In this episode of Manga With Josh, I talk about Did Someone Force You To Become The Heavenly Demon?, a newer Korean manhwa that approaches the Murim genre from an unexpected angle. Rather than following a protagonist driven by ambition or revenge, this story centers on someone who simply wanted to survive and live a normal life — and ends up becoming a disciple of the Heavenly Demon because there was no other choice.

The series blends martial arts, cultivation, and comedy, but what makes it stand out is its focus on consequences. Power here isn’t free, and every technique comes with a psychological cost that the story refuses to ignore.

What We Talk About

The Murim world and the divide between orthodox and unorthodox factions

Who the Heavenly Demon is and why that title carries so much weight

A reluctant protagonist forced into discipleship to survive

Martial arts styles that come with emotional and mental drawbacks

Disciples shaped by anger, detachment, obsession, and anxiety

Humor as a way to explore darker themes without losing balance

The early training arc and the transition into the academy storyline

Why This Manhwa Stood Out

What makes this series interesting isn’t just its premise, but how seriously it takes the idea that power changes people. Each discipline taught by the Heavenly Demon introduces a flaw alongside its strength, and the story explores what it means to live with those consequences instead of overcoming them instantly. The protagonist’s response isn’t dominance or rebellion, but structure — introducing routine, rules, and even therapy into a world that doesn’t normally make space for any of that.

It’s a Murim story that understands the genre well enough to play with it, using humor and character dynamics to say something a little quieter and more grounded.

Final Thoughts

With only a few dozen chapters released so far, Did Someone Force You To Become The Heavenly Demon? is easy to catch up on and clearly still finding its footing. It may never become a massive, animated franchise, but it doesn’t need to. There’s room here for steady growth, deeper character exploration, and a long-term arc that feels earned rather than rushed.

If you enjoy Murim stories that aren’t built around power fantasies, this is one worth keeping an eye on.

About the Show

Manga With Josh is a podcast where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.

As always, this is Manga With Josh — where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.

Episode 12 – Hajime no Ippo

Subtitle: The Boxing Manga That Refused to Fade

In this episode, I talk about Hajime no Ippo, a boxing manga that has been running quietly and consistently for decades. First serialized in 1989, it’s a series that existed long before many modern readers were paying attention, yet it continues to shape conversations around sports manga today.

Rather than chasing trends or rushing its story forward, Hajime no Ippo focuses on steady growth, discipline, and the reality of pursuing something difficult over a long period of time. It follows Makunouchi Ippo, a bullied high schooler who stumbles into boxing and slowly builds himself into a professional fighter through training, setbacks, and persistence.

What We Talk About

The origins of Hajime no Ippo and its long publication history

Makunouchi Ippo’s journey from outsider to professional boxer

Why the series’ slow pacing works in its favor

The realism of its boxing, training, and recovery arcs

The anime adaptations across three different eras

How character growth and rivalries drive the story forward

Why the series still matters after more than three decades

Why This Manga Stood Out

Hajime no Ippo doesn’t try to overwhelm the reader with constant spectacle. It allows time to pass naturally, giving space for training, injuries, relationships, and doubt. Fights feel earned because you see the work that leads up to them, and victories never come without consequence.

The series also treats boxing with respect. It emphasizes fundamentals, preparation, and mental endurance rather than exaggerated techniques, which gives the story a grounded tone that’s rare in long-running sports manga.

Final Thoughts

This episode isn’t about convincing everyone to start reading 1,500 chapters overnight. It’s about recognizing a series that has lasted as long as it has for a reason. Hajime no Ippo rewards patience, attention, and an appreciation for gradual growth.

If you enjoy stories that value discipline, character development, and realism — especially within sports — this is a manga that’s worth approaching at your own pace.

About the Show

Manga With Josh is a podcast where I explore manga — well-known and obscure — through first impressions, reflection, and honest discussion.

As always, this is Manga With Josh — where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.

In this episode, I talk about The Absolute Scholar, a lesser-known manga that caught my attention because of how quietly confident it is. At the time of recording, it’s a short series with roughly twenty chapters, which makes it easy to miss — but also easy to explore without a huge time commitment.

Rather than relying on spectacle, the story focuses on a scholar who embodies both intelligence and strength. It’s a refreshing take that blends discipline, knowledge, and capability in a way that feels grounded instead of exaggerated.

What We Talk About

• Discovering The Absolute Scholar and why it stood out

• First impressions and overall tone of the series

• The portrayal of a strong, capable scholar

• How the manga balances intellect and power

• Why short, lesser-known series can be worth exploring

• The appeal of finding manga outside the usual recommendations

Why This Manga Stood Out

The Absolute Scholar doesn’t rush to prove itself. It takes a measured approach, allowing the character’s intelligence and discipline to speak for themselves. The result is a story that feels focused and intentional, even in its early chapters.

Final Thoughts

This episode isn’t about declaring a must-read or overhyping a series. It’s about noticing something small, interesting, and different — the kind of manga you come across when you’re willing to dig a little deeper.

If you enjoy discovering hidden gems and exploring stories that approach familiar ideas from a quieter angle, this one is worth checking out.

About the Show

Manga With Josh is a podcast where I explore manga — well-known and obscure — through first impressions, reflections, and honest discussion.

In this episode, I talk about a lesser-known Korean manhwa that blends extreme power fantasy with slice-of-life comedy centered on fatherhood. After covering more mainstream series lately, this episode is a return to discovering something new and under the radar.

What This Episode Covers

Why this manhwa stood out despite familiar tropes

The core premise: an all-powerful being returning to modern Korea

Time dilation between worlds and its consequences

The reveal of an unexpected daughter

How fatherhood reframes overwhelming power

Gates, hunters, necromancers, and hidden dungeons

Comedy through everyday moments rather than battles

The balance between action, humor, and heart

Why It’s Worth Reading

While the series uses common genre elements, its strength comes from contrast. The humor isn’t driven by power scaling, but by watching an unstoppable character struggle with very human responsibilities. The father–daughter relationship is what gives the story its charm and keeps it engaging.

Spoiler Notice

This episode contains spoiler discussion and specific story moments.

Recommended For

Readers who enjoy overpowered main characters

Fans of comedy-driven fantasy

Anyone looking for fast, easy-to-read manhwa with heart

Listen & Subscribe

If you enjoy discovering manga you might not otherwise find, subscribe to Manga With Josh for more under-the-radar recommendations.

You can also find my other shows, The Books By Josh Audio Immersion and Tek With Josh, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Before Fairy Tail became a global phenomenon, creator Hiro Mashima had already completed a full shonen epic that most fans have never read.

In this episode of Manga With Josh, I break down Rave Master, Mashima’s first major series—and why its legacy was quietly buried despite strong sales and a complete manga run.

📚 What This Episode Covers

What Rave Master is and why it matters

Hiro Mashima’s career before Fairy Tail

Manga publication details:

Ran from 1999–2005

35 volumes / 296 chapters

23.5 million copies sold worldwide

Anime adaptation breakdown:

Aired 2001–2002

51 episodes

Only adapts up to around volume 12

Why running the anime while the manga was still ongoing hurt the series

The Dark Bring vs. Rave Stone premise

Haru Glory as a classic early shonen protagonist

Why Plue is one of Mashima’s most important characters

How Rave Master laid the foundation for ideas later seen in Fairy Tail

Why the manga still holds up—even if the anime doesn’t

🎌 Why Rave Master Was Forgotten

The anime ended too early

Later, stronger arcs were never adapted

It aired before anime had major Western momentum

Mashima’s later success overshadowed his first work

📖 Final Thoughts

Rave Master is a complete, classic early-2000s shonen battle manga that deserves more readers. If you’ve only experienced Mashima through Fairy Tail or Edens Zero, this is where it all truly began.

🎧 More From Josh

Books By Josh Audio Immersion

Tek With Josh

Manga With Josh – spotlighting manga you’ve probably never read

Subscribe for more deep dives into overlooked and underrated manga.

Overview

In this episode of Manga with Josh, Josh breaks down Great Teacher Onizuka, the iconic ’90s manga that blended delinquent comedy, heartfelt drama, and raw life lessons into something that still holds up today. From its 25-volume run to its 50+ million copies sold, GTO isn’t just a cult classic — it’s a franchise that reshaped how school-based manga could be written.

Josh explores Onizuka’s journey from street king to unconventional teacher, the darker themes the series wasn’t afraid to tackle, and how the story manages to stay funny, chaotic, and meaningful all at once. He also walks through the entire GTO universe — the prequels, the sequels, the anime, and the long list of live-action adaptations that prove just how big this franchise really became.

🎓 Whether you’re a longtime GTO fan or hearing about it for the first time, this episode shows exactly why Onizuka’s legacy still hits decades later.

📌 Key Topics & Highlights

📚 The Core of GTO

• Overview of Tohru Fujisawa and the creation of GTO

• Publication era: 1997–2002, 25 volumes, global success

• Why GTO’s mix of action, comedy, and emotional depth still resonates

• The real hook: a former delinquent who becomes the teacher nobody expects

👊 Eikichi Onizuka — The Unconventional Mentor

• Onizuka’s delinquent roots and partnership with Ryuji

• His “teaching philosophy” built on chaos, honesty, and heart

• How he reaches the class everyone else gave up on

• Key moments:

– Stopping a suicide attempt

– Taking hits for his students

– Breaking rules but building trust

🌑 The Darker Side of GTO

• Bullying, depression, heavy emotional themes

• How the manga balances humor with real impact

• Why Onizuka’s growth elevates the story beyond comedy

📖 The GTO Universe

• Shonan Junai Gumi — Onizuka & Ryuji’s early years

• Bad Company — how the duo met

• GTO: 14 Days in Shonan — post-series side story

• GTO: Paradise Lost — continuation of Onizuka’s journey

• A universe spanning 30+ years

📺 Anime & Live Action

• The 43-episode anime (1999–2000)

• Multiple drama adaptations, including the 2012 reboot

• TV specials and two live-action films

• How adaptations helped keep GTO relevant

🎙️ Personal Stories & Reflections

• Josh’s history growing up with GTO

• Why Onizuka felt like the teacher everyone wished they had

• Scenes that left a lasting emotional impact

• Why revisiting GTO still hits just as hard today

💬 Why GTO Still Matters

• It redefined school-life storytelling

• Delivered lessons without preaching

• Mixed comedy, action, and heart better than most manga of its era

• Onizuka remains one of manga’s most iconic leads — flawed, hilarious, genuine

🔗 Josh’s Other Content

If you enjoyed this episode, check out Josh’s other podcasts:
Books By Josh Audio Immersion & Tek With Josh
Explore more writing at booksbyjosh.com
Support Josh: buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

In this episode, Josh breaks down Sun-Ken Rock, the gritty and underrated seinen manga created by Boichi, best known for Dr. Stone. Running from 2006–2016 with 25 volumes, this series mixes crime, action, dark comedy, and intense character development that sets it apart from today’s formulaic manga trends.

Josh covers:

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Who Boichi is and how Sun-Ken Rock became his breakout work

• Why this manga stands apart from modern “system” and isekai trends

• Ken’s journey from a Japanese delinquent to a South Korean gang leader

• Key story arcs involving gangs, crime, romance, and revenge

• Why Sun-Ken Rock deserves an anime, even if it may never happen

• How the series blends over-the-top fights with serious themes

• A look at Boichi’s unique art style and why fans of Dr. Stone will appreciate this series

Manga Details

• Title: Sun-Ken Rock (Sun-Ken Rock / サンケンロック)

• Author/Artist: Boichi

• Genre: Seinen, Action, Crime, Drama

• Publication: 2006–2016

• Volumes: 25

About This Episode

Josh shares his personal experience discovering Sun-Ken Rock back in 2009 and why it still stands out today. From mafia-style suits and wild fight scenes to shocking twists and emotional moments, this episode dives into what makes the series unforgettable.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Dr. Stone

• Wallman

• Boichi’s Dragon spinoff

• Classic mafia influences such as The Godfather, The Sopranos, and Mob Land

Connect with Josh

If you enjoy this episode, check out Josh’s other shows and writing:

• The Books By Josh Audio Immersion

• Tech With Josh (T-E-K With Josh)

• Books by Joshua A. Rodriguez, available wherever books are sold:

• Private Eye: The First Adventure of Jason Streak by Joshua A. Rodriguez

• Still Here Somehow: Poems From a Dark Place by Joshua A. Rodriguez

• THE TWELVE STEPS TO WEALTH: FROM BUDGETING TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM AND BEYOND by Joshua A. Rodriguez