“Let’s Go Karaoke” is a single-volume comedy human-drama manga that skillfully navigates through the essential narrative elements of introduction, development, climax, and conclusion. Its pacing strikes the perfect balance, seamlessly mixing highs and lows. While this may seem basic, it’s surprising how some recent manga overlook this fundamental concept, often leaving readers like me yearning for a more satisfying composition. However, “Let’s Go Karaoke” stands out in this regard, showcasing a mastery of storytelling that captivates readers from start to finish.
Moreover, I’ve often found some manga series suffer from a slow start, drowning readers in extensive character introductions and background stories that seem somewhat meaningless. This makes it hard to grasp the story’s direction, even after purchasing and reading the first volume. Such experiences can leave me feeling like I’ve wasted my money and reluctant to continue to the next volume. However, “Let’s Go Karaoke” avoids this pitfall with its perfect tempo and concise storytelling—it’s a single-volume wonder!
The plot follows Satomi Oka, a third-year middle school student, who unexpectedly finds himself entangled with Kyoji Narita, a member of the Yakuza. When Kyoji recognizes Satomi’s talent during a choir competition, he seeks Satomi’s guidance to improve his own singing skills. Kyoji explains that his Yakuza boss likes to hold a karaoke competition where the loser faces a dubious reward – an amateur tattoo with questionable design skills from the boss. To avoid this fate, Kyoji persists in obtaining singing lessons from Satomi.
Naturally, Satomi initially refuses, being a typical middle schooler already burdened with his own problems. However, despite his initial refusal, Satomi reluctantly shares his contact information with Kyoji, eventually becoming his singing coach. This unlikely alliance sets the stage for a heartwarming tale of friendship amidst the backdrop of the Yakuza world.’
Let’s Go Karaoke, Episode 1. English translation: “The boss of the group I’m indebted to really likes karaoke.”
While some may perceive “Let’s Go Karaoke” as a BL manga, I believe it’s more suitably described as a friendship manga revolving around “bromance.” Despite Kyoji’s tendency to make unreasonable requests (given his Yakuza background), he fundamentally demonstrates a considerate and understanding attitude as an adult, even when faced with Satomi’s emotional outbursts.
As mentioned earlier, the manga is also infused with comedy, featuring humorous exchanges between Satomi, Kyoji, and other members of the Yakuza. The author’s unique humor adds an extra layer of enjoyment. I found myself laughing out loud while reading this manga.
Although there is a live-action movie adaptation of “Let’s Go Karaoke,” unfortunately, at the time of this writing, it’s not readily accessible in the United States. Additionally, there’s a sequel to the manga titled “Fami-res Ikou (Let’s Go to the Fami-res),” (note: Fami-res = Family Restaurant) which delves into Satomi’s life as a college student working part-time at a family restaurant. While I haven’t had the chance to read it yet, I’ve heard promising things about its storyline.
In summary, ‘Let’s Go Karaoke’ is a testament to a good storytelling, seamlessly blending humor, drama, and heartfelt moments to create a unique reading experience. Whether you’re looking for a break from lengthy series or just have a short time to spare, give it a try—you won’t be disappointed!
