George S. Patton once said, "Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood." That much holds true in the heart of these manga that explore the politics of war/conquest and the meaning of personal strength.
1.) Kingdom
Based on the Warring States period of China when the country was separated into smaller states under the rule of their own king, "Kingdom" focuses on the pivotal years that marked the rise of the Qin State that defeated and unified other contending states under one King. The most interesting part of "Kingdom" is it's focus on Shin, a peasant turned warrior, and watching him grow into a great warrior. Like many other manga that revolve around war, "Kingdom" talks about both strategy and martial prowess and at times tackles the morality of war. Shin's honesty and courage combined makes you root for him all the way.
2.) Red Storm
Although "Red Storm" is technically a Manhwa, a korean comic, it is one of few in it's medium that approaches this theme with respect to the consequences of and factors that create war in the first place. And while the plot is sprinkled with spiritual and mystical elements such as magic and mythical beasts, the wars and skirmishes that the protagonist, Yulian, must face is never underplayed. Yulian, as his tribe's successor carries the burden of becoming a great warrior as well as a great leader. But finding a mysterious man who seems to have god-like powers, proves his task much harder than he thought, despite being talented in the mysterious man's mystical arts. Being dropped in a critical role for both his family and his tribe, Yulian faces a political obstacle with other tribes and with the capital -- a European-esque empire that views the desert tribes as savages -- as well as a personal obstacle in becoming a great warrior.
3.) Berserk
Rather than war itself, "Berserk" veers our attention to a conflicted soldier/demon hunter in the making who is shaped by war. While the beginning half of the story deals with Guts, the protagonist, growth into a soldier -- with casual, yet forceful foreshadowing, the later chapters take a bizarre turn to a demonic outbreak of monsters wrecking havoc and Guts being in the middle of it all. And while there is no straight forward lesson about war made, the ethics of this theme is hinted at in the metaphors it creates. An army of demons who were once human fighting along side human is a statement all it's own. The merit of this manga is how Guts is humbled by war and personal struggles, including loss, grief, and self-reflection.
4.) Vagabond
Another historical manga, "Vagabond" is set during the Sengoku period of feudal Japan, where major and continuos shifts of power were constant. When we meet out protagonist, Minamoto Musashi, we witness his overpowering strength even after a critical skirmish, The Battle of Sekigahara. Becoming a ronin -- a masterless samurai --, Musashi wanders from province to province in search of great swordsmen who can polish his skills, yet finds a deeper meaning to his path than simply killing. While the journey is a personal one, the nature of historical manga lends itself to the political aspect of the setting. Musashi meets and battles historical figures and is part of the country's development as a whole. Even challenging a clan member from a prestigious fighting school sets the gears in motion of changing Japan. Musashi's journey affects everyone.
5.) The Heroic Legend Of Arslan
This manga places us in a fictional Middle-Eastearn setting, using Persian words and gear. It also places a firm hand on the factors and effects of religion in war. In an ongoing war between a Theocracy and an Empire, Arslan stands as the heir to the latter, yet is still a child and shows little skill in swordsmanship, being pure-hearted. While his home is invaded and his war is lost, Arslan must gather his strength with what little is left of his father's army and battle against a tyrannical nation that abuses their religion by justifying inhuman acts as the will of their god. "The Heroic Legend of Arslan" uniquely shows the good and bad side of religion as a means of war. While Arslan is openminded where the people he fights is stubborn, he finds the good in the rules that religion proposes. He even befriends one of the citizens taken as a slave who later escapes.
Not many manga focus so intently on war as these five titles do and even more so, on the philosophical components of it. Where one's own story may effect another person or even an entire country, the protagonists of these manga explores it all. Have fun reading and if you feel as though I missed any, please comment below.
