May 29, 2025
Score: 5/10
Nine Peaks is a manga that, on the surface, seems like it has all the ingredients of a great delinquent story: sharp art, cool character designs, and a time-travel twist that brings something fresh to the genre. But as much as I wanted to enjoy it, I found myself constantly feeling detached from the story and its characters.
Let me start with the positives. The artwork is easily the highlight. Characters are drawn with a bold, gritty style that suits the rough atmosphere of a yankii manga. Fights are dynamic, the paneling is clean, and the character designs are visually distinct. From a visual standpoint,
...
it's definitely well-executed.
The story premise is also interesting—mixing school delinquent drama with a time-travel plotline has a lot of potential. It starts off intriguing, and the setting does create opportunities for strong drama and action. But unfortunately, the execution just doesn’t live up to that promise.
The biggest issue? Pacing. Everything in Nine Peaks feels extremely rushed. Important events and character interactions are crammed into very short spans, and before you can process what's happening, the plot has already jumped ahead. Major story beats feel like they come out of nowhere, and there’s little time given for development or emotional weight.
I started reading Nine Peaks when it was first being released, so I was following it week to week. This made the pacing issue feel even worse. One week you’re introduced to a new character or setup, and by the next chapter, they’re already irrelevant or defeated. Things just happen out of nowhere—characters show up, get into a fight, and disappear without leaving any impression. I never felt anything for them because the story doesn't give you the time to care. No buildup, no payoff—just rapid progression with no emotional depth.
In a genre that thrives on charisma, rivalries, and character development, Nine Peaks feels like it's just speeding through a checklist rather than letting the story breathe. It wants to be cool and impactful, but doesn’t give itself the time to earn that impact.
In the end, Nine Peaks ends up being style over substance. If you’re just in it for some cool art and quick brawls, it might scratch that itch. But if you’re looking for something that will leave a lasting impression with memorable characters and meaningful arcs, this one might fall short.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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