is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki. The manga was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from October 2007 to March 2010, with its chapters collected in twelve volumes. The series was re-launched by Kodansha in six volumes.
Plot Akira Kongō is looking to take down the "23 District Project", which involves from twenty-three districts of Tokyo fighting for the right to control Japan. Without meaning to, he becomes a participant with the alias "Kongō Banchō", and must take down other while searching for the leaders of the project.
Characters
Akira is a large yet gentle young man known for his unwavering loyalty and immense physical strength. He rarely loses his composure unless those close to him are threatened, and his words often compel others to reconsider their actions. After rescuing Hinako from Kiriu Tōya, he becomes the of Chiyoda district, prioritizing justice over power or wealth. He opposes the District Plan but finds contentment in life's simple pleasures. A student at Raimei Senior High School, he adheres to straightforward principles, retaliating against those who harm his friends. His superhuman strength allows him to harden his fists like lead, though his size hinders precision tasks. Beyond confronting rival , he aids residents of his district with their troubles.
Classmate and friend of Akira. When Akira first told her about the District Plan she laughed and reported to a cop, said cop was in on the plan and captured her, after which Akira fought to saved her and became friends. She has a little sister named Tsukimi.
The Chiyoda district , normally known as . He has a appearance and seems very cultured and calm. He is defeated by Akira, and after that, Akira has taken Tōya's place as the district's . Tōya eventually joins Akira, believing that he has what it takes to be the winner of the District Project and is willing to die to help him succeed.
The (cowardly ). His catchphrase is "let's fight in a fair, cowardly way." He uses any means necessary to win; he has no compunction about resorting to lies, sneak attacks or kidnapping. He was defeated by Akira, and joins him after he saved him and his underling (one of his little brothers). His reason for helping Akira is so that Akira will be indebted to help him when needed and he plans to backstab Akira when he wins control over all the districts. Actually, Yū is thankful to Akira, who helped save Yuu's family even if he tried to kill him.
The is a tomboyish girl from a wealthy family. Despite her small stature, she possesses immense strength due to her "hyperion constitution"—a rare condition granting extremely dense, flexible muscles and enhanced organ function, though requiring constant food intake to maintain her accelerated metabolism. Presenting herself as a vigilante, she indiscriminately destroys parts of her district deemed "evil," including a potentially hazardous chemical plant. Akira defeats her in combat, demonstrating her reckless approach. Following this confrontation, she reconsiders her methods and forms an alliance with him.
The of Sumida district, known as the , controls Kōji Senior High students through brainwashing, running a cult-like following. He profits by selling merchandise bearing his image, displaying greed and self-absorption. His apparent psychic abilities—blasting opponents and levitating—are revealed as tricks; his true power comes from an enlarged diaphragm concealed under his coat, granting extraordinary breath control. After Akira defeats him, his followers abandon him, believing Akira to be the reincarnation of Acala. He later allies with Akira, convinced of his righteousness after witnessing his loyalty. Accepting Akira as a divine figure, he renounces his former ways.
The is the former second-generation leader of the all-female motorcycle gang "Red Scorpio". Originally mentored by Aiko Tsukishima—Takeshi Kongō's late wife and mother of Rai Kongō—she assumes guardianship of Rai after Aiko's death, vowing revenge against Takeshi. Initially mistaking Akira for his brother due to their resemblance, she attacks him relentlessly until realizing her error. Following their confrontation, she allies with Akira to locate Takeshi. She demonstrates unacknowledged romantic interest in Yū Akiyama, unaware of his identity as the .
The , Takeshi is Akira's older brother and a longtime participant in the 23 Districts Project created by their father. He becomes fully active only after Akira disrupts the project's progress by seizing control of half of Tokyo's districts. Though always the stronger fighter, Takeshi accelerates his rise to power after Akira forces the project into stagnation. In response, Takeshi forms the Dark Student Council, expanding the conflict nationwide. Any who conquers one of Japan's 46 remaining prefectures earns a seat on the council. Under Takeshi's leadership, the group seeks to dismantle Japan's existing society and rebuild it under his rule.
Media Manga Written and illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki, Kongō Banchō was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from October 24, 2007, to March 10, 2010. Shogakukan collected its chapters in twelve volumes, released from February 18, 2008, to July 16, 2010. The series was re-launched by Kodansha in six volumes, published from June 15 to August 17, 2018.
Volumes
New edition
Other media Characters of the series appeared in Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Weekly Shōnen Magazine crossover game released for Nintendo DS in 2009.
References
External links