Holyland. Realistically, what does it entail? A land belonging to those who believe keenly and unwaveringly in the existence of a God or a higher being? Traditionally, maybe so. But here, not exactly. In fact, it may be correct to say that the bearings and manner in which to obtain such a "holyland" as portrayed by our protagonist in this series is a far cry from anything holy whatsoever. Then, what does this series entail, and is it worth your time?

Before I delve into what this series has to offer, let me take a bit of time to pose a few questions and, in a way, introduce myself and
my personal thoughts on this series. Feel free to skip this section if you're only here to find out whether or not this manga will interest you.

Depression is, well, hard to explain. Have you ever experienced it? Maybe, maybe not. It's something I was diagnosed with a couple years ago. At that point, I felt like any motivation I had to pursue long-term life goals had dissipated in an instant. People will say that it gets better, they will often tell you to keep going and trying your hardest because "these feelings are temporary". I think that, having overcome those feelings, I understand where those people continuously telling me that were coming from. But at that time, I can't say I understood. I can't say I cared, or wanted to care. Maybe I was being ignorant or trying to avoid reality, but I think at the height of it all, I wasn't motivated enough to believe such notions. Whether it got better or not, at the time, I wasn't thinking about the future. I think it's difficult, I feel like in such a position, you can't really look forward, and all you can do is look back until whatever's ahead of you is behind you too.

Even more recently, I had a friend who suffered from depression and anxiety due to an event in his life he had no control over. He's religious, believing in God and holding faith. In his position, he's pursuing what he can and what he enjoys, which is an artistic profession. All of his siblings are artistic, none of them have proceeded into the Sciences and maybe he feels like he's doing a disservice by also proceeding in art. He had plans and lost so much time, motivation and idealism because of things he could not control. At that point, even for believers, faith comes into question. Why do we even live if we're living for so long, to attain something, yet that thing escapes from within our grasp when we strive to go for it? We all just become people putting on fronts, trying to make others think we're happy because it's the little bit of solace we find as people. It's a question of 'Maybe if others all see me as this happy person with no issues, I'll become a happy person with no issues.' It's not so simple but made out to be so simple. It gets to a point where suicidal people are telling other suicidal people that suicide isn't the answer. That's the state that depression oft leads us to, it's just a downwards spiral. It's not so easily solved, not so easily escaped, not so easily improved. It's a void, and it oftentimes feels like you'll never reach the bottom.

With that out of the way, I have one question I want you to think about while reading the rest of this review. Are you happy with the way your life is going?

Kamishiro Yuu, the protagonist of Holyland.

The word "Kami" meaning "God", in a series about a holy land. Fitting, huh? Well, maybe not so much.

“First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you.”

Have you ever felt like you don't belong? That, wherever you are at any given time, if you were removed from the situation nobody else would be affected? Maybe other people would even be glad that you were no longer there? Perhaps everyone feels like that at some point. Unrecognised or not cared for by society. Kamishiro Yuu, with no place to belong in society, takes refuge on the streets at night. Night, when society sleeps, when all you can be judged by is dependent on your capability. A world where the typical laws of society do not oft apply, where fitting in is simply a matter of strength. The night streets, the place where Kamishiro is able to find a new beginning.

For Yuu, the world he lives during the day is comparable to hell. ~~"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."~~ At school, he is bullied, has no friends, and has no interest in staying. So a member of society becomes an outcast, a shut-in, and his family gives up any hope they had in him. The outcast sees no point in living any longer. There is nothing in it for him, no enjoyment or happiness, life is simply a constant struggle that he does not have the will to keep struggling for. So the outcast becomes suicidal, and wants to end all of the suffering. But unfortunately for this struggler, ironically, the final step towards death is blocked by one of the biggest hurdles of life. Fear. ~~"Fear is the worst enemy of progress."~~

The outcast picks up a book. A book that teaches the art of boxing. The outcast learns. In learning, he finds satisfaction. He finds purpose. He is capable. He has a reason. A reason to keep living. He finds courage. Courage to face hurdles. But still, is he too weak to face the hurdle of fear? The fear of dying? The natural obstacle to all mortal existence? Yes, and no. That hurdle, he will no longer need to face willfully. Because in learning how to fight, the outcast finds purpose. And thus, the outcast finds his way to the streets. The streets where the sun is sleeping, where society has closed its eyes. The streets where the outcast is no longer outcast, where he must fit in. Kamishiro Yuu finds his way to the streets, to once more seek out a place where he may be accepted, where he will not be thrown out, but just as in every society, the streets have standards. If you are not strong enough, brave enough, if you lack courage, if you can't handle what the streets throw your way, just as in any other society, you will be outcast. And with that in mind, Kamishiro begins his expedition. He holds up his fists, ready to fight. He begins his journey, the journey to his Holyland.

And so, the story begins.

Holyland, on the surface, is about fighting. It's a martial arts manga that depicts a school student throwing away his regular life to fight for his place in a dark and dangerous world. So, just looking at this series at surface level, you can already pick up on one key fact. If you enjoy fighting, the gritty aspects of raw hand to hand combat, the thrilling emotions evoked by great action, you can find something to enjoy here. But that's not all. Not only does this series incorporate fighting as a genre to serve as entertainment, but Mori-sensei also teaches many of the technical aspects to different martial arts. That is to say, reading Holyland could even teach you a couple things about different martial arts in the real world. Boxing, judo and karate are only a few of the variety of martial arts Holyland has to offer.

So, looking below the surface, what else is there? Well, there's characters. I mean... there's characters, of course there are. But, the characters in Holyland are special for a certain reason. Their emotions. Each character in Holyland deals with different problems throughout the manga. From depression and anxiety, to self-harm and envy. For many, including myself, subjects such as these can be heavy, and also help evoke much stronger emotions. Most characters in this series are fighters, they excel at different martial arts and, just as our protagonist, find their places among the streets. We have a cast, that is filled with outcasts. An outcasted cast, that really helps elevate this series.

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."

Mori Kouji, with satisfactory experience and ample amount of research has crafted a masterpiece. A tale that elicits grand emotion from any reader who can find themselves resonant with themes portrayed in Holyland. A story that excites the reader tuned in for fights and exhilarating bouts of action. A chronicle that informs its readers on some of the technicalities of fighting and martial arts. A satisfying, complete and entertaining masterpiece. Perhaps here, as I have, you may also find your Holyland.