Suzuran, a school where all of society's misfits coagulate. Those who attend have no future in studying, their place in the world is etablished by holding up their fists, ready to take action against those around them. In this violent society, physical strength remains to be the be-all and end-all amongst the teenagers with nothing else to prove. Suzuran maintains a well etablished hierarchy, however a system like this fails to unite all involved to a common goal. While there may be someone at the top, Suzuran has no leader. And thus, the stage is set for Crows, for the skies to be taken by those willing to jump towards it. For those who choose to fly when walking is easier, the stage is set.
Harumichi is our protagonist. A typical delinquent, from not being intellectually capable to resolving everything he knows how to with his fists and physical prowess. By all means, he is violent, he loves to fight, smokes, skips classes and most likely everything else you can add to the typical mannerisms of delinquents in high school. But it's this same Harumichi who retains some sort of inexplicable charm that, just as it does most of the cast, draws us in as readers. He is a delinquent, but he is not scum, and I believe that is an important distinction to make. Harumichi is goofy, he's loveable in some of the best ways possible, as a protagonist he doesn't feel to be someone too far out there.
As the story begins, we see Harumichi enter the fray. Joining Suzuran, it's clear what intentions are in mind for our delinquent protagonist. To reach the top of Suzuran. Is he capable of doing so? Well, that's for you to find out by reading. Regardless, in trying to do so, what entertainment is sought after? If you've come here, I can safely assume you love bouts of action. Raw, unadultered fist fights that cause people to get hurt. Rough, gritty, real, but along the line, somehow captivating, deep, emotional. Crows is a series that entertains by giving us what we came for, action, but by somehow intertwining emotions for the members of the cast before we've even begun to realise it's happened. As we watch Harumichi fight and take on other delinquents in this violent world, in our hearts we begin to root for him. We begin to find satisfaction in whatever victories he may come across, or sorrow in his defeats, and through it all, we begin to see Harumichi take flight.
Somewhere along the line, we all reach roadblocks in our lives. It's not always so easy to overcome the obstacles along our path of simply continuing on. And it's along this path of delinquency where Harumichi must confront the strongest to prove his own worth here. The strongest, however, are not so easily overcome. Just as obstacles in our own life aren't often so easy to overcome. But this is a theme where I feel this delinquent series shines above many. In life, you may find that things are more difficult than you may at first imagine. However, it's things like these that ingrain us with the qualities of someone who can overcome those obstacles. Essentially, a roadblock isn't an excuse to give up. We keep fighting, as Harumichi does with his fists, we do in our own ways, we fight to overcome. We find the more we fight, the more determined we become, the closer we come to reaching goals, to overcoming obstacles, to salvation and satisfaction. Fighting isn't always a gritty thing we do with our fists, but it's through this fist fighting in Crows that I feel we take away a more profound message - fighting isn't done simply for the sake of getting into conflict with someone or something else, but rather, it's something we do to realise our own goals. It's what we do to push onwards.
Suzuran is what we may refer to in this series as a bird cage. This school is where our crows reside. Each and every one, those who look to take to the skies, those who decide they aren't satisfied with being swept along by the tide. Those who decide to fight. This series is elevated by a strong cast. We have many delinquents apart from our protagonist, all of which have their own goals, reasons for fighting or for choosing not to fight. Crows utilises a cast that feels very three-dimensional in many facets of being. Beyond fists, beyond fighting, beyond violence, there are feelings. We see feeling in the cast, and I feel this is something that helps draw you in. While there is of course the aggressive nature of the series that holds enjoyment for all fans of action to indulge in, Crows boasts a story that is elevated by giving us the chance to understand and relate to characters within it. As you read, this is something you will come to understand.
On the surface, Crows is a series about delinquents who choose to fight. Within that, Crows is a series that tells a tale of how we choose to pursue our goals. There is something to enjoy for fans of action, and something to enjoy for those who wish to take a deeper message from the series' they choose to indulge in. At the end of the day, all of that goes out the window if a series isn't enjoyable at face value. Without a doubt, Crows is enjoyable. It's not too sophisticated, it doesn't try hard to be something it isn't, but in what it is, it succeeds with elegance and grace. So indulge to your heart's content, take the time to read a series you may find enjoyment in.
No cage can stop a crow from taking flight. People were born without the ability to fly, but we can. We can fly. And no cage, no expectations or inhibitions can stop you. Just as nothing could stop the crows of Suzuran from taking flight, inevitably, you can too. It's determination, perseverance, motivation, and it's not easy. Crows sets an example, to enjoy ourselves, but within that enjoyment, to find a goal to work towards. There is beauty in this gritty delinquent series, won't you take the time to see it too?
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