I decided that I should write review for one manga I really liked, and I chosed Gamaran.

My english grammar is not the best, but I will write everything about this manga that I liked, hopefuly this will help


Story
Good - 6/10
I would put this shonen in category of those I like to call, "darker" shonens. Just with the saying that this manga is set in "Middle Edo Period" you know that there are cruel things happening in it.
The ruler of the state Unabara(Also know as "Haunt of Demons" ) called Washitzu Naosata is looking for his succcessor. He calls his 31 sons and tell them to find a worthy martial art school, they believe is superior to any other school. Son with the strongest martial artist by his side, will become the next ruler of the land - And there is the plot of the series, the whole manga is circling about this one "tournament"

Far in the mountains, there lives a boy called Kurogane Gama, the son of a legendary swordsman, Kurogane Jinsuke that formed "Ogame" school. Kurogane Jinsuke is believed to be a demon, man that was able to kill 1000 martial artist in Unabara.
One of the sons, Washitzu Naoshi in a search of Kurogane Jinsuke, comes to the doujo only to find that Jinsuke is gone missing.After seeing the skill of a young swordsman Kurogane Gama, Naoshi choses to ask Gama to join him, in order to beat his brothers and become the next . Driven by the will to get stronger than his dad, to become the greatest swordman of all the time, Gama agrees to his offer. That is the start of this journey, journey to become the best swordsman.

Now, the whole manga is really fast, it doesn't get much slower in any parts, and I personally don't like that, but Gamaran is just "jackpot".
Story gets more complicated and interesting - as characters evolve, the story evolves too. Since its shonen, story is not the top priority, the story of Gamaran leans on characters, theirs ambitions, past and motives.


Art:
Outstanding - 10/10
Characters, weapons/swords, fights, background, I found everything perfectly drawn. Serious style, with serious and similliar faces of characters, their movements, everything is really original and enjoyable. Art really does suit the cruel Edo period.
I believe that people that are new to this manga will really like this magnificent style and will be overflowed with it.


Characters
Great - 9/10
There are many things about Gamaran characters
Many shonen have really boring, all-same characters, expecially main characters. Gamaran is diffrent, in many ways.
Main character, Kurogane Gama is still a kid, teenager, but he really went through alot. He has that dose of "mainstreamnes" but on the other hand, he really is likeable, mature, smart and great main character. Other Ogame martial artist, Gama's best friends are really great and "badass" too. They all have their, well-presented and really tough past, all of them have something they want to achieve, and the tournament is the way to come step closer to that ambition.The bond between main characters is realy strong, they all believe in each other and are ready to put their lives on the line for their friends.
Like I said, as the characters evolve, story evolves too, they are really connected.
Main antagonists are really likeable too, they too have something they want to achieve, someone they want to protect - somebody that is important to them.


Enjoyment
Great - 8/10
I believe that this manga is really special, it can easily become one of your favourites. Some parts of it are maybe boring and hard to read, but ones you get dragged in Gamaran's world, characters, you will love it.

Overall
Great - 8/10
It's a good manga that brings you great sword action scenes, good and interesting characters and on top of that, might teach you few new things about friendship and loyality
Hope this was helpful