Holyland
Holyland is a Drama based on the Manga with the same name. Yu has always been bullied in High School as well as outside of school. Yu finally gets fed up and decides to learn how to fight. At first he learns the basics of boxing. while learning he becomes a natural at doing the “One, Two” punch. This helps him defeat the bullies picking on him, but it also brings him to the attention of the rest of the gangs in town. He eventually gets named Yankee Hunter. Every yankee wanting to make a name for himself chases and looks to defeat the Yankee hunter.
Ishigaki Yuma plays Kamishiro Yu and he does a great job at it. It is almost as if the character from the manga comes alive. Izawa Masaki, Yu’s rival/mentor is played by Tokuyama Hidenori. Masaki is used as a way to inform the user about fighting techniques and how the streets work in Holyland. Both actors have experience in playing Yankees Yuma was in Gokusen and Hidenori was in Great Teacher Onizuka. This series is alot more serious then Gokusen and GTO. The focus on the story is fighting and Yu’s mental state through out the whole thing.
So this series is not really a comedy. it’s more of an action, psychological drama. A focus on explaining multiple martial arts and how they are effective in street fighting. It also focuses on Yu’s mental status as he struggles to find his own place where he can be happy. The drama is currently being subbed by Ikemen Subbing althou a bit slowly, but the wait is worth it. Currently on episode 7 and I can’t wait to watch more.
As for the manga you may like it if you enjoyed Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru, Tiji-Kun! and Grappler Baki you will probably enjoy this serious.