rokuro uses his sadistic persona considering it should make them happy and impressed as he's standing up for himself and becoming more protective for his crewmates.
 * 3) Though not as bad as Berserk. It tends to get nasty hiatuses as the author Rei Hiroe focuses on his other Manga that aren't popular too much at sometimes while halting chapters to be released.