Posted 12:30 AM by Blah blah

Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President

I'm already in Volume 3 (out of 5) of Kaiji Kawaguchi's fantastic political comic book, and I'm gripped by its intrigue, drama, and very clever insights about American politics. Kawaguchi carries many half-formed hopes one step further as imagined reality, and he is highly convincing! As I mentioned here, Eagle is a stunning work for adults. If you care about Asian Americans in power and hope to see an Asian U.S. President someday, READ THIS SERIES! I have learned so much already from it about political campaigning and the American system. All from a guy in Japan, writing in Japanese! This series is read by senior members of the Japanese and Taiwanese governments.

From this review:

"When I previously reviewed Kaiji Kawaguchi's Eagle, covering installments 1-9, I pronounced the book a classic in the making. Having read a further chunk of the series (a chunk that I'm reviewing as a group so as not to give away too much in the way of specifics), I'm proud to say that not only was I right, but that the creator of Silent Service has exceeded my expectations. Reading at times like a lesson on U.S. election strategy and at other times like a hyperkinetic thriller, Eagle takes what could be a deadly boring premise and turns it into a propulsive, brilliantly paced masterwork of pure story.

To recap: Japanese reporter Takashi Jo has come to America at the invitation of presidential candidate Kenneth Yamaoka. Yamaoka could be the first Asian-American nominee for president, but he's hiding one mammoth secret: Takashi is his illegitimate son. Takashi must balance his personal feelings about his father even as he tries to cover the amazing events of the campaign (not to mention dealing with a surprising romantic relationship with Yamaoka's adopted daughter, Rachel).

The totally engrossing thing about Eagle is Kawaguchi's fundamentally unfailing grasp on America's politics. Not only does he understand the process, but he intuitively characterizes the import behind such moves as courting the Cattle Group constituents or the proper way to handle a tabloid sex scandal. If it's happened in American politics in the last twenty years, it happens in Eagle, and yet, it all seems new and unexpected as it goes on.

Kawaguchi's enigmatic portrayal of Yamaoka is the heart of the book. We find ourselves cheering for the man on a political level, yet are often put off by many of his personal gaffes and decisions. I believe that it's no mistake that he's meant to remind us of Bill Clinton. Ironically, the Clintons themselves become characters (albeit under different names) as the sitting president tries to hoist a truly shocking running mate on Yamaoka's main opponent.

Viz is still releasing volumes in the Eagle series, and they're welcome to. This is a true landmark of manga; it's a time capsule of a particular era that serves as entertainment, civics lesson, and social barometer all at once. It's thrilling reading. Eagle carries our highest recommendation."

When I mean 5 volumes, I mean the 5 graphic novels, not the monthly issues.