Jormungand, Vol. 1
By: Keitaro Takahashi
About This Book
Death is their business, and business is good. Jonah is a child soldier, born amidst the chaotic conflicts that rage across West Asia, his family lost to a war fueled by weapons supplied by the so-called Merchants of Death--international arms dealers. Despite Jonah's hatred of weapons and violence, he employs both extremely well in the service of high-flying arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar and her band of mercenaries. Their journey through the dark underbelly of the world's arms markets may lead only to damnation, but will Jonah one day make his way back to the light? Only one thing is certain: it's going to be a long, hard road out of hell... Koko Hekmatyar, the head of H&C Logistic Incorporated, introduces new recruit Jonah to her team of troubleshooters, and it isn't long before they have some trouble to shoot. An Eastern European government official is holding up a shipment of aircraft parts that would shift the balance of power in the region. The trouble is, that shipment belongs to Koko, and she's not about to miss an opportunity to make a profit, even if it means two nations go to war.
AI Overview
Overview of "Jormungand, Vol. 1" by Keitaro Takahashi
Key Themes
- War and Violence: The series delves into the dark world of international arms dealing, highlighting the chaos and destruction caused by conflicts fueled by weapons supplied by Merchants of Death.
- Morality and Ethics: The protagonist, Jonah, grapples with his hatred of weapons and violence while working for Koko Hekmatyar, a high-flying arms dealer. This internal conflict raises questions about morality and the ethics of involvement in the arms trade.
- Survival and Redemption: Jonah's journey is marked by his desire to escape the hellish world of arms dealing and find redemption, suggesting a long and hard road to recovery.
Plot Summary
Main Characters:
- Jonah: A child soldier born amidst chaotic conflicts in West Asia. His family was lost in a war fueled by international arms dealers.
- Koko Hekmatyar: The head of H&C Logistic Incorporated, a company involved in the arms trade. She is a skilled and ruthless arms dealer.
Plot: The story begins with Jonah, a child soldier, being introduced to Koko Hekmatyar and her team of troubleshooters. Koko is determined to make a profit, even if it means two nations going to war, by securing a shipment of aircraft parts that would shift the balance of power in the region. This shipment is crucial for Koko's business, and she will stop at nothing to ensure it reaches its destination.
Critical Reception
While specific reviews for "Jormungand, Vol. 1" are not extensively detailed in the sources provided, the series as a whole has garnered attention for its gritty and realistic portrayal of the arms trade. The manga series has been praised for its complex characters and intricate plotlines, which delve into the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of war.
Sources:
- Barnes & Noble: Describes the series as "Death is their business, and business is good," highlighting the dark and intense nature of the story.
- Simon & Schuster: Provides a brief summary of the plot, emphasizing Jonah's background as a child soldier and his involvement with Koko Hekmatyar.
- Goodreads: Offers a detailed summary of the first volume, including Jonah's hatred of weapons and violence, and his employment by Koko Hekmatyar.
Author Information
Keitaro Takahashi, the author and illustrator of "Jormungand," was born in 1978. He attended Tama Art University but dropped out. His debut work, "Ordinary±," was a quasi-winner of the Afternoon's Four Seasons Award in 1999. He has also worked on illustrations for the "Tonari No Dopperu-san" novel series and character design for "Assassin in Fate/Grand Order".
Overall, "Jormungand, Vol. 1" sets the stage for a gripping and intense series that explores the complexities of war, morality, and redemption through its characters and plot.